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US 5,209,355 AGranted
Method and an apparatus for sorting solids
OwnerKurt-Henry Mindermanninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for sorting particulate solids material. The material is subjected to a microwave field and absorbs energy to an extent depending upon the dielectric properties of the individual particles. The absorbed energy heats the particles, and pyrodetectors detect the heat radiation. Detector output signals control pressurized air jets to remove particles from the waste material which are detected to be colder than the remainder of the bulk.
Claims7
An apparatus for sorting solid impurities out of a mixture of solids primarily constituted of particular solids, comprising:
- a microwave furnace having means to heat said mixture so that its constituents assume different temperatures depending upon their respective dielectric properties;
- means for conveying said mixture through said furnace;
- means for detecting said temperatures;
- a background radiation generator disposed opposite said detecting means, with said mixture falling between said detecting means and said generator, said background radiation generator includes means for producing a background radiation responsive to heat radiation of said mixture due primarily to said particular solids having a relatively high electric conductivity, and said detecting means distinguishing said solid impurities having a relatively low electric conductivity against said background radiation;
- and
- means for sorting said mixture of solids in response to the respective detected temperatures of the constituents thereof.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.