WesTech Engineering, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140326054 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ONE OR MORE CHARACTERISTICS OF A VISCOUS MATERIAL - The disclosed apparatus may include a mounting structure. A first arm may be secured to the mounting structure and extend from the mounting structure. A load cell may be mechanically coupled to the first arm to detect a first load applied to the first arm by relative movement between the first load cell and a viscous material in which the first arm may be submerged or at least partially disposed. A second arm may be secured to the mounting structure and extend from the mounting structure. A second load cell may be mechanically coupled to the second arm to detect a second load applied to the second arm by relative movement between the second load cell and the viscous material. In one embodiment, load data related to the first and second loads may be used to estimate or determine at least one characteristic of the viscous material. | 11-06-2014 |
20110132850 | METHOD OF OPTIMIZING FEED DISTRIBUTION IN A SEDIMENTATION VESSEL - A feed structure may be used in conjunction with a sedimentation vessel in order to separate solids and liquids, which may be in a slurry, from each other. The feed structure comprises a feed chamber housing a central wall. At least one port is positioned at the base of the chamber. A feedwell that is substantially concentric with the feed chamber is also used. The feed chamber is in communication with the feedwell, wherein slurry flows through the said port to access the feedwell. An outlet is positioned on the feedwell (such as near the bottom of the feedwell). Slurry may flow through the outlet into the sedimentation vessel. | 06-09-2011 |
20110100931 | METHOD OF OPTIMIZING FEED CONCENTRATION IN A SEDIMENTATION VESSEL - A feed system is used in a sedimentation vessel. The feed system includes an inlet for receiving a quantity of feed slurry and an outlet for delivering the feed slurry to a separation zone within the sedimentation vessel. The feed slurry includes a mixture of solids and liquids that are to be separated in a separation zone within the sedimentation vessel. An airlift pump is used to cycle at least a portion of either the separated solids or the separated liquids from the separation zone and return it to the feed system. This returned portion mixes with the feed slurry and may operate to dilute the feed slurry to a concentration for optimal separation. Additionally, feed conditioning chemicals may be mixed into the feed slurry prior to or after the mixing of the feed slurry with the returned portion of the separated products. | 05-05-2011 |
20100326920 | CARBON RETENTION SCREEN WITH VARIABLE DISCHARGE HEAD - A carbon adsorption vessel for use in a CIP (carbon in pulp) or CIL (carbon in leach) process may be constructed. A slurry is obtained having dissolved (leached) precious metals. The slurry is brought into contact with carbon particles and is passed through a retention screen in the vessel. The dissolved precious metals adhere onto the carbon particles. An air lift pump provides the pressure differential necessary to drive the slurry through the retention screen, wherein the carbon particles are retained by the retention screen and the slurry passes through the retention screen. After passing through the retention screen, the slurry is received in to a receiving vessel that may be situated at, below or above the level of source vessel. | 12-30-2010 |