Skimmer mechanism for rectangular basin chain and flight

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, a chain and flight mechanism is disclosed which includes a skimmer means hingedly attached to the flight and being configured to capture and retain scum therein until deposited within a scum trough positioned in a fluid tank in proximity to the fluid level therein.
Also disclosed is an adjustable scum trough which allows removal of floating material from the water surface when the water level in the tank fluctuates.
The chain and flight mechanism of the invention provides continuous collection and removal of floating material from the surface of the water in a clarifier tank with little or no human intervention.
The present invention may be installed as part of a new tank system or may be configured for retrofitting to an existing rectangular fluid tank.
The chain and flight mechanism of the present invention includes a skimmer means which is connected to the flight of the mechanism by hinge means.
The hinged attachment of the skimmer means to the flight allows the skimmer means to self-adjust relative to the water level in the tank and thereby adjust responsive to the amount of scum or floating debris.
The self-adjusting capability of the skimmer facilitates the entrapment of debris in the skimmer mechanism for delivery to the collecting trough.
The hinged attachment of the skimmer means also allows the skimmer means to rotate out of the pathway of the flight as it sweeps along the bottom of the tank.
The skimmer means may be attached to the bottom of the flight and be positioned between the chain.
Alternatively, the skimmer means may be attached to the top of the flight and distanced away from the chain.
The skimmer means attached to the bottom of the flight is a configuration of the mechanism used when the chain is installed to rotate throughout the tank.
However, in some installations, the chain and sprocket wheels may be positioned at only one end of the tank and/or may be positioned above the water level in the tank so that the skimmer means only skims the water's surface to remove floating debris or scum