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EP-4735146-A1 - FISH AND DEBRIS EXCLUSION SCREEN ASSEMBLY

EP4735146A1EP 4735146 A1EP4735146 A1EP 4735146A1EP-4735146-A1

Abstract

Modular screen assembly (10) for filtering water drawn from a body of water by a pump through a pipe. The assembly (10) comprises a plurality of intake modules (12) that are arranged in an annular array across the end of the pipe. Each intake module (12) has a funnel portion (14) that directs water flow into the pipe and a vane (16) that prevents water flow between adjacent intake modules (12). The modular screen assembly (10) also comprises a screen module (18) that surrounds the annular array of intake modules (12) and filters water entering the intake modules (12).

Inventors

  • SOLOMON, IAN
  • VISSER, Denys
  • BERG, WARREN

Assignees

  • Johnson Screens, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240626

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A modular screen assembly for fitting across an end of a pipe in a body of water, the pipe connected to a pump operable to extract water from the body of water, the assembly including: a plurality of intake modules, each intake module having a funnel portion defining a wedge extending partially about an axis, and having a vane extending transversely to the funnel portion, the intake modules being mountable to each other to form an annular array securable across the end of the pipe such that the funnel portions direct flow into the pipe and the vanes inhibit flow between adjacent intake modules; and a screen module configured to be mounted relative to and surround the annular array of intake modules to filter water flowing into the intake modules.
  2. 2. The modular screen assembly of claim 1, wherein each funnel portion defines an inlet end and an opposed outlet end, and each intake module is securable relative to the end of the pipe so that the outlet end is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pipe, and the inlet end is directed to be transverse to the axis of the pipe.
  3. 3. The modular screen assembly of claim 2, wherein the inlet end is directed at an angle relative to the outlet end, the angle being equal to or greater than 45 degrees.
  4. 4. The modular screen assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein each funnel portion is shaped such that, when the modules are mounted together, the outlet ends bound a first area substantially equivalent to the duct area of the pipe, and the inlet ends bound a second area which is at least 50% greater than the first area.
  5. 5. The modular screen assembly of claim 4, wherein the second area is at least double the first area.
  6. 6. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each intake module includes a base portion spaced from the funnel portion, the base portion shaped to direct water to flow towards the end of the pipe.
  7. 7. The modular screen assembly of claim 6, wherein each vane is configured to extend and be fixed between the funnel portion and the base portion of the intake module.
  8. 8. The modular screen assembly of claim 7, wherein the funnel portion, the base portion, and the vane of each intake module are separate components configured to be connected to each other with fasteners to form the intake module.
  9. 9. The modular screen assembly of claim 8, wherein each funnel portion, base portion, and vane are formed from bent sheet metal.
  10. 10. The modular screen assembly of claim 9, wherein each funnel portion and base portion define a plurality of bends to provide guide surfaces arranged to direct the water to flow towards the end of the pipe.
  11. 11. The modular screen assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein each funnel portion and base portion define faceted guide surfaces arranged to guide water flowing towards the end of the pipe.
  12. 12. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, including a collar for securing to the end of the pipe, and wherein each intake module is configured to be mounted to the collar to form the annular array.
  13. 13. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each intake module is associated with a nozzle in communication with a gas supply and arranged to direct gas at a portion of the screen adjacent the module.
  14. 14. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen module defines a cylindrical structure mountable about the annular array of intake modules.
  15. 15. The modular screen assembly of claim 14, wherein the end of the pipe and the screen module each define an axis, and the screen module is mountable about the intake modules such that the two axes are coaxial.
  16. 16. The modular screen assembly of claim 14 or 15, wherein the screen module is mountable relative to the intake modules such that the intake modules are spaced inwardly of the screen.
  17. 17. The modular screen assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen module and the intake modules are arranged to define a flow path to direct water through the screen module and along a 90 degree bend to enter the end of the pipe.
  18. 18. The modular screen assembly of claim 17, wherein each intake module is configured such that the flow path defines a plurality of kinks.
  19. 19. The modular screen assembly of claim 17 or 18, wherein each vane is arranged to extend partway along the flow path to partially separate flow between adjacent modules.
  20. 20. A modular kit for filtering fluid flowing into a pipe, the modular kit including: a bell mouth module mountable to the pipe; an anti- vortex module mountable to the bell mouth module to define a flow path therebetween, the anti-vortex module shaped to inhibit fluid flowing in a vortex through the flow path; and a screen module mountable about the bell mouth structure and the anti- vortex structure to filter water flowing into the flow path.

Description

"Fish and debris exclusion screen assembly" Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001] This application claims priority to Australian provisional patent application no. 2023902042, filed on 28 June 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field [0002] The present disclosure relates, generally, to screen assemblies for mounting across an end of a pipe to filter fluid being drawn into the pipe and, particularly, to such screen assemblies configured to inhibit fish or other debris being drawn into the pipe when extracting water from a river, lake, or reservoir. Background [0003] Irrigating agricultural land, such as to grow crops, can require extracting water from a local body of open water, such as a river, lake, or reservoir. This generally involves placing a pipe into the body of water and operating a pump to draw water through the pipe to be distributed through an irrigation system to the land. [0004] This practice typically involves operating the pump at a high pressure to draw the volume of water required for irrigation. This can cause fish and other debris in the body of water to be drawn into the pipe, which can block the pipe and/or damage the pump. Where the pump is operated at very high pressures and/or the pipe defines a narrow opening, this causes the water to move at a high velocity into the pipe, at up to 1 to 3 metres per second, which can exacerbate carrying fish and/or debris towards the pipe. The resulting effect can be increased maintenance of the irrigation system which can increase costs and downtime, as well as negatively impacting fish populations. [0005] To mitigate these drawbacks, fish protection or exclusion screens are often fitted across the end of the pipe in the body of water. Many past solutions have been unsuccessful due to the screen defining large holes, allowing small debris and fish to pass through, or not managing the high velocity of the water, meaning that fish become trapped against the screen and killed, and/or fish and other debris block the screen. Modern solutions include rotatable cylindrical baskets, or static conical structures, which define a large surface area to reduce water velocity, and have a fine mesh screen. Some screens include a wiper mechanism to remove fish and debris from the screen. [0006] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims. Summary [0007] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. [0008] There is disclosed a modular screen assembly for fitting across an end of a pipe in a body of water, where the pipe is connected to a pump operable to extract water from the body of water. The assembly includes a plurality of intake modules, where each intake module includes a funnel portion defining a wedge extending partially about an axis, and a vane extending transversely to the funnel portion. The intake modules are mountable to each other to form an annular array securable across the end of the pipe such that the funnel portions direct flow into the pipe and the vanes inhibit flow between adjacent intake modules. The assembly also includes a screen module configured to be mounted relative to and surround the annular array of intake modules to filter water flowing into the intake modules . [0009] Each funnel portion may define an inlet end and an opposed outlet end, and each module be securable relative to the end of the pipe so that the outlet end is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pipe, and the inlet end is directed to be transverse to the axis of the pipe. [0010] The inlet end may be directed at an angle relative to the outlet end, the angle being equal to or greater than 45 degrees. [0011] Each funnel portion may be shaped such that, when the modules are mounted together, the outlet ends bound a first area substantially equivalent to the duct area of the pipe, and the inlet ends bound a second area which is at least 50% greater than the first area, and may be at least double the first area. [0012] Each intake module may include a base portion spaced from the funnel portion, the base portion shaped to direct water to flow towards the end of the pipe. [0013] Each vane may be configured to extend between the funnel portion and the base portion of the intake module. [0014] The funnel portion, the base portion, and the vane of each module may be separate components configured to be connected to each other with fastene