Screening device

A screening device for separating out and removing contaminants from wastewater comprising:

• a frame including a first side defining a first top and a first bottom that is spaced apart in a vertical direction from the first top, a second side defining a second top and a second bottom that is spaced apart in the vertical direction from the second top, wherein the second side is spaced apart from the first side in a transverse direction, which is normal to the vertical direction;
• a rigid bar screen carried by the frame;
• wherein the rigid bar screen includes a plurality of bar members;
• wherein each of the plurality of bar members is defined by a transition section that is contiguous with and between a first leg section at a first end of the bar member and a second leg section at a second end of the bar member opposite the first end of the bar member, and wherein each bar member is configured so that the first leg section is spaced apart in the transverse direction from the second leg section;
• wherein each of the plurality of bar members is successively spaced apart in a longitudinal direction from each other of the plurality of bar members, wherein the longitudinal direction is normal to both the vertical direction and the transverse direction;
• wherein each adjacent pair of the plurality of bar members defines therebetween an opening in the rigid bar screen, wherein the opening defines a continuous channel between both first leg sections, transition sections and second leg sections of each adjacent pair of the plurality of bar members;
• and
• a channel clearing mechanism that includes a first continuous drive means and a second continuous drive means spaced apart in the longitudinal direction from the first continuous drive means;
• wherein the channel clearing mechanism includes a plurality of clearing elements connected to the first and second continuous drive means, each clearing element including a plurality of tines disposed in an alignment that is normal to the longitudinal direction, each of the tines in each clearing element being disposed to move within a respective one of the continuous channels of the rigid bar screen and configured for removing the contaminants from the respective one of the continuous channels;
• wherein the channel clearing mechanism includes an upper drive wheel carried by the frame and rotatable about an axis of rotation extending along the longitudinal direction, wherein the upper drive wheel engaging the first continuous drive means and the second continuous drive means to move the first continuous drive means and the second continuous drive means during rotation of the upper drive wheel;
• wherein the channel clearing mechanism includes a first guide disposed near the transition sections of the plurality of bar members and defining a transition guide path therebetween;
• wherein the channel clearing mechanism includes a second guide disposed near the second leg sections of the plurality of bar members and defining a return guide path therebetween, wherein the second guide is disposed spaced apart from both the first guide and the upper drive wheel in both the vertical direction and the transverse direction;
• and
• wherein the first continuous drive means is disposed to pass through the transition guide path and the return guide path in the course of clearing the continuous channels between both transition sections and second leg sections of each adjacent pair of the plurality of bar members.