초록 ▼

Mixed pieces of different non-ferrous metals are sorted by initially moving the pieces through a high density, rapidly changing magnetic flux field, and immediately thereafter, freely moving the pieces along unsupported forwardly and downwardly directed trajectories resulting from the momentum of th

Mixed pieces of different non-ferrous metals are sorted by initially moving the pieces through a high density, rapidly changing magnetic flux field, and immediately thereafter, freely moving the pieces along unsupported forwardly and downwardly directed trajectories resulting from the momentum of the pieces, the force of gravity and the magnetically induced repulsive forces developed in the pieces by the flux field. The magnitude of the magnetically induced repulsive forces differ for different non-ferrous metals so that the lengths of the trajectories of generally similar size and shape pieces vary accordingly for separating pieces formed of different metals. The magnetic field is provided by a horizontally axised, rapidly rotating, hollow, liquid cooled, iron wall drum having magnets affixed to its outer surface. The magnets are arranged in rows that are formed of numerous, tile-like, small, permanent magnets which are positioned end to end, with their like polarity ends adjacent. A belt conveyor, which moves the pieces across the top of the drum, has its discharge end pulley coaxially surrounding the drum so that the pieces freely move off the end of the conveyor belt after passing through the magnetic field. Hence, the lengths of the trajectories may be controlled by adjusting the speed of the conveyor, which adjusts the momentum of the pieces, and by adjusting the rotational speed of the drum for adjusting the frequency of the changes in the magnetic field and, consequently, the magnitude of the induced repulsive forces.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of sorting mixed pieces of roughly similar size, which are formed of different non-ferrous metals, comprising essentially the steps of: physically moving the individual pieces upon a conveyor surface at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction through a rapidly changing, high flux

A method of sorting mixed pieces of roughly similar size, which are formed of different non-ferrous metals, comprising essentially the steps of: physically moving the individual pieces upon a conveyor surface at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction through a rapidly changing, high flux density magnetic field, sufficient to develop a magnetically induced repulsive force in the pieces which force differs in magnitude for the different non-ferrous metals; forming the rapidly changing magnetic flux field by placing a rotating drum close to, but beneath, the conveyor surface, with numerous, tile-like, high flux density, permanent magnets affixed upon the drum surface, with each magnet providing a separate magnetic flux field, so that the overall magnetic field of the rotating drum rapidly changes as the magnets move with the drum surface; forcing the magnetic field upwardly, generally radially away from the drum surface to vary the flux density enveloping the pieces located upon the conveyor surface as they pass over the drum, by means of placing a variable height adjustable, magnetic flux attractive dipole above the conveyor surface and pieces; adjusting the flux density enveloping the pieces by adjusting the dipole height to predetermined locations; permitting the pieces to freely continue to travel along an unsupported, downward trajectory along said direction, without support, immediately after passing through said field, under the combined influence of the forces of inertia, gravity and said magnetically induced repulsive force; whereby the distance that each of the pieces travel from their departure from the magnetic field is affected by its developed magnetically induced repulsive force, so that the different metal pieces separate from each other along their length of travel; and collecting the separated pieces of metal.