Meethod of operating a rake system
OwnerTerry Duperon, Kenneth Blanchard +1inventors
InventorsTerry Duperon, Kenneth Blanchard, Daniel Courser, JR.
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Abstract
A rake system and method may include a framework, a chain, an elongated rail, a support arm, and an engagement feature. The elongated rail may be pivotably connected to the framework. The support arm may be connected to the elongated rail at a first point and may be pivotably connected to the framework at a second point. The engagement feature may be connected to the support arm and may be configured to engage the chain. The rake system may be configured to discard debris.
Claims23
1-20. (canceled)
A method of operating a rake system, comprising:
- rotating a chain comprising a plurality of skimmers extending from the chain;
- receiving debris between the chain and a screen;
- moving the chain relative to a frame;
- pivoting an elongated rail to engage the chain to apply pressure to at least one of the plurality of skimmers toward the screen in response to debris disposed between the chain and the screen, the elongated rail coupled to a first support arm and a second support arm, the first and second support arms pivotably coupled to the frame;
- and
- moving the debris along the screen, via a skimmer, to discard the debris.
A method of operating a rake system comprising:
- providing:
- a framework, the framework having an upper portion and a lower portion,
- a chain, the chain is operable to advance between the upper and lower portions of the framework,
- an elongated rail pivotably connected to a first support arm, the elongated rail is located near the lower portion of the framework;
- a second support arm connected to the elongated rail and pivotably connected to the framework, the second support arm is located near the lower portion of the framework;
- a plurality of engagement members configured to engage the chain and apply pressure to said chain, the engagement members are located near the lower portion of the framework;
- and
- configuring the rake system to rotate the chain and discard debris.
A method of operating a machine that is configured to collect debris from water, the method comprising:
- rotating a chain in a first direction by a drive system that includes a motor;
- while rotating the chain, collecting debris from the water and positioning the debris between the chain and a screen;
- configuring a pair of downwardly extending swing arms to pivot the drive system in an outward direction when debris is collected from the water, and when no debris is being collected from the water, the swing arm pivots the drive system back to a normal position;
- advancing the motor and moving the debris in an upward direction along the screen, via a skimmer;
- configuring a first support arm that is connected to a lower portion of the machine, such that the first support arm is operable to move the chain in an outward direction when debris is collected from the water, and when no debris is being collected from the water, the first support arm moves to a normal position;
- and
- discarding the debris from the machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.