Abstract: An energy generating device having a drum and at least one vane that is movable between a deployed state and a stowed state as the drum rotates to capture energy potential from flowing water and converting it to usable electrical and/or mechanical energy. The movable vanes can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water over the drum. The present system can generate usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water without the need to dam, restrict, or alter the path of the water flow.

Abstract: An automatic strainer assembly for straining a slurry comprises an inlet for receiving the slurry, a horizontally disposed strainer body in fluid communication with the inlet, and a rotatable strainer member received within the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. One or more scrapers are positioned for removing material from the outer surface of the strainer assembly. A collection vessel is positioned substantially below the body for receiving material scraped from the outer surface of the strainer member. A transport member can be provided for returning the scraped material to the slurry supply for reprocessing thereof. An outlet expels the strained slurry. A manual or automatic washdown system is provided for removing the slurry from the strainer member. A radial bearing assembly and radial seal are associated with the drive shaft of the strainer member to prevent galling. A method for processing a slurry is provided.

Abstract: An automatic strainer assembly for straining a slurry comprises an inlet for receiving the slurry, a horizontally disposed strainer body in fluid communication with the inlet, and a rotatable strainer member received within the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The strainer member defines a plurality of passageways for strained fluid to pass therethrough. A scraper is positioned substantially adjacent to and contacting the outer surface of the strainer member for removing material from the outer surface of the strainer member. A collection vessel is positioned substantially below the body for receiving material scraped from the outer surface of the strainer member. A helical member is mounted on an internal shaft or auger is located within the strainer member for contacting the slurry to increase mixing and promote flow of the slurry through the system.

Abstract: An automatic strainer assembly for straining a slurry comprises an inlet for receiving the slurry, a horizontally disposed strainer body in fluid communication with the inlet, and a rotatable strainer member received within the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The strainer member defines a plurality of passageways for strained fluid to pass therethrough. A scraper is positioned substantially adjacent to and contacting the outer surface of the strainer member for removing material from the outer surface of the strainer member. A collection vessel is positioned substantially below the body for receiving material scraped from the outer surface of the strainer member. This collection vessel can include a transport member for returning this scraped material to an initial slurry supply for reprocessing thereof. An outlet is provided in fluid communication with the horizontal strainer body to expel the strained slurry.

Abstract: A device for separating debris and other material from rainwater as it flows into a downpipe from a roof gutter is disclosed. The device has a compartment for fitting to the upper end of a downpipe. The compartment has a horizontally pivoted perforated drum which rotates when rainwater and entrained debris from an overhead gutter impinges on it such that the rainwater passes through the perforations in the drum into the associated downpipe and the debris is ejected outside of the device by the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A device for separating debris and other material from rainwater as it flows into a downpipe from a roof gutter is disclosed. The device has a compartment for fitting to the upper end of a downpipe. The compartment has a horizontally pivoted perforated drum which rotates when rainwater and entrained debris from an overhead gutter impinges on it such that the rainwater passes through the perforations in the drum into the associated downpipe and the debris is ejected outside of the device by the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A screening device useful in water and waste water treatment plants separates fluid flow into two streams. The screening device is perforated so that solids having a predetermined cross-section will be maintained within a first fluid stream, and a portion of the fluid flow that has been screened of solids will flow into a second split-off fluid flow. The streams may go to different locations; only the first stream need be processed for the solids. The screening device is preferably cylindrical or another surface of rotation or a section of such a surface, and rotates. These features help maintain the screening device free of solids, and supplemental cleaning devices may also be used.

Abstract: A self-cleaning intake screen assembly for preventing debris, fish, and other wildlife from being transferred from a waterway such as a lake or river, which includes a conical support structure, a screen and a screen sweeping assembly. The conical support structure has a circular base, a cap plate, and a plurality of support studs extending therebetween. The screen extends between the base and the cap plate and is affixed to the support studs. The screen sweeping assembly is rotatably mounted to the cap plate for sweeping debris off of the screen. A flow restrictor is disposed inside the conical support structure for restricting water flow through a portion of the screen in order to reduce differences in water flow rates through different portions of the screen.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating waste liquid and solid material comprises an upwardly inclined passage containing an auger for conveying the solid waste material upwardly along the passage, with an inlet opening at a lower end of the passage for receiving a mixture of waste liquid and solid material into the auger, a drainage opening at the lower end of the cylindrical passage for draining liquid from the solid waste conveyed by the auger, and a compactor for receiving the solid material fed upwardly by the auger and compacting the solid waste material. An extruder receives and extrudes the compacted solid waste material from the compactor, and may be arranged to convert the compacted material into pellets.

Abstract: A porous, conical structure for submersion in a body of water for rotation by water action. A screw blade in the structure confines as well as propels fish toward an outlet end of the porous structure. A support structure for the porous, conical structure may be embodied in a buoyant platform while a modified form of the collector utilizes a permanent ground supported structure. A receptacle is provided at the outlet end of the porous, conical structure for reception of fish and other collected matter. The receptacle may be a walled structure or the end of a bypass conduit enabling diversion of the collected matter and water away from the body of water. A lift and pivoted bearing permit elevating of porous, conical structure from the body of water.

Abstract: Apparatus for the release and recovery of living organisms collected or trapped on the rotary filters of water pumping stations.The apparatus comprises:on the inside of the filters, a system of two rows of multiple washing jets using water under low pressure, whose nozzles are directed towards the filter panels, so that the jets of the two rows meet one another and cooperate to form a single liquid stream;deflectors arranged at radial intervals on the outer face of the filter panels;on the outside of the filters, a channel shaped like a trough for receiving the washing water and recovering the living organisms, whose opening is oriented towards the said rows of washing jets, the edge of the opening being rounded or rotary in its lower part.

Abstract: A water intake for example for taking cooling water for industrial installations from a river, a lake or the sea, has a sieve with a filter element and a recovery channel associated with the filter element for collecting and saving elements of the biomass which become stuck to the filter element. Electrodes are associated with the recovery channel 25 and are designed to induce an electrical field, at right angles to the recovery channel in the water to be tapped, so as to compel fish either to swim by themselves in the direction of this recovery channel or to allow themselves to be carried towards the recovery channel by a reverse water current induced at right angles thereto.

Abstract: A framework mounted on wheels to follow a ditch path carries a plurality of siphon tubes suspended at their outer end from an arm pivotable in response to a float detecting the water level in the ditch, and the inner end of the tubes contain water impeller blades mounted on a common shaft through all tube heads, retaining the heads in submerged position in the ditch. The structure supporting the outer tube ends is spring biased to raise the tubes, and each tube has a flexible mid-portion and a water trap in the outer end. A silt remover agitator is mounted on a longitudinal track and powered to move between the opposite ends of the framework to entrain silt in the water for removal by the siphon tubes. A wheel trash remover at the upstream end of the framework is self-powered by the current to catch and eject debris from the ditch water, and a dam at the downstream end of the framework retains the ditch water under the framework.

Abstract: An arrangement for treating wastewater containing soluble organic matter through the proliferation of aerobic microorgnisms to purify the wastewater. In an apparatus having a wastewater tank, a water pervious drum rotatably mounted in the tank and partially submerged in wastewater therein, and a multiplicity of biological contactors packed in the drum, the improvement comprising the biological contactors being of hollow structure, each having at least two small openings, a subsidiary biological contactor being provided in the interior of each biological contactor where required, the contactors being compactly packed in the drum so as to be prevented from movement therein.

Abstract: A device is shown for use in a dental office or the like where particles of precious metal or amalgam are to be recovered from a flushing stream. The construction utilizes a housing for enclosing a downwardly sloping trough element through which a flushing liquid flows so that the particles of metal or amalgam can deposit in compartments formed in the trough while the flushing liquid and any residual debris which floats in the liquid flows through an outlet to a sewage disposal means.

Abstract: A water-powered, self-cleaning rotary strainer for use in drawing water from a running stream. A perforated drum is rotatably mounted on a frame. Drum rotation is done by using moving water. A float is mounted on the frame to support the drum in a partially submerged condition. Water is withdrawn from the interior of the drum through a conduit as the drum rotates and debris is passed around the drum.