US 4,874,508 A · Magnetic separator

Abstract

An improved magnetic separator arrangement is provided. One major improvement relates to modifications facilitating utilization of relatively dense and tightly packed matrix material within races, through which a slurry of ore material passes during separation. The tightly packed matrix material is accommodated through utilization of flexible race walls, and compression and expansion mechanisms selectively operable to facilitate separation. A cover mechanism inhibits water flow turbulence, during an initial setting up of a magnetic field to entrap magnetic material within the matrix element of each race. A preferred retainer mechanism is provided which facilitates mounting of flap members for use in association with a cover mechanism, as well as retention of the matrix material in a desired position. In a preferred embodiment, the previous features are incorporated into a system fed with an ore material from an inner portion of a circular race, i.e. the center of a rotating drum.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A magnetic separator device comprising:

(a) at least one race having first and second opposite sidewalls and matrix material positioned therebetween, said race opposite sidewalls being flexible and selectively deformable toward and away from one another;
(b) expansion means selectively expanding at least a portion of said matrix material from a more dense orientation to a less dense orientation;
(c) motive means selectively rotating said race through a 360.degree. arc about a central-axis-of rotation;
(d) ore-slurry feed means for selectively feeding an ore-slurry into said matrix material;
(e) a magnetic zone including a first magnetic field applied across said race during a first selected portion of the 360.degree. arc-of-rotation, to selectively retain magnetic material from the ore-slurry feed in said matrix materials;
and
(f) a release zone comprising a selected portion of said 360.degree. arc-of-rotation at which no substantial magnetic field is applied across said race.

4 more elements

A magnetic separator device comprising:

(a) at least one ring-shaped race having first and second opposite sidewalls and matrix material positioned therebetween;
(i) said race opposite sidewalls being flexible and selectively deformable toward and away from one another;
(ii) said matrix material being compressed between said race sidewalls such that as portions of said opposite sidewalls deform away from one another, associated portions of said matrix material expand toward a less dense orientation;
(b) motive means selectively rotating said ring-shaped race through a 360.degree. arc about a central axis-of-rotation;
(c) ore-slurry feed means selectively feeding an ore-slurry into said matrix material;
(d) a first magnetic zone including a first magnetic field applied across said race during a first selected portion of the 360.degree. arc-of-rotation, to selectively retain magnetic material from an ore-slurry feed in said matrix material;
(e) a release zone comprising a selected portion of said 360.degree. arc-of-rotation at which no substantial magnetic field is applied across said race;
and,
(f) expansion means selectively expanding a portion of said matrix material in at least a portion of said release zone, by biasing portions of said opposite race sidewalls apart from one another in said portion of said release zone.

6 more elements

A magnetic separator device comprising:

(a) at least one ring-shaped race having:
first and second opposite and substantially planar sidewalls;
a plurality of spaced transverse walls;
and, matrix material extending between said opposite sidewalls;
(i) said race being oriented with said opposite sidewalls in substantially vertical planes;
(ii) said race opposite sidewalls being flexible and selectively deformable toward and away from one another;
(iii) said plurality of transverse walls extending generally between said opposite sidewalls and dividing said race into a plurality of segments;
each of said transverse walls being attached to no more than one of said opposite sidewalls;
and,
(iv) said matrix material being divided into a plurality of matrix segments, one each of which is positioned within a selected, associated, race segment;
each matrix segment being compressed between said race sidewalls such that as associated portions of said opposite sidewalls deform away from one another, said segment of matrix material expands toward a less dense orientation;
(b) motive means selectively rotating said ring-shaped race through a 360.degree. arc-of-rotation about a substantially horizontal central axis-of-rotation, in a first direction;
(c) ore-slurry feed means selectively feeding an ore-slurry into said matrix material;
(d) a first magnetic zone including a first magnetic field applied across said race during a first selected portion of said 360.degree. arc-of-rotation, to selectively retain magnetic material from an ore-slurry feed in said matrix material;
(e) a release zone comprising a selected portion of said 360.degree. arc-of-rotation at which no substantial magnetic field is applied across said race;
and,
(f) expansion means selectively expanding a portion of said matrix material in at least a portion of said release zone, by biasing portions of said opposite race sidewalls apart from one another in said portion of said release zone.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnetic separator

Life of this patent

Magnetic separator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30