Patent ID: 8303826

Claim:
An automatic strainer assembly for straining a slurry, said strainer assembly comprising: (a) an inlet for receiving such slurry; (b) a horizontally disposed strainer body in fluid communication with said inlet; (c) a rotatable strainer member received within said body having an inner surface and an outer surface, said strainer defining a plurality of passageways for strained fluid to pass therethrough; (d) a rotatable internal shaft located within said rotatable strainer member, said internal shaft including a helical flange mounted thereon; (e) at least one scraper positioned substantially adjacent to an in close proximity with said outer surface of said strainer member for removing material from said outer surface of the strainer member; (f) a collection vessel positioned substantially below said body for receiving material scraped from said outer surface of said strainer member; and (g) an outlet for expelling the strained slurry in fluid communication with said horizontal strainer body, wherein said rotatable strainer member and said rotatable internal shaft are both rotatable about a common axis of rotation.