Material classifier

Abstract

The present invention a material classifier includes a cyclone including a cyclone inlet, a cyclone outlet, a blower and a blower discharge; an air diffuser connected at a diffuser inlet to the cyclone outlet and at a diffuser outlet to an air lock such that the cyclone and air diffuser are in fluid communication; wherein the diffuser including a central cylindrical portion including an air inlet for admitting controlled amounts of diffuser air around substantially the entire cylinder outer periphery of the central cylindrical portion, wherein the material classifier separating fine particles from coarse particles and discharging the fine particles together with air out the blower discharge, and discharging the coarse particles through the air lock, such that increasing the amount of diffuser air increases the size of the fine particles being separated from the coarse particles. Preferably wherein the diffuser air is admitted into the cyclone in such a manner as to enhance and reinforce the formation of a strong interior vortex.

1 . A material classifier comprising: 
 a) a cyclone including a cyclone inlet, a cyclone outlet, a blower and a blower discharge;    b) an air diffuser connected at a diffuser inlet to said cyclone outlet and at a diffuser outlet to an air lock such that said cyclone and air diffuser are in fluid communication;    c) wherein said diffuser including a central cylindrical portion including an air inlet means for admitting controlled amounts of diffuser air around substantially the entire cylinder outer periphery of said central cylindrical portion, wherein said material classifier separating fine particles from coarse particles and discharging said fine particles together with air out said blower discharge, and discharging said coarse particles through said air lock, such that increasing the amount of diffuser air increases the size of the fine particles being separated from the coarse particles.    
   
   
       2 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said diffuser air is admitted into said cyclone in such a manner as to enhance and reinforce the formation of a strong interior vortex.  
   
   
       3 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 2  wherein said air inlet means including numerous air inlet apertures spaced around said cylinder outer periphery for admitting diffuser air  
   
   
       4 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 2  wherein said air inlet means including numerous air slots spaced around said cylinder outer periphery for admitting diffuser air.  
   
   
       5 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 4  wherein said air slots extending along a longitudinal axis, and said slots oriented at an angle theta measured between said longitudinal axis and vertical such that when diffuser air is admitted through said angled slots said air flow supporting development of an interior vortex in said cyclone.  
   
   
       6 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 5  wherein said angle theta between 10 and 80 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 4  wherein said slots are so oriented so as to enhance and reinforce a formation of a strong interior vortex.  
   
   
       8 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said air inlet means further including a control means for adjustably controlling the amount of diffuser air being admitted through said air inlet means and into said air diffuser.  
   
   
       9 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 8  wherein said control means including an annular adjustable band extending and clamping around the cylinder outer periphery for selectively covering off all or some of the slot area.  
   
   
       10 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 8  wherein said control means including a barometric damper for adjusting the amount of diffuser air depending upon the material through put of the cyclone.  
   
   
       11 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said central cylindrical portion being larger in diameter than a cyclone outlet diameter.  
   
   
       12 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 11  wherein said central cylindrical portion having a diameter at least 1.2 times that of the cyclone outlet diameter.  
   
   
       13 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cyclone being a mid efficiency cyclone having a air inlet velocity of no more than 3000 feet per minute.  
   
   
       14 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cyclone dimensioned and adapted to promote formation of an exterior downwardly spiralling vortex and an up draft interior upwardly spiralling vortex.  
   
   
       15 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cyclone further including a stand pipe dimensioned to aid and enhance the development of a strong updraft interior vortex.  
   
   
       16 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said air diffuser including an upper tapered portion for the transition between the diffuser inlet and the central cylindrical portion.  
   
   
       17 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein said central cylindrical portion being a hollow body and a vertical length greater than the diameter of the cyclone outlet.  
   
   
       18 . The material classifier claimed in  claim 1  wherein the entrained particles being selected from the list including granulate, pellets, fibres, flakes, beans, plastic, metal, and paper.