About Catenary Bar Screens

Home

Catenary bar screens are a type of mechanical bar screen that is very similar in operation to the chain bar screen. Unlike the chain bar screen, the catenary bar screen is only available in the front clean/ front return configuration. This arrangement accommodates the design intent of the cleaning mechanism. The unit consists of the bar screen, sprockets, mounting assembly, motor, raking elements, and a heavy constant loop chain that acts as its own frame and lower sprocket. Typically bar screens that use a chain drive system requires two points of tension (upper and lower sprocket), this is not the case for the catenary bar screen. Since the chain links lock onto themselves to form a rigid "beam", the lower sprocket is eliminated.

Trash Racks

Manual Bar Screens

Mechanical Bar Screens

Chain Bar Screens

The weight of the chain presses the chain and cleaning elements to the face of the bar screen. Since the cleaning mechanism is not fixed to the unit, it will pass over objects that become trapped between the bars instead of jamming.
This provision also allows large bulky debris to be removed that would otherwise be trapped in the channel. Trapped objects would eventually need to be manually removed.

The cleaning elements on the catenary bar screen are link are like forks that positively engage the bar screens as it removes collected debris. There is an upside and a downside to this capability. The upside is the fact that by positively engaging the bars, the cleaning element is able to get up under the debris and lift it from the channel. When the tines does not engage the bars and only scraps the face of the screen, this may encourage particle build up between the bars ultimately clogging the bar screen. The downside is that as the cleaning element engages the bar screen, it may shear trapped particles and increase the amount of debris that may pass through bar screen. One way to mitigate shearing of particles is to regulate how deep the tines engage the bar screen.

Reciprocating Rake Bar Screens

Catenary Bar Screens

Continuous Belt Bar Screens

Contact

Custom Search

Similar to some of the reciprocating rake bar screen, the catenary bar screen does not have any submerged mechanical parts. Therefore, most of the maintenance can be performed without isolating and dewatering the channel. During design, it is important to remember that the catenary bar screen has a relatively large footprint and will need ample space for the installation.

Post Your Review

blog comments powered by Disqus

Always consult with the manufacturer or your local equipment representative if you have specific questions about bar screens. This site is done by a random individual to help get you informed, but is not to substitute for professional opinion. Please read our disclaimer.