Apparatus for the multisorting of scrap metals by x-ray analysis

Apparatus for sorting pieces of non-ferrous scrap metal as they move through a generally vertically disposed sorting one along a predetermined path under the influence of gravity, comprising

• handling means for introducing pieces of scrap metal into the upper part of said sorting zone for movement therethrough in a single line down an inclined guide member under the influence of gravity,
• a first and a second light source and photodetector, said first light source and first photodetector being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path near the upper end of said guide member, said second light source and second photodetector being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path below said first light source and first photodetector, said first and second photodetectors providing first and second signals as each piece of metal occults the light received by the respective photodetector,
• x-ray analysis means adjacent said predetermined path below said second light source and second photodetector for directing high energy radiation onto said pieces as they move down said guide member to induce x-ray fluorescence in said pieces, and for detecting said fluorescence indicating a metal type for each said piece and providing third signals representing this,
• at least a first and a second air directing nozzle at respective openings in said guide member for directing air through the respective opening at particular pieces of scrap to deflect them from said predetermined path, said first nozzle being below said x-ray analysis means and said second nozzle being below said first nozzle, said first and second nozzles being provided with a respective control for air flow therethrough, and at least portions of said guide member adjacent said first and second nozzles being in the form of a grating to permit air issuing from a nozzle and diverted by a piece of scrap to escape through said grating, and
• control means for receiving said first, second and third signals, determining for each piece its metal type and designating it for deflection by said first nozzle, said second nozzle or for no deflection and providing signals to said control for air flow through said first and second nozzle to initiate and terminate air flow therethrough as a piece designated for deflection passes the respective nozzle to deflect said piece to a respective first and second deflection path.

Apparatus for sorting pieces of non-ferrous scrap metal into a plurality of components as the pieces move through a generally vertically disposed sorting zone along a predetermined path under the influence of gravity, comprising,

• handling means for introducing pieces of scrap metal into the upper part of said sorting zone for movement therethrough down an inclined guide member under the influence of gravity in a plurality of adjacent parallel lines,
• a first and second light source and a first and second photodetector each extending substantially across said predetermined path, said first light source and first photodetector being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path near the upper end of said guide member, said second light source and second photodetector being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path spaced below said first light source and first photodetector, said first and second photodetectors providing first and second signals representing the time at which each piece occults the light and its transverse position,
• x-ray analysis means adjacent said predetermined path below said second light source and photodetector for directing high energy radiation across said path and onto said pieces as they move down said guide member to induce x-ray fluorescence in said pieces, and for detecting said fluorescence and indicating a metal type for each piece, and providing third signals representing this,
• at least a first and second set of air directing nozzles at respective opening in said guide member extending across said guide member for directing air through said respective openings to deflect particular pieces from said predetermined path, said first set of nozzles being spaced below said x-ray analysis means and said second set of nozzles being spaced below said first set of nozzles, each nozzle having a control for air flow therethrough, at least portions of said guide member adjacent said openings for said first and second set of nozzles being in the form of a grating, to permit air issuing from said nozzles and diverted by a pieces of scrap being deflected, to escape through the grating, and
• control means for receiving said first, second and third signals, determining for each piece its metal type and transverse position and designating it for deflection by nozzles in said first set of nozzles, by nozzles in said second set of nozzles, or for no deflection by said first and second set of nozzles, and providing fourth signals to respective ones of said controls for air flow through said first and second sets of nozzles to initiate and terminate air flow for deflection of respective designated pieces to respective first and second deflection paths.

Apparatus for sorting pieces of non-ferrous scrap metal as they move through a generally vertically disposed sorting zone along a predetermined path under the influence of gravity comprising,

• handing means for introducing pieces of scrap metal into the upper part of said sorting zone for movement therethrough in a single line down an inclined guide member under the influence of gravity,
• a first and a second light source and photodetector, said first light source and first photodetector being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path near the upper end of said guide member, said second light source and second photodetector being positioned on opposite sides of said predetermined path below said first light source and first photodetector, said first and second photodetectors providing first and second signals as each piece of metal occults the light received by the respective photodetector,
• x-ray analysis means adjacent said predetermined path below said second light source and second photodetector for directing high energy radiation onto said pieces as they move down said guide member to induce x-ray fluorescence in said pieces, and for detecting said fluorescence indicating a metal type for each said piece an providing third signals representing this,
• at least a first and a second air directing nozzle at respective openings in said guide member for directing air through the respective opening at particular pieces of scrap to deflect them from said predetermined path, said first nozzle being below said x-ray analysis means and said second nozzle being below said first nozzle, said first and second nozzles being provided with a respective control for air flow therethrough,
• control means for receiving said first, second and third signals, determining for each piece its metal type and designating it for deflection by said first nozzle, said second nozzle or for no deflection and providing signals to said control for air flow through said first and second nozzles to initiate and terminate air flow therethrough as a pieces designated for deflection passes the respective nozzle to deflect said piece to a respective first and second deflection path, and
• a first additional photodetector and a photoemitter spaced apart on opposite sides of said predetermined path and spaced above said first nozzle, said first additional photodetector providing a timing signal for control for air flow through said first nozzle, and wherein said signal for timing derived from said first and second signals is an enabling signal permitting actuation of said control for air flow through said first nozzle by said timing signal from said first additional photodetector.