Ore Washer Torus Strainer Water Pressure Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional classifiers for gold-bearing materials are inefficient, taking too long to process and often fail to effectively separate gold-bearing material, leading to it being discarded with larger materials or washed away before panning.

Innovation Solution

An ore washer with a strainer and receptacle system utilizing water pressure to filter non-ore-bearing material through a torus-shaped strainer with apertures, allowing gold-bearing ore to be retained and flushed into a receptacle, facilitating quick and effective classification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional classifiers are used to separate gold-bearing material, then separation can be achieved, but the process takes too long and is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidclassification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The classifier is divided into multiple independent compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) that can process different sizes of material simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of various material sizes, significantly increasing productivity while reducing overall classification time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to classification by using multiple compartments stacked or arranged in different spatial positions. Each compartment handles different size ranges, creating a multi-dimensional classification system that processes more material simultaneously rather than sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional classifiers are used, then material separation occurs, but gold-bearing material is not effectively removed and is discarded with larger material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidgold-bearing material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each compartment is designed with specific aperture sizes tailored to its function: the first compartment has larger apertures for initial coarse separation, the second compartment has medium apertures for intermediate separation, and the third compartment has smaller apertures for fine separation. This localized quality optimization ensures gold-bearing material is effectively captured at each stage without being discarded with larger waste material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The classifier performs preliminary separation in the first compartment before material proceeds to subsequent compartments. This preliminary action removes obviously oversized material first, allowing subsequent compartments to focus on finer separation and ensuring gold-bearing material is progressively refined rather than lost in early coarse separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If conventional classifiers are used, then classification can be performed, but gold-bearing material is washed away before panning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclassification efficiencyVSAvoidgold-bearing material washout

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The classifier compartments are designed with nested or interlocked structures where each compartment fits within or alongside the others. This nesting creates a contained flow path that directs water and material through each compartment in sequence, preventing premature washout of gold-bearing material while maintaining efficient classification throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The ore washer efficiently separates gold-bearing material from non-ore-bearing material, ensuring that gold-bearing material is not lost during processing, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the classification process.

Implementation Method 1

Water pressure from the water may be strong enough to filter a plurality of non-ore-bearing material of the ore-containing material through the strainer and into the receptacle interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Water pressure from the water may be strong enough to provide a moving force on the strainer to filter the non-ore-bearing material of the ore-containing material through the strainer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11786912B1Ore washer

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 SMITH CHAD R

AI summary

An ore washer is a cylindrical sieve that is slightly smaller than a standard five gallon bucket. The sides and bottom of the cylinder are provided with oblong openings that allow for smaller pieces of rock and dirt to pass. The top of the sieve is provided with a wooden ring and an upright handle that spans side to side. The invention fits within a standard plastic five gallon pail. During use, raw ore is placed in the device, and the device is placed in a pail of water. The handle is swirled back and forth to wash small particles out of the sieve, while larger material and rocks remain behind. This large material is then discarded, and the captured material in the plastic pail is further refined by panning to capture any gold.