Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1895-Accented, 21st Dec., 1895

page_text: gradually varying in diameter, their edges so contacting as to form a continuous
external surface, and having at the opposite ends heads D¹ D². The head D¹
abutts against an annular enlargement or ring E upon the shaft C, and outside the
head D2 is a ring E', having an internal thread, moving upon a thread on the
shaft. By screwing this ring against the head the sections may be forced closely
together. A second threaded ring or lock-nut E' secures E' against movement.
In the modified form of deflector shown in Fig. 10, instead of the metallic drums,
wooden sections or rings F are used. These are held together between the plates
or heads D¹ D, the former of which abutts against a shoulder on the shaft and the
latter may be secured thereto by a set screw passing through its hub. In holes
extending through the sections are tension rods F¹, having nuts upon their threaded
ends which bear upon the heads and enable the sections to be drawn into close
contact.
On the head D' of the deflector are secured a number of projecting plates or
wings F2, extending toward the feed end of the treatment vessel, which serve in
their rotation to quickly start in motion the liquid and material passing into the
separator, and at the same time produce an outward current which forces it through
the channel or passage.
On the opposite head D2 is fastened a ring G, upon which are a number of
wearing plates G³, provided with an inwardly extending portion through which is
a slot G, through which pass bolts to secure them to the ring. A shoulder between
the plate and its extension abutts against an annular shoulder on said ring, the bolt
and contacting shoulders holding the plates firmly in place. In the operation of
the separator the material tends to accumulate in the space beyond the end of the
deflector, and quite rapidly wear the portion passing through it. These removable
plates take this wear and may be readily renewed whenever necessary.
To allow
this, the head of the treatment vessel at the discharge end is provided with hand-
holes H, registering with the plates and having suitable covers for closing them.
Through these holes the plates may be removed and by filing or otherwise cutting
off a portion of the shoulder, they may be outwardly adjusted by means of the
slotted orifices to compensate for wear, or may be replaced by new ones.
Into the head or feed end of the treatment vessel through the hollow trunnion,
extends a pipe H¹ through which ore in a finely divided state and mingled with a
liquid, preferably water, is introduced during the period of separation, or clear
liquid during the discharge of heavier substances. At the other end is a series of
discharge orifices 1, through which the separated material passes. Over these
orifices is placed a removable wearing ring I having a series of similar orifices
registering with them. This construction permits the part to be renewed when
worn by the attrition of the material. The orifices are so small that only sufficient
water escapes to wash material through, and the channel is thus kept full and the
separating surface submerged. Through the head of the cylinder is a second set
of discharge orifices J, nearer the axis of rotation, in which are fitted outwardly
extending pipes J', through which the excess of comparatively clear liquid from
which the suspended substances bave been precipitated by centrifugal force mnay
pass, and be delivered apart from the separated substances. In instances where
there is a scarcity of water this construction enables it to be used repeatedly,
resulting in considerable economy, and may allow the separator to be operated when
for lack of water it might not otherwise be used.
About these two sets of orifices is an annular hood K divided by a central
partition into two sections K and K, into which open annular channels ³ 12
respectively. The section K¹ receives the separated material and conducts it
away to suitable receptacles through a passage L, while the section K receives
the cleaner liquid from the pipes J', and discharges it through a passage L.
Ribs L extend inwardly from the trough to close proximity with the treatment
vessel and prevent the spattering and loss of ore and water. Through the trunnion
at the discharge end passes a pipe L3 by which a liquid, preferably water, is
introduced into the separator to assist in the discharge of the concentrates.

page_text: The deflector B³ is shorter than the outer vessel, and its supporting shaft is
mounted to allow its reciprocation through the bearings in standards A' A'
The end which is journaled in the standard A2 has a series of annular grooves
which engage a flanged bushing in the box a. To compensate for wear this box
is made in two parts, one resting upon the other, the lower portion being
extended to support it and secured to it by bolts which may be tightened to
take up any looseness. It is mounted to slide in ways, and has upon its lower
side a depending lug Min which is a threaled opening, and through this
opening passes a short threaded shaft M' journaled in the standard. Upon the
outer end of this shaft is secured a worm-wheel M engaging a worm m upon
a transverse shaft m¹ mounted on the base-plate. m¹ carries upon one extremity
a bevel gear N meshing with a larger bevel gear N¹, upon a longitudinal
shaft M extending parallel to the axis of the treatment vessel. Upon this
shaft are loosely mounted three gears; the first a bevel gear n meshes with a
similar gear upon a shaft n', which is rotated by a worm-wheel ² engaging a
worm upon a short longitudinal shaft O. This shaft O is driven at the desired
speed by a pulley O' belted to a counter-shaft. The other gears carried by
shaft M are spur gears oo', meshing with gears upon short stud-shafts PP,
driven in opposite directions by pulleys belted to counter-shafts. The
gears n, o, o may be made to rotate with the shaft M by a clutch Q engaging
projections on the gear , and a friction clutch Q₁ placed between o o¹ and
contacting with friction discs upon their inner surfaces. These two clutches are
mounted to rotate with the shaft and slide on it by splines, and carry
pins mounted on a
7
ring loose on the clutch, which are engaged by forks upon
the lower ends of levers 2 pivoted near their centers, and connected at their
upper ends to shifting bars or rods extending to any desired point, by pins
moving in short slots. Near the upper ends of the levers are weights RR which
assist in throwing the clutches and holding them in place thereafter.
The operation of the device is as follows:
ra lial
The deflector being at the point shown in Fig. 1 the period of separation is
about to begin. Ore in a finely divided state and mingled with a liquid, preferably
water, is fed into the treatment vessel, which is being rotated at a speed sufficient
to develop the desired degree of centrifugal force, in sufficient quantities to fill the
channel or passage between it and the deflector. This is forced through the
channel by the centrifugal force generated in the body of water filling the space
at the head end, and by the action of the revolving wings F, producing a current
through the vessel transverse to the path of rotation. Here centrifugal force
causes the material to move toward a position around the circumference of the
vessel and the heavier to lodge upon the separating surface. The lighter remains
partially or wholly suspended in the liquid and it is moved along toward the
discharge orifices by the transverse current, discharged into the hood and conveyed
to the desired point. At the same time annular currents are created in the liquid
contained in the channel by the friction between it and the surface of the deflector.
These currents tend to cause the lighter material to move in the path of rotation
of the separating surface, starting it in motion and thus requiring a less rapid
transverse flow, and therefore a less quantity of liquid to accomplish the same
result. If there were only the transverse flow it would require a considerable
velocity to move material from the initial point to which it is carried by centrifugal
force, and once started it would pass through the cylinder too quickly to be properly
separated. As separation progresses and heavier material accumulates on the
separating surface the deflector is moved gradually to the right, the clutch being
in engagement, thus carrying its exterior away from the separating surface and
widening the channel between them. As a result the distance between said
deflector and the surface of the accumulating material is kept approximately
constant, maintaining the velocity of flow through the channel constant, and
preventing heavier substances from being carried away with the lighter.

page_text: Separation being accomplished and a sufficient amount of heavier substances
accumulated on the separating surface, they are now to be discharged. The
clutch Qis disengaged and the friction clutch Q' brought into engagement with
the disc on the gear o, this causes the deflector to move rapidly in the opposite
direction, contracting the channel and causing the heavier substances to be washed
from the separating surface by the resulting increased velocity of flow thereover.
At the same time clear liquid is fed into the separator through the pipe L3, which
washes the material through the discharge orifices into the section K₁ of the
trough, which conveys it to a separate receptacle from that which received the
lighter. The rapid return is allowed to continue until the deflector has passed
the point it occupied at the beginning of the separating period, and the wings F2
have nearly reached the head end of the treatment vessel, contracting the channel
to its minimum width and completing the expulsion of the concentrates. The
other side of friction clutch Q' is now thrown into engagement with the gear o¹,
reversing the direction of travel of the deflector and moving it rapidly back to
the point at which the channel is of the proper width to begin separation, when
they are disengaged and the clutch Q is again thrown in, and the operation is
repeated. By the use of this rapid discharge and return motion a considerable
saving of time is accomplished, the necessary period being given for separation,
and the discharge of heavier substances and the return of the parts to their initial
point most quickly effected.
In the form illustrated in Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive, another means is shown for
varying the intensity of the annular currents, together with various details of
construction.
An outer rotatable supporting frame I, preferably of cylindrical form, journaled
in standards '1', has supported within it a light, vibratable intermediate or
separating cylinder 1", by means of interposed elastic rings 2, These rings hold
the cylinders together with sufficient force to cause the inner to rotate with the
outer at approximately the same speed, yet permitting the longitudinal vibratory
reciprocation of the former hereinafter described. An inner cylinder 2', non-
rotatable mounted in supporting standards 211, extends through the separating
cylinder, passing through a transverse slot 3 in the head of the supporting
cylinder, and having secured to it, just outside the head, a plate 3' bearing firmly
against a plate 3" thereon. These plates are faced and trued, and their contact
insures a practically water-tight joint at this end of the treatment vessel.
The inner cylinder is divided by a partition 4 into two sections 4' 4". The
former is supplied with orifices 5 through which ore in a finely divided state and
mingled water, introduced by a pipe 51 passing through a suitable packing or
stuffing box, is fed to the treatment vessel at or near the head end, uuder a
sufficient pressure to secure a longitudinal current therethrough in a direction
transverse to the path of rotation of the separating surface. Section 4" is
provided with orifices or perforations along over the separating surface of the
treatment vessel, through which are forced jets of water supplied by a pipe 511
passing through a stuffing box. These jets are for the purpose of keeping lighter
substances in suspension in the liquid during separation or aiding in moving them
toward the point of discharge by their impact against the material, and assisting
later by their increased impact in dislodging the heavier for removal.
The standards are movably mounted on the base-plate, being permitted to
travel only in a path transverse to the axis of the treatment vessel, by bolts 6
screwed into the base plate and passing through the transverse slots 6¹ in the feet
of the standard. The sides of these feet are inclined as shown at 6, and are
engaged by wedges 7 mounted upon, and preferably integral with, a frame 7', and
moving between guides 7 secured to the baseplate. This frame has an upwardly
and outwardly extending arm 8, having at its outer extremity an internally threaded
collar 8 which embraces a longitudinal threaded rod 8". The rod is alternately
rotated in opposite directions by any suitable gearing causing the wedges to be

page_text: moved longitudinally back and forth, forcing the standards to be reciprocated
transversely, and thus causing the separating surface which they support to
approach and retreat from the inner cylinder.
On one of the standards I is supported a bracket 9, in which is journaled a short
shaft 91 having at one end a pulley 9" by which it is rotated, and at the other a
wheel 10 having in its outer periphery a cam groove 10¹. Into this groove extends
a flange 11 upon a ring encircling the end of the separating cylinder, which
extends beyond the end of the supporting cylinder. The rapid reciprocation which
is the result of the rotation of this cam wheel, imparts to the separating surface a
vibration as it is reciprocated through the elastic rings. The ring 2 at the feed end
has an annular groove into which the separating cylinder extends forming a
practically water-tight joint, and preventing the passage of material between it
and the supporting cylinder. The belts driving the supporting cylinder and
vibrating cain would be supplied with automatic tighteners to maintain the proper
tension during the movement of the parts.
In this modification the intensity of action of the annular current would be least
when the surface of the inner cylinder is concentric with the separating surface,
and the body of liquid in the channel is being carried more or less freely around
with the latter by its rotation, then as the rotation of rod 81 causes the separating
surface by its supporting parts to approach the inner cylinder, the passage through
which the body of liquid must pass in its rotation is narrowed, checking its flow
and permitting the separating surface to slip or travel under it, and consequently
increasing the intensity of force of the annular current. The former condition.
will be during the period of separation, the annular current being strong enough
to start the lighter material moving in the cylinder to allow its discharge by the
transverse current. At the same time the jets of liquid issuing from the orifices
in the surface of the inner cylinder and the vibration of the separating surface
causes an agitation in the material, permitting the heavier portion to be precipitated
and causing lighter to be partially or wholly suspended in the liquid and moved
along towards the outlet in its open end by the transverse current, where it is
discharged into a hood or trough 12, from which it is conveyed away as desired.
Upon the inner cylinder within the hood is secured a deflecting ring 12¹ serving to
guide the material and liquid into the trough and also, by its proximity to the end
of the treatment vessel, to so check the flow therefrom as to keep the separating
surface submerged. Then for the removal of heavier substances the force of the
liquid jets is increased and the annular current acts with it as an agitating means,
while at the same time the feed of material through pipe 5 is stopped, and clear
water in increased quantities fed, increasing the trausverse current and accomplishing
the discharge.
Although the terms cylindrical" and "cylinder" have been applied to the
three portions of the treatment vessel, for the sake of brevity, this form is not
essential to the operation of the machine, and any other might be employed by
which the desired result would be obtained. It is to be understood that the words
are used in their generic sense both in description and claims.
It is obvious that many changes and modifications in the details of construction
of the various parts of the mechanism berein described may be made as desired, or
to best suit the varied conditions under which the machine is operated, without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,
means for starting material in motion in the separator by securing annular currents
over said surface, and non-rotatable means for varying the intensity of said annular
currents, substantially as described.
2. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,

page_text: means for securing annular currents over said surface, and means movable toward
and from the surface for varying the intensity of said annular currents, substantially
as described.
3. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of two cylinders one within the
other, and means for securing annular currents therein, by varying the relative
position of the axes of said cylinders, substantially as described.
4. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,
means for securing aqueous currents over said surface in the path of rotation, and
means which may be operated independently thereof for securing agitation of
material over the separating surface, substantially as described.
5. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,
means for securing aqueous currents over said surface in the path of rotation, and
means for securing aqueous impact force over the separating surface to effect
agitation of material, substantially as described.
6. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,
a deflector or cylinder in proximity thereto, and means for gradually increasing
the width of the channel or passage between them during the separating period, and
rapidly decreasing the same to effect the discharge of heavier substances, substantially
as described.
7. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,
a deflector or cylinder in proximity thereto, and means for gradually increasing
the width of the channel or passage between them during the separating period, and
rapidly decreasing the same to a less width than at the beginning of said separating
period to effect the discharge of heavier substances, substantially as described.
8. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating surface,
a deflector or cylinder in proximity thereto, means for gradually increasing the
width of the channel or passage between them during the separating period, and
rapidly decreasing the same to a less width than at the beginning of said separating
period to effect the discharge of heavier substances, and again rapidly increasing
the width to the initial point for beginning separation, substantially as described.
9. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a conical treatment vessel, a
conical deflector or cylinder in proximity thereto, and means for relatively moving
the two gradually to increase the width of the channel or passage between them
during the separating period, and rapidly in the opposite direction to effect the
discharge of heavier substances, substantially as described.
10. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel,
discharge passages for the separated material therefrom, and passages nearer to
the axis of rotation for the separate discharge of comparatively clear liquid,
substantially as described.
11. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel,
discharge passages for the separated material therefrom, delivering to a trough or
receptacle, and passages nearer to the axis of rotation for the discharge of
comparatively clear liquid to a separate trough or receptacle, substantially as
described.
12. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel,
a deflector or cylinder therein, and removable wearing plates on said deflector near
the discharge end of the treatment vessel, substantially as described.
13. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel,
a deflector or cylinder therein, and adjustable, removable wearing plates on said
deflector near the discharge eud of the treatment vessel, substantially as described.
14. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel,
and a deflector or cylinder therein composed of removable sections, substantially as
.described.
15. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable vessel or cylinder,
means for vibrating the same, and a deflector for guiding material along near the
separating surface, substantially as described.
16. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel,

page_text: a deflector or cylinder therein, renovable wearing plates on said deflector near the
openings in said end of the vessel registering with the plates, substantially as
described.
17. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of two or more rotatable cylinders,
one within the other, one of which is provided with a separating surface upon which
the material is in a submerged state, and means for vibrating the same, substantially
as described.
18. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a light or thin vibratable
cylinder, a rotatable support for the same, and means for vibrating said cylinder,
substantially as described.
19. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable cylinder, a light or
thin cylinder located therein, elastic means interposed between the cylinders to
movable support the inner, and means for vibrating said inner cylinder, substantially
as described.
Dated 1 1
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.