Method and apparatus for magnetic separation of particulates from liquids

A magnetic separator comprising:

• an elongated tank having a bottom wall, a pair of side walls connected to said bottom wall, a front wall connected to said bottom and side walls at one end of said tank and a ramp wall at the other end of said tank extending upwardly from said bottom wall and in a direction away from said front wall to form an upwardly and outwardly inclined ramp having the edges thereof connected to said side walls;
• an inlet provided in a wall of said tank for directing liquids containing ferrous particles and other particulate into said tank;
• an outlet provided in a wall of said tank where the liquid after treatment exits said tank;
• a track system mounted in and extending lengthwise of said tank including a lower tank track, an upper tank track spaced above said lower tank track, a lower ramp track and an upper ramp track spaced above said lower ramp track;
• a pair of transversely spaced apart endless conveyor chains movably mounted in said tank and guided by said track system, said conveyor chains describing an endless loop within said tank;
• a plurality of longitudinally spaced magnetic frames in said tank, each frame extending across said tank between said side walls and having an upper end and a lower end, with said upper end of each frame suspended from said conveyor chains;
• each of said frames carrying a series of parallel magnetic rods which are spaced apart to form magnetic gaps and through which the liquid passes as the conveyor chains and frames traverse said tank, with the ferrous particles in the liquid being attracted to and deposited on said magnetic rods;
• the lower end of each frame being provided with a scraper edge that contacts the bottom and ramp walls of the tank when the frame is traversing the lower tracks to scrape the particulate from the bottom and ramp walls and move the particulate towards the other end of said tank where it is discharged;
• each frame as it leaves said lower tank track and enters said lower ramp track closely follows the inclination of said ramp as the frame travels up said ramp;
• wiper blades located near the upper end of said ramp, each frame as it is moved by said conveyor chains up said ramp engaging a trip lever which opens said wiper blades;
• each frame as it is moved by said conveyor chains after the top thereof has passed said trip lever moving through the opening between said wiper blades, said wiper blades thereafter closing on the magnetic rods of said frame to wipe and remove the collected ferrous particulate from the magnetic rods;
• the lower end of each frame as it is moved by said conveyor chains and approaches said wiping blades causing a protrusion thereon to make contact with said trip lever resulting in the wiper blades opening to thereby allow the lower end thereof to pass through the openings;
• and
• a pivoted switch track which is normally closed interposed between said upper and lower ramp tracks, said switch track opening when contacted by each frame as it is swung upwards and forward, said switch track after each frame has cleared the opening falling back and forcing it to follow said upper ramp and tank tracks.