Thin plate apparatus for removing debris from water

A thin plate apparatus for removing solid debris from water flow, the water flowing from an up flow location to a down flow location, containing such debris, the apparatus comprising:

• a perforated plate configured to be positioned within the water flow, the perforated plate having a front face and a rear face;
• a drive mechanism;
• a plurality of rigid skimming bars positioned up flow of the perforated plate, the plurality of rigid skimming bars in communication with the drive mechanism and configured to move vertically up the perforated plate;
• a movable solid effector plate positioned down flow of the perforated plate, the movable solid effector plate configured to move in unison with each of the plurality of skimming bars such that each of the plurality of skimming bars trails a lower end of the movable solid effector plate as each of the plurality of skimming bars moves vertically up the perforated plate;
• wherein the movable solid effector plate moves in close proximity to the perforated plate such that water flow through the perforated plate is minimized where the movable solid effector plate is present;
• and
• wherein the movable solid effector plate and each of the plurality of skimming bars are configured to generate a pressure differential on the front face of the perforated plate, the pressure differential including an upward pressure on the front face of the perforated plate.

A thin plate apparatus for removing solid debris from water flow, the water flowing from an up flow location to a down flow location, containing such debris, the apparatus comprising:

• a perforated plate configured to be positioned within the water flow, the perforated plate having a front face and a rear face;
• a drive mechanism;
• a plurality of rigid skimming bars positioned up flow of the perforated plate, the plurality of rigid skimming bars in communication with the drive mechanism and configured to move vertically up the perforated plate;
• a movable solid effector plate positioned down flow of the perforated plate in close proximity to the perforated plate such that a hydrostatically neutral pressure is generated on the front face of the perforated plate where the movable solid effector plate is present, the movable solid effector plate configured to move in unison with each of the plurality of skimming bars such that each of the plurality of skimming bars trails a lower end of the movable solid effector plate as each of the plurality of skimming bars moves vertically up the perforated plate;
• wherein the movable solid effector plate and each of the plurality of skimming bars are configured to combine to generate a pressure differential on the front face of the perforated plate.

A method of removing solid debris from a water flow, the water flowing from an up flow location to a down flow location, containing such debris, comprising:

• placing a perforated plate within the water flow, the perforated plate having a front face and a rear face;
• moving a plurality of rigid skimming bars vertically up the perforated plate, the plurality of rigid skimming bars positioned up flow of the perforated plate;
• moving a solid effector plate vertically up the perforated plate in unison with the plurality of rigid skimming bars such that each of the plurality of skimming bars trails a lower end of the solid effector plate as each of the plurality of skimming bars moves vertically up the perforated plate, the solid effector plate positioned down flow of the perforated plate and in close proximity to the perforated plate such that hydrodynamic forces through the perforated plate are eliminated;
• wherein the plurality of rigid skimming bars and the solid effector plate act in concert to generate a pressure differential on the front face of the perforated plate, the pressure differential including an upward pressure on the front face of the perforated plate.