Filtering apparatus with hinge belt

An endless belt filtering system for separating solid particles from a flow of contaminated liquid to produce a generally clean liquid, said system comprising a continuous loop belt extending between a first end and a second end and being formed by a plurality of plates pivotably joined to one another about space horizontal axes, said plurality of plates together forming an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side, said belt further including an upper section wherein said outward side generally faces up and moves from said first end toward said second end and an opposite lower section wherein said outward side generally faces down and moves from said second end toward said first end, said system further comprising a housing including a tank having a bottom, an end wall near said first end and a pair of side walls extending from said end wall, said lower portion of said belt moving through said tank such that said plates and said drag bars move toward said end wall, said system further including an inlet region in said upper section wherein an associated flow of contaminated liquid that includes a mixture of a liquid and solid particles is directed against said belt such that a portion of said liquid flows through said belt and a portion of said solid particles flows through said belt, said lower section of said belt including a bottom region passing near said tank bottom said plurality of plates including pivot plates having pivoting flaps that are pivotable between an opened condition and a closed condition, said flaps being in said opened condition when in said bottom region and in said closed condition when in said inlet region such that movement of said portion of particles through said belt is restricted in said inlet region and is promoted in said bottom region.