Improvements in the Construction of Ore Concentrating Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ore Concentrating Machines.
I, GEORGE EDWIN WOODBURY, of No. 311 Golden Gate Avenue, in the City
and County of San Francisco, State of California, United States of America,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in ore concentrating machines having
endless traveling aprons to which is imparted a shaking motion in combination with
the progressive movement.
In machines of the class to which my improvements relate the best results are
obtained when the apron has smooth and regular travel without jerky or abrupt
movement of progression under the pulp distributor, and when the pulp is distributed
evenly across the surface of the apron at about the same consistency and is kept of
uniform depth and is prevented from banking or collecting in portions of unequal
depth in parts on the moving surface on which the concentrating is effected.
The separation and concentration of the metallic particles are the more
thoroughly obtained as these points and features are the more effectually carried
out and secured, and it is the object mainly of these improvements to secure
regular and uniform feeding and distribution of the ore pulp, to keep it at about
the same consistency while being fed and to produce an even travel or progressive
movement in connection with the shaking motion.
To this end and object I have produced a pulp feeding and distributing apparatus
consisting of a hopper, a distributing trough and a shaking tray of novel con-
struction and operation; also a novel apron-driving mechanism for giving the apron
an even movement of progression in the shaking frame of the machine. The
improvements embrace also a concentrating surface for machines of this class
composed of a number of narrow aprons with standing sides to confine the pulp on
the surface of each apron and the whole number of aprons so mounted and operated
that a narrow space or clearance is left between the sides of one apron and the
adjacent aprons to afford an outlet for discharge of excess of water and the light
refuse matter from each apron at points along the concentrating surface between
the head and the tail of the machine, instead of restricting the discharge of such
waste matter and water to the tail end of the apron.
Another novel feature of these improvements consists of constructing a standing
side for a concentrating apron in the form of a tube either circular, oval or ovoid in
cross section, whereby a strong and durable standing side is produced that will
accommodate itself to the curvature of the drums or rollers around which the apron
is required to travel and that will last for a considerable time without cracking or
breaking down.
The pulp feeding and distributing apparatus hereinbefore referred to consists of
three principal parts or devices which are arranged for conjoint operation at the
head of the machine over the apron that forms the endless traveling concentrating
surface. The first part is a hopper with a flaring rim around the top and a closed
bottom having a number of outlet apertures that discharge into the diverging
channels of the second part which I have termed the distributing trough, because
its office is to divide the pulp into streams or portions of equal quantity for
distribution across the surface of the apron. The third part of the apparatus is an
equalizing tray having as many compartments as there are channels in the said
distributing trough.
The hopper and trough hereinbefore mentioned are mounted on the stationary
frame and have no shaking motion; but while the trough is stationary the hopper
above it is mounted on a post or upright spindle, and is rotated with continuous

page_text: motion upon that part by means of bevel gears, one on a counter shaft which is
driven from the main shaft by belt and pullies, and the other on the body of the
hopper. The cylindrical portion of the space within the hopper is closed by a plate
or cover having in it an opening for the pulp to pass through, and above this cover
the hopper has flaring sides.
The distributing trough is composed of a number of diverging channels running
from a common center outwards and forwards to the line of the front edge of the
trough and having also a pitch or inclination of bottom from the center outwards to
that line.
The post for the hopper is fixed at the point from which the channels spring
radially at points equally distant around the circle and the outlet apertures in the
hopper bottom are arranged also in a circle to deliver into the channels as the hopper
is rotated on the post. The channels have high standing sides and are of about
equal area or width in cross-section. The said trough is fixed to the stationary
frame by arms which are cast in one piece with the trough.
It is
The herein before mentioned tray is fixed on the shaking frame by cars or side
pieces and therefore it has the same shaking motion as the traveling apron.
divided into compartments with sloping sides that form V shape channels running
length wise or in the same direction as the shaking motion is given to the apron
and each channel has a number of outlet holes along the bottom that deliver upon
the apron beneath. These channels correspond in number with the channels of the
distributing trough above and are arranged in line with them.
The traveling apron is formed of a single endless belt provided with standing
edges to confine the pulp on the surface, and it is also composed of a number of
narrow belts with standing edges which are so mounted and operated that a small
space or clearance is left between the edges of one belt and the adjacent ones.
In working some kinds of ore and particularly where it is found necessary to use
considerable quantities of water and where there is a large proportion of light and
earthy waste matter in the pulp the operation will be greatly facilitated and better
results will be obtained by using the concentrating apron or surface formed of a
number of narrow aprons with spaces between them.
The advantage of this construction is mainly that it affords free and rapid
discharge of the excess of water and lighter matter through the spaces between
the aprons at points between the pulp distributor and the tail of the machine
instead of limiting this discharge to the tail end of the aprons.
The progressive movement of the apron is produced from the main shaft on the
stationary frame through the agency of connecting mechanism of novel construction
which is adapted to produce an even and a regular movement of the traveling
apron and unaffected by the shaking motion of the frame in which are mounted
the apron-carrying and driving rollers. This mechanism consists mainly of a
ring-gear having internal gear teeth and fixed on the axle or shaft of the apron
driving roller, the teeth being formed and arranged to run in gear with a spur-
gear of smaller diameter set loosely on the shaft of the roller to have rolling
contact with the ring-gear. This spur-gear is set directly upon an eccentric which
is the hub of a belt-pulley or is secured to the hub of that pulley, and by means
of a belt carried from a driving-pulley on the main shaft of the machine the spur-
gear is caused to roll in the ring-gear by virtue of the motion produced by the
eccentric on which the spur gear is mounted.
The peculiar motion thus obtained gives rotary motion to the roller that drives
the concentrating apron and secures a smooth and regular movement of the
apron.
The small spur-gear is prevented from turning with the eccentric on which it is
mounted by means of an arm that is part of the gear and projects from it
upwardly and sets in a slotted piece on the shaking frame. The arm is free to
slide between the sides of that piece but is prevented from turning. As the result
of this construction the ring-gear is rotated with a continuous and even motion that
is not affected by the vibrations of the apron-carrying frame.

page_text: As an improvement in constructing the standing sides of concentrating aprons
for this class of machines I make the same in the form of a tube which is either
circular or oval or ovoid in cross-section, whereby I produce an edge or standing
side that will not crack or break along the top edge and will readily collapse or
bend down in passing around the rollers. It is made of a rubber tube placed along
and united to the edge of the apron, or by bending sheet rubber into tubular form
and securing it to the apron, or it may be produced from the material of the apron
itself by bending the edge-portion along the side over upon the apron in the form
of a tube and securing the edge to the flat body of the apron.
Dated this 4th day of January 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ore Concentrating Machines.
I, GEORGE EDWIN WOODBURY of No. 311 Golden Gate Avenue, in the City
and County of San Francisco, State of California, United States of America,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in ore concentrating machines having
endless travelling aprons to which is imparted a shaking motion in combination
with the progressive movement.
In machines of the class to which my improvements relate the last results are
obtained when the apron has smooth and regular travel without jerky or abrupt
movement of progression under the pulp-distributor, when the pulp is distributed
evenly across the surface of the apron at about the same consistency and kept of
uniform depth and is prevented also from banking or collecting in portions of
unequal depth and different parts of the moving surface. The separation and
concentration of the metallic particles are the more effectively obtained therefore
as these points and features are the more completely secured; and the object
sought to be obtained in and by these improvements is mainly to secure the regular
distribution of the ore pulp to feed it at uniform consistency and to spread it evenly
over the surface of the moving apron during the operation of the machine.
This end and object is secured by a pulp-supply and distributing apparatus
consisting of a hopper, a distributing-trough and a shaking tray of novel con-
struction and operation, and also by a novel driving mechanism for giving the
endless apron continuous and even movement of progression in the shaking frame
of the machine. These improvements embrace also an endless travelling concen-
trating surface for machines of this class composed of a number of narrow, aprons
with standing sides to confine the pulp on the surface and so mounted and separated
that a narrow space or clearance is left between the sides of one apron and the
adjacent ones whereby an outlet and discharge for the excess of water and lighter
refuse matter is afforded at points between the head and the tail of the machine
instead of limiting the discharge of such waste matter and water to the tail end of
the apron.
Another novel feature of these improvements consists of constructing standing
sides of the aprons for these machines in the form of a tube either circular, oval or
ovoid in cross-section, whereby a strong and durable standing side is produced that
will accommodate itself to the curvature of the drums or pullies around which the
apron is required to travel without cracking or breaking down.
The nature of these improvements and the manner in which I proceed to produce
carry out and apply the same are explained in the following description reference

page_text: being had therein to the accompanying drawings which form part of this
Specification:-
Figure 1 of the drawing represents in side elevation an endless apron con-
centrating machine with my improvements applied to it.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is an end view from the head of the machine or the left hand end of
Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show the parts of the pulp-distributing apparatus in detail:
of which Figure 4 is a front elevation of the distributing trough with the hopper
in section. Figure 5 is a plan of the same, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of
the equalizing tray, and Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the same part.
Figure 8 is a section taken longitudinally through the apron-carrying drum or
roller at the head of the machine.
Figures 9, 10, and 11 show details of the apron-driving mechanism of which
Figure 9 is an end view of the apron-carrying drum and parts of the driving
mechanism connected with it. Figure 10 is a front view partly in vertical section
and Figure 11 some of the parts in detail.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the endless apron taken from the
upper end or head of the machine.
Figures 13 and 14 are cross-sections on an enlarged scale illustrating two different
shapes of tubular standing edge for the apron in these machines.
The pulp-distributing apparatus consists of three principal parts or devices
arranged for conjoint operation over the apron at the head of the machine. The
first part is a cylindrical hopper A with a flaring rim A' around the top and a
closed bottom provided with a number of outlet apertures A². The second part B
which I have termed the distributing trough because its office is to divide the pulp
into streams or portions of about equal quantity for distribution across the face of
the apron consists of a number of gutters or channels 6x 6x diverging from a
common center both outwards and forward to the line of the front edge b² and
having also a pitch or inclination of bottom from the center or point from which
they spring downward to the front. A post B³ fixed in upright position at the
center or point from which the channels * spring, forms an axis for the hopper A,
and on this part the hopper is rotated by suitable mechanism connecting it with a
rotating shaft on the machine. The outlet apertures in the bottom of the hopper
are arranged in a circle to deliver into the diverging channels as the hopper rotates
on the post. The channels have high standing edges and are of about equal area
or width in cross-section. The trough is fixed to the stationary frame by
arms B B at the ends which are cast in one piece with the trough. The
stationary side frames W of the machine have standards or upright extensions W*
which stand clear of the sides of the shaking frame X and set above it as shown in
Figures 1 and 2 to support for the distributing trough and also for the water box y
in front of the trough. There are slots W2 in the horizontal extensions of the
standards to take the ends of the arms B* and also set screws to claim the
arms.
The herein before mentioned equalizing tray C is fixed on the shaking frame by
ears or side-pieces C2 in position beneath the front end of the distributing trough.
It is composed of or is divided into compartments c* with sloping sides that form
V-shape channels running lengthwise or in the same direction as the shaking
motion is given to the apron and each channel has in and along the bottom a
number of outlet holes c³ that discharge upon the apron beneath. These channels
or compartments correspond in number with the channels of the distributing trough
above and should set in line with the discharge ends of those channels. Being
mounted directly on the shaking frame in this manner the equalizing tray moves
with the same shaking motion as the travelling apron.
The shaking frame W is supported by spring legs or standards T, T, which are
fixed by the lower ends in sockets We provided on the stationary frame at regular

page_text: distances apart, and at their upper ends are set into sockets W7 on the side bars of
the shaking frame. The vibrating or shaking motion which is given to the aprons
in this class of concentrating machines is caused to act longitudinally or in the
direction corresponding to the travel of the apron. Such movement of vibration is
produced by eccentrics R, R, on the main shaft S. The rods R' R¹ of these
eccentrics are attached to the frame W at W W as seen in Figures 1 and 2.
The shaft S is mounted in boxes y'y' on the stationary frame and has a band-
wheel S on one end for driving it from an engine-shaft. The hopper of the
pulp-distributing apparatus is rotated by a short counter-shaft B3 mounted in
bearings above the distributing trough and connected by bevel gears and
pinions B B with the hopper; the gear may be cast with or secured on the body
of the hopper A and the pinion is fixed on the end of the shaft. A band-wheel Ď
on the outer end of this counter-shaft takes a driving belt D₁ from a wheel S² on
the main shaft S outside the frame. The travel or longitudinal progressive
movement of the apron is produced by mechanism of novel construction driven also
from the main shaft, and adapted to move the apron evenly and regularly without
being affected by the shaking motion which the apron receives from the eccentrics.
This mechanism is composed principally of a ring gear M having internal teeth and
keyed on the axle or shaft S3 of the roller E. A spur-gear N of smaller diameter
than the ring mounted loosely on the end of the roller shaft to have rolling contact
with the ring gear, a pulley or band wheel N' having an eccentric N' on its hub on
which is set the spur-gear N and intermediate pullies or band wheels I, I³ I² L, L²
by which belts L³ and G are carried from one pulley L2 on the main shaft S to the
pulley N. By this means the spur-gear is caused to roll with a continuous
movement in the ring-gear, but it is prevented from rotating with the eccentric on
which it is set by an arm Na integral with the spur-gear and extending from it
upwards at the side of the shaking frame with its end resting in a slotted piece N
fast on the shaking frame. Between the lugs or confining sides of that piece the
arm is free to slide and thus the gear N' can roll against the teeth of the ring gear
as the eccentric moves it, but it can not revolve. The result of this movement is to
rotate the ring gear with a continuous motion which is not affected by the vibrations
of the apron carrying frame and is smooth and regular.
The rollers E, E₁ that drive and carry the apron are mounted on the shaking
frame at the outer ends and the smaller intermediate rollers set at short distances
apart support the upper or acting portion of the apron between these two points.
Guide rollers F mounted on the shaking frame are arranged to carry the apron
from the end rollers downward beneath the shaking frame and through the washing
tank or trough. This is the usual mode of carrying and supporting the concen-
trating apron and also of mounting and moving the shaking frame in concentrating
machines of this class, so that in these points and features relating to the mounting
of the shaking frame and carrying the apron, the machine described does not differ
from these already in use.
The travelling apron in machines of this class is formed of a single endless belt
provided with standing sides to confine the pulp and water on the surface and as an
improvement therein I produce a concentrating surface of the desired width from a
number of narrow endless belts each with standing sides and so carry them that
a small space or clearance is left between the sides of each belt and the adjacent
ones. In working some kinds of ore and particularly where it is found necessary
to use considerable quantities of water and where there is a large proportion of
light and earthly waste matter in the pulp the concentration will be facilitated and
better results will be obtained by employing a concentrating apron of this character.
The advantage of this construction is mainly that it affords full and rapid
discharges of the excess of waste and lighter matter through the spaces or openings
between the belts at points or intervals along the extent of concentrating surface
between the pulp distributor and the tail of the machine, instead of limiting the
discharge of the water and waste matter to the tail end of the apron. This

page_text: construction of endless travelling apron of a number of narrow belts is an
important feature of my invention
Another novel feature of my said improvements consists in constructing the
standing side of an apron in the form of a tube which is either circular or oval or
ovoid in its cross-section whereby I produce a stationary side that will readily
collapse or bend down and will not crack or break along the top edge in passing
over the rollers. The standing side is made of a rubber tube or of sheet rubber
bent over in tubular shape and secured to the edges of the apron, or is produced
from the material of the apron itself by bending the edge portions along the sides
over upon the apron in the form of a tube and securing the edge to the flat body
of the apron. The shape of this tubular edge may be circular or in cross-section
but the oval or ovoid shape is preferred by me for general purposes, chiefly for the
reason that it gives a straight perpendicular wall or surface at the junction of the
standing side with the pulp-bearing surface of the apron, and there is no
obstruction afforded to the movement of the pulp and no chance for particles
to lodge and pack into the angle between the apron and the standing side.
While passing over and around the drums or rollers a standing side of this form
of construction will collapse or flatten without stretching along the top to an
extent sufficient to strain or break the material and in returning in the straight line
again it will spring up into position.
In these respects the tubular standing side is an important improvement over
standing sides of edges hitherto formed on concentrating aprons of a single upright
strip of material.
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 1
claim is :-
1. In an ore concentrator having an endless travelling belt of concentrating
surface, a rotating pulp-supply hopper having discharge apertures in its bottom, an
equalizing trough having ways or channels radiating from a center which is
situated beneath the hopper as described to receive the pulp therefrom and divide
it into separate streams or portions and a distributing tray having divisions or
compartments with outlets in the bottom located between the equalizing trough
and the concentrating belt, combined for operation as set forth.
2. In a pulp distributing apparatus the combination with the rotating hopper
having discharge apertures in its bottom arranged around the center on which the
hopper rotates, of a distributing trough having separate ways or channels that
radiate from a center directly below the outlets of the hopper and diverge or
extend laterally, as described to divide and distribute the pulp in streams or portions
of about equal quantities, substantially as described.
3. In a pulp-distributing apparatus the combination with the distributing trough
having diverging ways or channels, of the equalizing tray having a separate
compartment or division for each way or channel of the trough and outlet
apertures in the bottom of each compartment, substantially as described.
4. The pulp-distributing apparatus for ore-concentrating machines having a
supply hopper or receptacle with discharging apertures adapted to rotate a trough
or part having separate ways or channels and to distribute the pulp by such
rotation into the said channels and a tray or part having spaces or compartments
with outlets, corresponding in number with the said channels beneath the said
channels and arranged to receive and distribute the streams of pulp over the
concentrating surface, the said hopper and trough being mounted on the stationary
frame, and the said tray being mounted on the shaking frame of the machine,
substantially as described.
5. In an ore-concentrator of the kind having an endless-travelling apron or ore-
concentrating surface, the driving mechanism consisting of the internally toothed
ring-gear, fast on the belt-carrying drum, the spur-gear having rolling contact

page_text: without rotation with said ring, an eccentric on which said spur-gear is mounted,
a pulley having said eccentric fast to or formed with it, and mechanism by which
rotation is imparted to the said pulley from a rotating shaft on the machine,
substantially as described.
6. In combination with the belt-carrying drum E the internally toothed ring N,
the spur-gear N having rolling contact with said ring without rotation therewith,
the pulley N having an eccentric hub or part on which the gear is mounted, the
belt G, tilting frame H, pulleys I, II, cone pulleys L, L, and belt L,
substantially as described.
7. An endless concentrating belt or apron for concentrating machines, having
standing sides or edges of tubular shape in cross-section substantially as described
and shown in the drawing.
Dated this 18th day of October 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.