Frustoconical Funnel Separation Device for Portable Gold Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for separating pay dirt from heavy metals, such as gold, are not portable or allow for visual inspection without removing the pay dirt, limiting their usability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A handheld separation device with a frustoconical funnel and a clear collection chamber equipped with agitation structures, allowing users to agitate pay dirt manually and visually inspect for heavy metals without removing the dirt, using a 90-degree back-and-forth twisting motion to separate materials based on gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional separation devices like sluice boxes and shaker tables are used, then separation of heavy metals from pay dirt can be achieved, but the devices are not portable and require removal of pay dirt for inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a frustoconical funnel that can be removed from the collection chamber. This allows the funnel to be portable for field work while the collection chamber can remain stationary for inspection, resolving the contradiction between portability and inspection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel is extracted as a removable component from the collection chamber. This enables the funnel to be used as a standalone portable separation device in the field, while the collection chamber serves as a stationary inspection station, thus achieving both portability and visual inspection without removing pay dirt.
2Productivity
If pay dirt is removed from the device for inspection, then visual inspection for heavy metals can be performed, but the process becomes less efficient and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clear transparent material acts as an intermediary that allows visual inspection of the pay dirt and collected heavy metals through the chamber wall. This eliminates the need to remove the pay dirt for inspection, maintaining productivity while improving inspection convenience.
3Device complexity
If manual agitation is used to separate materials, then the device remains simple and portable, but separation time may be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The frustoconical shape of the funnel creates natural agitation and material movement during manual rotation. The tapered geometry promotes continuous circulation of pay dirt through the suspension chamber, enhancing separation efficiency and reducing time compared to simple cylindrical designs without compromising device simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, portable separation and visual inspection of heavy metals like gold, with all heaviest materials settling at the bottom of the collection chamber within 30 seconds of agitation, facilitating easy retrieval and leaving waste dirt for further processing.
Implementation Method 1
causing gold or other heavy metal to fall under force of gravity into the collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An improved separation device having a frustoconical funnel and collection chamber. The collection chamber is removably attached to the frustoconical funnel. Preferably, the frustoconical funnel has a tapered section and a wide-mouthed section. The wide-mouthed section extends below the mouth of the funnel to a tapering point. The inner surface of the frustoconical funnel utilizes a combination of bars and posts extending from the inner surface of the funnel section. The posts can be a variety of sizes, shapes, and numbers. The bars can extend across the diameter of the filter section or alternatively to form one or more chords of the filter section. Preferably the collection chamber has a clear wall and/or floor to allow a user to view material within the collection chamber.