# US 12,766,444 B1 · Fluid strainer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,766,444 B1 - Document ID: US12766444B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/389,978 - Filed: 2023-12-20 - Granted: 2026-10-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-23 - Assignees: Blue Skies Global LLC - Applicants: Paul F. Nehlen, III - Inventors: Paul F. Nehlen, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12766444B1 ## CPC - B01D 29/13: Supported filter elements - B01D 35/30: Filter housing constructions - B01D 2201/304: Seals or gaskets - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A fluid strainer that is meant to remove debris from the flow of fluid through a strainer and that includes a housing having inlet and outlet ports. The housing defines an interior chamber through which the fluid flows. The fluid strainer including a single strainer basked disposed within the housing chamber. The strainer basket has open input end into which the fluid flows from the housing inlet and opposed side walls that extend in the direction of the fluid. The strainer basked further includes an open output end that is comprised of a pair of tapered output wall that direct the fluid flow to the housing outlet port. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid strainer for removing debris from a fluid stream, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber, and having an open top with a plurality of slots extending into the housing around the open top, an inlet port and an outlet port that is opposite to the inlet port; a removable strainer basket sized and shaped such that it may be disposed within the interior chamber by passage through the open top, said removable strainer basket having an open input end into which fluid flows from the inlet port, and opposed tapered sidewalls that extend generally in a flow direction of the fluid from the open input end to an output end closest to the outlet port; and a lid sized to sealingly close the open top, a bottom side of the lid having a plurality of tabs sized and positioned to be inserted into the plurality of slots, to sealingly attach the lid to the housing, closing the open top. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, wherein the removable strainer basket further includes an end wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fluid strainer of claim 2, wherein the end wall has a series of through holes for the passage of fluid flow. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fluid strainer of claim 3, wherein the opposed tapered sidewalls each include a series of holes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The fluid strainer of claim 3, wherein the end wall is smaller in size than the outlet port in the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The fluid strainer of claim 3, wherein the end wall is the same size as the outlet port in the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The fluid strainer of claim 3, wherein the end wall is greater in size than the outlet port in the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The fluid strainer of claim 3, wherein the inlet port is axially aligned with the outlet port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The fluid strainer of claim 3, wherein the opposed tapered sidewalls are solid and re-direct the fluid flow toward the end wall of the removable strainer basket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, wherein the opposed tapered sidewalls define a decreasing removable strainer basket cross-section, from wider at the inlet port, to narrower at the outlet port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed between the housing and the lid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fluid strainer of claim 11, further including a pneumatic apparatus coupled to the interior chamber to provide a firm seal at the gasket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, further including a catcher capable of intercepting objects above a predetermined size. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fluid strainer of claim 13, wherein the catcher is of cross-shape and is disposed at the open input end of the removable strainer basket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, further including a handle attached to the removable strainer basket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tabs is L-shaped. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the tabs is T-shaped. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, wherein housing is rectangular in shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, wherein the open top and the lid are rectangular in shape. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The fluid strainer of claim 1, further comprising a connection for pneumatic coupling and/or a relieve port.