Abstract: The drain element for collecting hydrocarbons comprises a screen (TM) surrounding a suction cylinder (CA) extending in a longitudinal direction (AL). The screen is made up of rods (TT, TC) which extend along said longitudinal direction (AL) and which are regularly spaced apart around the suction cylinder. At least one of said rods is hollow in order to form a collector rod (TC), said collector rod (TC) having a lateral orifice and communicating with the inside of the suction cylinder via one of its ends.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mechanical basket (P) of substantially cylindrical shape for centripetal or centrifugal flow relative to an axis (R) and having rings (A) lying in planes perpendicular to the axis of revolution and wires (F) rigidly connected to the rings at regular intervals for the purpose of sieving a material is characterized in that assembling a wire (F) to a ring (A) is accomplished by a first operation of putting the wire (F) into position in a corresponding notch (EN) in the ring, and a second operation in which the wire is welded to the ring by melting a shoulder (EP1) of the ring, without adding any filler metal. In the method, a mechanical basket is made that presents better mechanical characteristics so that its lifetime is increased, and its cost of manufacture is reduced compared with conventional mechanical baskets.

Abstract: Underdrain lateral system, which is especially adapted for use in a gravity filter bed, includes, as its preferred embodiment, scallop-shaped laterals having an upper, wrapped wire, slotted screen surface. The screen surface supports and retains the filter media particles directly, without the necessity of an underlying gravel layer, and is itself supported by channel-shaped rod members which are welded to the wires. The web portions of the channel rods perform the function of simultaneously distributing air and water during backwashing, and include small apertures in upper channels and larger apertures in lower channels to cause a plenum to be formed inside the laterals which ensures that the distribution of air and water will be uniform throughout the lateral, even if the lateral is not perfectly level.

Abstract: An underdrain assembly for a bed of filter media includes a plurality of elongated screen lateral elements which each have a generally flat bottom surface and a convexly curved upper surface which has flow openings therein. The lateral elements each have a width substantially greater than their height and include a means defining a generally tubular-shaped surface positioned internally thereof. The generally tubular-shaped surface includes flow distribution openings which have a total open area less than the total area of the flow openings in the curved upper surfaces of the lateral elements. In various embodiments, the generally tubular-shaped surfaces are shown as comprising a single tube, a plurality of tubes, and a tube defined by the portions of a plurality of adjacent channel-shaped members whose leg portions support the curved upper surface of the screen lateral elements.

Abstract: An elongated screen assembly, which in various forms, is useful as a scallop in a reactor, or as an underdrain for a gravity filter system, has a cross-section in a direction normal to its axis which is at least twice as wide as it is high. A method is also disclosed for manufacturing the screen assembly by pressing the opposed sides of a wrapped wire cylindrical screen assembly between a pair of plates which have radii of curvature which are different from each other and greater than the radius of curvature of the cylindrical screen assembly.

Abstract: Mounting system for substantially increasing the wear life of a screen panel which is adapted to be vibrated, utilizes elastomeric material, such as urethane, to isolate the vibrating mechanism from direct contact with the screen panel. An elastomeric wear strip is bonded to screen wires on the underside of the screen panel. A recessed channel formed in the bottom of the wear strip is adapted to engage an upper contact surface of a rigid vibrating bar member, while the side edges of the channel extend downwardly over the sides of the rigid vibrating bar member to prevent abrasive material which has passed through slots in the screen panel from entering the contact area between the recessed channel and the upper contact surface. The upper contact surface of the vibrating bar member is preferably covered with elastomeric material and crowned so as to cause the screen panel to become curved when its side edges are forced down by a pair of hold-down bars.

Abstract: The invention relates to conventional metal well screens which have a screen wire wrapped about a plurality of internal support rods to define the screen slots, and particularly to a novel plastic end fitting made of a thermoplastic material which is mechanically attached to the well screen by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced tongues which engage the inside surface of the screen wires and have a portion of their outer surface positioned within the screen slots. Slots formed in the end fitting between the tongue portions contain the support rods. A method of attaching a thermoplastic fitting made of a material such as polypropylene is also disclosed and includes the steps of heating the tongue portions so that a portion of their outer surface is melted and then is forced radially outwardly into the screen slots, and preferably slightly beyond them, by a pressure applying device such as a tapered wedge tooling arrangement.