Paull's Ore-Washer

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This improved ore-washer was noticed on page 51, present volume, of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, and we now give an extended description, with an engraving showing a vertical section through the machine. The invention consists in a peculiar arrangement for giving motion to a suspended basin, to which the ore or mineral is supplied, and which is immersed in water, whereby it is said that the ore or mineral is washed cleaner with a smaller quantity of water, and a larger quantity of it is saved from the rock or dirt, than by any machine at present in use. A is the framing, in the center of the lower part of which is the tub, B, containing water, and having in it the ore-washing basin, C, partially or wholly immersed. C is suspended by three or more rigid bars, d, from a plate, a, that is secured to the center of the shaft, G, perpendicular to the basin, and to which the basin is concentric. This plate is provided with two trunnions, b, working in bearings in a gimbal ring, D, whose trunnions, c c, work in fixed bearings supported in the frame, A. This arrangement of ring and trunnions is equivalent to a universal joint. The plate, a, carries a hopper, E, above it, and conducting tube, F, below it, leading from the hopper into the basin, C. The upper part of the shaft, G, passes through a hole in a crank, H, attached to an upright shaft, J, which derives its motion through a pair of bevel gear wheels from the pulley, I. The rotary motion imparted to H gives the other portions rigidly connected with the basin an oscillating movement, and at the same time a revolving motion, for though they do not rotate upon their axes, every point of.them moves in a circle. The ore or mineral properly crushed is fed continuously to the hopper, together with a stream of water by a spout, K, and the tub, B, is kept filled to overflowing. The peculiar movement of the basin causes the ore and dirt with which it is associated to be violently agitated, and to undergo a constant transposition in the basin, and every particle to be brought in contact with the water, so that a most thorough washing is obtained. The ore, by its greater specific gravity, remains in the basin, while the dirt is washed into the tub, from which it is emptied by the pipe and stopcock represented in the engraving. It is the invention of Joseph Pauli, of Eagle River, Mich., and was patented by him October 13, 1857. Further information may be obtained as above.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 24This article was published with the title “Paull's Ore-Washer” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 24 (), p. 185
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican02201858-185b

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