Patents by Inventor Benjamin L. Holton

Benjamin L. Holton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10399090
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a manifold plate-like structure having two end regions and an opening located in the recessed region configured to allow fluid flow therethrough and a clamping device. The clamping device includes a first clamping block and a first mechanical fastener to couple the first clamping block and the manifold. The apparatus also includes a vibratory separator including a basket having support structure therein, the manifold coupled to the support structure with a clamping device. A pan is disposed above the manifold and coupled to the manifold and a screen is disposed on the pan. A pressure differential device is coupled to the manifold and configured to provide a pressure differential across the screen. A method includes coupling the manifold to the support structure, disposing the pan on the support structure, and coupling the pan to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Bingham, Calvin Carter, Benjamin L. Holton, John H. Fedders, Mitchell A. Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20180311679
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a manifold plate-like structure having two end regions and an opening located in the recessed region configured to allow fluid flow therethrough and a clamping device. The clamping device includes a first clamping block and a first mechanical fastener to couple the first clamping block and the manifold. The apparatus also includes a vibratory separator including a basket having support structure therein, the manifold coupled to the support structure with a clamping device. A pan is disposed above the manifold and coupled to the manifold and a screen is disposed on the pan. A pressure differential device is coupled to the manifold and configured to provide a pressure differential across the screen. A method includes coupling the manifold to the support structure, disposing the pan on the support structure, and coupling the pan to the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Bingham, Calvin Carter, Benjamin L. Holton, John H. Fedders, Mitchell A. Landwehr
  • Patent number: 9387517
    Abstract: A shaker for separating solids from a drilling fluid includes a top screening deck (130), a flow-back pan (160) positioned beneath the top screening deck (130) for receiving an initially separated drilling fluid from the top screening deck. The flow-back pan (160) is divided into a plurality of channels (A, B, C, D). The shaker further includes a fluid distribution box (210), which includes a plurality of conduits (A, B, C, D). Each channel (A, B, C, D) of the flow-back pan (160) corresponds to one of the plurality of conduits (A, B, C, D) in the fluid distribution box (210) and each channel communicates a stream of the initially separated drilling fluid to the corresponding conduit. The shaker further includes a middle screening deck (140) and a bottom screening deck (150). Each conduit (A, B, C, D) routes the stream of initially separated drilling fluid to a corresponding one of the middle screening deck (140) and the bottom screening deck (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, Benjamin L. Holton, Michael A. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 8561804
    Abstract: A screen clamp (400) including a track (402) configured to secure a shaker screen (420) to a shaker, the track including an angled surface configured to contact a corresponding beveled edge of the shaker screen, the screen clamp further including an upper retainer (404) configured to extend from an inner wall of the shaker over at least a portion of the shaker screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, Benjamin L. Holton, Eric Cady
  • Patent number: 8231009
    Abstract: A magnetic clamping system for a shale shaker including at least one screen having at least two side ends extending between a first side and a second side and at least one attachment surface. The system further includes at least one mating surface of the shale shaker configured to receive the at least one screen, and at least one magnet disposed between the at least one screen and the shale shaker, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to magnetically couple the at least one screen directly to the shale shaker. Additionally, the system includes at least one decoupling apparatus, the decoupling apparatus having a handle disposed proximate a perimeter of a shale shaker, and at least one shaft that extends horizontally between the handle and one of the at least one magnet, wherein the handle is rotatable to reverse the polarity of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael A. Timmerman, Benjamin L. Holton, James A. Marshall, Jr., Brian S. Carr
  • Publication number: 20110240531
    Abstract: A magnetic clamping system for a shale shaker including at least one screen having at least two side ends extending between a first side and a second side and at least one attachment surface. The system further includes at least one mating surface of the shale shaker configured to receive the at least one screen, and at least one magnet disposed between the at least one screen and the shale shaker, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to magnetically couple the at least one screen directly to the shale shaker. Additionally, the system includes at least one decoupling apparatus, the decoupling apparatus having a handle disposed proximate a perimeter of a shale shaker, and at least one shaft that extends horizontally between the handle and one of the at least one magnet, wherein the handle is rotatable to reverse the polarity of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael A. Timmerman, Benjamin L. Holton, James A. Marshall, JR., Brian S. Carr
  • Publication number: 20110114542
    Abstract: A vibratory separator (100) including a first actuator (107A) coupled to a basket (105) and a second actuator (107B) coupled to the basket. Additionally, the vibratory separator (100) includes a motion control switch operatively connected to at least one of the first and second actuators (107A, 107B) and configured to modulate motion generated by the first and second actuators between a first elliptical motion and a second elliptical motion. Also, a method of processing drilling waste, the method including flowing drilling waste over a screen of a vibratory separator and imparting a first elliptical motion to the screen. The method further includes monitoring the flow of drilling waste over the screen, determining an overload condition exists, and adjusting the motion to a second elliptical motion based on the determined load condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, Michael A. Timmerman, Benjamin L. Holton
  • Patent number: 7922003
    Abstract: A magnetic claiming system for a shale shaker including at least one screen having at least two side ends extending between a first side and a second side and at least one attachment surface, at least one mating surface of a shale shaker configured to receive at least one screen, wherein the shale shaker has a first end and a second end, and at least on magnet disposed between the at least one screen and the shale shaker, wherein the at least one magnet is configured to magnetically couple the at least one screen to the shale shaker is disclosed. A method for replacing a screen in a shale shaker including activating at least one decoupling apparatus, wherein a magnetic clamping system includes the at least one decoupling apparatus, removing at least one screen from the shale shaker, deactivating the at least one coupling apparatus, and installing at least one screen into the shale shaker is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael A. Timmerman, Benjamin L. Holton, James A. Marshall, Jr., Brian S. Carr
  • Publication number: 20100236995
    Abstract: A screen clamp (400) including a track (402) configured to secure a shaker screen (420) to a shaker, the track including an angled surface configured to contact a corresponding beveled edge of the shaker screen, the screen clamp further including an upper retainer (404) configured to extend from an inner wall of the shaker over at least a portion of the shaker screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, Benjamin L. Holton, Eric Cady
  • Publication number: 20100237024
    Abstract: A shaker for separating solids from a drilling fluid includes a top screening deck (130), a flow-back pan (160) positioned beneath the top screening deck (130) for receiving an initially separated drilling fluid from the top screening deck. The flow-back pan (160) is divided into a plurality of channels (A, B, C, D). The shaker further includes a fluid distribution box (210), which includes a plurality of conduits (A, B, C, D). Each channel (A, B, C, D) of the flow-back pan (160) corresponds to one of the plurality of conduits (A, B, C, D) in the fluid distribution box (210) and each channel communicates a stream of the initially separated drilling fluid to the corresponding conduit. The shaker further includes a middle screening deck(140) and a bottom screening deck (150). Each conduit (A, B, C, D) routes the stream of initially separated drilling fluid to a corresponding one of the middle screening deck (140) and the bottom screening deck (150).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, Benjamin L. Holton, Michael A. Timmerman