# US 8,770,412 B2 · Gravimetric mineral processing device and method for its use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,412 B2 - Document ID: US8770412B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/708,193 - Filed: 2012-12-07 - Published: 2014-06-12 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-07 - Applicants: Gerald Lee Miller - Inventors: Gerald Lee Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770412B2 ## CPC - B03B 5/04: on shaking tables (on vanners B03B5/08) - B03B: SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS ## Abstract The invention disclosed and claimed herein is a device for processing minerals and a method for its use, which device and method employ gravimetric principles to separate values in a feedstock from gangue, thereby allowing recovery or concentration of the values. The invention includes a table that receives and holds the feedstock, a chassis for supporting the table, and a mechanism for imparting a specific motion to the table, the motion being referred to as “compound cyclic,” which is a reciprocating, rectilinear, to-and-fro motion parallel to or coincident with the working axis of the table, combined with a simultaneous, continuous, and smooth vertical up-and-down motion that eliminates vertical jolting, jarring, or bumping. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for separating values in a feedstock from gangue in the feedstock, wherein said device has a values-end and an opposing gangue-end, said device comprising: a. a vee-table, wherein said vee-table is configured to receive and to hold said feedstock; b. a fluidizing means for fluidizing said feedstock to produce a fluidized feedstock, wherein said fluidized feedstock is held by said vee-table; c. a chassis, wherein said chassis supports said vee-table; and, d. a table-drive means for imparting a compound cyclic motion to said fluidized feedstock held by said vee-table. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising a tilt-means for imparting a tilt-angle to said vee-table. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein said tilt-means comprises: a. a lift mechanism that lifts one end of said vee-table; and b. a tilt-hinge at an opposing end of said vee-table. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3 wherein said lift mechanism comprises a hydraulic system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising a values outlet in said vee-table at or near the values end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein said fluidizing means comprises a manifold. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising on-the-fly control elements that control at least one of tilt-angle, drive-stroke, and motor speed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method of using the device of claim 1, said method comprising the steps of: (a) loading the feedstock into or onto said vee-table; (b) fluidizing the feedstock; (c) applying power to said table-drive means; and, (d) collecting the values. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: (e) on-the-fly adjusting of at least one of: i. a tilt-angle of said vee-table; ii. a drive-stroke of said table-drive means; and, iii. a drive speed of said table-drive means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein said table-drive means comprises: a. a drive-motor; b. an eccentric-coupler attached to said drive-motor, wherein said eccentric-coupler is rotated by said drive-motor; c. one or more reciprocating legs, wherein said reciprocating legs connect said vee-table to said chassis, and wherein said reciprocating legs comprise a plurality of joints that allow said vee-table to move in said compound cyclic motion; and, d. a linkage-assembly that couples said eccentric-coupler directly or indirectly to said vee-table, whereby rotation of said eccentric-coupler by said drive-motor causes said compound cyclic motion to be imparted to said fluidized feedstock held by said vee-table. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 further comprising a tilt-means for imparting a tilt-angle to said vee-table. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11 wherein said tilt-means comprises: a. a lift mechanism that lifts one end of said vee-table; and, b. a tilt-hinge at an opposing end of said vee-table. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 further comprising a values outlet in said vee-table at or near said values end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 wherein said fluidizing means comprises a manifold. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 wherein said linkage assembly comprises: a. a leg-coupler connected to at least one of said reciprocating legs; and, b. a linkage-rod having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said linkage-rod is coupled to said eccentric-coupler, and wherein said second end of said linkage-rod is coupled to said leg-coupler. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15 wherein said leg-coupler is a sliding-coupler configured to adjustably slide up and down said reciprocating leg, whereby a drive-stroke of said device is adjusted by varying a position of said sliding-coupler on said reciprocating leg. ### Claim 17 A method for using a device for separating values in a feedstock from gangue in the feedstock, wherein the device has (1) a values-end; (2) an opposing gangue-end; (3) a table, wherein the table is configured to receive and to hold the feedstock; (4) a fluidizing means for fluidizing the feedstock to produce a fluidized feedstock, wherein the fluidized feedstock is held by the table; (5) a chassis, wherein the chassis supports the table; and (6) a table-drive means for imparting a compound cyclic motion to the fluidized feedstock held by the table, said method comprising the steps of: (a) loading the feedstock into or onto the table; (b) fluidizing the feedstock; (c) applying power to the table-drive means; and, (d) collecting the values. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: (e) on-the-fly adjusting of at least one of: i. a tilt-angle of the table; ii. a drive-stroke of the table-drive means; and, iii. a drive speed of the table-drive means.