The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 21, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 01, 2000
Ron Nilson, Seattle, WA (US);
Thomas C. Stone, Seattle, WA (US);
Tracsaw Manufacturing, Inc., Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for treating base materials, such as ore of a leach pad in a precious metal mining operation. A tilling head of the apparatus includes a cutter having a cutting face for engaging and loosening compacted base materials. The tilling head is extended into the base material down to a tilling depth so that the cutter moves loosened base material up and over the top of the tiller apparatus before depositing it in a pile opposite the cutting face. The loosened base material is deposited a distance from the tilling head that is sufficient to create a void between the tilling head and the pile that extends down to the tilling depth to prevent the loosened base material from being disturbed by the tilling head. The tilling head can be positioned so that the cutting face undercuts the base material to thereby assist the cutter in moving the loosened base material and increase the distance between the tilling head and the pile. An additive delivery system of the apparatus applies an additive, such as a leaching agent, remediation agent, or agglomerating agent, to the loosened base material as it is tilled and deposited by the tilling head. As it is deposited onto the pile, the loosened base material forms a slope having an incline substantially equal to the angle of repose so that the slope serves as a mixing area to improve coverage of the additive throughout the loosened base material.