Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Iron from other Substances.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 28th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 1st June, 1888
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Iron from other
Substances.
I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH of Halifax in the County of York, Consulting and
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is the separation of iron particles from other material,
and has special reference to the extraction of powdered iron from powdered clay,
flint, flour etc. It being much more difficult to deal with, when in this impalpable
condition than when in small pieces or granular.
For the purpose aforesaid I employ a cylinder consisting of a series of electro-
magnets of alternate polarity, the poles being axial with the cylinder and so wound
and commutated that as the cylinder revolves one half or portion of the magnets are
active whilst the other half or portion are neutral, and the magnets in action can be
operated either in series or in parallel.
The material to be treated may fall upon the crown of the cylinder and be carried
forward by its revolution, the magnets attracting and holding the iron particles,
whilst the other material falls away; when the surface of the cylinder has passed its
lowest point the magnetism then ceases allowing the iron to fall into a sack, box, or
other receptacle provided for that purpose.
To keep the falling material as long as possible against the surface of the revolving
cylinder, rollers and louvres are provided partially surrounding the front, and to
prevent the iron particles (through residuary magnetism being carried forward and
again into the fresh falling material) brushes and scrapers are fixed upon the non-
magnetic side of the cylinder.
Or instead of allowing the material to fall as above. I place along or across the
surface of the cylinder, on the upward moving side a trough containing a series of
chambers each provided with a screw vane or propellor, the material is fed in at one
end of the trough, and by the screws is turned and lifted against the surface of the
cylinder, and finally discharged at the further end of the trough, the cylinder
revolving attracts such iron particles as are brought against its face and lifts them
out of the mass carrying them over and allowing them to fall on the other side.

page_text: Another method I employ is to feed the powdered material to be treated into a
circular hopper or funnel, below which is a cone of non-magnetic material, attached
to a vertical spindle and rapidly revolving. The material falling upon this cone is
whirled outwards and against the poles of a magnetic ring surrounding it, the iron
particles are attracted and held whilst the rest of the material falls into another funnel
and either passes into a receptacle provided therefor, or upon another cone or series
of cones, the number being regulated, according to the nature of the material so that
at one operation the whole of the iron may be extracted.
The magnetic ring is in two halves and placed in a non-magnetic casing, so hung
or hinged that they can be easily opened for examination and cleansing, the electric
attachments are so arranged that when the casing is shut the magnets are active, and
when fully open and clear of the cone and funnel, they become passive allowing the
gathered iron to fall away.
Another method I employ is specially intended for treating material when in the
fluid state. I then either use the magnetic ring previously described, placing it in a
box or tub (the sides of which are lower than the magnet ring) and pour the material
into the centre, allowing it to fill, pass under the lower rim of the magnet ring, up
the outside and over the edge of the tub.
The rings consist of ribbed iron so wound that each rib is of opposite polarity.

page_text: I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Halifax, in the County of York, Consulting and
Mechanical 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 :—
The object of this invention is the separation of iron particles from other material,
and has special reference to the extraction of powdered iron from powdered clay, flint,
flour etc. It being much more difficult to deal with when in this impalpable condition
than when in small pieces, or granular.
For the purpose aforesaid I employ a cylinder consisting of a series of electro-
magnets of alternate polarity, the poles being axial with the cylinder and so wound
and commutated, that as the cylinder revolves, one half or portion of the magnets are
active, whilst the other half or portion are neutral, and the magnets in action can be
operated either in series or in parallel, and I place along or across the surface of
the cylinder, on the upward moving side, a trough containing a series of chambers,
each provided with a screw vane or propeller; the material is fed in at one end
of the trough, and by the screws is turned and lifted against the surface of the
cylinder, and finally discharged at the further end of the trough; the cylinder
revolving attracts such iron particles as are brought against its face, and lifts them
out of the mass, carrying them over, and allowing them to fall on the other side.
Another method I employ is to feed the powdered material to be treated into a
circular hopper or funnel, below which is a cone of non-magnetic material attached
to a vertical spindle, and rapidly revolving. The material falling upon this cone
is whirled outwards, and against the poles of a magnetic ring surrounding it, the
iron particles are attracted and held, whilst the rest of the material falls into
another funnel, and either passes into a receptacle provided therefor, or upon
another cone, or series of cones, the number being regulated according to the
nature of the material, so that at one operation, the whole of the iron may be
extracted.
The magnetic ring is in two halves, and placed in non-magnetic casings, so
hung or hinged that they can be easily opened for examination and cleansing ;
the electric attachments are so arranged that when the casing is shut, the magnets
are active, and when fully open and clear of the cone and funnel, they become
passive, allowing the gathered iron to fall away.
Another method I employ is specially intended for treating material when in the
fluid state. I then use the magnetic ring previously described, placing it in a box
or tub (the sides of which are lower than the magnet ring) and pour the material
into the centre, allowing it to fill, pass under the lower rim of the magnet-ring,
up the outside, and over the edge of the tub.

page_text: Such being the nature of this my said Invention, the particulars thereof are here,
and by the annexed drawings fully sot forth.
Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) is a perspective view illustrating the operative parts of a machine...
Fig. 2 (Sheet 2) is a front elevation of a separator.
Fig. 3 (Sheet 2) is a side elevation of the same, partly in section.
Fig. 4 (Sheet 3) is a plan view of figs. 2 and 3, partly in section.
Fig. 5 (Sheet 3) is a sectional plan of a magnet ring.
Fig. 6 (Sheet 3) is a sectional elevation of the same.
Figs. 7 and 8 (Sheet 4) are views of a modified form of the magnet ring.
At 1 (fig. 1) is the cylinder carrying a number of electro-magnets round its
periphery, 2 is the supply hopper, 3 is the trough passing across the face of the
cylinder 4. 4. 4 the partitions, 5 the vanes or screw propellers, actuated by the
shaft 6. The partitions are either made high enough, or covered by a lid, to
prevent the material passing from one to the other except by the narrow spaces 7
between the partitions and the surface of the cylinder.
It is obvious therefore that all the material passing along the trough from partition
to partition, must be repeatedly brought in close proximity to the poles of the
magnets on the surface of the cylinder.
The trough may be approached nearer to, or withdrawn further from the cylinder,
and so regulate the space between the edge of the partitions, and the surface of
the cylinder, or the partitions may each have an adjustable edge. The trough is
hinged upon arms 8, centered on the shaft forming the axle of the cylinder, and
may thus be swung to take any desired position round the cylinder.
The magnets on the cylinder are only excited whilst in the position indicated
by the line A-B. The iron particles that have been extracted from the material,
are free to fall from the side 9, but in order to further ensure their removal, a
revolving brush is placed at. 10. The bristles of this brush rub against the
cylinder, and carry off any remaining particles of iron, and again strike against
the edge of the trough 11, which removes the iron from the brush.
In Figs. 2. 3 and 4 (Sheets 2 and 3) 12 represents the supply pipe, 13 is the
hopper or funnel connected therewith, and leading to the case 14, containing the
electro-magnets. These cases are supported upon and preferably hinged upon rods
15, and are made in two halves, so that they may be readily opened to remove the
magnetic material, which has been separated from the other material, and which
clings to the pole pieces of the magnet. The halves of the case may be fastened
together by any suitable means, when the machine is in operation.
16. 16 represent revolving cones which are adjustably mounted upon the spindle 17,
passing through the case, and supported in suitable bearings as shewn. These cones
are made adjustable, so as to regulate the flow of material from the hoppers 13.
against the magnetic ring, hereinafter described and illustrated, and 1 preferably
arrange these cones so that the material will be thrown outward in a sheet or veil,
so that all the particles may be brought into close contact with the magnetic
poles.
Another advantage of the revolving cones, consists in the fact that iron being of
greater specific gravity than flint or other material, the centrifugal force causes the
iron to be thrown against the poles of the encasing magnetic ring.
Secured in the cases 14 by suitable bolts or other means, are placed Electro-
Magnets consisting of two iron rings 18, figs. 5 & 6 each of these rings are in two
halves, and are joined together by iron pillars 19 forming the cores round which the
exciting wire is so wound, that all the N poles enter one plate or ring, and the
S poles the other plate or ring; to the inner edges of these rings are secured
serrated plates 20, of wrought iron, which interlock, but do not touch each other,
thus concentrating the field of force, and making long lines of edges to which the
iron powder will cling.
Or I employ an iron ring 21, figs. 7 and 8 (Sheet 4) having recesses 22 cut therein,
in which coils of insulated wire 23 are so wound as to make the intervening projec-
tions 24 of alternate polarity. The magnetic coils are excited by an external

page_text: generator, either dynamo or battery, and the current is brought by means of the
switch 25, and wires 26, leading to the terminals 27, attached to a bracket or fender 28,
with which contact is made with the springs 29 attached to insulated studs 30,
secured to, but insulated from the casing 14; these springs having attached to them
the terminals of the wires wound round the magnets.
―
The direction of the current is indicated by the + and signs on the drawing.
Instead of employing two springs as shewn one for the lead, and one for the return;
the return current can be taken by connecting the wire of the magnets to any
convenient portion of the casing.
-
In the accompanying drawings I have shewn one separator consisting of two
magnetic rings, through which the material passes successively, and it will be under-
stood that in practice I may use one or more magnetic rings arranged in succession,
according to the nature of the material to be separated. It will also be understood
that I may arrange a number of separators in duplicate, or in clusters, and feed them
from a general supply. I wish it also to be understood that I do not confine myself
to the forms of magnets shewn, it is evident to those skilled in the art that the pro-
jections may be of many and various shapes, as may seem best adapted to the
particular purpose for which they are used. I have found it advantageous in practice
to make these poles serrated, in order to give a number of magnetic edges to which
the particles to be attracted adhere.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is: :-
(1). In a magnetic separator the combination of a magnetic cylinder and a trough
provided with propellers whereby the material to be separated is successively brought
into contact with the cylinder, substantially as described.
(2). In a magnetic separator the combination of a rotating cylinder having its face
made up of a series of magnets, a trough arranged along the face of the cylinder and
a series of propellers in said trough substantially as described.
(3). In a magnetic separator the combination of a rotating cylinder, the face of
which is made up of electro-magnets, a trough arranged along the face of the
cylinder and having a series of partitions, a propeller shaft carrying a series of
vanes, in said trough, and operating to bring the material to be separated in
successive contact with the magnets, and propel it through the trough, substantially
as described.
(4). In a magnetic separator the combination with a magnetic cylinder, a distri-
butor trough to bring the material repeatedly in contact with different portions of the
magnetic cylinder, substantially as described.
(5). In a magnetic separator the combination of a rotating magnetic cylinder, a
trough arranged along the surface thereof, the trough being hinged to the shaft of
the cylinder, substantially as described.
(6). In a magnetic separator the combination of a rotating magnetic cylinder a
trough arranged parallel with the axle of the cylinder and supplying material thereto,
and carrying it accross the face thereof and a brush to discharge the material from
the cylinder, substantially as described.
(7). In a magnetic separator the combination with a magnetic cylinder, of a trough
arranged along the face thereof, the said trough being divided into compartments by
partitions, the edges of which are cut away adjacent to the cylinder to admit of the
passage of the material through the successive compartments, and in contact with the
cylinder, substantially as described.
(8). In a magnetic separator the combination of a magnetic ring, and a rotating
cone whereby the material to be separated is distributed by centrifugal force against
the surface of the ring, substantially as described.
(9). In a magnetic separator the combination of a magnetic ring having internal
projections of opposite polarity, and a rotating cone arranged to distribute the

page_text: material to be separated by centrifugal force against the magnetic projections of the
ring, substantially as described.
(10). In a magnetic separator the combination of a stationary magnetic ring, an
enclosing case for said ring, said case being formed in two parts, whereby the case
may be easily opened, as and for the purpose set forth.
(11). In a magnetic separator the combination of a stationery magnetic ring, a
case enclosing the same, a conical hopper leading to the case, a shaft and a rotating
cone adjustably mounted on said shaft, substantially as described.
(12). In a magnetic separator the combination of a magnetic ring made in two
parts, each part secured in one portion of a separable case, whereby the case may be
opened to expose the internal projections on the ring, substantially as described.
(13). In a magnetic separator the combination of a case made in two parts, each
part enclosing one portion of a magnetic ring, electrical connections for said ring,
consisting in part of a spring or springs, adapted to bear upon a bracket, the arrange-
ment being such that when the case is open, the electric circuit is broken, and when
the case is closed, the circuit established by the spring or springs, substantially as
described.
(14). In a magnetic separator the employment of a stationary magnetic ring, so
arranged in a tub or other recepticle, so that the material to be treated when in a fluid
state, can be poured into the middle of the ring, and by its own gravity will pass
downward under the bottom of the ring, up the outer periphery of the ring, and
escape over the edge of the tub.