Magnetic separator

A magnetic separator comprising:

• a housing defining a product flow path;
• a drawer moveable between a first position and a second position;
• a plurality of magnets operatively connected to the drawer, the plurality of magnets positioned within the product flow path when in the first position and the plurality of magnets withdrawn from the flow path when in the second position;
• a stripper plate frame attached to the housing;
• a first stripper plate fixed to the stripper plate frame, the first stripper plate having a first plurality of apertures conforming with the plurality of magnets and through which the plurality of magnets pass as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions, the first plurality of apertures serving to strip material attracted to the plurality of magnets off of the plurality of magnets as the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position;
• and
• a second stripper plate positioned between the first stripper plate and the stripper plate frame, the second stripper plate having a second plurality of apertures through which the plurality of magnets pass as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions;
• wherein the stripper plate frame includes a first pair of notches and the first stripper plate is fixed to the stripper plate frame when positioned within the first pair of notches;
• and
• wherein the second plurality of apertures have a tolerance fit such that a diameter of the second plurality of apertures is smaller than an outer diameter of the plurality of magnets, resulting in an interference fit.

A method of operating a magnetic separator, comprising:

• passing a product through a housing that defines a product flow path;
• moving a drawer between a first position and a second position;
• positioning the magnet within the product flow path when the drawer is in the first position, and withdrawn from the product flow path when the drawer is in the second position;
• moving the drawer from the first position to the second position, such that a first aperture strips material, via a first stripper plate, off of the magnet as the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position, the first stripper plate fixed to the stripper plate frame, the first stripper plate having the first aperture conforming with the magnet and through which the magnet passes as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions, the first stripper plate fixed to a stripper plate frame, that is attached to the housing;
• and
• passing a first shoulder of the magnet through a first keyed opening of the drawer, and rotating the first shoulder with respect to the first keyed opening to axially lock the magnet with respect to the drawer.

A magnetic separator comprising:

• a housing defining a product flow path;
• a drawer moveable between a first position and a second position;
• a magnet operatively connected to the drawer, the magnet positioned within the product flow path when in the first position and the magnet withdrawn from the flow path when in the second position;
• a stripper plate frame attached to the housing;
• a first stripper plate fixed to the stripper plate frame, the first stripper plate having a first aperture conforming with the magnet and through which the magnet passes as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions, the first aperture serving to strip material attracted to the magnet off of the magnet as the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position;
• a second stripper plate positioned between the first stripper plate and the stripper plate frame, the second stripper plate having a second aperture through which the magnet passes as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions;
• and
• a retention plate coupled to the stripper plate frame, the retention plate having a third aperture through which the magnet passes, the retention plate positioned between the second stripper plate and the stripper plate frame;
• wherein the stripper plate frame includes a first pair of notches and the first stripper plate is fixed to the stripper plate frame when positioned within the first pair of notches.

A magnetic separator comprising:

• a housing defining a product flow path;
• a drawer moveable between a first position and a second position;
• a magnet operatively connected to the drawer, the magnet positioned within the product flow path when in the first position and the magnet withdrawn from the flow path when in the second position;
• a stripper plate frame attached to the housing;
• and
• a first stripper plate fixed to the stripper plate frame, the first stripper plate having a first aperture conforming with the magnet and through which the magnet passes as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions, the first aperture serving to strip material attracted to the magnet off of the magnet as the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position;
• wherein the drawer includes a first keyed opening and the magnet includes a first shoulder that passes through the first keyed opening, such that when the first shoulder is in a position rotated with respect to the first keyed opening, the magnet is axially locked with respect to the drawer.

A magnetic separator comprising:

• a housing defining a product flow path;
• a drawer moveable between a first position and a second position;
• a plurality of magnets operatively connected to the drawer, the plurality of magnets positioned within the product flow path when in the first position and the plurality of magnets withdrawn from the flow path when in the second position;
• a stripper plate frame attached to the housing;
• a first stripper plate fixed to the stripper plate frame, the first stripper plate having a first plurality of apertures conforming with the plurality of magnets and through which the plurality of magnets pass as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions, the first plurality of apertures serving to strip material attracted to the plurality of magnets off of the plurality of magnets as the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position;
• a second stripper plate positioned between the first stripper plate and the stripper plate frame, the second stripper plate having a second plurality of apertures through which the plurality of magnets pass as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions;
• and
• a retention plate coupled to the stripper plate frame, the retention plate having a third plurality of apertures through which the plurality of magnets pass, the retention plate positioned between the second stripper plate and the stripper plate frame;
• wherein the stripper plate frame includes a first pair of notches and the first stripper plate is fixed to the stripper plate frame when positioned within the first pair of notches.

A magnetic separator comprising:

• a housing defining a product flow path;
• a drawer moveable between a first position and a second position;
• a plurality of magnets operatively connected to the drawer, the plurality of magnets positioned within the product flow path when in the first position and the plurality of magnets withdrawn from the flow path when in the second position;
• a stripper plate frame attached to the housing;
• and
• a first stripper plate fixed to the stripper plate frame, the first stripper plate having a first plurality of apertures conforming with the plurality of magnets and through which the plurality of magnets pass as the drawer is moved between the first and second positions, the first plurality of apertures serving to strip material attracted to the plurality of magnets off of the plurality of magnets as the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position;
• wherein the drawer includes keyed openings and the plurality of magnets each include a shoulder that passes through a respective keyed opening, such that when each shoulder is in a position rotated with respect to its keyed opening, the respective magnet is axially locked with respect to the drawer.