Screen belt and modules
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsKyle Sedlacek, Mitchell Pansano, Gilbert MacLachlan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular belt constructed of belt modules having a large open area, making the belt suitable for use as a traveling water screen. The modules include an intermediate portion composed of intersecting sets of link elements and transverse elements that form a gridlike pattern. Openings bounded by the walls of consecutive link elements and transverse elements form channels through the belt for the flow of water. The modules are connected together by hinge rods to form a belt that can be used as a water screen. Detachable flights or scoops for lifting debris or fish out of a stream are attachable to base modules.
Claims25
A belt module suitable for use in a water screen belt, the belt module comprising:
- an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from a first end to an opposite second end, transversely from a first side to a second side, and in depth from a top to a bottom, the intermediate portion including:
- at least three thin transverse elements spaced apart longitudinally and extending transversely from the first side to the second side, with a first transverse element along the first end of the intermediate portion and a second transverse element along the second end bracketing the other transverse element or elements, and
- a plurality of thin link elements spaced apart transversely and intersecting the transverse elements to form a grid of transverse elements and link elements defining four-sided openings bounded by two consecutive transverse elements and two consecutive link elements and extending from the top to the bottom of the intermediate portion;
- a first plurality of hinge eyes extending longitudinally outward from the first transverse element and a second plurality of hinge eyes extending longitudinally outward from the second transverse element.
A belt module suitable for use in a water screen belt, the belt module, comprising:
- an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from a first end to an opposite second end, transversely from a first side to a second side, and in depth from a top to a bottom, the intermediate portion including:
- a gridwork of two sets of intersecting walls defining multiple rows and columns of channels, each channel bounded by consecutive walls of each set, the channels extending from the top to the bottom of the intermediate portion;
- a first plurality of hinge eyes extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the intermediate portion and a second plurality of hinge eyes extending longitudinally outward from the second end of the intermediate portion.
A belt module extending longitudinally in a module length direction, transversely from a first side to a second side, and in depth from a top to a bottom, and suitable for use in a water screen belt, the belt module comprising:
- a plurality of parallel, generally longitudinal links, each terminating in a first hinge eye at the first end of the belt module and a second hinge eye at the opposite second end;
- a plurality of parallel transverse elements extending from the first side of the belt module to the second side of the belt module and intersecting the links in a gridlike pattern forming an intermediate portion of the module with rows and columns of channels extending from the top to the bottom of the module between the intersecting links and transverse elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.