Patent ID: 8535523

Claim:
A fluid flow control and debris intercepting apparatus for controlling flow through a structure having an opening defining a fluid flow channel comprising: (a) a control gate assembly, including: (i) a support member connected to the structure and spanning the fluid flow channel; (ii) a plurality of transversely spaced apart flow control vanes pivotally connected to said support member for controlling fluid flow through the fluid flow channel, each of said flow control vanes having a lower portion, an upper portion and an intermediate portion pivotally connected to said support member, each of said flow control vanes being movable between a first position and a second position permitting an increase in the volume of fluid flow through the fluid flow channel; and (iii) an elongated, yieldably deformable biasing cable carried by the structure and connected to said upper portion each of said flow control vanes for resisting movement of said flow control vanes toward said second position, said biasing cable being maintained in tension; and (b) a tensioning mechanism carried by the structure and connected to said biasing member of said control gate assembly for controlling the degree of tension in said biasing member.