Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibratory screening apparatus which comprises a vibratable screen element (2) mounted in a basket (4), which basket (4) is mounted over a reservoir (6) which contains and holds a pool of liquid slurry (8). A first end (10) of the screen element (2) is disposed within the reservoir (6) such that it is submerged in the body of liquid slurry (8). The reservoir has a deep end (12) in which the first end (10) of the screening element (12) is disposed and a second shallow end (14) above which a median portion (16) of the screening apparatus is disposed. The second end (18) of the screen element (2) is disposed above a portion (20) of the reservoir which extends above the surface of the body of liquid slurry held within the reservoir (6).

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen system (8) suitable for use in a vibratory screen apparatus (1), and comprising: a screen element (11) and a support frame (12) therefor, as well as novel screen elements (11) and mesh panels (19) therefor, and the use thereof. The screen element (11) consists essentially of a mesh panel (19) provided with first and second elongate support members (22, 23) extending along opposite end portions of the mesh panel (19). The support frame (12) has spaced apart first and second elongate frame elements (13, 14) for engagement with the screen element support members (22, 23) and further elongate frame elements (17, 18) extending there between for supporting the mesh panel (19).

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory screening apparatus (1) for use in removing solids from a liquid feed, and a basket (4) therefore. The apparatus comprises a static outer housing (2), and a floating basket vibratable by a vibrator device (10). The basket mounts a stack (7) of screen assemblies (8) provided with respective flow directing trays (9) for receiving filtrates from the screen assemblies. A flow distributor (15) divides the feed into at least first and a second feed streams and directs them onto respective screen assemblies, and receives from the flow directing trays, filtrates from respective screen assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen system (8) suitable for use in a vibratory screen apparatus (1), and comprising: a screen element (11) and a support frame (12) therefor, as well as novel screen elements (11) and mesh panels (19) therefor, and the use thereof. The screen element (11) consists essentially of a mesh panel (19) provided with first and second elongate support members (22, 23) extending along opposite end portions of the mesh panel (19). The support frame (12) has spaced apart first and second elongate frame elements (13, 14) for engagement with the screen element support members (22, 23) and further elongate frame elements (17, 18) extending there between for supporting the mesh panel (19).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibratory screening apparatus which comprises a vibratable screen element (2) mounted in a basket (4), which basket (4) is mounted over a reservoir (6) which contains and holds a pool of liquid slurry (8). A first end (10) of the screen element (2) is disposed within the reservoir (6) such that it is submerged in the body of liquid slurry (8). The reservoir has a deep end (12) in which the first end (10) of the screening element (12) is disposed and a second shallow end (14) above which a median portion (16) of the screening apparatus is disposed. The second end (18) of the screen element (2) is disposed above a portion (20) of the reservoir which extends above the surface of the body of liquid slurry held within the reservoir (6).

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory screening apparatus (1) for use in removing solids from a liquid feed, and a basket (4) therefore. The apparatus comprises a static outer housing (2), and a floating basket vibratable by a vibrator device (10). The basket mounts a stack (7) of screen assemblies (8) provided with respective flow directing trays (9) for receiving filtrates from the screen assemblies. A flow distributor (15) divides the feed into at least first and a second feed streams and directs them onto respective screen assemblies, and receives from the flow directing trays, filtrates from respective screen assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory screening apparatus (1) for use in removing solids from a liquid feed, and a basket (4) therefore. The apparatus comprises a static outer housing (2), and a floating basket vibratable by a vibrator device (10). The basket mounts a stack (7) of screen assemblies (8) provided with respective flow directing trays (9) for receiving filtrates from the screen assemblies. A flow distributor (15) divides the feed into at least first and a second feed streams and directs them onto respective screen assemblies, and receives from the flow directing trays, filtrates from respective screen assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and slurrying of cuttings from an oil well or drilling rig is taught comprising a vessel and a vertical shaft type centrifugal pump located below the vessel. Paddles or similar blades are mounted on the shaft to agitate the slurry during pumping. Means for recirculating part of the exiting slurry through a control valve and into the top of the vessel are included.

Abstract: A vibratory filtering screen assembly comprises an upwardly inclined member (12) on which is mounted the main filtering screen (14). At the exit (16) of the main screen is a secondary screen module (20) comprising a plurality of transverse supports (22) of rectangular section on which is mounted a screen (24) held in position by a silicon beading (26). Surrounding the secondary screen is a perimeter border or dam (28) for containing the discharge which is passed on to the secondary screen. In operation slurry is fed onto the main screen (12) where vibration passes it to exit (16). Wet solids components of the slurry drop into the secondary screen (20) where the vibration continues to dry out the solid particles, waste liquid being diverted away by a plate (30).

Abstract: A basket 1 of vibratory screening apparatus comprises inflatable elastomeric member 3 positioned to overlie a part of a screen member 5, 7 mounted in the basket. Inflation of the inflatable elastomeric member 3 causes it to press against a screen frame 7 of the screen member, clamping it against a support 9, 29 of the basket 1. Preferably the inflatable elastomeric member 3 is deflatable and a reservoir 19 may be provided for vented inflation fluid. The screen member may be pre- or post-tensioned. The basket 1 may comprise supports 29 and inflatable elastomeric member 3 positioned to press against parts of the screen member remote from its periphery.

Abstract: A clamping device for a screen member in vibratory screening apparatus comprises a frame member 1 on which is mounted an inflatable stocking 7. In use, the clamping device is inserted into the basket 21 of the screening apparatus so as to overlie the screen member, and the inflatable stocking 7 is expanded so as to press the screen member against a portion 17, 19, 31 of the basket 21 while the clamping device reacts against a further portion 17, 19, 33 of the basket 21. This pressure from the stocking 7 holds the screen member in place. Preferably the screen member has a screen 13 mounted in a frame 15 and the stocking 7 presses against this screen frame 15. The stocking 7 may press against the periphery of the screen member only or may press against other parts of the screen member as well.

Abstract: A filtering screen is described comprising: a first filter mesh, a second filter mesh having a different mesh size from the first and overlying the first mesh, and an apertured support to which both of the meshes are bonded so as to maintain the two meshes in tension, the tension in one of the meshes being greater than that in the other. At least one other filter mesh may be bonded over the first two meshes. The support may comprise a plate of fiber reinforced material having apertures formed therein which are much greater in area than the openings in the filter mesh, or a sheet of metal in which apertures are formed and in which edge regions of each aperture are turned through approximately 90.degree. to extend normal to the plane of the sheet from the underside thereof to increase the rigidity of the sheet. The frame may alternatively be a honeycomb structure or an apertured metallic plate, the filter meshes being joined to the surface of the frame.

Abstract: Vibratory screening apparatus wherein a filtrating cradle incorporating screens is vibrated on a machine base, and wherein a bottom screen (56) in said cradle (12) can be withdrawn between an upper support (64) on said cradle and an intermediate support (54) on a bottom screen frame (52), which frame is also withdrawable from the machine on a lower support (62) on the cradle, hydraulic expander means (60) being provided to act on the lower support so that, in the inserted position of the bottom screen frame, the opposed sides of the bottom screen can be clamped between the upper and intermediate supports, locking the bottom screen and its support in position.