Fluid intake screening device

Claim 1

A fluid intake screening device (10) comprising: a case (12) defining a sump (14), an opening (20) therethrough having inner and outer ends (22,24) and an outwardly facing shoulder (48) therebetween, and an intake passage (28) communicating with the opening (20) intermediate the ends (22,24); a tubular filter assembly (34) including a tubular filter element (62) and a skeleton frame (64) of a construction sufficient for protectingly supporting the filter element (62) concentrically therewithin; a tubular baffle member (36) releasably connected to the case (12) and extending from the inner end (22) of the opening (20) into the sump (14), the baffle member (36) supporting the skeleton frame (64) of the filter assembly (34) concentrically therewithin and defining therewith a generally tubular chamber (52) therebetween, the baffle member (36) defining flow directing means (50) for controllably directing fluid flow from the sump (14) to the chamber (52) in a limited region of the baffle member (36); and closure means (38) for blocking the outer end (24) of the opening (20) and urging the skeleton frame (64) against the baffle member (36) and the baffle member (36) seatably against the shoulder (48) and alternatively permitting the removal of the filter assembly (34) and the baffle member (36) for servicing upon the release of the closure means (38) from the case (12).