Patent ID: 8147689
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. A material dewatering and conveying apparatus for separating solids from liquids comprising: a materials receiving end for receiving a solid/liquid mixture to be dewatered; a materials discharge end for discharging dewatered solids; an elongated longitudinal section of generally uniform lateral dimension situated between said receiving and discharging ends; laterally spaced continuous chains within said longitudinal section and mounted around drive sprocket means and idle sprocket means mounted on frame means, said chains providing top and bottom chain flights; drive motor means for rotating said drive sprocket means for cycling said chains in tandem; a plurality of longitudinally spaced material drag bars which span and are connected at their ends to said chains; a stationary screening deck having a substantially upper laterally planar solid surface having rectangular openings therein and being mounted on said frame means and extending under said top chain flight, dewatering drain screens mounted within said openings beneath the plane of said substantially upper laterally planar solid surface, said rectangular openings placing a region above said screening deck in fluid communication with said screens; and stationary sluice deck means mounted on said frame means underneath and supporting said bottom flight of said drag bars for receiving and containing water and material fines wherein said water and fines passing through said screens are dragged in a direction opposite to said top chain flight and on to a water/fines discharge outlet at a portion of said receiving end of said structure, while dewatered solids advance above said screening deck towards and through said materials discharge end.