Jonny Kleven

41102061, Aug 29, 1978

Feb 3, 1977

5/765268

Jonny H. Kleven - Burbank CA

B03B 574
C22B 1112

209 43

Heavy metals such as mercury, gold, platinum, rhodium, osmium, silver, lead, palladium, etc. , in the free state, are separated from their ore by applying water and the ore to a plurality of two to six rotating, inclined, spiral grooved wheels driven from a common shaft. The grooves are closely spaced and may have a declining pitch from the wheel at its periphery to its central annulus. The free metal tends to sink to the bottom of the grooves and the lighter ore is washed away as the metal moves along the spiral grooves to the annulus. The free metal and any remaining ore is fed from the annulus to the succeeding wheel and the process is repeated. Mercury may be added to any of the wheels to facilitate separation of the metal from the ore. A separating wheel having a unique groove design is also disclosed.

42670365, May 12, 1981

Dec 10, 1979

6/102232

Jonny H. Kleven - Burbank CA

B03B 574

209444

A multi-step wheel is provided for separating heavy metals in the free state from their ores. One embodiment of a separating wheel includes at least two sets of inwardly directed spiral grooves that move from the wheel periphery to a central annulus. A retaining step or ledge area is defined between each groove set for collecting or retaining ore. In another embodiment, the separator wheel is inwardly curved with a decreasing groove depth when moving from the outer periphery to the central annulus. Unique groove designs for the separating wheel are also disclosed.