Alternating field magnetic separator

Claim 2

Method of separately concentrating magnetic and non-magnetic fractions of a stream of particles wherein said fractions are commingled, and from said stream are supplied particles thereof as feed to a fraction separation zone subject to the establishment therein of a magnetic flux field, comprising the steps of conveying said feed by uniformly arranged, rigidly assembled, magnetically susceptible, flexibly supported transport means into said separation zone, and producing said magnetic flux field so as to continuously vary the intensity of said field in a regular cyclic manner such that said particles of said magnetic fraction are preferentially displaced in a substantially unidirectional path by intensification of said field, and said rigidly assembled, magnetically susceptible transport means immediately responds to the presence thereof in said varying magnetic flux field by undergoing constant vibrational thrusts including thrusts directionly coincidental with said unidirectional path when said particles of said magnetic fraction are preferentially displaced, whereby said preferential displacements of said magnetic particles are reinforced within a dispersement of said conveyed feed in said zone so as to enhance the completeness of said separate concentrations of said fractions.

Claim 3

Method of claim 1 wherein said magnetically susceptible transport means includes a plurality of magnetically susceptible elements among which are passages receiving said feed, further steps comprising effectuating said separation by retention of said particles of said magnetic fraction to surfaces of said elements in said passages moving through said magnetic flux field of said separation zone, and enhancing a discharge of particles of said nonmagnetic fraction to a collector means therefor as a result of said vibration of said transport, and conveying said retained particles of said magnetic fraction to a further zone outside of said magnetic flux field whereat said particles are free from said surfaces, and a discharge of said particles of said magnetic fraction to a further collector means is enhanced.

Claim 4

Apparatus for separately concentrating magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles commingled in a stream, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, displaceable container means fixedly confining therein a multiplicity of rigidly maintained magnetically susceptible discrete elements having conformations thereof providing a series of passages extending through said container means in a predetermined arrangement, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, stream directing means guiding said particles therein into said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas said magnetically unsusceptible particles flow through said series of passages and are discharged into a collector means provided therefor, and upon said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat there is an absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, said magnetically susceptible particles transported in said series of passages from said one predetermined area are freed from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and left subject to said vibration whereby said magnetically susceptible particles discharge from said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 5

Apparatus for separately concentrating magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles commingled in a stream, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, displaceable container means fixedly confining therein a multiplicity of rigidly maintained magnetically susceptible discrete elements having conformations thereof providing a series of passages extending through said container means in a predetermined arrangement, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, stream directing means guiding said particles therein into said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas said magnetically unsusceptible particles flow through said series of passages and are discharged into a collector means provided therefor, and upon said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat there is an absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, said magnetically susceptible particles transported in said series of passages from said one predetermined area are freed from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and left subject to said vibration whereby said magnetically susceptible particles discharge from said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 6

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said magnetically susceptible elements are correspondingly shaped and have an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements are maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each said element a series of passages extending linearly through said container means.

Claim 7

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said magnetically susceptible elements are correspondingly spherical in shape.

Claim 8

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cylically fluctuating power effective therein, displaceble container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extention to which said container means is suspended, said driving means comprises a circular support structure mounted on a rotatable shaft, said support structure including said flexible extension affixed to a hub-collar thereof, and said container means is an assemblage having inner and outer adjustable bands disposed to form a circular aperture and constituting on said driving means a rim structure which is removably secured to said flexible extension thereof, whereby confinement of said magnetically susceptible elements is effectuated by adjustments of said bands, said container means being continously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said carrying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 9

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cylically fluctuating power effective therein, displaceble container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extention to which said container means is suspended, said driving means comprises a circular support structure mounted on a rotatable shaft, said support structure including said flexible extension affixed to a hub-collar thereof, and said container means is an assemblage having inner and outer adjustable bands disposed to form a circular aperture and constituting on said driving means a rim structure which is removably secured to said flexible extension thereof, whereby confinement of said magnetically susceptible elements is effectuated by adjustments of said bands, said container means being continously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said carrying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 10

Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein each said magnetically susceptible element is a plate having a plane side and a side opposite thereto characterized by said array of uniform conformations which define linear grooves thereon, said plates being arranged in said aperture such that each said plate contacts said conformation thereof with said plane side of a contiguous one of said plates whereby said series of linear passages are formed.

Claim 11

Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said plates is tapered between opposite edges thereof whereby said arrangement of plates for said contiguous contact obtains a radial disposition of said sides of said plates with respect to said rotatable shaft.

Claim 12

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, displaceable container means fixedly confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped rigidly maintained magnetically susceptible discrete elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means in a predetermined arrangement, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which sad container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and of said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 13

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, displaceable container means fixedly confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped rigidly maintained magnetically susceptible discrete elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means in a predetermined arrangement, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which sad container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and of said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 14

Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said stationary magnetic field producing means comprises a first and a second U-shaped electromagnets providing cyclically varying magnetic fields, and which are spatially arranged in said apparatus to adjacently locate in pairs legs of corresponding magnetic polarity of the respective electromagnets whereby said first electromagnet forms a magnetic field in a gap between legs thereof of opposite magnetic polarity which constitutes said one predetermined area, and a space between legs of one of said adjacent pair thereof constitutes said one further predetermined area.

Claim 15

Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said second electromagnet forms a further magnetic field in a gap between legs thereof which constitutes a still further predetermined area of said apparatus, and a further space between legs of another of said adjacent pairs thereof constitutes a yet still further predetermined area of said apparatus, said container means being further operable by said driving means to cyclically convey therewith in said circuit thereof said series of passages between said still further predetermined area and said yet still further predetermined area, another fluid directing means guiding a further stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages said still further predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one other of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and said vibration of suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one other of said elements whereas fluid from said further stream and other additional fluid, guided by still another fluid directing means into said series of passages when such passages are conveyed further into said further predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into another collector means provided therefor, and a yet still another fluid directing means guiding still further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said yet still further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said still further predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said still further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a still another collector means provided therefor.

Claim 16

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, said magnetic field producing means comprising first and second electromagnets, and said electrical circuitry comprising an energization circuit including a source of alternating current power in serial connection with first and second windings constituting driving coils for said first and second electromagnets, respectively, and further first and second circuits operatively associated with said first and second electromagnets, respectively, each said further circuit including, in a serial connection with a capacitor, a pair of oppositely wound coils which are made applicable to said respective electromagnets for producing said magnetic field within said one predetermined area, and capacitance of said capacitor and inductance of said electromagnets are such as to establish resonance in said electrical circuitry whereby a peaking intensification of magnetization current is obtained to produce intensification of said cyclically varying magnetic field while minimizing reactive power in said circuitry, displaceable container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereof, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 17

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, said magnetic field producing means comprising first and second electromagnets, and said electrical circuitry comprising an energization circuit including a source of alternating current power in serial connection with first and second windings constituting driving coils for said first and second electromagnets, respectively, and further first and second circuits operatively associated with said first and second electromagnets, respectively, each said further circuit including, in a serial connection with a capacitor, a pair of oppositely wound coils which are made applicable to said respective electromagnets for producing said magnetic field within said one predetermined area, and capacitance of said capacitor and inductance of said electromagnets are such as to establish resonance in said electrical circuitry whereby a peaking intensification of magnetization current is obtained to produce intensification of said cyclically varying magnetic field while minimizing reactive power in said circuitry, displaceable container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereof, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 18

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, said magnetic field producing means comprising first and second U-shaped electromagnets and said electrical circuitry comprising a magnetization circuit which functions to activate said electromagnets, said circuit further comprisng in a serial connection thereof a first diode and a capacitor, and has serially connected in a further circuit additional first and second windings constituting magnetization coils for other first and second electromagnets of a further apparatus and a second diode oppositely directed with respect to said first diode, which further circuit is connected across said serially connected capacitor and power source, whereby different alternate half cycles of current from said power source are effective to activate said magnetization circuit and said further magnetization circuit, respectively, displaceable container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 19

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, said magnetic field producing means comprising first and second U-shaped electromagnets and said electrical circuitry comprising a magnetization circuit which functions to activate said electromagnets, said circuit further comprisng in a serial connection thereof a first diode and a capacitor, and has serially connected in a further circuit additional first and second windings constituting magnetization coils for other first and second electromagnets of a further apparatus and a second diode oppositely directed with respect to said first diode, which further circuit is connected across said serially connected capacitor and power source, whereby different alternate half cycles of current from said power source are effective to activate said magnetization circuit and said further magnetization circuit, respectively, displaceable container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from said stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 20

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, said magnetic field producing means comprising first and second U-shaped electromagnets, and said electrical circuitry comprising first and second magnetization circuits which function to activate said first and second electromagnets, respectively, each said magnetization circuit being connected to a source of alternating current power, and each comprising first and second oppositely wound driving coils which are operationally associated with first and second legs of a respective one of said electromagnets, and said first coil being serially connected with a first diode and said power source, and said second coil being serially connected with a second diode, which is oppositely directed with respect to said first diode, and said power source, displaceable container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.

Claim 21

Apparatus for separately distributing magnetically susceptible and unsusceptible particles suspended in a stream of fluid, said apparatus comprising stationary magnetic field producing means including electromagnet means providing a cyclically varying magnetic field within at least one predetermined area of said apparatus in response to said magnetic field producing means being activated by electrical circuitry having cyclically fluctuating power effective therein, said magnetic field producing means comprising first and second U-shaped electromagnets, and said electrical circuitry comprising first and second magnetization circuits which function to activate said first and second electromagnets, respectively, each said magnetization circuit being connected to a source of alternating current power, and each comprising first and second oppositely wound driving coils which are operationally associated with first and second legs of a respective one of said electromagnets, and said first coil being serially connected with a first diode and said power source, and said second coil being serially connected with a second diode, which is oppositely directed with respect to said first diode, and said power source, displaceable container means confining therein a multiplicity of correspondingly shaped magnetically susceptible elements having an array of uniform conformations thereon, and said elements being thereby maintained where said conformations thereof are oriented to form at each of said elements a series of passages extending linearly through said container means, driving means for displacing said container means having as an integral part thereof a flexible extension to which said container means is suspended, said container means being continuously displaced in response to activation of said driving means and is operable thereby to cyclically convey therewith each of said series of passages in a circuit between said one predetermined area and at least one further predetermined area of said apparatus outside said varying magnetic field, fluid directing means guiding said stream of fluid having said particles therein into each of said series of passages reaching said one predetermined area whereat magnetization of at least one of said elements and said magnetically susceptible particles therein, and vibration of said suspended container resulting from the effect of said cyclically varying magnetic field on said elements, obtain a rapid adherence of said magnetically susceptible particles to passage defining surfaces of said one element whereas fluid from stream and additional fluid, guided by further fluid directing means into said series of passages when said passages are conveyed further into said one predetermined area, wash said magnetically unsusceptible particles through said series of passages and into a collector means provided therefor, and still further fluid directing means guiding further fluid into each of said series of passages reaching said further predetermined area whereat absence of magnetization of any of said elements thereat, and said magnetically susceptible particles transported therein from said one predetermined area, frees said magnetically susceptible particles from adherence to said passage defining surfaces and allows said further fluid to wash said magnetically susceptible particles through said series of passages and into a further collector means provided therefor.