Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In a dredge slurry system comprised of a pressurized slurry transfer means and a filtering means for screening large particulate matter therefrom, the improvement comprising: a separate, portable, pressurized screening apparatus for filtering of large particulate matter during slurry transfer, said screening apparatus comprising a hollow elongated generally cylindrical housing having an inlet means; a means for deflecting incoming slurry onto a screen; a discharge; a means for adjusting the orientation of said housing relative to the horizontal; said screen extending along at least a portion of said cylindrical housing disposed between said inlet means and said discharge dividing said cylindrical housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; a particulate matter discharge port having a means for discharging screened particulate matter; and means for transporting said screening apparatus from one location to another; wherein pressurized slurry is directed through said inlet means into the upper chamber and deflected to said screen whereby particulate matter separated out of the slurry remains in the upper chamber for discharge through said particulate matter discharge port and screened slurry passing through said screen into the lower chamber is forced through said discharge, the orientation of said cylindrical housing being adjustable to maximize the exposure of said slurry upon said screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a dredge slurry system comprised of a pressurized slurry transfer means and a filtering means for screening large particulate matter therefrom, the improvement comprising: a separate, portable, pressurized screening apparatus for filtering of large particulate matter during slurry transfer, said screening apparatus comprising a hollow elongated generally cylindrical housing having an inlet means; a means for deflecting incoming slurry onto a screen; a discharge; a means for adjusting the orientation of said housing relative to the horizontal; said screen extending along at least a portion of said cylindrical housing disposed between said inlet means and said discharge dividing said cylindrical housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; a particulate matter discharge port having a means for discharging screened particulate matter; and means for transporting said screening apparatus from one location to another; wherein pressurized slurry is directed through said inlet means into the upper chamber and deflected to said screen whereby particulate matter separated out of the slurry remains in the upper chamber for discharge through said particulate matter discharge port and screened slurry passing through said screen into the lower chamber is forced through said discharge, the orientation of said cylindrical housing being adjustable to maximize the exposure of said slurry upon said screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said screen is further defined as a plurality of through-openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said means for discharging comprises a door operatively associated with said cylindrical housing, said door hingedly connected to said housing and swingable into and out of sealing engagement with said particulate matter discharge port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 3, further including a means for automatically opening said door based upon a predetermined pressure differential between the upper and lower chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said means for automatically opening is a hydraulic ram drivingly connected to said door.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means for transporting is comprised of a plurality of wheels connected to a frame which in turn is connected to the screening apparatus.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of filtering dredge slurry using a slurry transfer means in which a separate, portable, adjustable pressurized screening apparatus is provided comprised of a screening apparatus having a hollow elongated generally cylindrical housing said housing having an inlet with a deflector plate; a means for adjusting said housing relative to the horizontal; a discharge; a screen extending along at least a portion of said cylindrical housing disposed between said inlet and said discharge attached to and dividing the interior of said cylindrical housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; means for transporting said screening apparatus; and, a particulate matter discharge port having a means for discharging screened particulate matter, the method comprising; (a) transporting said screening apparatus to a sludge dredging locale; (b) coupling said inlet of said screening apparatus to a slurry transfer means, pressurizing the slurry transfer means and directing the pressurized slurry into the screening apparatus; (c) deflecting the pressurized slurry onto said screen of said upper chamber; (d) directing the slurry through said screen to said discharge of said lower chamber; (e) monitoring the pressure differential between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; (f) opening the particulate discharge port when the pressure differential of step (e) reaches a predetermined value; (g) adjusting the angle of the cylindrical housing relative to the horizontal to reduce the interval between the occurrence of step(e) and step (f).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of filtering dredge slurry using a slurry transfer means in which a separate, portable, adjustable pressurized screening apparatus is provided comprised of a screening apparatus having a hollow elongated generally cylindrical housing said housing having an inlet with a deflector plate; a means for adjusting said housing relative to the horizontal; a discharge; a screen extending along at least a portion of said cylindrical housing disposed between said inlet and said discharge attached to and dividing the interior of said cylindrical housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; means for transporting said screening apparatus; and, a particulate matter discharge port having a means for discharging screened particulate matter, the method comprising; (a) transporting said screening apparatus to a sludge dredging locale; (b) coupling said inlet of said screening apparatus to a slurry transfer means, pressurizing the slurry transfer means and directing the pressurized slurry into the screening apparatus; (c) deflecting the pressurized slurry onto said screen of said upper chamber; (d) directing the slurry through said screen to said discharge of said lower chamber; (e) monitoring the pressure differential between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; (f) opening the particulate discharge port when the pressure differential of step (e) reaches a predetermined value; (g) adjusting the angle of the cylindrical housing relative to the horizontal to reduce the interval between the occurrence of step(e) and step (f).