Improvements in Apparatus for Washing, Separating, and Concentrating Ores of Different Specific Gravities.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Washing, Separating, and
Concentrating Ores of Different Specific Gravities.
I WILLIAM SCHROLLER, of 32, Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Carl Lührig Engineer, of Reichsstrasse,
Dresden, Saxony, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object improvements in apparatus known as percussion
tables for treating ores and similar substances in a pulverised state by which the ore is
separated or classified according to specific gravity and each class is caused to pass into
a separate trough as it leaves the table.
This invention also relates to an arrangement of several sets of the apparatus in
such a manner that the pulverised ore washed from one table or from one set of tables
in a partially separated or classified condition can be passed over another table or
another set of tables to be similarly operated upon for more complete separation
or classification and finally delivered into receptacles without requiring manual
labour.
The improvements are illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 represent respectively a plan, a side sectional elevation, an
end sectional elevation and an end elevation of a single percussion table.
Figure 5, Sheet 2, is a part sectional end elevation shewing an arrangement of
several percussion tables in combination.
Referring first to Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4. the liquid holding the minerals in suspen-
sion is supplied to the feeding box A, which, according to this invention, in-tead of
being stationary, is attached to the movable frame so as to move to and fro with it.
From A the liquid passes over the distributing table B on to the india rubber band C.
In order to cause the liquid to flow gradually on to C, it is preferred to fix to the edge
of B a strip of calico or other fabric which rests loosely on but in contact with C.
To ensure that the rubber band C shall retain its position upon the roller D
short strips of wood E are attached to its outer surface, and placed in a row
so that, as the band travels they pass along an inverted channel iron F which is
fixed above the table
The guide rollers G under the table are recessed to allow passage of the strips E.
Water flows on to the band C from the trough K by a pipe L extending diagonally
across the table with a series of nozzles 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. for jets of water to remove
adhesive matter from the rubber.
The percussion action imparted in the usual way to the table separates the particles
of mineral into several, usually three, different classes according to their respective
gravities. The lightest collect on the band C and are delivered by the hopper M into
the receptacle N, an intermediate product is delivered by P into Q and the heaviest
by R into S.
As shewn by Figure 5 six single tables are combined so as to constitute a compound
machine so arranged that the lower sets of the apparatus can be fed by gravity from
the upper sets without requiring any manipulation of the material treated.
Although six tables are shewn in Figure 5 obviously a greater or less number
might be thus arranged.

page_text: Assuming that there are only three, namely the uppermost three shewn in Figure 5,
they may be worked as follows:-
The material fed to the uppermost table is separated into three classes, according to
gravity, as above described. The lightest may be allowed to flow to the table on the
right, the intermediate quality to the table on the left while the heaviest may be dis-
charged, as final products, or the products from each table may be discharged or
treated in others of the tables according to their character.
The three tables are all connected to one motor so as to work together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a percussion table, the herein described means of guiding the travelling
band by strips of wood attached to its outer surface and guided in a channel iron
above.
2. In a percussion table, attaching the feeding boxes, jet pipes, and distributing
table edged with fabric, to the movable frame, substantially as described.
3. The combination of three or more percussion tables arranged with communi-
cating channels so as to constitute a compound machine for successive treatment of the
material without requiring manipulation thereof, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th L
1000
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London, Patent Agent,
Agent for the said W. Schroller.