Abstract: An apparatus for removing solids from a liquid/solid mixture disposed in a tank and rising to a mixture level, the apparatus including a suction assembly defining a suction opening, the suction assembly linked to a vacuum that causes suction at the opening, a support assembly formed about the suction surface including first and second essentially circular housing walls having wall edges and a filter belt loop sealed to the edges and sized such that the belt is slack and subject to deformation between the edges, a belt section disposed to cover the suction opening and a processor controlling a motivator to periodically alter belt position with respect to the suction opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing solids from a liquid/solid mixture disposed in a tank and rising to a mixture level, the apparatus including a suction assembly defining a suction opening, the suction assembly linked to a vacuum that causes suction at the opening, a support assembly formed about the suction surface including first and second essentially circular housing walls having wall edges and a filter belt loop sealed to the edges and sized such that the belt is slack and subject to deformation between the edges, a belt section disposed to cover the suction opening and a processor controlling a motivator to periodically alter belt position with respect to the suction opening.

Abstract: A clearing method for use with a conveyor belt driven by a reversible motor for essentially automatically eliminating swarf or other obstructions along the belt including an clearing process including sensing motor load and comparing sensed load to a maximum load, when the sensed load exceeds the maximum, performing a clearing process for a predetermined time period calculated to, given the clearly process, clear the obstruction.

Abstract: A clearing method for use with a conveyor belt driven by a reversible motor for essentially automatically eliminating swarf or other obstructions along the belt including an clearing process including sensing motor load and comparing sensed load to a maximum load, when the sensed load exceeds the maximum, stopping the belt, reversing the belt, stopping the belt again and driving the belt forward, and repeating this process until the obstruction is eliminated or a predetermined number of clearing processes have been performed. Also an apparatus for implementing the method including an inverter.

Abstract: A side wing for a hinged metal belt conveyor is disclosed which has a diagonal offset for overlapping of adjacent side wings. The side wings are mounted on the extending ends of hinged rods journaled in openings in the lower corners of the side wings. The lower corners are each formed as an arc of a circle having its center at the center of an opening. The bottom edge of the side wing has a profile either of a straight line which lies at a distance from the center of the openings which is less than the radius of the arc, or which has the arc extending for some distance from a point below the center of the opening towards the other opening of the side wing. Such modified profile of the bottom edge reduces interference with adjacent side wings when the belt turns a corner.