EA042983B1 - SUPPORT GRILLE ASSEMBLY FOR HIGH PRESSURE TANK - Google Patents

Description

Requesting Priority

This PCT International Application claims priority over U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/777,537, filed Dec. 10, 2018, titled Pressure Vessel Support Grid Assembly, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to a support grid assembly for use in a pressure vessel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a support grid assembly comprising one or more screen panels that are operatively fluidly connected to a central fluid manifold, the screen panels being flexibly coupled to the central fluid manifold in such a manner as to account for deviations found in manufacture of the bottom of the tank.

State of the art

In some petrochemical and general industrial applications, support grids with internal filter screens are required in pressure process vessels to filter and support the filter media. Such support grids not only serve to prevent movement of the filter material from the reservoir, but may also serve to provide uniform fluid distribution patterns, thereby ensuring efficient use of the entire volume of filter material. In addition, these support grids can be used for regular backwashing or filter media regeneration. Common support grid assemblies include support grid assemblies available from Aqseptence, Inc., New Brighton, pc. Minnesota, USA and sold under the Johnson Screens brand, as well as the support grid assemblies disclosed in US Patent No. 6,790,357 and US Patent Publication No. 20140027369 A1, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Given that these support grids are very important to the overall efficiency of process pressure vessels, these support grids and their internal filter screens must support the filter media, often including thousands of pounds of filter media, quite reliably. However, the methods used to make large pressure tanks can result in deviations in the bottom of the tank that otherwise supports these support grids. Therefore, it would be desirable to have an adaptable version of the support grid that could accommodate variations in tank bottom design so that the support grids and their inner screens properly support the filter material.

The essence of the invention

In accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein, a support grid assembly for use in a pressure vessel includes one or more screen panel assemblies that are flexibly fluidly connected to a central fluid manifold. In general, each screen panel is movably connected to a central fluid manifold and connected to a flexible joint. In some embodiments, the flexible joint may comprise an adjustable split flange joint, and in other embodiments, the flexible joint may use a flexible gasket member. Each screen panel assembly may include a male connecting end adapted to slide fit through a manifold sleeve opening on the central fluid manifold. In one embodiment, the connection of each screenboard assembly to the central fluid manifold may be rotatably supported by a bottom mounting bracket that extends from the bottom of the screenboard assembly and that engages with a support bracket extending from the central fluid manifold. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom mounting bracket may include a mounting bar that is rotatably coupled to a support bracket. Through the use of a flexible connection, each screen panel assembly is able to individually slide, rotate, or otherwise move relative to the central fluid manifold under the weight of the filter material, such that each screen panel assembly is able to fully engage the bottom of the tank regardless of surface deviations and shapes due to the materials or manufacturing techniques used to create the pressure vessel.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a support grid assembly in which the individual screen panel assemblies are operably flexibly connected to a central fluid manifold such that variations in tank bottom design are accommodated by sliding, rotating, and/or moving each individual screen panel assembly.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for flexing a support grid assembly such that variations in tank bottom design can be accommodated without damage to the support grid assembly.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pressure vessel comprising a support grid assembly that is able to flexibly accommodate variations in the design of the vessel bottom.

- 1 042983

The Summary of the Invention is not intended to describe every embodiment shown or every implementation of the subject matter. The following drawings and detailed description show various embodiments in more detail.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention may be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a pressure vessel incorporating a support grid assembly in accordance with the prior art;

fig. 2 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a support grid assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a central fluid manifold in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a sectional view of the support grid assembly shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the support grid assembly within circle B shown in FIG. 4;

fig. 6 is a side perspective view of a screen panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a plan view of a split flange element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8a is a side perspective view of a screen panel assembly inserted into a central fluid manifold with a split flange assembly detached, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8b is a side perspective view of a screen panel assembly inserted into a central fluid manifold and pivotally in contact with the bottom of a tank and containing a detached split flange assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8c is a perspective side view of a screen panel assembly inserted into a central fluid manifold and rotatably engaged with the bottom of a tank and comprising a split flange assembly in engagement with the central fluid manifold, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a plan view of an embodiment of a support grid assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the support grid assembly of FIG. 9;

fig. 11 is a top perspective view of a screen panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a side view of the screen panel assembly of FIG. eleven;

fig. 13 is a plan view of the screen panel assembly of FIG. eleven;

fig. 14 is a top perspective view of a screen panel connecting flange in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a partial side view of the support grid assembly shown in FIG. 9;

fig. 16 is a top perspective view of the structure of a panel mount body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 17 is a detailed top perspective view of a portion of the panel mount body structure of FIG. 16;

fig. 18 is a detailed sectional view of part of the structure of the panel mount body according to FIG. 16;

fig. 19 is a top perspective view of a mounting cylinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 20 is a side view of the mounting cylinder shown in FIG. 19;

fig. 21 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the support grid assembly shown in FIG. 9;

fig. 22 is a top perspective view of a lid plate member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the plate member shown in FIG. 22;

fig. 24 is a side view of the plate member shown in FIG. 22.

Given that the various embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, their distinguishing features are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the aim is not to limit the claimed invention to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the aim is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that are within the essence and scope of

- 2 042983 of the invention, defined by the claims.

Detailed description of the invention

The following detailed description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments. Other embodiments involving other structures and operating principles do not depart from the scope of this disclosure.

Embodiments described herein include a support grid assembly that can be used in tanks or reservoirs to support filter beds through which fluids are directed. Such filtration beds can be used in a wide variety of processes including, but not limited to, catalytic, molecular sieve, alumina drying, resin ion exchange, carbon filtration, and others. Various fluids including, but not limited to, liquid, gas, oil, water, etc., can be processed through the tank. The reservoir may be positioned vertically, horizontally, or in other orientations and configurations known in the art. In general, the tank may include a body and protrusions located at opposite ends of the body so as to form a sealed interior volume of the tank. The support grid assembly can be positioned lengthwise and use the inside surface of the tank projection to support the structure, as well as to maximize the interior volume of the tank for the use of additional materials and other interior features.

The support grid assembly may include a plurality of panels, each panel comprising a filter surface formed by one or more screens on the top, side, bottom, or other exposed surface of the panels, and a central fluid manifold connected to and the panels. In some embodiments, the panels may be arranged radially around the manifold. The screens are capable of supporting the filter bed and in some modes, such as downflow, fluid can permeate through the filter bed and the screens into the panels. The fluid may then move into the manifold and out of the reservoir. Fluid may also enter directly into the manifold through a screen or perforated plate that forms the top of the manifold. Alternatively, the direction of flow can be reversed, for example in some upflow modes, and the flow to the header can be distributed in the panels, with the flow exiting the panels, through the screens, into the tank. The flow through a node in upflow or downflow mode can be compressible (gas) or incompressible (liquid).

Certain terms are used herein for convenience only and should not be taken as limiting the described embodiments. For example, definitions such as top, bottom, top, bottom, left, right, horizontal, vertical, up and down only describe the configuration shown in the drawings. Indeed, the elements referred to may be oriented in any direction, and the definitions are to be understood as covering such variations unless otherwise indicated. In this description, in the event that a process or method is shown or described, this method can be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is obvious from the context that the method depends on some operations performed first.

With reference to FIG. 1, a typical prior art pressure vessel may comprise a cylindrical vessel including a support grid assembly 102. Cylindrical tank 100 may include a top portion 104 with an inlet 106 and a bottom portion 108 with an outlet 110. As shown, the support grid assembly 102 may be operatively coupled to the outlet 110 and positioned and supported by the bottom 112 of the bottom projection 114 of the tank. As described above, inlet 106 and outlet 110 are shown with respect to arrows F indicating the direction of fluid flow in one normal mode of operation. It will be understood that in other modes of operation, such as during backwashing, the direction of fluid flow may be reversed, with outlet 110 acting as an inlet and inlet 106 acting as an outlet. In general, the filter material 116 is on top and rests on the support grid assembly 102. Typical filter media may include sand, activated carbon, ion exchange resin, manganese green sand, catalytic materials, and other common pressure vessel material.

Referring further to FIG. 2-5, an exemplary support grid assembly 200 of the present invention may be used with a cylindrical tank 100 to replace the support grid assembly 102. In general, the support grid assembly 200 includes a central fluid manifold 202 around which a plurality of screen panel assemblies 204 may be spaced and individually secured. Each screen panel assembly 204 may include a top surface 206, a pair of side surfaces 208a, 208b, an end surface 210, and a bottom surface 212 that together form an interior fluid collection area 214. In general, top surface 206 may include one or more screen panels 216 that allow fluid to pass through screen panel 216 while preventing passage of filter material 116. In a preferred embodiment, screen panel 216 may include a plurality of spaced filter wires, supported on support rods. In one embodiment, the screen panel 216 may include wire with a substantially triangular cross section, such as

- 3 042983 Vee-Wire® sieves (VEE-WIRE is a registered trademark of Aqseptence Inc., New Brighton, MN), or wedge-shaped wire sieves. In other exemplary embodiments, the screen panel 216 may include plates with perforations, slots, and/or other filter holes formed therein. In various embodiments, the wire and/or plate openings may be arranged symmetrically, asymmetrically, horizontally, vertically, tangentially, and combinations thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by each screen panel node 204. In some embodiments, the spacing and dimensions of the wire and/or plate holes formed on each screen panel 216 may vary along the surface of each screen panel 216. In some exemplary embodiments, each screen panel 216 may include one or more combinations of filter wires. , plates, perforated elements, and elements that otherwise provide a plurality of filter holes to allow fluid to pass through the filter holes while preventing the passage of the filter material. In addition to having a screen panel 216 on the top surface 206, one or more screen panels 216 may also be located on one or more of the side surfaces 208a, 208b, end surface 210, and bottom surface 212 to increase the filtering capacity of each screen panel assembly 204 or provide the required flow properties, such as the flow rate through the screen panel 216. Although not shown, it will be understood that each screen panel assembly 204 may include one or more flow guides or flow channels formed in the interior fluid collection region 214, capable of directing fluid flow. media into the central fluid manifold 202 in normal operation, or from the sieve panels 216 in backwash mode. In some embodiments, one or more flow guides may extend between top surface 206 and bottom surface 212 so as to provide structural reinforcement to screen panel assembly 204.

As best seen in FIG. 2-5, 8a-8c, the central fluid manifold 202 may include a mounting cylinder 220, a panel mounting body 222, and a cover 224. The mounting cylinder 220 typically includes a cylindrical body 226 defining a flow path 228 and terminating in an upwardly facing mounting flange 230. flange 230 may include a plurality of spaced mounting holes 232. Central fluid manifold 202 may further include a plurality of spaced mounting brackets 234 connected to mounting cylinder 220 and mounting flange 230. Preferably, at least two mounting brackets 234 are provided for each screen panel assembly 204 Each mounting bracket 234 includes a bracket body 236 extending radially from the cylindrical body 226 and an arcuate recess 238 in the radially distal surface 240 of the bracket body 236. The panel mounting body 222 may be formed together by a pair of substantially identical body parts 250a, 250b. Each body piece 250a, 250b may include a bottom wall 252, a top wall 254, a pair of end walls 256a, 256b, and a plurality of interior walls 258 that extend between bottom wall 252 and top wall 254. Adjacent end walls 156a, 156b, and interior walls 258 may form individual manifold sleeve openings 260 . In general, the number of openings 260 of the header sleeve will exactly match the number of sieve panel assemblies 204 of the support grid assembly 200 . As shown, manifold sleeve openings 260 may define a substantially rectangular opening 262. Alternatively, collector sleeve openings 260 may have other shapes, such as round or oval. In some cases, the shape of the manifold sleeve openings 260 can be controlled by using a sleeve plate that can be fitted to each manifold sleeve opening 260, the sleeve plate including a sleeve opening defining the desired shape. A plurality of sleeve openings 263 may be spaced around each opening 260 of the manifold sleeve. The bottom wall 252 of each body 250a, 250b may include a plurality of bottom holes 264, with the number and spacing of the bottom holes 264 exactly matching the number and spacing of the mounting holes 232. The top wall 254 of each body 250a, 250b may include a plurality of spaced apart top holes 266 Lid 224 may include a pair of substantially identical plate-like members 270a, 270b. Each plate piece 270a, 270b may include an arcuate plate body 272 that terminates in a cover flange 274. A plurality of lid openings 276 may be spaced apart around the perimeter 278 of the arcuate plate body 272, with the spacing and number of lid openings 276 exactly matching the spacing between and the number of top openings 266. The lid flange 274 may define a top 280 and a bottom. 282, wherein the width of the upper portion 280 is equal to the diameter of the cap 224, and the width of the lower portion 282 is less than the distance between the end walls 256a, 256b of the bodies 250a, 250b. The upper portion 280 may include a plurality of upper flange holes 284 and the lower portion 282 may include a plurality of lower flange holes 286. Depending on the desired flow rate and characteristics, portions of the lid 224, such as the arcuate plate body 272 and/or portions of the mounting cylinder 220, such as the cylindrical body 226, may be fabricated to include one or more screen panels 272 such that central

- 4 042983 fluid collector 202 may allow fluid to move directly into or out of the central fluid collector 202 without passing through individual screen panel assemblies 202.

With reference to FIG. 6, each screen panel assembly 204 may include a male connection end 300 defined by a top surface 206, side surfaces 208a, 208b, and a bottom surface 212. The male connection end 300 may define a panel mounting hole 302 defining the opening perimeter shape 304. Near the panel mounting hole 302, top surface 206, side surfaces 208a, 208b, and bottom surface 212 may define an inwardly tapering surface 306. Top surface 206 may include one or more handles 308. Bottom surface 212 may include a bottom mounting bracket 310 attached so to protrude downward from the screen panel assembly 204 . The bottom mounting bracket 310 may include a pair of brackets 312a, 312b that support a cylindrical mounting bar 314.

As seen in FIG. 7, 8a-8c, the support grid assembly 200 may further comprise a split flange assembly 320 formed from a pair of substantially identical flange members 322a, 322. Each flange member 322a, 322b may include a first arm 324 and a second arm 326 extending from a corner portion. 328. The first arm 324 may terminate at a first end 330 containing an angled first opening 332. The second arm 326 may terminate at a second end 334 containing an angled second opening 336. The corner portion 328 may include an angled angled opening 338. The flange is formed by placing the first end 330 of the flange piece 322a adjacent the second end 334 of the flange piece 322b a and the second end 334 of the flange piece 322a adjacent the first end 330 of the flange piece 322b. With this arrangement of the flange members 322a, 322b, the split flange assembly 320 forms an internal opening 340 that substantially matches the shape 304 of the opening perimeter of the male connecting end 300, with the difference that the internal opening 340 is slightly larger than the male connecting end 300. When the flange members 322a, 322b are positioned to form the split flange assembly 338, the respective slanted first holes 332, the slanted second holes 336, and the slanted corner holes 338 are positioned to align with the sleeve holes 263 around the corresponding manifold sleeve hole 260. The sloping nature of the slanted first holes 332, the slanted second holes 336, and the slanted center holes 338 allow for adjustment in the fastening of the flange members 322a, 322b.

In general, the support grid assembly 200 is installed in the cylindrical tank 100 by attaching the mounting cylinder 220 to the tank bottom 112 such that the flow channel 228 is in fluid communication with the outlet 110 and the upwardly facing mounting flange 230 is raised above the tank bottom 112. Next, each body piece 250a, 250b is mounted on an upwardly facing mounting flange 230 such that the bottom holes 264 align with the mounting holes 232. Suitable fasteners, such as screws, nuts and threaded bolts, and the like, can be inserted into the bottom holes. 264 and mounting holes 232 for connecting the panel mounting body 222 to the mounting cylinder 220. Then, each of the screen panel assemblies 204 can be attached to the panel mounting body 222 by inserting the male connection end 300 through the corresponding hole 260 of the collector sleeve, so that the mounting hole 302 of the panel is housed in a mounting cylinder 220 and is in fluid communication with a flow channel 228. When each male connecting end 300 is inserted through a respective manifold sleeve bore 260, a cylindrical mounting bar 314 on each lower mounting bracket 310 can be pivotally engaged with the corresponding arcuate recesses 238 on two or more mounting brackets 234 that correspond to each sieve panel assembly 204. The split flange assembly 320 can then be positioned around the screen panel assembly 204 such that the slanted first holes 332, the slanted second holes 336, and the slanted center holes 338 of the flange pieces 322a, 322b align with the corresponding holes 263 of the sleeve. Using appropriate fasteners, such as screws or nuts and threaded bolts, the split flange assembly 320 is connected to the corresponding hole 260 of the manifold sleeve, and the sloping nature of the slanted first holes 332, the slanted second holes 336, and the slanted center holes 338 allows the split flange assembly 320 to be flange tightly around the respective screen assembly 204. Now that the split flange assembly 320 is secured, each screen assembly 204 is able to rotate around the cylindrical mounting bar 314 such that the bottom surface 212 can come into contact with the bottom 112 of the tank to provide support for each screen assembly 204 when the filter material 116 is placed on each top surface 206. Now that the screen panel assemblies 204 are fluidly connected to the panel mounting body 222, a cover 224 can be installed on the body members 250a, 250b to enclose the flow path 228. In general, the plate members 270a, 270b can be connected together using appropriate fasteners such as screws, nuts and threaded bolts and the like, and by aligning the respective upper flange holes 284 and lower flange holes 286. The cover 224 is then installed on the mounting

- 5 042983 body 222 of the panel so that the lower part 282 passes between the body parts 250a,

250b and the openings 276 of the cover align with the top openings 266 of the panel mounting body 222. Appropriate fasteners such as screws, nuts and threaded bolts, and the like are used to connect the cover 224 to the panel mounting body 222.

Now that the support grid assembly 200 is fully assembled and operatively housed in the cylindrical reservoir 100, the fluid flow can be introduced in either normal operation or backwash mode as described above. By avoiding direct connection of the screen panel assemblies 204 to the central fluid manifold 202, each screen panel assembly 204 is provided with flexibility and support to prevent damage to the screen panel assemblies 204 under the weight of the filter material 116. the ability to adjust the split flange assembly 320, in combination with the pivotal engagement and support of the cylindrical mounting bar 314 and mounting brackets 234, allows the bottom surface 212 of each screen panel assembly 204 to contact the tank bottom 112, even if the configuration of the tank bottom projection 114 is uneven or mismatched in its profile . In this manner, the support grid assembly 200 is able to accommodate manufacturing variations in the cylindrical vessel 100 while also providing support and preferred flow characteristics.

In FIG. 9 and 10 show another exemplary embodiment of a support grid assembly 400. In general, the support grid assembly 400 can be used in the same applications as the support grid assembly 200, but with an assembly method that may be more suitable for some installations. The support grid assembly 400 typically includes a central fluid manifold 402 on which a plurality of screen panel assemblies 404 can be spaced apart and separately secured. The central manifold 402 and screen panel assemblies 404 may have a similar appearance and be manufactured like the central manifold 202 and screen panel assemblies 204. Key differences may include the way the screen assembly assemblies 404 are connected to the center manifold 402, the way the screen assembly assemblies 404 mate with the bottom 112 of the tank, and the general way in which the support grid assembly 404 is assembled.

Each screen panel assembly 404 shown in FIG. 11-13 may typically comprise a top surface 206, side surfaces 208a, 208b, an end surface 210, and a bottom surface 212 to collectively form an interior fluid collection region 214. The screen panel assembly 404 may also include one or more screen panels 216 that allow fluid to pass through the screen panel 216 while preventing the filter material 116 from passing. filter wires supported on support rods and, in some preferred embodiments, includes a wire with a substantially triangular cross section, such as Vee-Wire® screens or wedge-shaped wire screens. As described above, the screen panel 216 may also include plates with perforations, slots, and/or other filter holes formed therein. In various embodiments, the wire and/or plate openings may be arranged symmetrically, asymmetrically, horizontally, vertically, tangentially, and combinations thereof about the longitudinal axis defined by each screen panel node 404. In some embodiments, the spacing and dimensions of the wire and/or plate holes formed on each screen panel 216 may vary along the surface of each screen panel 216. In some exemplary embodiments, each screen panel 216 may include one or more combinations of filter wires, plates, perforated elements, and elements that otherwise provide a plurality of filter holes to allow fluid to pass through the filter holes while preventing the passage of filter material. In addition to having a screen panel 216 on the top surface 206, one or more screen panels 216 may also be placed on one or more of the side surfaces 208a, 208b, end surface 210, and bottom surface 212 to increase the filtering capacity of each screen panel assembly 204 or provide the required flow properties, such as fluid velocity through the screen panel 216. Although not shown, it will be understood that each screen panel assembly 204 may include one or more flow guides or flow channels formed in the interior fluid collection region 214, capable of directing fluid flow. media into the central fluid manifold 202 during normal operation or from the sieve panels 216 in backwash mode. In some embodiments, one or more flow guides may extend between top surface 206 and bottom surface 212 to provide structural reinforcement to screen panel assembly 204.

When comparing a single screen panel assembly 404 with a screen panel assembly 204, the main difference between and the embodiments is the male connection end 406. In general, the male connection end 406 includes an elongated mounting sleeve 408 defining a panel assembly opening 410 having a hole perimeter shape 412. The mounting hole 410 of the panel is usually connected in fluid with the internal area 214 of the collection of the fluid. Mounted on the elongated mounting sleeve 408 is a screen panel connecting flange 414 shown in FIG. 14. The screenboard connecting flange 414 includes a flanged connecting surface 416 defining a connecting hole 418 that is shaped and sized to fit a sliding fit on an elongated mounting sleeve 408. The flanged connecting surface 416 includes a plurality of flange connecting holes 419. The screenboard connecting flange 414 may further comprise a connecting housing 420 that is attached to the flanged connecting surface 416 and, when placed in the connecting hole 418, fits against the elongated mounting sleeve 408.

As shown in FIG. 15-20, the central fluid manifold 402 may be substantially the same as the central fluid manifold 402 with a mounting cylinder 220, a panel mounting body 222, and a lid 224. Depending on the overall size and volume of the cylindrical reservoir 100, the plurality of spaced mounting holes 232 may be located outside the flow channel 228, as shown with respect to the support grid assembly 200, or located inside the flow channel, as shown in FIG. 19. The panel mounting body 222 of the central fluid manifold 402 may be formed together by a pair of substantially identical body parts 432a, 432b. The housings 432a, 432b may substantially correspond to the housings 250a, 250b, but modified to accommodate the connection to the screen panel assembly 404. In general, each body piece 432a, 432b includes a raised flanged support 434 attached to a raised body 436 that extends outward from a separate bore 260 of the manifold sleeve. The protruding flange support 434 typically includes a protruding connecting surface 438 defining a protruding opening 440 and containing a plurality of protruding holes 442 of the flange. The raised connecting surface 438 is shaped and sized to match the flanged connecting surface 416 such that the flange holes 442 align with the flange connecting holes 419 and the raised hole 440 matches the connecting hole 418.

While the support grid assembly 200 utilizes the interface between the cylindrical mounting bar 314 and the mounting brackets 234 to provide rotational support and adjustability between the screen panel assemblies 204 and the central fluid manifold 202, the support grid assembly 400 utilizes a resilient spacer assembly 450 as shown. in fig. 21. In general, the resilient gasket assembly 450 comprises alternating layers of a compressible gasket element 452 and a rigid support element 454. In general, the compressible gasket element 452 and the rigid support element 454 will be shaped and sized to match the shape and size of the flanged engagement surface 416 and the protruding connecting surface 438, including the gasket holes 456 in the compressible gasket element 452 and the rigid support element 454, which are aligned with the connecting holes 419 of the flange and the holes 442 of the flange. The compressible pad member 452 and the rigid support member 454 each include additional openings such that the combined resilient pad assembly 450 includes a shim assembly opening 458 that substantially corresponds to the connection hole 418 and the raised opening 440, thereby allowing the resilient pad assembly 450 to be placed on the elongate mounting sleeve 408. A plurality of gasket fasteners 460 may be placed in flange connection holes 419, gasket holes 456, and flange holes 442 to tightly fix the compressible gasket member 452 and separately attach each screen panel assembly 404 to the central fluid manifold 402. The sandwich structure of the resilient spacer assembly 450 provides vertical and horizontal flexibility to the individual screenboard assemblies 404 such that they maintain fluid communication with the central fluid manifold 402 while allowing the bottom surface 212 of each screenboard assembly 404 to separately contact and rest on the bottom. 112 of the tank, thereby taking into account manufacturing variations that may be present on the bottom 112 of the tank.

In addition to the alternative mounting structure for the screen panel assemblies 404, the support grid assembly 400 may also include an additional sealing device between the central manifold 402 and the tank bottom 112, as shown in FIG. 15 to reduce and/or eliminate the possibility of any fluid bypass of the screen panel assemblies 404. In general, the mounting flange 230 may include a bottom surface 470 that faces the bottom 112 of the tank. Near the perimeter 472 of the flange, the bottom surface 470 may define a downwardly extending ledge 474. The downwardly extending ledge 474 terminates at the edge 476 of the ledge. During installation of the center manifold 402, the mounting cylinder 420 is inserted through the outlet 110. Before mounting the mounting cylinder 420, one or more compressible assembly gaskets 478, such as O-rings or other suitable items and materials, may be placed around the mounting cylinder 420 and in the sealing the gap 480 defined by the downward projection 424, the bottom surface 470, and the mounting cylinder 420. The mounting cylinder 420 is fully inserted when the downward projection 424 contacts the tank bottom 112, causing one or more compressible gaskets 478 to be compressed in such a manner that to seal and prevent any fluid from bypassing along the bottom 112 of the tank. When the cylindrical tank 100 is loaded with the filter material 116, the additional weight of the filter material 116 and fluid on the support grid assembly 400 can further assist in maintaining a seal in the bottom 112 of the tank.

The support grid assembly 400 may further comprise one or more elements to provide

- 7 042983 strength and/or improve flow characteristics within the central manifold 402. As seen in FIG. 22, 23, and 24, cover 224 may include plate-like members 270a, 270b that each include a bottom flat surface 490 that is within support grid assembly 400 when cover 224 is connected to panel mounting housing 422. The bottom flat surface 490 may include a plurality of elongated members 492. The elongate members 492 may be parallel or alternatively may be arranged radially, as if protruding from a central axis that corresponds to the central axis of the lid 224. In some embodiments, the elongated members 492 serve as reinforcements that provide structural support to the lid 224. The use of elongated members 492 as reinforcements can be especially important in embodiments where plate-like members 270a, 270b include a top surface 491 formed from the same or similar screen panels 216, to increase the total filtering area and the corresponding throughput of the support grid assembly 400. In some embodiments, the elongated members 492 may be formed to have the desired height 494 such that the elongated members 490 protrude downward into the opening 496 of the panel mounting body 422. By selecting the desired height and, for example, a radial arrangement that may correspond to the location of the screen panel assemblies 404 associated with the panel mounting body 422, the elongated members 492 may act as flow modifiers to direct fluid flow into the mounting cylinder 420 and prevent adverse flow conditions. , such as, for example, the turbulent nature of the flow, in the central reservoir 402 of the fluid.

This document describes various embodiments of systems, devices and methods. These embodiments are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, it should be understood that various features of the described embodiments may be used in various combinations to obtain a variety of additional embodiments. Furthermore, while various materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, and arrangements, etc. are described for use with the disclosed embodiments, others other than those disclosed may be used without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matter of the patent may contain fewer features than those shown in any particular embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not an exhaustive description of possible combinations of various features of the invention. Thus, the embodiments are not the only possible combinations of features, rather different embodiments may comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, elements described with respect to one embodiment may be implemented in other embodiments, even though they are not described in such embodiments, unless otherwise indicated.

Claims (36)

1. A support grid assembly for attaching to a bottom of a tank, comprising a central fluid manifold, the central fluid manifold including a mounting cylinder and a panel mounting body, the panel mounting body including a plurality of sleeve holes spaced around the panel mounting body; and a plurality of screen panel assemblies, wherein each screen panel assembly includes a connecting end defining a panel mounting hole, wherein the connecting end of each screen panel assembly is operable to slide fit through a corresponding sleeve hole such that the panel mounting hole is in fluid communication with mounting cylinder, and wherein each screen panel assembly is individually flexibly connected to the respective sleeve opening in such a way that each individual screen panel assembly is able to take into account deviations in the bottom of the tank. 2. The support grid assembly of claim 1, wherein each screen panel assembly includes one or more screen panels, the screen panels filtering fluid before fluid enters an internal fluid connection region formed in each screen assembly. 3. The support grid assembly of claim 2, wherein the central fluid manifold further comprises a cover operatively connected to the panel mounting body. 4. The support grid assembly of claim 3, wherein the lid comprises a pair of plate pieces, each plate piece including a center flange for connecting the pair of plate pieces. 5. The support grid assembly of claim 3, wherein the cover defines a bottom flat surface in communication with the mounting cylinder, the bottom flat surface including a plurality of elongated members attached to the bottom flat surface. 6. The support grid assembly of claim 5, wherein the lid defines a top surface, the top surface including a lid screen to filter fluid before fluid enters the mounting cylinder. - 8 042983 7. The support grid assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of elongate members have a height such that the plurality of elongate members extend into an opening of the panel mounting body, the height of the member being selected such that the plurality of elongate members alter fluid flow in the mounting cylinder. 8. The support grid assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of elongate members are arranged in a non-parallel, radial configuration with respect to the central axis of the lid. 9. The support grid assembly of claim 2, wherein the mounting cylinder defines a mounting flange, wherein the panel mounting body is operatively connected to the mounting flange. 10. The support grid assembly of claim 9, wherein the mounting flange defines a bottom surface containing an elongated lip, the elongated lip contacting the bottom of the tank so as to define a sealing gap in which one or more compressible gaskets are positioned to seal the mounting cylinder to the bottom of the tank. 11. The support grid assembly of claim 9, wherein the panel mounting body comprises a pair of panel bodies, each panel body being individually operatively connected to the mounting flange. 12. The support grid assembly of claim 2, wherein the panel mounting body further comprises a panel flange assembly operably attached to each hub hole, each panel flange assembly comprising a panel flange hole to operably receive the panel mounting hole. 13. The support grid assembly of claim 12, wherein the mounting cylinder includes a plurality of mounting brackets, wherein at least two mounting brackets are positioned under each hub opening, each mounting bracket defining an arcuate recess, and wherein each screenboard assembly includes a bottom surface, to which the lower mounting bracket is operatively connected, the lower mounting bracket including a cylindrical mounting bar, wherein the cylindrical mounting bar can be operably rotatably placed in the arcuate recesses of at least two mounting brackets under the respective bushing hole. 14. The support grid assembly of claim 13, wherein the cylindrical mounting bar of each screen panel assembly is rotatable about the bottom surface of each screen panel and is rotatable about at least two mounting brackets under a respective sleeve opening such that the bottom surface contacts the bottom of the tank . 15. The support grid assembly of claim 13, wherein each screen panel assembly includes a top surface, wherein each top surface includes a handle by which the screen panel assembly can be oriented with respect to a corresponding sleeve opening. 16. The support grid assembly of claim 12, wherein each screen panel assembly includes an elongated mounting sleeve, each screen panel assembly further comprising a screenboard connecting flange and a resilient gasket member secured to each elongated mounting sleeve, the resilient gasket element being tightly fixed between the screen panel connection flange and the panel flange assembly. 17. The support grid assembly of claim 16, wherein the resilient cushion member comprises a multilayer cushion member including one or more compressible cushion members and one or more rigid support members. 18. The support grid assembly of claim 17, wherein the multilayer liner comprises alternating layers of compressible liner elements and rigid support elements. 19. The support grid assembly of claim 16, wherein each screen panel assembly includes a bottom surface, wherein the resilient spacer allows the bottom surface of each screen panel assembly to independently contact the bottom of the tank. 20. The support grid assembly of claim 19, wherein the resilient spacer provides independent vertical and horizontal positioning of each screen panel assembly relative to the panel mounting body. 21. A method for assembling a support grid assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 20 in a tank body, comprising: installing a central fluid manifold on a fluid outlet formed in the bottom of the tank, the central fluid manifold including a plurality of sleeve openings spaced around the central manifold; connecting the screen panel assembly to each sleeve opening with a flexible connection; and bringing the bottom of the tank into contact with the bottom surface of each screen panel assembly as each screen panel assembly individually moves around the respective flexible connection. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the central fluid manifold includes a mounting cylinder and a panel mounting body, the method further comprising connecting the panel mounting body to a mounting flange on the mounting cylinder. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising forming a sealing gap between the bottom surface of the mounting flange and the bottom of the tank, and - 9 042983 placement of a compressible gasket in the sealing gap to prevent fluid from bypassing the central fluid manifold. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of forming the sealing gap further comprises bringing the elongated protrusion on the bottom surface into contact with the bottom of the tank. 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the central fluid manifold further comprises a cover, the method further comprising connecting the cover to the panel mounting body. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the lid includes a plurality of elongated members attached to the bottom flat surface of the lid such that the plurality of elongate members are within the central fluid manifold. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising reinforcing the lid with a plurality of elongated members. 28. The method of claim 26, further comprising arranging the plurality of elongated members so as to change fluid flow in the central fluid manifold. 29. The method of claim 26, further comprising selecting the height of each elongate member so as to change fluid flow in the central fluid manifold. 30. The method of claim 22, wherein the panel mounting body includes a pair of panel bodies, the step of connecting the panel body to the mounting flange further comprising separately connecting each of the panel bodies to the top surface of the mounting flange. 31. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of bushing holes are formed in the panel mounting body. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising placing a panel flange assembly on each bushing hole; providing at least two mounting brackets under each hole of the sleeve, and each mounting bracket includes an arcuate recess; providing a cylindrical mounting rod on the bottom surface of each screen panel assembly; and positioning the cylindrical mounting bar in respective arcuate recesses below the respective hub opening such that each screen panel assembly is individually rotatable relative to the central fluid manifold. 33. The method of claim 31, wherein each screenboard assembly includes an elongated mounting collar, the method further comprising providing a screenboard connecting flange over each elongated mounting collar; providing a panel flange assembly over each bushing hole; providing a resilient padding element above each elongated mounting sleeve; and fixing each resilient padding element between a respective screenboard connection flange and the panel flange assembly. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein each screen panel assembly is moved around a respective resilient cushion member. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the resilient cushion member comprises a multilayer cushion member including one or more compressible cushion members and one or more rigid support members. 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising forming the multilayer liner from alternating layers of a compressible liner and a rigid support.