Patent ID: 6540088
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B03C,B82Y

Abstract:
An apparatus for sorting particles comprising:a magnet mechanism for separating the particles with a magnetic force, the magnet mechanism rotates about a horizontal axis, the magnet mechanism comprises a cylindrical arrangement of alternating segments of permanent magnets separated by steel spacers, where the permanent magnets are magnetized parallel to the axis of the cylinder and are arranged so that the nearest faces are magnetized in opposite directions with the magnetic flux from the magnet emerging radially over the surfaces of the steel spacers; an electric mechanism for separating particles with an electrical force disposed adjacent to the magnet mechanism, the electric mechanism includes an electrode, said electrode disposed adjacent the magnet mechanism so a voltage difference is applied between the electrode and the magnet mechanism, particles which are magnetic will be attracted to the magnet mechanism but repelled by inertia and electrical forces if they are charged the same way as the magnet mechanism, with a balance of forces on each particle dictating where the particle goes as the magnet mechanism rotates; and a mechanism for providing the particles to the magnet mechanism and the electric mechanism, said providing mechanism engaged with the magnet mechanism and the electric mechanism, the providing mechanism includes a mechanism for imparting an electric charge to the particles, the imparting mechanism includes a vibratory tray upon which the particles are vibrated and creates triboelectric charges in the particles by contact of the particles with the vibratory tray and with each other, the imparting mechanism includes a feeder belt which receives particles from the vibratory tray and carries them to the magnet mechanism and creates triboelectric charges in the particles by contact of the particles with the feeder belt and with each other, the feeder belt has an electric charge which charges the particles when the particles contact the belt.