IMPROVEMENTS IN ORE CONCENTRATORS
Year: 1885

page_text: We, WILLIAM ADOLPH KONEMAN and HIRAM HENRY SCOVILLE, citizens of the
United States, residing in Chicago, in Illinois, one of the United States of America,
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ORE CONCENTRATORS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
In concentrating ores the object sought is a complete stratification and separation
of the material according to specific gravities, so that the metallic particles may be
caused to pass off in one direction, and the pulverized gangue pass off in another
direction.
Heretofole in vanning machines the materials have been agitated while partly
suspended in flowing water This agitation has been confined to end or side shake
of the vanning surface over which the mixture of ore and gangue was deposited
According to physical laws, shaking in substantially horizontal directions tends to
settle and compact the material, but will not so separate them that the material of
one gravity may readily pass off in one direction, and material of another gravity
pass off in another direction, but such complete separation is required of a vanning
machine, because the ore is expected to discharge over one side or end of the table
while the sand passes over the opposite side or end To obviate the effect of
settling in preventing a complete separation according to gravities, we have given
to the vanning surface a vertical shake, whereby the tendency to settle is
counteracted and the stratification according to gravity is facilitated
The effect of the vertical shake is enhanced by making the upward movement at
a different speed from the downward movement
Another physical law is made available to facilitate the complete separation of
the materials, and that is the law which causes bodies in contact to adhere Thus,
when the vanning surface is caused to fall in vertical plane, the material which 18
in contact with said surface will be affected more than that which is immersed in
the mobile fluid above And the heavier material will be affected more than the
lighter material
It is well known that the difference in specific gravity between the ore and its
gangue varies greatly in different ores, and it is plain that the maximum effect of
agitation will be attained when the quantity and speed of the agitation is delicately
adjusted to the particular ore under treatment.

page_text: The object of our improvement is to produce an apparatus or machine for the
purpose of ore concentration, so adjustable in all its motions, namely length of
stroke or oscillation, speed of stroke or oscillation, height of lift and drop, speed of
belt travel and inclination of belt, as to meet such conditions and requirements of
metal bearing ores as are due to the great difference in specific gravity between
the metal portion and the gangue, as well as on account of the greater or less
degree to which such ores are oxydized or decomposed, and the quantity of metal
contained in them having a tendency to float in a water current, also to enable the
regulation of motion and speed to meet the different requirements in an ore owing
to the difference in fineness to which it has been reduced
In the following specification and in the drawings attached thereto we have set
out the employment of a revolving cam, to produce the gradual lift and sudden
diop of the vanning surface, but it is evident that this result may be produced by
a cam located differently from that shown, or by a stationary cam track, or by
other known mechanical expedients In the same way the fulcrums of the arms
which vibrate the vanning surface are shown with adjusting screws, but it 18
evident said fulcrums may be adjusted by means of wedges and other known
devices We have employed a ciank to produce the horizontal vibration of the
vanning surface, but the same vibration has been produced by cranks arranged in
various ways, and by cams, therefore, in these particulars, we do not desire to be
limited to the particular devices as shown herein
Referring to the drawings which are part and parcel of this specification―
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of our apparatus
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section
Figure 3 represents a downward plan or view.
Figure 4 represents a longitudinal section through the shde in the radial arm
Figure 5 represents an enlarged view of cam and stirrup, its connection with the
radial arm and radial arın belt
Figure 6 represents a view of belt-regulating adjustment
Figure 7 represents a section through frame and guide, showing sliding
adjustment of box at the tail end of machine
Figures 8 and 9 are detail elevations of mounting and driving gear for belt
wipers
Figures 10 and 11 are a section and an elevation of the vibrating arm mounting
Figure 12 18 a perspective of crank and cam
Figure 13 18 a perspective view of our machine showing a modified structure of
some of the parts
Figure 14 represents in perspective the pulley for central traction to drive the
apron
Figure 15 is a longitudinal section of the same
Figure 16 is a longitudinal section showing a modified construction and a
reinforced belt
Figure 17 represents a series of diagrams of the movements of the vanning
Burface
A represents the frame of the machine. B represents the carrier frame suspended
from the top of the frame A by rods or cords a, so that it may swing or oscillate.
E is a drum at the head of the carrier frame, Journaled in boxes E' attached to the
frame B, the cap of said box extends downward, and each forms two arms, a¹ a³,
which form boxes for the journals of the wiping rolls xx
X is a box to receive
the concentrates that are wiped off the belt by wipers J is a worm wheel on the
axle of the drum E, driven by a worm 1 J' is a sprocket or chain wheel on the
same axle, around which a chain c² passes, and thence down around a similar
wheel on each of the wiping rolls shafts, which revolve the wiping rolls coincident
with the belt travel G is a drum at the tail of the frame, journaled in a sliding
adjustable box on each side of the frame B These boxes are planed and fitted
to grooved ways H in frame (as shown in Fig 7), and are thrust out or drawn in
to put the proper tension on the traveling belt by screws h³ h³, simultaneously

page_text: operated by means of a socket wrench on a transverse shaft 2', which carries the
bevel or mitre wheels h¹ h¹ These wheels are fastened to the shaft by set
screws instead of keys, in order that either end of the drum may be adjusted without
moving the other end, to compensate for uneven stretch of the belt' D is a wide,
endless belt, passing around drums E G and supported intermediately by rollers g g
whose bearings are in the frame B, and is given constant motion around said drums
by means of the worm 2, which itself is given any speed required by the cone
pulleys V V, their belt V, and chain wheels on the shaft of one pulley V¹, and
chain wheel v on the worm 2, around which passes chain v Motion is given the
upper cone pulley V by the bevel mitre wheel K₁ K' from the main driving shaft k
and pulley K. The shaft also carries a cone pulley L, from which a belt L'
drives the arm and crank shaft l, upon which is cone pulley M corresponding to
cone pulley L Upon the extreme ends of the shaft are cranks P, and immediately
inside the frame A upon which the shaft is journaled is the cam N, and between
cam N and cone pulley M a balance wheel r 18 keyed to shaft l, to impart steadiness
to the motion, around cam N 18 a yoke O, which is held in position by bearings mm,
on the fiame A, to one end of yoke O, a connecting rod T is attached, and the
other end of connecting rod T is pivoted on the link block S', which is fitted in
the radial arm S, and raised, lowered or held in required position at will by the
screw 8, rotated by bevel or mitre wheels 8's operated by chain wheel t and chain t",
running down around a sprocket 3 on shaft n', which the operator turns by hand
when he desires to raise or lower the link block S¹ in the radial arm to regulate
the rise and drop the head of the carrier frame B In order that the position of
the link block $1 may be shifted without changing the angular position of the
arm S at the moment, we provide said arm with a longitudinal slot curved on a
radius equal to the length between centres of the connecting rod T, and in order to
permit said block to be longitudinally adjustable by means of a screw 8, we fit to
said curved slot a slide S³, and provide the block S¹ with a cylindrical joint pin s*,
which passes through said slide and is adapted at its extremity to form the pivot
for the connecting rod joint. The screw s passes through said block S¹, and at its
extremity it revolves in a bearing S³, which has a pivotal connection t¹ with the
arm S, and also supports the bearing for the bevel wheel S2 and sprocket t
PP are cranks on the ends of shaft l, to which are attached connecting rods n n,
the other ends, of said rods n n being attached to the upper end of vibrating
levers R R, which are fulcrumed on movable blocks R2 and at their lower ends
pivoted to the carrier frame B Y is a shaft central with lever R and Journaled
upon frame A. This shaft has upon its extreme ends bevel or mitre wheels y¹,
meshing into bevel or mitre wheels y, on the end of screws R¹, which raise and
lower the pivotal box R' in levers R, when the screws are rotated, which is
accomplished by a chain c³ passing over chain wheel of and thence down to within
easy reach of the operator, where it passes around a similar chain wheel c³ (on a
shaft c) which is turned by the assistant to revolve the screws R' and raise or
lower the pivotal blocks R in the levers R R as desired, to give more or less
vibration to the carrier frame B 18 an idler chain, passing over the idler chain
wheel journaled on the shaft n¹ and the chain wheel to on the shaft u³, to keep
the chain t always of proper length during changes of position of said arm. nis
a shaft journaled on frame A and provided with the radial arms S and the counter-
balancing arm 6 upon which is counterweight W By regulating the position of
weight W on the arm b', the weight of the frame B and its adjuncts is more or
less counterbalanced and the force of the drop is regulated The carrier frame B
is suspended from the extremities of the arms U U by means of the rods or cords a,
which are attached to the carrier frame B by brackets b These ropes are provided
with turnbuckles 63 to keep the carrier frame in perfect level transversely
p p are bracket bearings fastened to both sides of carrier frame B, and the lower
end of the vibrating arms R R are journaled to them B is a distributing or
spreading box for the ore to be concentrated. Z is a tailings box or sluice

page_text: The rear end of the frame B does not have any lift and drop in its operation,
therefore the rear end of said frame is supported by cords a, the upper ends
whereof are wound upon drums d on the shaft e, but the rear end of said frame
may be raised or lowered to adjust the frame B and its belt D as to pitch towards
the tail by turning said shaft. This may be accomplished at will by means of a
chain e, which passes over a sprocket wheel e³ on said shaft e and under a similar
wheel on the shaft The shafte is also provided with a counterbalancing arm e
and weight W adjustable thereon, so that the carrier may be easily raised or
lowered
Wide belts running on straightfaced drums or rollers frequently run towards one
side, owing to a slight inequality in length of the two edges, or other causes, and
this also interferes with a proper distribution of pulp over the vanning surface
when such a belt is used for concentrating ores
To obviate this tendency to move toward one end of the drum or roller, the belt
has been provided with a rib on its under side and the drum has been provided
with a corresponding groove Flanges at the ends of the rollers have also been
employed. I prefer, however, to drive the belt by a pulley p* located under its
median portion and support its marginal portions upon loose drums, p" which are
rotated by the belt I am thus enabled to make the pulley slightly crowning, so
that the belt will keep its place by tending toward the higher part, and, if desired,
an extra thickness q may be given to the median part which travels on the driving
pulley The loose drums for supporting the margins will then be slightly larger
than the driving pulley See figs 14 15 16
Instead of revolving wipers, stationary wipers may be employed, as shown in
Fig 13
As a substitute for the cam N, cranks C may be employed in place of the
arms U, the support for the frame B then being the direct connection of the
cords a, with the crank box 6° mounted on said cranks C The shaft S which
carries the cranks C is also provided with an arm A which is engaged by a lug L³
on the loosely running heavy wheel W which is also mounted on the shaft S
The wheel W is driven by by belt L' independent of the crank shaft S
Therefore, when the lug L' engages arm A, it carries the same forward and
causes the shaft to rotate, but when said crank has passed the highest point of its
circuit the weight of the frame B and its adjuncts causes the cranks and the
crank shaft S' to move faster than the wheel W', and, in fact, to drop suddenly to
the lowest point of its circuit, to be again engaged by the lug L³ and again carried
over and dropped. This produces a gradual lift and a sudden drop of the vanning
surface coincident with the horizontal reciprocation of said surface, with the effect
heretofore described.
The shafts cus and e* are each provided with ratchets f and pawla f', whereby
they may be prevented from revolving except when required by the operator
The operation of the machine, one of which we now have in successful use,
demonstrating all points as herein set forth, is as follows
-
The ore to be operated upon,-after first baving been pulverized to a suitable
degree of fineness, say from 40 to 80 mesh, by any proper method of pulverization,
-is fed on to the revolving belt D by means of a suitable distributor B³ at &
point varying from two to four feet distant from the drum E or head of the
table
Sufficient water 18 introduced with the ore to cause the same to flow quite freely,
and fresh water is distributed on the table through a finely perforated pipe F at a
point about one foot distant from-that is to say, higher up and towards the head
of the table, than the point at which the ore is being distributed
It is now necessary to find the exact motion under which the ore will give the
cleanest concentrates The stroke or oscillation of the frame B can be varied from
one-half inch to four inches by raising or lowering pivoting slide R on screw R²,
as described.

page_text: The finer the ore, and the more completely decomposed it 18, the less the stroke
and the greater the speed of stroke required. The speed is regulated by shifting
the position of the belt L' on the cone pulleys M L The height of the lift and
drop affording the best results is now tested, it varies from five-eighths of an inch
to one and one-quarter of an inch, the same rule holding good as with the stroke,
the finer and more decomposed the ore the less the lift and drop
It is necessary to describe the action of the table on ores by this combination of
a slow forward stroke with an upward lift at the same ratio of speed, together with
a quick backward stroke and a sharp drop of the forward or higher end of the
frame The result is a triangular motion or movement at any certain point on the
belt, varying in shape with the adjustment of the fiame As illustration, three
combinations are shown in Figure 17, wherein are diagrams of the various com-
binations of motion of the swinging table and belt, 1 representing the extreme
with a long stroke and a short lift, 2, a short stroke and high lift, 3, the shortest
stroke and shortest lift combined
The action of this motion on the ore is that the belt on traveling forward or
towards its head-that is from 4 to 5-1s lifted toward 5 by the cam N, and the
head of the frame B and the belt is consequently lifted at each stroke towards and
up to the floating material, giving all metal in this material an increased move-
ment towards the belt and a tendency to stratify according to specific gravity,
adhere and cling to its surface
This upward movement decreases towards the tail end of the frame B and belt D
to a radial movement only, so that its action becomes gentler towards the point of
its tailing or refuse escape
When the movement is at its highest point-that is at 5-the frame at the upper
end makes a quick drop on account of the escape of the yoke from the cam N,
causing a quick back ward or downward movement of arms U, this drop of frame
causes the sand to be thoroughly separated from the metal, and causes it to be
thrown or raised into the current of water, while the metallic portions, on account
of their greater specific gravity, are only slightly released from the belt and are
not raised into the water ourrent Their release 18 aufficient, however, to cause
them to travel forward on the belt surface independent of any belt travel, this
independent forward travel is due to the greater speed of belt travel on the back
stroke, the distance of 45 represents the hypothenuse, or the up stroke and the
distance 5, 6, 4 represents the base and perpendicular of a triangle on the back or
down stroke
The gangue tailings travel downward, and wash off over drum G, the concen-
trates travel upward, and off the belt over drum E, and are brushed or scraped into
box X by means of belt wipers The belt speed is regulated by means of cone
pulleys V V, thereby regulating speed of worm, and worm wheel J
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same 18 to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1 In an ore concentrator or vanning machine a vanning surface vibrating in a
horizontal plane, combined with mechanism adapted coincidently with said vibra-
tion, to lift and drop said surface, whereby each point of said vanning surface 18
caused to describe a triangular path, as described
2 In an ore concentrator or vanning machine a vanning surface provided with
mechanism adapted to vibrate said surface in a horizontal plane, and operative
mechanism to coincidently lift said surface gradually and drop it suddenly, com-
bined with mechanism whereby said horizontal and vertical vibrations may be
altered, regulated and controlled while the machine is running
3 The combination in an ore concentrating or vanning machine, of a vanning
surface, horizontal transversely, but higher at one end than at the other, a cam and
operative mechanism whereby said surface may be coincidently vibrated hon-
zontally and vertically, the upward and downward movements being made different
in speed and direction, as described, and sluices for delivering upon said surface the

page_text: pulverized ore and gangue and water, whereby said pulverized ore and gangue is
subjected, simultaneously to both horizontal and vertical vibrations in the presence
of a thin sheet of running water
4 In an ore concentrator or vanning machine, a swinging frame set higher at
one end than at the other, and a crank and operative mechanism to control the
honzontal swing or vibration of said frame, combined with a cam and operating
mechanism to cause the higher end of said frame to be lifted gradually and dropped
suddenly, for the purpose set forth
5 The combination in a vanning machine of a swinging frame set level
transversely, but lower at one end than the other, and an endless belt mounted
thereon, having its upper surface moving toward the higher end of the frame, with
vibrating levers to cause said frame to swing, and a cam connected with the
higher end of said frame to periodically cause it to rise gradually and diop
suddenly, whereby the mineral matters upon the surface of the belt will be
differently affected according to their specific gravities, and caused to separate
6 The combination in a vanning machine of a swinging frame set level trans-
versely and lower at one end that at the other, and an endless belt mounted on
said frame, having its upper part moving toward the higher end of said frame,
with vibrating levers provided with fulcrums adjustable longitudinally as to said
levers, and a cam adjustably connected with the higher end of said frame, to peri-
odically cause it to rise gradually and drop suddenly through a greater or less
distance as may be desired, whereby the movements of said frame and belt as to
oscillation and as to rise and drop may be separately or jointly varied to adapt
the machine to the separation of ores under various conditions, substantially as
Bet forth
7 The carrier frame B provided with the drums EG, the intermediate rollers 9 g,
the belt D carried and supported on said rollers, the guides H and the sliding
boxes fitted to said guides, combined with the screws h³ ³ which penetrate said
boxes 2, bevel gears h h attached to said screws, and bevel gears h¹ h¹ on shaft 2¹
in mesh with bevel gears h², whereby the two boxes may be simultaneously
moved to adjust the tension of the belt D
8 The combination in an ore concentrating or vanning machine of a suspended
swinging carrier fiame B, drums E G, and traveling belt D mounted thereon with
the belt wipera or scrapers xx, also carried by said frame, and the traveling
chains VC and their connecting gearing, whereby motion is transmitted from the
wheel V on the main frame to the wipers on the swinging frame.
9 The combination in an ore concentrating or vanning machine of an oscillating
and traveling belt, suitable drums to support said belt, and a swinging carrier
frame B with the vibrating arms R, at their lower ends jointed to said carrier
frame, adjustable pivoted slides R' for said arms, whereby length of vibration is
regulated, the crank rods n and the driving cranks P, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth
10 The combination in an ore concentrating or vanning machine of oscillating
frame B, belt D, adjustable vibrating arms R, rods n, cianks P, shaft 7, cam N,
fastened to and rotated by said shift l, yoke O radial arm S, connecting rod T,
slide S¹ mounted on the radial arm S, adjusting screw a¹ and adjusting arms U,
whereby the height to which the frame B is raised and dropped at each revolution
of said cam N may be adjusted, substantially as described.
11 The shaft n', arm S, and the arms U attached thereto, combined with link
block S¹ fitted to slide longitudinally in said arm S, the screw 8 mounted on said
arm to move and hold said link block and the connecting rod T jointed to said
block, whereby with a uniform reciprocation of said connecting rod the angular
movement of the arm S may be varied at will
12 The connecting rod T, the arm S, the link block S¹, which is longitudinally
adjustable in the arm S, and the adjusting screw 8 for the said block, combined
with the bevel wheel s² and bevel wheels in meah therewith, the chain wheel t and

page_text: the chain t², whereby said screw may be rotated at will to shift the adjustment of
the link block S¹
13 The connecting rod T and the arm S provided with a curved slot, whose
radius equals the length between centers of said connecting rod, combined with a
slide S fitted to slide in said slot, a link block S', a joint pin s penetrating said
slide and adapted to connect with said connecting rod T and the adjusting screw 8
passing through said block S¹ and in pivotal engagement with said arm S, whereby
the position of the joint pin s may be shifted without changing the angular
position of said arm S
14 In combination with the suspended swinging frame B, its belt D the
vibrating lever R, Jointed at the lower ends to said frame, and the reciprocating
connecting rods n combined with the pivot or fulcrum pins R' longitudinally
adjustable as to said levers R, whereby the relative lengths of the arms of said
lever may be varied, as and for the purpose set forth
15 A swinging frame B, its belt D, and vibrating lever R, on each side of said
frame jointed thereto at their lower ends, connecting rods, combined with adjust-
able pivot or fulcrum pins R' adjusting screws R¹ for the same bevel gears y
attached to said screws and the shaft y provided with bevel gears y¹ in mesh
with the bevel gear y, whereby both of said pins R' may be coincidently raised or
lowered
•
16 The traveling belt D, its frame B, and supporting cords a, at the lower end,
combined with the drums d upon which said cords are wound, the sprocket e³,
chain e, the sprocket ratchet, and pawl 1 on shaft e and counterweight W¹,
whereby the pitch of the frame B may be adjusted at will
17 The combination in an ore-concentrating or vanning machine, of a recipro-
cating frame B, traveling endless belt D, adjustable vibrating arms R, shaft 1,
cranks P, and cam N mounted thereon, crank rods n, connecting rod T and radial
arm S, whereby the lift of said frame 18 controlled as set forth.
18 The endless wide belt or apron D, combined with a driving pulley in engage-
ment with the median portion of said belt, and the loose supporting pulleys, one on
each side of said pulley, whereby the apron is driven by traction applied at
its middle only, and the edges are supported by loose belt-driven pulleys, as set
forth.
19 An endless wide belt or apron D provided with a thickened median portion
combined with a driving pulley in engagement with said thickened portion, and
loose supporting pulleys on each side of said driving pulley, whereby the belt 18
reinforced in the line of its traction along its median portion, and its margins are
supported without traction.
20 In a vanning machine, a swinging frame B provided with mechanism suit-
able to vibrate said frame horizontally and mechanism to raise said frame gradually
and drop it suddenly, as set forth, combined with an adjustable counterweight W,
adapted to regulate the force of said sudden drop by partly counterbalancing the
weight of said frame.