Abstract
Magnetic arrangement for transporting magnetized material, comprising a device for conveying a magnet arrangement for transporting magnetized material and a magnetized material separating device having an improved configuration of a magnet arrangement.
Claims
1. A magnet arrangement for separating and transporting of magnetized material, the magnet arrangement (10) comprises: a first magnet (11) having a first main magnetization direction, a second magnet (12) having a second main magnetization direction, a third magnet (13) having a third main magnetization direction and a fourth magnet (14) having a fourth main magnetization direction, each magnet having a first pole (A) of a first polarity (S, N) and a second pole (B) of a second opposing polarity (N, S); a first magnetic bridge (21) and a second magnetic bridge (22); a canal receiving space (30) having a longitudinal axis for receiving a longitudinal canal, the canal receiving space (30) having a first side (31) and an opposing second side (32); wherein the first magnet (11) with the first pole (A) is oriented toward the first side (31) of the canal receiving space (30); wherein the second magnet (12) with the second pole (B) is oriented toward the first side (31) of the canal receiving space (30); wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are located at the same longitudinal position with respect to the longitudinal axis; wherein the third magnet (13) with the second pole (B) is oriented toward the second side (32) of the canal receiving space (30); wherein the fourth magnet (14) with the first pole (A) is oriented toward the second side (32) of the canal receiving space (30); wherein the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14) are located at the same longitudinal position with respect to the longitudinal axis; wherein the first main magnetization direction and the second main magnetization direction point toward the first side of the canal receiving space at the same longitudinal position of the canal receiving space, wherein the third main magnetization direction and the fourth main magnetization direction point toward the second side of the canal receiving space at the same longitudinal position of the canal receiving space, wherein the first magnetic bridge (21) bridges the second pole (B) of the first magnet (11) and the first pole (A) of the second magnet (12); wherein the second magnetic bridge (22) bridges the first pole (A) of the third magnet (13) and the second pole (B) of the fourth magnet (14).
2. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first pole (A) of the first magnet (11) faces the second pole (B) of the third magnet (13) so that their respective pole faces are substantially parallel to each other, and the second pole (B) of the second magnet (12) faces the first pole (A) of the fourth magnet (14), so that their respective pole faces are substantially parallel to each other.
3. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first main magnetization direction, the second main magnetization direction, the third main magnetization direction and the fourth main magnetization direction point toward each of the first side and the second side of the canal receiving space at the same longitudinal position of the canal receiving space.
4. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first magnet (11), the second magnet (12), the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14) is a permanent magnet, wherein the permanent magnet is a rare earth magnet, in particular a NdFeB magnet, in particular a Nd2Fe14B magnet.
5. The magnet arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the permanent magnet is a NdFeB magnet and the NdFeB magnet has a magnetic field strength at a surface facing the canal receiving space of at least 0.5 Tesla, in particular of at least 1.0 Tesla.
6. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnetic bridges (21, 22) is made of an alloy on an iron basis.
7. A conveying device comprising: at least one magnet arrangement (10) according to claim 1; a conveyor arrangement (45); wherein the at least one magnet arrangement (10) is mounted to the conveyor arrangement (45) in order to move the magnet arrangement (10) along a canal being arranged in the canal receiving space (30).
8. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor arrangement (45) comprises a single carrier structure (41) wherein the carrier structure (41) on one side carries the first magnet (11), the second magnet (12) and the first magnetic bridge (21) of each of a plurality of magnet arrangements (10), and wherein the carrier structure (41) on an opposing side carries the third magnet (13), the fourth magnet (14) and the second magnetic bridge (22) of each of a plurality of magnet arrangements (10).
9. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor arrangement (45) comprises a first carrier structure (41) and a second carrier structure (42), wherein the first carrier structure (41) carries the first magnet (11), the second magnet (12) and the first magnetic bridge (21) of each of a plurality of magnet arrangements (10), and wherein the second carrier structure carries the third magnet (13), the fourth magnet (14) and the second magnetic bridge (22) of each of a plurality of magnet arrangements (10).
10. The conveying device according to claim 9, wherein the first carrier structure (41) and the second carrier structure (42) are arranged to rotate synchronously.
11. A magnetized material separating device (1) comprising: a conveying device (40) according to claim 7, a canal (50) having a longitudinal extension in a flow direction, wherein the canal is made of a non-magnetic material so as to allow magnetic field lines to enter the canal (50); wherein conveying device (40) is arranged so as to convey the magnet arrangements (10) along the longitudinal extension of the canal (50).
12. The magnetized material separating device according to claim 11, wherein at least a part of the longitudinal extension of the canal arrangement follows at least a half of a circle line.
13. The magnetized material separating device according to claim 11, wherein the canal (50) has a rectangular cross section having a first side (51), a second side (52), a third side (53) and a fourth side (54), wherein the first side (51) and the second side (52) are the longer sides of the rectangle, wherein the first side (51) and the second side (52) of the rectangular cross section corresponds to the first side (31) and the second side (32) of the receiving space (30), respectively.
14. The magnetized material separating device according to claim 11, wherein the canal (50) has a first duct (61) and a second duct (62) being parallel to the first duct (61), wherein the first magnet (11) with the first pole (A) is oriented toward the first duct (61), wherein the second magnet (12) with the second pole (B) is oriented toward the second duct (32), wherein the third magnet (13) with the second pole (B) is oriented toward the first duct (61) and wherein the fourth magnet (14) with the first pole (A) is oriented toward the second duct (62).
15. The magnetized material separating device according to claim 11, wherein the canal (50) includes a displacement body (70) extending along the flow direction, wherein a field free point between the first to fourth magnets lies in the displacement body (70).
16. The magnetized material separating device according to claim 15, wherein a cross section of the displacement body (70) is formed by four concave lines (71, 72, 73, 74), wherein each of the four concave lines (71, 72, 73, 74) substantially follow the field lines (M) of the magnet arrangement (10).
17. The magnetized material separating device according to claim 11, wherein the canal is made either of a fiber reinforced plastic, a glass, or an austenitic stainless steel.
18. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first bridge (21) is further from the canal than the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12), and the second bridge (22) is further from the canal than the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14).
19. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first bridge (21) and the second bridge (22) are separated and spaced from each other.
20. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are mounted to the first bridge (21) to form a separate unit adapted to be mounted as a unit to a first carrier structure, and the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14) are mounted to the second bridge (22) to form a separate unit adapted to be mounted as a unit to a second carrier structure.
21. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are separate from and out of contact with each other, and the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14) are separate from and out of contact with each other.
22. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal position of the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) is the same as the longitudinal position of the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14).
23. The magnet arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal position of the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) is offset from the longitudinal position of the third magnet (13) and the fourth magnet (14).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings.
(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnet arrangement having a canal receiving space without canal therein, according to an exemplary embodiment.
(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetized material separating device having a magnet arrangement and a canal arranged in the canal receiving space according to an exemplary embodiment.
(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic overview on a magnet configuration with respect to a canal in a cross-sectional view according to an exemplary embodiment.
(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a further alternative magnet configuration with respect to a canal in a cross-sectional view according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the canal has a separator.
(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view having two separated canal ducts according to an exemplary embodiment.
(7) FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a configuration, wherein the canal includes a displacement body of a particular shape.
(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein a displacement body is provided in the canal including an illustration of the magnetic field lines.
(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a conveyer arrangement having mounted thereon a plurality of magnet arrangements according to an exemplary embodiment.
(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a first magnet, a second magnet and a magnetic bridge according to an exemplary embodiment.
(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an arrangement of a magnetic material separating device having a plurality of canals and a plurality of conveying devices according to an exemplary embodiment.
(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective sectional view of a configuration of the first and second magnet, a magnetic bridge, and a carrier element according to an exemplary embodiment.
(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a first and second magnet and a carrier element operating as a magnetic bridge according to an exemplary embodiment.
(14) FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed view of a canal to be inserted in the canal receiving space according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
(15) FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnet arrangement, having a first magnet 11 and a second magnet 12, as well as a third magnet 13 and a fourth magnet 14. The first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are magnetically bridged by a magnetic bridge 21. At the same time, the third magnet 13 and the fourth magnet 14 are magnetically bridged by a magnetic bridge 22. Each of the magnets 11, 12, 13, 14 have a polarity with a first pole A and a second pole B. The magnets are arranged such that the first pole A of the first magnet 11 is oriented toward a canal receiving space 30, and vis--vis to a second pole B of the third magnet 13, which is also oriented toward the canal receiving space 30. At the same time, a second pole B of the second magnet 12 is oriented toward the canal receiving space 30, as well as a first pole A of the fourth magnet 14 is oriented toward the canal receiving space and here substantially parallel to the second pole of the second magnet 12. Thus, the pole faces of the magnets being oriented toward the canal receiving space are substantially parallel to each other, so that a rectangular canal can be arranged between the magnets, i.e. the pole faces of the magnets. The magnets 11, 12, 13, 14 in FIG. 1 are of the same size, however, it should be understood, that the magnet size may also be different. Further, it should be noted, that the opposing poles facing the magnetic bridge 21, 22 may also be inclined, depending on the shape of the magnetic bridge 21, 22. The magnetic bridges 21, 22 in FIG. 1 have a size so as to extend over the outer dimension of the magnets, which is symmetrical. However, it should be understood, that the magnetic bridges 21, 22 may in at least one direction extend in a measure, so that the magnetic bridge may also serve as a mounting element so as to mount the magnet arrangement to a carrier or conveyer arrangement. It should be noted that the first and second magnet and the first magnetic bridge may also be formed as a one-piece element, and may also be formed integrally. The same is valid for the third and fourth magnet and the second bridge.
(16) As can be seen in FIG. 1, the magnet arrangement generates a magnetic field with field lines M which is illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 1. The arrangement of FIG. 1 results in a magnetic field, which is at strongest at the pole faces facing the canal receiving space 30. The canal receiving space has a first side 31 being allocated to the first and second magnet 11, 12, and a second side 32 being allocated to the third and fourth magnet 13, 14. The canal receiving space 30 serves for receiving a canal, which in FIG. 1 may be for example a canal having a rectangular cross section. It should be understood that a canal may have one or two or more separated ducts, as will be illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be noted, that the canal may also have a round or oblong or oval cross-sectional shape, wherein in such cases, the orientation of the pole faces of the magnets being oriented toward the canal receiving space and may be inclined or modified. The pole faces may also have a contour corresponding to that of a facing outer canal surface.
(17) FIG. 2 illustrates a magnet arrangement having a canal 50 arranged in the canal receiving space 30. The magnet arrangement together with the canal forms a magnetized material separating device. The magnet arrangement is similar to that of FIG. 1, wherein same references refer to same elements. The canal in FIG. 2 has a first side 51 corresponding to the first side 31 of the canal receiving space, and a second side 52 corresponding to the second side 32 of the canal receiving space 30. Although in FIG. 2 it appears that there is no gap between the outer surface of the canal at the sides 51 and 52 over the pole faces A and B of magnets 11, 12, 13, 14, there is a minimal space between the outer surface of the canal and the respective pole faces of the magnets, as the magnet arrangement including the magnets 11, 12, 13, 14 is moved along the side surfaces 51, 52 of the canal. The canal 50 has a third side 53 and a fourth side 54 being oriented to the top and the bottom in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the canal 50 comprises a first duct 61 and a second duct 62, and a separator 70 being arranged between the first duct 61 and the second duct 62. Thus, the ducts 61 and 62 are separated from each other. This avoids unintended turbulences and provides an effective flow guidance of a suspension/dispersion comprising the magnetized particles (ore) and the non-magnetic particles (gangue). The magnetic bridges 21 and 22 concentrate the magnetic field lines so as to provide a higher efficiency of the magnetic field in the canal 50, in particular to the inner surface of the ducts 61, 62 to which the magnetized particles are attracted by the magnets 11, 12, 13, 14. It should be noted that the magnets for all embodiments may have shape so as to be tapered toward the pole face facing the canal in order to increase the magnetic field strength.
(18) FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a magnet configuration with north poles N and south poles S. FIG. 3 illustrates that a south pole S corresponds to the first pole A and a north pole N corresponds to the second pole B. Thus, in correspondence to FIGS. 1 and 2, a south pole S of the first magnet 11, a north pole N of the second magnet 12, a north pole N of the third magnet 13 and a south pole S of the fourth magnet 14 face the canal 50 being arranged in the canal receiving space 30.
(19) FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative magnet arrangement having allocated the north pole N to the first pole A and the south pole S to the second pole B. With this respect, the north pole N of the first magnet 11, the south pole S of the second magnet 12, the south pole S of the third magnet 13, and the north pole N of the fourth magnet 14 face the canal 50. It should be noted, that this magnet configuration can also be applied to the canal configuration of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the canal is separated into two ducts 61, 62 having a separator or displacement body 70 arranged there-between. It should be noted, that such canal arrangement can also be applied to the magnet arrangement according to FIG. 3.
(20) FIG. 5 illustrates a magnet arrangement having a canal 50, which comprises two separated ducts 61, 62. The magnet arrangement may be a magnet arrangement according to FIG. 3 or 4. In other words, there is not connected canal but a space there-between. Nevertheless, there may be provided supporting elements keeping the both ducts 61, 62 in position with respect to each other.
(21) FIG. 6 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment, wherein the magnet arrangement may be a magnet arrangement according to FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. In FIG. 6, the canal 50 is a canal having a larger cross-section, however having a displacement body 70 arranged therein. The displacement body 70 has a particular shape so as to support a flow guidance of the suspension/dispersion through the canal 50. The displacement body 70 in FIG. 6 has a first side 71, a second side 72, corresponding to the sides 51, 52 of the canal and the sides 31, 32 of the canal receiving space. The particular shape of the displacement body 70 will be described with respect to FIG. 7 in more detail.
(22) FIG. 7 illustrates a magnet arrangement having a canal 50 arranged in the canal receiving space 30. FIG. 7 differs from FIG. 2 by the configuration of the canal cross section, but is similar with respect to the magnet arrangement. The canal in FIG. 7 has a large cross section being separated by a displacement body 70. It should be noted, that the displacement body may have a dimension so that in FIG. 7, the upper volume of the canal 50 and the lower volume of the canal 50 are in communication to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The side faces 71, 72, 73, 74 of the displacement body 70 have a concave shape so as to follow the field lines of the magnet field M. Thus, the displacement body avoids presence of the material to be separated in an area of the canal, where the field strength is low or zero. The concave side faces of the displacement body 70 follow the field lines, so that the magnetic particles close to the displacement body travel tangentially substantially without turbulences. Thus, an improved separation process can be achieved. However, the displacement body 70 alternatively may have a size so as to extend to the side walls 51, 52 of the canal, so that the displacement body 70 may also separate the upper part of the canal and the lower part of the canal without liquid communication there-between, which, however, is not illustrated in FIG. 7. In this case only the upper and lower faces 73 and 74 may be concave so as to follow a field line, whereas the side faces 71, 72 may of less relevance, in particular when side faces are not in contact with suspension/dispersion.
(23) The suspension/dispersion including the magnetized particles flows into the plane of the FIGS. 1 to 7, so that application of a magnetic field results in an attraction of the magnetic particles to the inner side wall sections 51, 52 of the canal 50. The collected magnetic particles travel, when being attracted to the side walls by the magnets 11, 12, 13, 14 in the same speed as the magnet arrangement travels with respect to the canal 50. It should be noted, that the velocity of the suspension/dispersion including the magnetic particles may travel faster than the magnet arrangement travels with respect to the canal 50. At a particular section of the canal, the magnetic particles being accumulated at the inner side surfaces of the canal 50 opposite to the respective pole faces of the magnets, and will be guided out of the canal through a particular exit for magnetized particles of the canal.
(24) FIG. 8 illustrates a mounting of the magnet arrangement onto a carrier 41 of a conveying arrangement 45. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment, where the first magnet 11 and second magnet 12 are mounted to a first magnetic bridge 21, and the third magnet 13 and the fourth magnet 14 are mounted to a second magnetic bridge 22. The bridges 21, 22 are mounted to the carrier 41. It should be noted that the first and second magnet and the first bridge may also be mounted to a first carrier and the third and fourth magnet and the second magnetic bridge may be mounted to a second carrier. FIG. 8 illustrates that a plurality of magnet arrangements as described above are mounted on the carrier 41. The carrier 41 may be for example a wheel so that a canal being arranged in the canal receiving space (the canal is not illustrated in FIG. 8) so that the magnets can be moved along the canal along a circular track. Although FIG. 8 illustrates magnets 11 and 12 vis--vis magnets 13 and 14, it is also possible to arrange the magnets in an interleaving manner, so that for example the second magnetic bridge 22 is offset with respect to the first magnetic bridge 21 by a half distance between two adjacent magnetic bridges 21 on one side of the carrier 41. The carrier 41 may be manufactured of aluminum. The magnetic bridges 21, 22 may be pre-mounted to a fiber reinforced material, in particular a fiber reinforced ring, as can be seen in FIG. 8. As an alternative the bridges on one side may be pre-mounted on a first fiber reinforced ring and the bridges of the other side may be pre-mounted on a second fiber reinforced ring, so that each of both fiber reinforced rings may be mounted on each of both sides of the carrier 41. The fiber reinforced ring may also serve as an isolator. The mounting may be in a way that the isolation remains even if having mounted the bridges to the fiber reinforced rings as well as having mounted the fiber reinforced rings to the carrier 41, e.g. by offset screw positions. The fiber reinforced rings may have recesses for receiving the bridges, which may simplify a positioning and aligning of the bridges.
(25) FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a magnetic bridge 21 having mounted thereon a first magnet 11 and a second magnet 12. Between the magnets 11 and 12, there is provided a distance plate 15. The distance plate 15 allows an easier mounting, adjusting and assembling of the magnets 11, 12 onto the magnetic bridge 21. The distance plate supports a constant distance of all of the plurality of magnets of the magnet arrangements.
(26) FIG. 10 illustrates a magnetic material separating device according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the separating device in FIG. 10 is illustrated with three wheels which have been illustrated with respect to FIG. 8. It should be noted, that a separating device may have for example only one wheel but also more than the three illustrated wheels. The plurality of wheels may be mounted onto a single axis, so that the wheels can be driven synchronously, e.g. by a single drive unit. Thus, the magnet arrangements can be provided onto a conveying device 40 having carrier elements 41, 42. The canal 50 is arranged between the first magnet 11 and second magnet 12 on the one hand, and the third magnet 13 and the fourth magnet 14 on the other hand. It should be noted that the second and fourth magnets are not illustrated in FIG. 10, as they are hidden behind the structures. The entire device may have a plurality of carriers 41, 42.
(27) FIG. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of a configuration of the first and second magnets 11, 12, a magnetic bridge 21, and a first carrier element 41. It should be noted, that FIG. 11 is only a schematic illustration, wherein in FIG. 11 the magnetic bridge 21 is designed as a separate element over the carrier element 41. Thus, the carrier element 41 may be for example of plastic or fiber reinforced material, having neutral magnetic properties. The magnetic field concentration is achieved by the magnetic bridge 21.
(28) FIG. 12 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment. FIG. 12 is also a schematic illustration, wherein the carrier element 41 has magnetic properties, so as to serve as magnetic bridge 21. With this respect, the magnets 11, 12 may be directly mounted onto the carrier element 41, so as to avoid further separate elements operating as a magnetic bridge.
(29) FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the canal 50. In FIG. 13, the canal has two separated ducts 61, 62 with a separator 70. It should be noted, that the separator 70 in FIG. 13 is similar to that of FIG. 2, but may also be replaced by a separator according to FIG. 7. The canal 50 may have an inlet 55 for each duct 61, 62 to supply the suspension/dispersion including the magnetized particles. Each of the ducts 61, 62 also may have a water outlet 56 so as to outlet the suspension or dispersion from which the magnetized particles have been separated.
(30) A canal as illustrated in FIG. 13 may be inserted into the arrangement which is illustrated in FIG. 8 so as to arrive at an arrangement which is illustrated in FIG. 10.
(31) It should be noted that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps and that a or an does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with the different embodiments may be combined.
(32) It should be noted, that reference in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
REFERENCE LIST
(33) 1 magnetized material separating device 10 magnet arrangement 11 first magnet 12 second magnet 13 third magnet 14 fourth magnet 21 first magnetic bridge 22 second magnetic bridge 30 canal receiving space 31 first side of canal receiving space 32 second side of canal receiving space 40 conveying device 41 first carrier structure 42 second carrier structure 45 conveying arrangement 50 canal 51 first side of canal 52 second side of canal 53 third side of canal 54 fourth side of canal 61 first duct 62 second duct 70 displacement body 71 first side of displacement body 72 second side of displacement body 73 third side of displacement body 74 fourth side of displacement body A first pole B second pole M magnetic field lines N north pole polarity S south pole polarity
