Inventors:
Robert G. Arnold - Tulsa OK
David M. Bills - Tulsa OK
Assignee:
Osborn Engineering, Inc. - Tulsa OK
International Classification:
B03C 118
Abstract:
A material separator apparatus having a continuous conveyor belt for support and transportation of materials to be separated and a motor to rotate the conveyor belt. The apparatus includes an electromagnet within the continuous belt to produce a magnetic field at the belt. An alternating current drives the electromagnet. This produces a magnetic field which in turn induces an eddy current in the materials to be separated. The eddy currents form the basis of a repulsive force which will produce different material trajectories based on the material properties such as conductivity and permeability. The wave form of the driving current is controlled to improve repulsive efficiency and help assist in differentiating among several classes of materials.