Strainer apparatus with power assisted cleaning means

Claim 2

In a fluid strainer apparatus which provides for the passage of a fluid stream flow around and into a cylindrical screen that is positioned to have a cleaned stream removed longitudinally from within the screen and particulates removed from therearound, the improved construction providing for the powered turning of the cylindrical screen to enhance removal of lodged particulates and radial outward back-wash fluid flow, which comprises in combination: a. rotatable support means for the cylindrical screen; b. conduit means connecting to the interior of said support means for said screen, and back-wash fluid inlet means to said conduit means for radial outward flow, c. motor means connective with said screen for at least periodically rotating such screen; and, d. internal vane means within said screen positioned to enhance an outward flow of a portion of the fluid to thereby aid in cleaning the outside of the screen during periods of its rotation.

Claim 3

The fluid strainer apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said screen is formed of a wound, wedge-shaped element means having the wider portion thereof adjacent the outer surface to provide resulting slot means between windings of the wedge-shaped element means whereby there is an increase in cross-sectional area toward the interior of the screen and in turn a non-clogging form of screen unit.

Claim 4

The fluid strainer apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said screen utilizes a wedge-shape wire continuously and helically wound around spaced longitudinal bar members to provide open slot area between adjacent windings of the wedge-shaped wire, and each of said longitudinal bars are elongated in their cross sections and positioned with the elongated dimension along radial lines for the cylindrical-form screen member, whereby the elongated dimension provides a pumping vane type action when said cylinder screen is rotated about its axis.

Claim 5

The fluid strainer apparatus of claim 3 still further characterized in that said spaced bar means are provided with a curved vane type of cross section to thereby provide an impeller type of action when said screen is rotated.

Claim 6

The fluid strainer apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said motor means comprises a fluid motor and the discharge of the fluid medium powering said motor means is through a hollow shaft portion connecting said motor means with said rotatable cylindrical screen, whereby fluid is discharged into the interior of the latter and there is radial outward flow therefrom to enhance the removal of particulates from an outer surface.

Claim 7

The fluid strainer apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said cylindrical screen is positioned within a central portion of a chamber and a separate particle removal outlet means is provided from the lower portion of said chamber whereby dislodged particulates may be removed therefrom and said particle outlet means has adjustable inlet means at the entrance thereof whereby to adjust the rate of particle removal from said apparatus.

Claim 8

The fluid strainer apparatus of claim 6 still further characterized in that said particle outlet means is rotatable and has an internal open face portion adapted to receive entrained and dislodged particulates, fluid piston means connects through linkage means to a side portion of said particle outlet means whereby to effect rotation of the latter and positioning of the internal portion thereof and said fluid piston means is operative through said linkAge means to the particle outlet means whereby the latter is substantially adjusted to an open position as said cylindrical screen is being rotated within said chamber.

Claim 9

A fluid strainer apparatus providing for rotation of an inner cylindrical-form screen section which comprises in combination, an external chamber with fluid inlet means to one end thereof and fluid outlet means axially from the opposing end thereof, a cylindrical form rotatable screen positioned axially in said chamber and spaced inwardly from the inner wall thereof to provide an annular space therearound, rotatable support means for said cylindrical-form screen for each end of said chamber, motor means connective with one end of said screen at an end opposing said outlet end of said chamber whereby the screen can be rotated, and whereby the laden stream to the inlet end of the said chamber will flow around said cylindrical-form screen and radially inwardly to result in a clean stream being axially discharged from the interior of said screen and from said chamber, a particle outlet means with a rotatably adjustable particle inlet portion to in turn regulate dislodged particle outlet flow and whereby particulates may be discharged from said chamber along with a bleed stream of fluid therefrom, valve means connective with said cleaned stream outlet means from said chamber, and a valved controlled back-wash inlet means connective with said cleaned stream outlet means whereby back-wash flow may pass into the interior of said rotatable screen section and pass radially outwardly therefrom during periods of screen cleaning operation.

Claim 10

A fluid strainer apparatus providing for rotation of an inner cylindrical-form screen section which comprises in combination, an external chamber with fluid inlet means to one end thereof and fluid outlet means axially from the opposing end thereof, a cylindrical form rotatable screen positioned axially in said chamber and spaced inwardly from the inner wall thereof to provide an annular space therearound, rotatable support means for said cylindrical-form screen for each end of said chamber, motor means connective with one end of said screen at an end opposing said outlet end of said chamber whereby the screen can be rotated, and whereby the laden stream to the inlet end of the said chamber will flow around said cylindrical-form screen and radially inwardly to result in a clean stream being axially discharged from the interior of said screen and from said chamber, a particle outlet means with a rotatably adjustable particle inlet portion to in turn regulate dislodged particle outlet flow and whereby particulates may be discharged from said chamber along with a bleed stream of fluid therefrom, valve means connective with said cleaned stream outlet means from said chamber, and a valved controlled back-wash inlet means connective with said cleaned stream outlet means whereby back-wash flow may pass into the interior of said rotatable screen section and pass radially outwardly therefrom during periods of screen cleaning operation.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that pressure sensing means connects with said fluid stream inlet means and with said clean stream outlet means, said pressure sensing means in turn connect with a differential pressure controller, said pressure controller connects with valve means connective with said clean stream outlet means and with said valve means connective with said back-wash fluid inlet means, and said differential pressure controller means additionally connects with said motor means, whereby the latter initiates the rotation of said screen means responsive to a predetermined pressure differential operating said differential pressure control to start said motor means, and, additionally, said valve means for said cleaned stream outlet means is closed while said valve means for said back-wash stream is opened.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 still further characterized in that timer means connects with said motor means whereby the latter and the connecting rotatable screen are operative to in turn effect periodic dislodgements of particles from the face of said screen.