Patent ID: 8048302

Claim:
An endless belt filtering system for separating solid particles from a flow of contaminated liquid to produce a generally clean liquid, said system comprising a continuous loop belt extending between a first end and a second end and being formed by a plurality of plates pivotably joined to one another about spaced horizontal axes, said plurality of plates together forming an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side, said belt further including an upper section wherein said outward side generally faces up and forms a chip supporting surface, said outward side of said upper section moving from said first end toward said second end and an opposite lower section wherein said outward side generally faces down and moves from said second end toward said first end, said inwardly facing side of said belt defining a central region, said system further comprising a housing including a tank having a bottom, an end wall near said first end and a pair of side walls extending from said end wall, said lower portion of said belt moving through said tank such that said plates move toward said end wall, said system further including an inlet region in said upper section wherein an associated flow of contaminated liquid that includes a mixture of a liquid and solid particles is directed against said belt such that a portion of said liquid flows through said belt and a first portion of said solid particles remains on said chip supporting surface and a second portion of said solid particles flows through said belt into said central region, said lower section of said belt including a bottom region passing near said tank bottom, said plurality of plates including pivot plates having pivoting flaps that are automatically pivotable between an opened condition and a closed condition, said flaps being in said opened condition when in said bottom region to allow said second portion of said solid particles to flow from said central region toward said tank bottom and in said closed condition when in said inlet region to maximize said first portion of said particles supported by said chip supporting surface in said inlet region, when in said bottom region, said opened condition allowing the formation of an accumulation of said solid particles between said outwardly facing side of said bottom region and said tank bottom, said belt urging said accumulation toward said chip supporting surface, said system further including a fluid outlet port spaced from said tank bottom to allow the outflow of an associated generally clean liquid.