Underdrain assembly

Abstract

An underdrain assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid having an upper structure connected to a bottom plate. At least one flow control vane is positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate for directing and managing fluid flow through the assembly. The upper structure can have first and second filtration members, the second filtration member positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate. The second filtration member can have a shape that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain. The underdrain can have air and water inlets. The water inlet can have an end with a plate covering an upper portion thereof. The end can also include an opening having an angular cut forming an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. Thus arranged, air is prevented from migrating out the water line. A resilient mounting arrangement for the underdrain is also disclosed.

1 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , comprising:
 a flow control vane positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the bottom plate further comprises an opening for draining fluid into a trench. 
     
     
         4 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of vanes positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate. 
     
     
         5 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one vane is positioned perpendicular to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         6 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one vane is positioned parallel to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         7 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least one vane is positioned at an angle relative to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         8 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of vanes are each positioned at one or more angles relative to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         9 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of vanes are positioned along a longitudinal length of the underdrain. 
     
     
         10 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a top cap is positioned within the opening, the top cap including at least one opening through at least one side wall of the top cap for restricting fluid flow. 
     
     
         11 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a flow control vane is positioned within the top cap. 
     
     
         12 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a flume plate or tubular member positioned in the trench for directing fluid flow. 
     
     
         19 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An underdrain apparatus, comprising:
 an upper structure for filtering particulates from a fluid, the upper structure including a first filtration member and a second filtration member; and   a bottom plate connected to the upper structure, wherein the second filtration member is positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate and includes a formation that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain.   
     
     
         25 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the second filtration member has a cross-sectional shape that is different from a cross-sectional shape of the first filtration member. 
     
     
         26 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the second filtration member has a cross-sectional shape selected from the list consisting of concave, convex, z-shaped, s-shaped w-shaped and v-shaped. 
     
     
         27 . An underdrain assembly comprising:
 the underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , the underdrain apparatus including:
 a water inlet for introducing water from a chamber or header into an interior portion of the underdrain apparatus or extracting water from the underdrain apparatus into the chamber or header; 
 an air inlet for introducing air into the interior portion of the underdrain apparatus wherein the water inlet comprises a first end exposed to the chamber and a second end exposed to the interior portion of the underdrain apparatus, the second end having an end plate covering an upper portion of the second end, the second end further comprising an opening having an angular cut that forms an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. 
   
     
     
         28 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . An underdrain assembly, comprising:
 the underdrain apparatus of  claim 24  adjustably coupled to a base with   a hold-down mechanism, the holddown mechanism comprising:
 an anchor bolt coupled to the base; 
 a hold-down bar coupled to one end of the anchor bolt via a resilient member, and 
 a leveling bolt having a first end in contact with the hold-down bar and a second end in contact with the base; 
   wherein rotating the leveling bolt adjusts a position of the bottom plate with respect to the base.   
     
     
         42 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A manifold assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of underdrain apparatuses of  claim 24 , each of the plurality of underdrain apparatuses comprising an end connection, and   a manifold having a plurality of receiving connections disposed along a longitudinal length of the manifold, each of the plurality of receiving connections configured to receive the end connection of a respective one of the plurality of underdrain apparatuses.   
     
     
         48 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . The underdrain apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the second filtration member comprises a perforated plate.