IMPROVEMENTS IN SEPARATING ORES FROM THEIR GANGUES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Clark at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th October
1863. A communication from abroad by Jean Joseph Bonnard, Mining
Engineer, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEPARATING ORES FROM THEIR GANGUES, AND IN
APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for separating auriferous,
argentiferous, and other ores from their gangues. This apparatus is dis-
tinguished from those ordinarily used by the separating process commencing
at the lower part, the gangues passing in an upward direction, in contra-
distinction to the usual method; this is effected by mounting wings or blades
on a hollow axis, to which rotary motion is imparted by any suitable mechanism.
These wings or blades serve to separate the ores from their gangues, which
are discharged into a suitable receptacle. This improved separating apparatus
consists of a cylindrical receiver of metal or other material, mounted on a
suitable frame arranged for its reception, the hollow axis before mentioned
passing down the centre of said receiver, to the lower end of which are applied
the wings or blades receiving rotary motion from bevil wheels mounted at the
upper part of the apparatus. The ore to be separated is received in a hopper
at the top of the apparatus, which may have an oscillating or shaking motion
imparted to it, a jet of water is also introduced for the purpose of carrying the

page_text: ore down into the cylinder. The ore is conveyed through the hollow axis
above mentioned to the lower part of the apparatus, where it is acted on by the
blades, which in rotating produce the separation of the gangues, and cause
them to enter two compartments forming a double casing round the inner
chamber. The cylindrical chamber, as also the outer casing, should be
completely filled with water; suitable cocks and a manhole are applied at the
bottom part of the receivers, the gangues passing out of the cocks of the outer
casing, while the rich ore is withdrawn by means of the manhole; this may
also be facilitated by causing the machine to oscillate, or by inclining the
apparatus by the aid of a rack or other mechanical expedient.
In order to render the Invention well understood, I have represented in the
accompanying Drawing a central vertical section of an apparatus, the whole
interior arrangement being seen.
a, frame or support of the apparatus, which may be furnished with rack and
pinion gear for the purpose of inclining the apparatus in a forward direction to
facilitate the exit of the ore; b, inner chamber, furnished with emptying cock c
and manhole d, through which chamber passes the hollow axis f, furnished
with wings or blades g, set in motion by toothed wheels h; i, hopper for
conducting the ore and water supplied by a jet into the hollow axis f, and
thence to the bottom of receiver 6 through openings j; k, double casing, into
which the gangues and excess of liquid are discharged from chamber b;
1, emptying cock, discharging into channel m, formed on the outside of the
apparatus; n, columns, for supporting the apparatus; o, cross piece, connecting
said columns. Any suitable mechanical arrangement may be employed for
raising the hollow axis f at the time of removing the ore, which it will be
unnecessary to illustrate in the Drawing, although it forms one of the features
of this Invention; p, collar or washer, sliding on axis f, made of cork or wood
in order that it may float on the liquid, and prevent its spilling.
The Invention thus consists of an improved apparatus herein described and
represented for effecting the separation of the ore, and raising it by means of
rotating wings, which apparatus, however, may be varied in form without
departing from the principle of the Invention.