Rake screen and novel components therefor

Abstract

Rake systems for cleaning water streams and new and novel components for such rake systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexing apparatus for a rake screen, said flexing apparatus
 a. an attached support arm attached at each attachment points each said support arm having a distal end;   b. attached to each said support arm distal end, a means for enhancing the movement of a chain;   c. said bottom end and top end of said elongated rail having a first roller incorporated therein;   d. there being secondary pivotally mounted second rollers in each said elongated rail, near each said top end second rollers.   
     
     
         2 . The flexing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for enhancing the movement of a chain in d. is pivotal. 
     
     
         3 . The flexing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for enhancing the movement of a chain in d. is a roller. 
     
     
         4 . The flexing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for enhancing the movement of a chain in d. is a slide rail. 
     
     
         5 . A rake screen apparatus having a flexing apparatus of  claim 1  mounted to a framework of said rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . A dual wiper blade assembly for a rake system, said dual wiper blade assembly comprising:
 a. a pair of support members each having a near end and a distal end, each said near end having pivotal attachment capability for attaching to a framework of a rake system;   b. each said distal end of said support member having attached thereto, holders, each said holder having a bottom edge;   c. each said bottom edge having a first notch therein and a spaced-apart second notch therein;   d. a common first wiper blade attached in said first notches and a common second wiper blade surmounting said first wiper blade and attached in said second notches.   
     
     
         7 . A rake screen apparatus having a dual wiper blade assembly as claimed in  claim 5  mounted to a framework of said rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . A stand-alone modular unit comprising a bar screen, said modular unit configured to replace a bar screen in an existing rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . A stand-alone modular unit comprising a perforated plate assembly, said modular unit configured to replace a perforated plate assembly or bar screen in an existing rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A pivoting drive head apparatus for a rake screen, said pivoting drive head comprising:
 a. a pair of space-apart, parallel support members, each said parallel spaced-apart member having a near end, a distal end and a middle portion;   b. each said near end being pivotally attachable to a framework of a rake screen;   c. each said parallel support member being pivotally attached to a drive sprocket, each drive sprocket being mounted on the ends of a common drive shaft therebetween, each said drive sprocket being attaché to each respective parallel support members near said middle portion of said parallel support member;   d. each said distal end of said parallel support member being configure as a stop foot;   e. each said parallel support member, each said sprocket and said common drive shaft being pivotable away from said rake screen framework.   
     
     
         11 . A rake screen apparatus having a pivoting drive head apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  mounted to a framework of said rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . A rake screen apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein, in addition, there is present a flexing apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A rake screen apparatus having a fixed drive head and a flexing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A pivoting closure cap for a rake screen apparatus having side framework, said pivoting closure cap comprising:
 a. a top panel;   b. two mirror image side panels having edges and, top front corners, being attached at said edges to said top panel;   c. a back panel having edges and attached at said edges to said top panel and said side panels;   d. each said side panel being configured to accommodate any components extending beyond said side panels such that said components will not interfere with closure of said pivoting closure cap;   e. a flexing enclosure lid, pivotably mounted at said top front corners of said side panels.   
     
     
         15 . A rake screen apparatus having a pivoting closing cap as claimed in  claim 15  mounted to a framework of said rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . A rake screen apparatus containing in addition, in combination a flexing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , a dual wiper blade assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , a pivoting drive head apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , and a pivoting closure cap as claimed in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         17 . A rake screen apparatus in which screens, drive mechanisms and enclosures are all modular, wherein each said screens, drive mechanisms and enclosures can be removed or replaced without disassembling said entire rake screen apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . A modular component for a rake screen that is a screen module. 
     
     
         19 . A modular component for a rake screen that is a drive module containing a drive and a skimmer system. 
     
     
         20 . A modular component for a rake screen that is an enclosure module that has the ability to be modified to create clearance for various size debris moving through said rake screen. 
     
     
         21 . A modular component for a rake screen that is a flexing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . An rotary effector module for use with a trash rake, said effector module comprising:
 a. a frame, said frame having a top end, and bottom end, and two sides;   b. a first common axle extending between the said two sides near said top end;   c. a second common axle extending between said the two sides and located beneath the first common axle,   d. said first common axle and said second common axle driveably connected by a common drive assembly;   e. said second common axle having a sprocket located at each end, each said sprocket having a drive chain located thereon, each said chain having a lower end;   f. each said chain not being mounted on a sprocket at said lower end;   g. there being a plurality of cross members equally spaced between said chains;   h. each said cross member having mounted thereon skimmers, each said skimmer interfacing with a backside of a perforated plate filtration screen of a trash rack, each said shimmer having a leading edge.   
     
     
         23 . A flex rake having primary skimmers, in which at the bottom leading edge of each said primary skimmer, there is a thin, flexible sheet attached in a manner sufficient to apply a low, consistent force along a leading edge of the thin, flexible sheet, against a surface of a perforated screen in said flex rake.