Fish and debris exclusion screen assembly

Abstract

Modular screen assembly (10) for filtering water drawn from a body of water by a pump through a pipe. The assembly (10) comprises a plurality of intake modules (12) that are arranged in an annular array across the end of the pipe. Each intake module (12) has a funnel portion (14) that directs water flow into the pipe and a vane (16) that prevents water flow between adjacent intake modules (12). The modular screen assembly (10) also comprises a screen module (18) that surrounds the annular array of intake modules (12) and filters water entering the intake modules (12).

Description

A modular screen assembly (10) for filtering water drawn from a body of water by a pump through a pipe. The assembly (10) includes multiple inlet modules (12) arranged in a ring array at the end of the pipe. Each inlet module (12) has a funnel section (14) for guiding water flow into the pipe and a blade (16) for preventing water flow between adjacent inlet modules (12). The modular screen assembly (10) also includes screen modules (18) arranged in a ring array around the inlet modules (12) and filtering the water entering the inlet modules (12). Summary

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular screen assembly for fitting across an end of a pipe in a body of water, the pipe connected to a pump operable to extract water from the body of water, the assembly including: a plurality of intake modules, each intake module having a funnel portion defining a wedge extending partially about an axis, and having a vane extending transversely to the funnel portion, the intake modules being mountable to each other to form an annular array securable across the end of the pipe such that the funnel portions direct flow into the pipe and the vanes inhibit flow between adjacent intake modules; and a screen module configured to be mounted relative to and surround the annular array of intake modules to filter water flowing into the intake modules.

2. The modular screen assembly of claim 1, wherein each funnel portion defines an inlet end and an opposed outlet end, and each intake module is securable relative to the end of the pipe so that the outlet end is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pipe, and the inlet end is directed to be transverse to the axis of the pipe.

3. The modular screen assembly of claim 2, wherein the inlet end is directed at an angle relative to the outlet end, the angle being equal to or greater than 45 degrees.

4. The modular screen assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein each funnel portion is shaped such that, when the modules are mounted together, the outlet ends bound a first area substantially equivalent to the duct area of the pipe, and the inlet ends bound a second area which is at least 50% greater than the first area.

5. The modular screen assembly of claim 4, wherein the second area is at least double the first area.

6. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each intake module includes a base portion spaced from the funnel portion, the base portion shaped to direct water to flow towards the end of the pipe.

7. The modular screen assembly of claim 6, wherein each vane is configured to extend and be fixed between the funnel portion and the base portion of the intake module.

8. The modular screen assembly of claim 7, wherein the funnel portion, the base portion, and the vane of each intake module are separate components configured to be connected to each other with fasteners to form the intake module.

9. The modular screen assembly of claim 8, wherein each funnel portion, base portion, and vane are formed from bent sheet metal.

10. The modular screen assembly of claim 9, wherein each funnel portion and base portion define a plurality of bends to provide guide surfaces arranged to direct the water to flow towards the end of the pipe.

11. The modular screen assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein each funnel portion and base portion define faceted guide surfaces arranged to guide water flowing towards the end of the pipe.

12. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, including a collar for securing to the end of the pipe, and wherein each intake module is configured to be mounted to the collar to form the annular array.

13. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each intake module is associated with a nozzle in communication with a gas supply and arranged to direct gas at a portion of the screen adjacent the module.

14. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen module defines a cylindrical structure mountable about the annular array of intake modules.

15. The modular screen assembly of claim 14, wherein the end of the pipe and the screen module each define an axis, and the screen module is mountable about the intake modules such that the two axes are coaxial.

16. The modular screen assembly of claim 14 or 15, wherein the screen module is mountable relative to the intake modules such that the intake modules are spaced inwardly of the screen.

17. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen module and the intake modules are arranged to define a flow path to direct water through the screen module and along a 90 degree bend to enter the end of the pipe.

18. The modular screen assembly of claim 17, wherein each intake module is configured such that the flow path defines a plurality of kinks.

19. The modular screen assembly of claim 17 or 18, wherein each vane is arranged to extend partway along the flow path to partially separate flow between adjacent modules.

20. A modular kit for filtering fluid flowing into a pipe, the modular kit including: a bell mouth module mountable to the pipe; an anti- vortex module mountable to the bell mouth module to define a flow path therebetween, the anti-vortex module shaped to inhibit fluid flowing in a vortex through the flow path; and a screen module mountable about the bell mouth structure and the anti- vortex structure to filter water flowing into the flow path.

21. The modular kit of claim 20, wherein the anti- vortex module includes a plurality of transversely extending ribs arranged to occlude transverse flow of water along a portion of the flow path.

22. The modular kit of claim 21, wherein at least some of the ribs are securable to the bell mouth structure to rigidly mount the anti-vortex structure to the bell mouth structure.

23. The modular kit of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein at least one of the bell mouth module and the anti- vortex module is formed from a plurality of interconnectable module portions configured to be connected to each other to form an annular array.

24. The modular kit of claim 23, wherein each of the bell mouth module and the anti-vortex module are formed from a plurality of interconnectable module portions, and each of the module portions are formed from sheet metal components.

25. The modular kit of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein each of the bell mouth module and the anti- vortex module define faceted guide surfaces, and wherein the flow path is defined between the faceted guide surfaces.

26. A modular inlet assembly for fitting across an end of a pipe in a volume of fluid, the inlet assembly including: a plurality of inlet modules, each inlet module having a funnel portion defining a wedge extending partially about an axis, and having a vane extending transversely to the funnel portion, the inlet modules being mountable to each other to form an annular array securable across the end of the pipe such that the funnel portions direct fluid flow into the pipe and the vanes inhibit fluid flow between adjacent inlet modules.

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