Self-cleaning intake screen

Abstract

A conical intake screen which is self-cleaned by using four elongate brushes which are slowly driven over its surface by a submersible, programmable electric motor. The invention is preferably placed in the waterway with the axis of the conical screen oriented in the vertical direction. As the rearwardly angled brushes move over the screen, the brush angle and gravity tend to force the debris downward until it falls from the edge of the device. Further, a cleaning brush is placed within the surface of the conical screen with its bristles extending slightly above the surface of the screen. In this manner each screen sweeper engages the brush cleaner once each rotation, which action tends to dislodge debris from the bristles of the sweeper brushes. The programmable motor will typically make three counterclockwise revolutions, one clockwise revolution, and then stop for a selectable interval of from 15 minutes to 3 hours, although continuous action is also an option. The device may be solar powered so it can operate for extended periods in remote areas unattended.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.