Weed and trash screening apparatus for irrigation systems

Abstract

The invention relates in general to weed and trash screening apparatus for irrigation systems. In one embodiment a debris screening apparatus is provided for use adjacent a check structure in a canal having a flow of water. The preferred apparatus comprises a frame substantially open to the flow of water and adapted to abut the check structure and a screen having at least one face with a plurality of pleats. The screen is mounted within the frame and, during operation, a first portion of the screen is submerged within the water, a second portion of the screen is above the water and a portion of water in the canal is directed through the screen. Screen face cleaning means are operable to periodically clean debris off of the screen's at least one face.

1 . A debris screening apparatus, for use adjacent a check structure in a canal having a flow of water, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame substantially open to the flow of water and adapted to abut the check structure;   a screen having at least one face with a plurality of pleats, said screen mounted within the frame wherein, during operation, a first portion of the screen is submerged within the water, a second portion of the screen is above the water and wherein a portion of water in the canal is directed through the screen; and   screen face cleaning means operable to periodically clean debris off of the screen's at least one face.   
     
     
         2 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 1  wherein there are at least eight pleats per said at least one face of the screen. 
     
     
         3 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of pleats are of substantially triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a substantially flat base between adjacent pleats. 
     
     
         5 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the pleats are each at least 4 inches high and the base between adjacent pleats is at least 2 inches wide. 
     
     
         6 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the screen is made from perforated metal plate having at least a 51% open area. 
     
     
         7 . A debris screening apparatus, for use adjacent a check structure in a canal having a flow of water, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame substantially open to the flow of water and adapted to abut the check structure;   a screen having a plurality of faces, said screen rotatably mounted within the frame wherein, during operation, a first portion of the screen is submerged within the water, a second portion of the screen is above the water and wherein a portion of water in the canal is directed through the screen;   screen rotating means operable to periodically rotate the screen within the frame; and   screen face cleaning means operable to periodically clean debris off at least one face of the screen's plurality of faces.   
     
     
         8 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each of the screen's faces has a plurality of pleats. 
     
     
         9 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 8  wherein there are at least eight pleats per face of the screen. 
     
     
         10 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of pleats are of substantially triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a substantially flat base between adjacent pleats. 
     
     
         12 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the pleats are each at least 4 inches high and the base between adjacent pleats is at least 2 inches wide. 
     
     
         13 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the screen is made from perforated metal plate having at least a 51% open area. 
     
     
         14 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the screen is a prism. 
     
     
         15 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the screen is a hexagonal drum. 
     
     
         16 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the screen face cleaning means further comprises a broom and broom moving means operable to move said broom across at least one of the screen's faces. 
     
     
         17 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the broom is a rotary broom driven by rotating means. 
     
     
         18 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the screen is a prism. 
     
     
         19 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the screen face cleaning means is operable to clean debris off of a top-most face. 
     
     
         20 . The debris screening apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the screen face cleaning means is operable to make a preset number of oscillating sweeps across the top-most face, prior to actuation of the screen rotating means.