Apparatus for a screen assembly for removing solids from fluids

Claim 1

A filter screen apparatus, including: frame means having a first attachment member and a second attachment member arranged in substantially parallel relationship and spaced apart a preselected distance; said frame means having cross-beam means connected with said attachment members for holding said attachment members spaced apart the preselected distance; screen means for forming openings of predetermined size through which fluid may flow and which blocks passage of solids larger than a predetermined size; said screen means having a plurality of tension members disposed in parallel relationship and each having a support surface lying in a common plane with the support surface of the other tension members for tensioning said screen means in a desired manner, each of said plurality of tensioning members connected at one end of said first attachment member and at the other end to said second attachment member; each of said plurality of tension members having means for tensioning said tension member to a desired level of structural strength without deforming said screen openings from their predetermined size by strain resulting from the tensioning; and said screen means having a plurality of screen members disposed in parallel relationship and spaced apart a predetermine distance, said plurality of screen members disposed at substantially a right angle to said tensioning members on said support surfaces for forming a substantially planar filter screen panel for positioning the openings of predetermined size from said tension members, said screen members secured solely to said tension members and free of attachment to said frame means, and each of said screen members having substantially zero tension therein to minimize deforming of the flow openings of predetermined size between said screen members when said plurality of tensioning members are tensioned to the desired level.