Improvements in Machines for Washing Ores, Coal, and other like Substances.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Washing Ores, Coal, and other like
Substances.
CHARLES EDWARD HALL of 55 Norfolk Street Sheffield in the County of
York Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In constructing mineral washing machines; for separating the metallic or other
substances from the earthy and foreign matter with which they are associated ;
according to the first part of my said invention, I employ a continuous force or pressure
of water; such force may be obtained in the manner hereinafter described; (but
such force may be obtained in various ways ;) in conjunction with a hollow box
like piston, whose sides or ends or both (when the piston is rectanguler ;) are cast
with a sufficient number of ports or slots, corresponding with similar ports or slots
in the partition or division plate which separates the pressure chamber from the
washing compartment in the tank constructed for the purpose; such tank may be
made of wood, iron or other suitable material or a combination of the same.
The said hollow boxlike piston may be operated upon by a crank or cam, or
combination of crank and slotted levers, where a differential speed of stroke is
desired; so as to give the required period of admission of water under pressure to
the washing compartment; in order to secure a better agitation of the material
under treatment and to afford a differential time for classification and settlement
according to their varying specific gravities.
By means of this invention, an intermittent and forward movement is imparted
to the separated masses, without suction, or back pressure, and without the aid of
valves as used by me in my first Letters Patent No. 5018 dated 21st October 1882
and No. 677 4th January 1884 for washing coal.
The object of my present invention is to greatly simplify the machine and
facilitate and expedite the separation of mineral and foreign matter and greatly to
increase the capacity of the machine at a lower cost.
The delivery of the cleansed material and dirt is also made continuous and
automatic.
When washing dirty coal for instance, the outflowing water is drained away
from the cleansed material by being passed over a seive of any suitable kind of
material fixed along a trough; and drawn thereupon by a system of chains and
scrapers. The extracted water is returned to a settling tank outside, from whence
it is raised by a suitable pump or lift to be used again after it has been lifted to
the proper height to give the nessary pressure to effect the desired end.
When washing mineral or other substances of a higher specific gravity than the
associated gangue or dirt, I employ a similar machine but the dirt is washed over
a weir with the water; whilst the mineral sinks to the bottom of the bed formed
for it by the seive or perforated plate or finely spaced bars; and such cleansed
mineral is carried away through the port or valve into the chamber below made to
receive it; from whence it may be discharged by an elevator continuously, or
intermittently by means of a valve as heretofore.
According to the second part of my said invention when washing substances,
such for instance, as diamondiferous earth, iron ore, chalk clay &c. where
mechanical agitation in addition to the pulsation of water is necessary to dissolve

page_text: the adhereing substances I use stirrers, rakes, or harrow tyres secured to a frame
or frames; and the washer may be constructed of a circular type of any suitable
diameter and self contained and renewable or it may be built in the ground.
In order to carry the necessary driving gear and shafts, a stationary frame work
of wood or iron or brickwork may be constructed and the circular tank with screen
for separating the raw material into sizes may be fixed, together with a central
circular receiving hopper (with stirrers fixed); rotating with the upright shaft.
This hopper receives the material to be treated and distributes the same at its
periphery, equally all round into the circular washing tank; here it is further
agitated and broken up. The upward pulsation of water through the inclined
perforated or grided bottom carries the lighter material over the inclined plane
towards the delivery spouts whilst the heavier portion consisting of mineral stones
&c. is delivered at a lower level. A centrally fixed cylinder (which forms the
base of the machine and supports the lower end of the upright shaft) with slots
or openings around its periphery or circumference, and a hollow piston with
corresponding slots or openings is operated by a crank or cam or combination of
crank and levers, (when a differential speed of stroke is desired) gives the required
admission to the water under pressure, for the purpose already explained with
reference to the first part of my said invention. The bottom of the said circular
tank is solid and water under pressure is admitted to the cylinder by the main
supply pipe from the elevated tank, and is regulated by the crank motion given to
the hollow ported piston, which alternately lets into the tank and cuts off the
water, causing a pulsatory action through the perforated plates and compels the
lighter material to ascend whilst the heavier portions, such as ores, diamonds
stones &c. to sink to the bottom and are ejected through suitable openings at the
periphery of the said pan.
According to the third part of my said invention when it is desired to separate
several sizes or classifications of coal or other material in the same circular
machine, the pan is divided radially into compartments with a central neutral zone
from which several division plates extend to the periphery.
Into each compartment the classified material is delivered from the screen
according to the size determined upon.
The central cylinder with its hollow piston operated as described admits water
under pressure to the various divisions.
The port openings may be of different areas in each division and so arranged as
to open and close alternately or simultaneously.
Rakes or stirrers with a partial circular movement to and fro may be used in
each division to lighten and disentangle the coal and dirt or other material; to
facilitate the operation; such partial movement may be obtained by means of
cranks discs and rods or other suitable equivalents.
Dated this Fourth day of June 1896.
CHAS. E. HALL,
55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Washing Ores, Coal, and other like
Substances.
CHARLES EDWARD HALL of 55 Norfolk Street Sheffield in the County of
York Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
In constructing washing machines according to the first part of my invention,

page_text: for separating mineral or other substances from the foreign matter with which
they are associated; I employ a continuous force or pressure of water, obtained
in any suitable or well known manner, in conjunction with a hollow box like piston
whose sides or ends or both are cast with a sufficient number of ports or slots
corresponding with similar ports or slots in a partition or division plate or plates,
which separate the pressure chamber from the washing chamber in the tank
constructed for the purpose.
The said tank may be of wood, iron, or other material or a combination of the
same.
The aforesaid hollow or box-like piston, may be operated by a crank, or cam,
or combination of crank and slotted lever; when a differential speed of stroke is
desired, to give the necessary period of admission of water under pressure to the
washing compartment, in order to secure a better agitation and separation of the
material under treatment for purposes of classification and settlement.
By this invention, an intermittent and constantly forward movement is imparted
to the divided masses without suction or back-pressure arising therefrom, and
without the aid of valves, as used by me in my other inventions for washing coal
dated 21st October 1882 No. 5018, and No. 677 dated 4th January 1884
respectively.
The object of the present invention is to greatly increase the capacity of
washing machinery; to reduce the cost of such machinery, and to facilitate the
cleansing and separation of mineral and other like substances.
The delivery of the cleaned material and also of the dirt is perfectly automatic
and continuous by my improved process.
When washing dirty coal for instance, the outflowing water may be drained
away from the coal by being passed over sieves, or grids, or perforated plates
fixed within the delivery trough; the material being drawn along by means of
endless chains with scrapers attached. The extracted water is delivered to a
settling pond, tank or sump, from whence it is repumped by a centrifugal pump to
the pressure tank placed above to give the desired force to effect the end, or the
water and coal may be delivered together directly into the storage bin; the former
being drained away through the coal which acts as a filter-bed.
When washing mineral or other substances of a higher specific gravity than
coal, and where the dirt is lighter than the mineral to be extracted, I employ a
similar machine, but in that case, the dirt is washed over a weir with the water,
whilst the mineral sinks to the bottom of the bed formed for it by the sieve or
perforated plate, or finely spaced screen bars,, upon which a bed of sized feldspar
or gravel of an intermediate specific gravity is placed; and such cleansed mineral
is passed off by means of a valve or valves into the chamber below from whence it
is delivered by a screw or discharge ports as heretofore.
According to the second part of my said invention, when washing substances
such as diamondiferous earth, iron ore, chalk, clay or similar substances, where
mechanical agitation in addition to the pulsation of water is necessary to dissolve
the adhering matter, I use stirrers, rakes or harrows secured to a frame or frames,
and the said washing-tank is preferably constructed of a circular type of any
diameter, and self-contained and renewable; or it may be built into the ground.
In order to carry the necessary driving gear and shafts, a stationary framework
of wood, iron or brickwork may be constructed, and the circular tank with a
suitably constructed screen for separating the raw material into sizes may be
fixed thereon, together with the upright shaft. This screen receives the material
and distributes the same, delivering such as is required to be washed into a central
revolving hopper which delivers it at its periphery equally all round the circular
washing tank. Here it is broken up and agitated by the rakes or stirrers during
the pulsation of the water upward through the sieves, and is carried over the
inclined plane towards the delivery spouts, one for the water and mud, and one
for the mineral and heavier stones at a lower level.
A central cylinder, (which also forms the base of the machine and supports the

page_text: lower end of the upright shaft) with slots or openings around its periphery, and
a hollow piston with corresponding slots or ports is operated, either by a crank or
cam, or a combination of crank and lever, when a differential speed of stroke is
desired to give the required admission to the water under pressure for the purpose
explained in the first part of my invention.
An alternative plan may be adopted for the separation of diamondiferous earth
by keying the said hollow piston direct to the rotating upright shaft, and forming
the slots or ports in the cylinder and piston vertical, instead of horizontal in their
long axis; as in the previous example. These ports are opened and closed by the
slowly rotating piston and shaft.
The bottom of the said circular tank is solid, and water under pressure is
admitted to the cylinder by the main supply pipe from an elevated tank, and its
admission to the circular washing bath, is regulated by the crank or the rotatory
motion given by the hollow ported piston.
According to the third part of my invention; when it is desired to separate
several sizes or classifications of coal or other material in the same circular
machine; the pan is divided radially by partitions into several compartments, each
having its separate delivery for coal and dirt but a neutral part or zone encircled
by a division plate is provided, and the material to each compartment is delivered
from the screen according to the sizes previously determined.
The ports in the cylinder and piston may also vary in their dimensions to suit
the different classification of mineral.
Rakes or stirrers having a partial rotatory motion to and fro, may be used to
facilitate the operation; such motion is obtained by means of a variable crank-pin
or pins and connecting rods, levers or other suitable equivalent.
To illustrate my said invention, I have appended 6 sheets of drawings with the
letters of reference; the same letters apply to the same parts.
Sheet 1 Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken on the line A. B. of plan.
Fig. 2 is a plan of same.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the pressure chamber of my improved coal
washing machine.
A. is the hollow box-like piston with ports a¹ and a¹ shewn upon both sides but
preferably of different dimensions. a² is the upper and lower part of chamber.
B. is the division plate between the pressure chamber and the washing chamber
with corresponding ports or slots b².
6 is the upper portion of the said plate.
a³ is the trunk and stuffing box to guide the piston and keep the compartment
pressure tight.
a are the coupling links.
C. is the upper part of the washing chamber open to the atmosphere.
D. is the crank-shaft.
E. is the slotted lever keyed to a moveable fulcrum shaft which rocks in the
blocks H.
F. is the weir over which the water and the coal is carried to the delivery spout
or on to the perforated scraper trough P. fgrid.
G. is the dirt slide solely.
G¹ is the dirt or second coal slide & screw gl when such is provided. 9 dirt
screw.
Hare the sliding fulcrum blocks and slides operated by the eye bolt and lock
nuts. seconds coal screw.
1. is the water pressure tube supplying the water for washing from a fixed tank
above or other source.
J is the perforated drying plate.
K is the system of chains and scrapers for carrying off the clean drained coal.
L. are the coal scrapers.
M are the chain wheels and shafts, the outer ends carried in slides with screws
and nuts for keeping them taut.

page_text: D is the crank shaft.
E. is the slotted link keyed to the moveable fulcrum shaft which rocks in the
blocks H.
F. is the weir over which the lighter earthy matter flows away through the
spout W or if used for coal washing, where the clean coal passes along with
the water.
W. is the dirt shoot or delivery spout for stones and diamonds when used for
that purpose.
C is the pressure chamber.
the perforated plate.
H sliding blocks and frames for altering stroke of piston.
I pressure pipe supplying water to washer.
Brotating vertical shaft.
D' distributing hopper keyed to B²..
L rake frames.
K rake teeth.
boss to which L is secured.
Sheet 4 Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the washer with rotating piston within the
stationary cylinder as an alternative plan.
.
a' are the ports or slots made vertical instead of horizontal. B footstep.
V is the gearing for actuating the said vertical shaft. 1 & 1ª pressure pipe.
Z are overflow ducts for the earthy matter and water to escape from the washer
into. the lower tank or into the launders W when such are used.
Y is the outlet for the separated stones and diamonds.
Sheet 5 Fig. 7 is a plan of the same partly in horizontal section.
Z are the four ducts for the escape of the earthy matter to the tank below or to
launders when such are used.
The pressure pipe 1 may surround the bottom of tank C and have two or more
branches admitting the water under pressure to the washing tank C and C¹.
YY are outlet spouts for the stones and diamonds.
L the rake arms. K the stirrers driven by the upright shaft B³.
N is the circular opening for getting at the footstep B³.
Sheet 6 Fig. 8 is a plan of a circular coal washing machine adapted to washing
four different sizes of classifications of coal. In this case, the tank is divided by
division plates Z set radially from the inner circumference Y to the outer casing X
forming four tanks which may have perforated plates of different meshes or sizes
of holes to suit the varying sizes of coal whilst the ports in the piston A and
cylinder B may be of various sizes.
The rakes K attached to the arms L are also operated only through a fourth of
the circle by means of a crank pin m (fixed or adjustable as to stroke) within the
disc n which is rotated from a circular rack wheel O which rotates with the centre
shaft B2 and drives at a speed suited to the work by means of the spur pinion Q
and by means of one or more connecting rods P.
The delivery of clean coal takes place over the shoot W₁ whilst the dirt is
delivered immediately below.

page_text: Modifications may be made in the form of machines for washing minerals, coal
and other like substances without departing from my said invention, which consists
in the application of a continuous pressure of water acting within a hollow or
ibox-like piston and cylinder having ports so arranged as to give an intermittent
admission or pulsation of water to the material under treatment by means of a
crank or eccentric motion, such piston being in equilibrium as regards the pressure
of water applied.
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 in respect thereof as novel to be:-
First. The rectangular tauk washer as illustrated and described with reference
to Figs. 1. 2 and 3 of Sheet 1.
Second. The circular tank washer as illustrated and described with reference to
Figs. 4 and 5 of Sheets 2 and 3.
Third. The circular tank washer as illustrated and described with reference to
Fig. 6 of Sheet 4 and Fig. 7 Sheet 5.
Four. The circular tank washer as illustrated and described with reference to
Fig. 8 Sheet 6 with the division plate and partly revolving rakes.
Five. The application in all cases of a continuously acting pressure of water
through the intervention of a moving hollow box-like or circular piston with ports
opening and covering alternately similar ports in a fixed cylinder so as to cause a
pulsation substantially as illustrated by the various drawings bereto.
Dated this 24th day of September 1896.
CHARLES EDWARD HALL.