Inflatable froth crowder apparatus for flotation machines
AssigneeFLSmidth A/S
InventorsDariusz Lelinski, Thien Sok, Michael Stark, Jake Albers, Christopher Upham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) is disclosed. The inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) is configured for directing froth from a flotation machine tank (21) to a launder (25) of a flotation machine and comprises an inflatable body (2), at least one valve (25), and first tethering means (4) for securing the inflatable body (2) within the flotation machine (35) using second (15) and third tethering means (23). Also disclosed is a flotation machine (35) comprising the inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) and a method of installing the inflatable froth crowder assembly (1).
Claims17
An inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) configured for directing froth from a flotation machine tank (21) to a launder (25) of a flotation machine (35) comprising:
- an inflatable body (2) having an under surface (6) configured for directing flows of froth from within the flotation machine tank (21) towards the launder (25);
- the inflatable body (2) comprising at least one chamber (18) therein for receiving a gas, the inflatable body (2) being formed from a flexible resilient membrane;
- at least one valve (5) provided to a portion of the inflatable body (2) and being configured for allowing ingress and egress of a gas;
- and
- first tethering means (4) for securing the inflatable body (2) to a component of the flotation machine or to a second component (3) of the inflatable froth crowder assembly (1), using a third tethering means (23).
The inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more internal webs (17) extending within the inflatable body (2);
- each of the one or more internal webs (17) connecting at least two of the following portions of the inflatable body (2):
- an upper surface (10), an under surface (6), an inner profile (8), an outer profile (9).
The inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable body (2) further comprises means (19) for receiving and/or securing ballast (20).
The inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable body (2) comprises one or more inflation tubes (7) extending therefrom and communicating with a holding tank (29) containing pressurized gas.
The inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inflatable body (2) is configured to be situated in the tank (21) and secured within the tank (21) with a clearance between the launder (25) and an inner (8) or outer (9) profile of the inflatable body (2).
The inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third tethering means is selected from the group consisting of:
- a cable, a rope, a chain, a carabiner, and a turnbuckle.
A flotation machine (35) comprising the inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
A method of installing a froth crowder assembly into a flotation machine (35) comprising the steps of:
- providing the inflatable froth crowder assembly (1) and flotation machine according to any one of the preceding claims;
- introducing a gas to the at least one chamber (18) within the inflatable body (2);
- inflating the inflatable body (2) up to a predetermined pressure;
- and
- securing the inflatable body (2) to the flotation machine by virtue of attaching the first tethering means (4) to the third tethering means (23).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.