Separation device and method of operation

A separation device for separating particles of a bulk material, the bulk material being deliverable to an input location and provided, separated into different or unitary particle sizes, at an output location, the separation device comprising:

• at least one separating element which comprises a metal separating plate provided with through-openings therein, the at least one separating element being connected to an ultrasonic transducer and provided with ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic transducer and the at least one separating element being held by a holding device, wherein:
• the holding device is a mounting shaft, which is held at one end or at both ends movably and which at the one end or at both ends is connected to the ultrasonic transducer such that ultrasonic energy is transmitted via the mounting shaft into the at least one separating element, which is dimensionally stable,
• the mounting shaft is rotatably held or displaceable along its longitudinal axis, or the mounting shaft is rotatably held and displaceable along its longitudinal axis, and
• the mounting shaft is provided with a contacting device with collector rings and sliding contacts, via which alternating voltage signals or direct voltage signals are transferable to the ultrasonic transducer, the contacting device being supplied with alternating voltage signals with a constant or variable frequency by an ultrasonic generator.