US 12,275,605 B2
Devices for and methods of forming segregated layers from mixtures of granular materials
Paul B. Umbanhowar, Evanston, IL (US); Richard M. Lueptow, Evanston, IL (US); and Yi Fan, Midland, MI (US)
Assigned to Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed by Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/149,108.
Application 17/149,108 is a division of application No. 15/984,533, filed on May 21, 2018, granted, now 10,926,966.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/510,041, filed on May 23, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0130116 A1, May 6, 2021
Int. Cl. B65G 69/10 (2006.01); B01F 25/80 (2022.01); B01F 31/23 (2022.01); B01F 31/60 (2022.01)
CPC B65G 69/10 (2013.01) [B01F 25/80 (2022.01); B01F 31/23 (2022.01); B01F 31/60 (2022.01)] 16 Claims
 
1. A method of reducing segregation of mixtures of granular dissimilar material components having different physical properties, comprising:
flowing a mixture of granular dissimilar material components through an inlet;
depositing the granular dissimilar material components on a collection base wherein the inlet is spaced a distance above the collection base; and
varying an angle of a free surface of collected deposited flow from the inlet to the collection base periodically so as to provide controlled layering of the granular dissimilar material components, wherein varying the angle of the free surface of the collected deposited flow from the inlet to the collection base comprises varying a static angle of repose of the granular dissimilar material components periodically, comprising:
forming a first pile of the granular dissimilar material components at the collection base absence of vibration;
applying vibration to the first pile of the granular dissimilar material components; and
halting the vibration while forming a second pile of granular dissimilar material components on top of the first pile.