Abstract: A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.

Abstract: A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating fluids from drill cuttings. Specifically, the invention relates to shakers that incorporate a vacuum system and methods of operating such systems to effect a high degree of fluid separation. The system and methods are effective across a variety of screen sizes, vacuum flows and vacuum designs.

Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided a screen assembly for a vibrating screening machine. The screen assembly comprises a screen chassis and a screen for screening material such as a solution containing liquid and solids. The screen chassis comprises a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the screen chassis defining a plurality of openings therethrough from the first face to the second face for allowing passage of a material that has been screened. The screen is attached to the first face of the screen chassis and covering the openings of the screen chassis at the first face. The screen chassis may be made of a light-weight, stiff material. The screen may be made of a durable material such as metal. A method for making a screen assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.

Abstract: A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.

Abstract: A cam follower for operable attachment to a valve lifter assembly for use with a variable cam lobe camshaft in a variable valve timing system includes a housing with a central cavity and a mushroom head with a stem pivotably connected to the housing in the central cavity, the mushroom head having a radiused surface for contacting a cam lobe surface. The cam follower is used in combination with a variable cam surface of an axially displaceable camshaft to obtain improvements in idling speed and volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.

Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided a screen assembly for a vibrating screening machine. The screen assembly comprises a screen chassis and a screen for screening material such as a solution containing liquid and solids. The screen chassis comprises a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the screen chassis defining a plurality of openings therethrough from the first face to the second face for allowing passage of a material that has been screened. The screen is attached to the first face of the screen chassis and covering the openings of the screen chassis at the first face. The screen chassis may be made of a light-weight, stiff material. The screen may be made of a durable material such as metal. A method for making a screen assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A cam follower for operable attachment to a valve lifter assembly for use with a variable cam lobe camshaft in a variable valve timing system includes a housing with a central cavity and a mushroom head with a stem pivotably connected to the housing in the central cavity, the mushroom head having a radiused surface for contacting a cam lobe surface. The cam follower is used in combination with a variable cam surface of an axially displaceable camshaft to obtain improvements in idling speed and volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve the separation of drill cuttings from drilling fluids using cyclone devices are described. Specifically, a system for separating three phases of a gas/liquid/solid mixture is described. The system includes a cyclone for separating the gas/liquid/solid mixture into a solids component and a gas/liquid mixture; a gas/liquid separator for separating the gas/liquid mixture into a gas component and a liquid component; and a vacuum system for providing a motive force for moving the gas/liquid/solid mixture into the cyclone, moving the separated gas/liquid mixture into the gas/liquid separator and for removing the gas component from the gas/liquid separator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating fluids from drill cuttings, specifically, shakers that incorporate modifications including vacuum systems and/or partitions and methods of operating such shakers to affect a high degree of fluid separation. The systems and methods are effective across a variety of screen sizes, vacuum flows and vacuum designs. The systems are also particularly effective in assisting in the separation of gases from drilling fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in vacuum shakers and more specifically to the integration of multiple shaker units to a common vacuum pump system, to apparatus for controlling the airflow through shaker screens, optimization of slurry transport, and to methods of separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating fluids from drill cuttings. Specifically, the invention relates to shakers that incorporate a vacuum system and methods of operating such systems to effect a high degree of fluid separation. The system and methods are effective across a variety of screen sizes, vacuum flows and vacuum designs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes injecting drilling fluid through a drill string disposed in the wellbore and rotating a drill bit disposed on a bottom of the drill string. The drilling fluid includes a liquid and a gas. The drilling fluid is injected at the surface. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to the surface via an annulus formed between the drill string and the wellbore. The liquid is injected at a rate so that a liquid velocity of the returns in the annulus is sufficient to transport the cuttings. The method further includes drilling through at least a portion of a non-productive formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating fluids from drill cuttings. Specifically, the invention relates to shakers that incorporate a vacuum system and methods of operating such systems to effect a high degree of fluid separation. The system and methods are effective across a variety of screen sizes, vacuum flows and vacuum designs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating fluids from drill cuttings. Specifically, the invention relates to shakers that incorporate a vacuum system and methods of operating such systems to effect a high degree of fluid separation. The system and methods are effective across a variety of screen sizes, vacuum flows and vacuum designs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glycerol based drilling fluids. In particular, the invention relates to drilling fluids comprising a 95-20 volume % glycerol/water solution capable of stabilizing water-sensitive formations during drilling and the use of such solutions for drilling a well having water-sensitive formations.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices for discharging high pressure exhaust, and in particular to pulse detonation engines. More specifically, the invention describes a rotary pulse detonation engine having a rotary valve system. The rotary valve includes a generally-triangular rotor having rotor tips within a rotor chamber having trochoid inner end surfaces and side surfaces. The rotor defines three working chambers defined by the rotor tips contacting the rotor surfaces. In operation, the rotor tips move in a circumferential direction around the rotor chamber as the rotor spins. During operation, each of the working chambers will sequentially pass through an intake interval, compression interval, expansion interval, and an exhaust interval to create and detonate compressed fuel air mixtures for effective release to an exhaust chamber and nozzle thereby creating a pulsed detonation sequence.