Automated system that mechanically extracts spark plug tips containing valuable metals

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 11548106
SERIAL NO

17865614

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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An automated, high throughput system that mechanically separates electrode tips from spark plugs to facilitate recovery of platinum group metals in the electrodes. Spark plugs may be fed into the system in bulk and an automated mechanism under computer control executes a sequence of operations to feed plugs in a fixed orientation and at a controlled rate to a robot arm. The robot arm has a gripper that securely holds a set of spark plugs and passes them across a cutting tool to separate tips from the bodies. The gripper has independently actuated finger assemblies that accommodate plugs of varying shapes. A visual inspection system ensures that spark plugs are oriented with the tips facing in the same direction to simplify operation of the robot and the cutting tool. The tips may be processed to extract the contained valuable metals; the remaining bodies may be recycled as iron scrap.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
PGM RECOVERY SYSTEMS INC34596 PERSIAN LILAC ST WINCHESTER CA 92596

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Schwenk, Edmund Winchester, US 4 0

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