Tuned Acoustic Wave Ore Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aggregate ore separation methods are energy and water intensive, and lack the ability to tune frequencies for efficient separation, resulting in significant losses due to limited degrees of freedom and inefficiency in separating materials in multiple mediums.
Innovation Solution
The use of tuned mechanical waves, generated without physical contact, to stimulate materials and exploit differences in their resonant frequencies, allowing for adjustable frequency settings and automated control to achieve efficient separation and stratification of aggregate ore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mechanical wave generation methods (physical contact with tables and hammers) are used, then materials can be separated, but energy consumption increases and separation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical wave generation methods (physical contact with tables and hammers) with an acoustic field generation system. Transducers convert electrical signals to acoustic waves that propagate through the material medium, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and reducing energy consumption while improving separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows independent adjustment of frequency, amplitude, and phase parameters for each transducer. This enables optimization of acoustic wave parameters to match resonant frequencies of target materials, significantly improving separation efficiency while reducing the energy required compared to fixed-frequency mechanical methods.
2Productivity
If conventional shaker tables and hammers are used for separation, then materials can be physically separated, but the process becomes water intensive and causes significant material loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-intensive mechanical separation methods with acoustic field-based separation. Acoustic waves induce resonant vibrations in target materials, causing them to move or separate from non-resonant materials without requiring water flow, thereby eliminating material loss associated with water carriage and improving overall separation effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems operate within a limited range of frequency separation, then simple separation can be achieved, but multiple degrees of freedom are lost and separation efficiency is diluted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed-frequency mechanical vibration to dynamically adjustable acoustic fields. Each transducer can independently vary frequency, amplitude, and phase in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to different material properties and separation requirements, thereby achieving both high versatility and high separation efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements independent control of multiple acoustic parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase) for each transducer. This multi-parameter adjustment capability allows the system to create complex acoustic field patterns and tune to specific material resonant frequencies, providing both broad adaptability and high separation efficiency for diverse material streams.
4Ease of operation
If conventional techniques are used for aggregate ore separation, then basic separation can be performed, but the process requires significant water flow and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-based mechanical separation with acoustic field-based separation. Acoustic waves propagate through air or other media to induce resonant motion in target materials, eliminating the need for water flow and pressure systems while maintaining operational simplicity through electronic control of transducer parameters.
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
This approach enables efficient separation and conveyance of aggregate ore by tuning frequencies to specific ranges, reducing energy consumption and increasing separation efficiency, allowing for the reclaiming of materials that conventional methods fail to address effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The principal behind this process is that any object when sharply struck, or in this case pinged, will emit its own resonant frequency. Therefore, objects of varying make-up may emit varying frequencies. By pinging objects with frequencies tuned for their specific make-up, the frequency emissions of objects can now be maintained.
Implementation Method 2
Some implementations can include systems and methods for separation, stratification and/or conveyance of aggregate ore, in various mediums, by a technique of tuning a pressure disturbance known as mechanical waves.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer readable media for material separation and conveying using tuned waves are disclosed.