Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of dewatering sludge, said method comprising the steps of: feeding successive quantities of sludge in cake form through a preliminary dewatering zone in the form of a moving filter band; then feeding the partially dewatered cakes through a preliminary pressure zone in the form of two spaced apart relatively moving filter bands by guiding the cakes between said two bands and causing the bands to exert pressure upon the cakes while moving along and between bands; then guiding the two filer bands with the cakes therebetween about part of the periphery of a rotary first main dewatering pressure zone and applying pressure to the outer one of said bands and thus to the cakes while being guided by and on said first main pressure zone; then guiding the two filter bands with the cakes therebetween from said first main pressure zone to and partly over the periphery of a rotary second main dewatering pressure zone and applying pressure to the filter bands and thus to the cakes therebetween while rotating the second main pressure zone in opposition to the first main pressure zone and so as to reverse the inner and outer portions of the filter bands relative to the main pressure zones; subjecting the filter bands while being guided through the preliminary pressure zone and the two main pressure zones to the action of vibration generating pressure means causing vibrations of the filter bands and thus of sludge cakes therebetween; and then discharging the cakes from the second main pressure zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of dewatering sludge, said method comprising the steps of: feeding successive quantities of sludge in cake form through a preliminary dewatering zone in the form of a moving filter band; then feeding the partially dewatered cakes through a preliminary pressure zone in the form of two spaced apart relatively moving filter bands by guiding the cakes between said two bands and causing the bands to exert pressure upon the cakes while moving along and between bands; then guiding the two filer bands with the cakes therebetween about part of the periphery of a rotary first main dewatering pressure zone and applying pressure to the outer one of said bands and thus to the cakes while being guided by and on said first main pressure zone; then guiding the two filter bands with the cakes therebetween from said first main pressure zone to and partly over the periphery of a rotary second main dewatering pressure zone and applying pressure to the filter bands and thus to the cakes therebetween while rotating the second main pressure zone in opposition to the first main pressure zone and so as to reverse the inner and outer portions of the filter bands relative to the main pressure zones; subjecting the filter bands while being guided through the preliminary pressure zone and the two main pressure zones to the action of vibration generating pressure means causing vibrations of the filter bands and thus of sludge cakes therebetween; and then discharging the cakes from the second main pressure zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said two main pressure zones are in the form of rotary dewatering drums, and comprising the further step of guiding said two parallel filter bands about said drums so as to form the shape of the letter S.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 and comprising the further step of applying pressure upon the outer one of said parallel filter bands while being guided upon the peripheries of the drums of said main pressure zones.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said parallel filter bands are substantially linearly guided prior to being guided to the main pressure zones.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 and further comprising the step of filter bands guiding the sludge cakes therebetween along a substantially straight path when and while moving from said first main pressure zone to the second main pressure zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 1 and further comprising the steps of subjecting the sludge cakes while passing through said main pressure zones to repetitive pressure and shear forces by reversing the direction of said forces when and while the sludge cakes are passing between said main pressure zones.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the pressure to which the sludge cakes are subjected is varied when and while the cakes are passing through said preliminary and main pressure zones.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1 and further comprising the steps of subjecting the sludge cakes while being guided by said parallel filter bands and passing said main pressure zones to the action of the gravitational force and turning the cakes upside down for changing the structural consistency of the sludge cakes.