Patents by Inventor Benjamin Lanning Holton
Benjamin Lanning 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).
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Patent number: 10815742Abstract: A system including a vibratory separator includes at least one screen and a pressure differential system. The pressure differential system includes a pressure differential generating device, a tray coupled to the pressure differential generating device, and an adjustable mounting mechanism configured to couple the tray within the vibratory separator and adjust a distance between the tray and the at least one screen of the vibratory separator.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Benjamin Lanning Holton, Mitchell Landwehr, John H. Fedders
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Patent number: 10794131Abstract: A system, an apparatus and a method for adjusting a weir control the rate and/or speed at which drilling fluid feeds a separator. Multiple separators are typically used in parallel to process fluid returning from the well. A distribution manifold directs fluid to each separator. The weir is positioned within a feeder on an inlet end of the separator and connects to an attachment plate within the feeder. The distribution manifold or other flow control mechanism operates in combination with the weir. Adjustment apparatuses control the height of the weir to determine the rate the fluid flows onto the separator. The adjustment apparatuses provide mechanical and/or automated operation of the weir. Various profiles of the weir and adjustments of the height of the weir within the feeder increase and/or decrease the speed of the fluid as the fluid spills into the separator.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: John H. Fedders, Benjamin Lanning Holton
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Patent number: 10648257Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker and monitoring a room in which shaker(s) operate. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to controlling an actuated arm to inspect, remove, replace, repair, clean the shaker and/or screen assemblies based on monitoring the shaker and its screen assemblies, and to adjust or maintain shaker(s) in a defined area such as the room in which shaker(s) operate. While the examples disclosed herein generally describe shakers for separating solids from fluids, the present disclosure contemplates that other separation equipment (e.g., machines for separating solids from other solids) may also be monitored and controlled by the systems and methods described herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Richard Bingham, Benjamin Lanning Holton, Eric Edward Cady
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Patent number: 10643322Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker used for separating solids from fluid. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to capturing infrared images of a shaker or components thereof (e.g., shaker baskets, decks, screens) and performing actions on the shaker, its components, and/or the its operation based at least in part on the captured infrared images.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Benjamin Lanning Holton, Colin Stewart, Brian Neil Ligertwood
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Patent number: 10441906Abstract: A wedging apparatus for a vibrating separator including an outer polygonal surface to secure a screen to the vibrating separator, wherein the outer polygonal surface extends substantially along the length of a screening surface of the vibrating separator is disclosed. A screen for a vibratory separator including a frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, and at least one filter element connected to the frame, wherein the bottom surface comprises a wedge engagement profile is also disclosed. A vibrating separator apparatus including a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a bottom wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, a first screen having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one wedging apparatus disposed along the length of the bottom surface of the first screen is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignees: M-I L.L.C., UNITED WIRE, LTDInventors: Benjamin Lanning Holton, Brian S. Carr, Graham Robertson, John Fedders
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Publication number: 20190266717Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker used for separating solids from fluid. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to capturing infrared images of a shaker or components thereof (e.g., shaker baskets, decks, screens) and performing actions on the shaker, its components, and/or the its operation based at least in part on the captured infrared images.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Benjamin Lanning Holton, Colin Stewart, Brian Neil Ligertwood
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Publication number: 20180171731Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker and monitoring a room in which shaker(s) operate. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to controlling an actuated arm to inspect, remove, replace, repair, clean the shaker and/or screen assemblies based on monitoring the shaker and its screen assemblies, and to adjust or maintain shaker(s) in a defined area such as the room in which shaker(s) operate. While the examples disclosed herein generally describe shakers for separating solids from fluids, the present disclosure contemplates that other separation equipment (e.g., machines for separating solids from other solids) may also be monitored and controlled by the systems and methods described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Richard Bingham, Benjamin Lanning Holton, Eric Edward Cady
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Patent number: 9475095Abstract: A method of controlling the vibration of a vibratory separator, the method including providing a vibratory separator having a frame and a plurality of force generators coupled to the frame and a control unit operatively connected to each of the plurality of force generators, and independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators. Independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators controls a motion profile of the vibratory separator.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Bradley Jones, Benjamin Lanning Holton, Eric Cady, Mark R. Jolly, Jonathan M. Owens, Askari Badre-Alam
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Publication number: 20150283581Abstract: A method of controlling the vibration of a vibratory separator, the method including providing a vibratory separator having a frame and a plurality of force generators coupled to the frame and a control unit operatively connected to each of the plurality of force generators, and independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators. Independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators controls a motion profile of the vibratory separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Bradley Jones, Benjamin Lanning Holton, Eric Cady, Mark R. Jolly, Jonathan M. Owens, Askari Badre-Alam
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Patent number: 8827080Abstract: An apparatus includes a vibratory separator, a screen support coupled to an inner surface of the vibratory separator, a screen having a first side with a sloped edge and a second side, the second side having a sloped edge, a screen retainer coupled to the vibratory separator, a wedge retainer coupled to a sidewall of the vibratory separator opposite the screen retainer, and a wedge having a first surface configured to engage the wedge retainer and a second surface configured to engage the a sloped edge of the second side of the screen. A method includes disposing a screen on a screen support in a vibratory separator, engaging a first side of the screen with a screen retainer coupled to the vibratory separator, and applying at least one of a downward vertical force and a lateral force to a second side of the screen with a clamping apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Benjamin Lanning Holton
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Publication number: 20140217002Abstract: A wedging apparatus for a vibrating separator including an outer polygonal surface to secure a screen to the vibrating separator, wherein the outer polygonal surface extends substantially along the length of a screening surface of the vibrating separator is disclosed. A screen for a vibratory separator including a frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, and at least one filter element connected to the frame, wherein the bottom surface comprises a wedge engagement profile is also disclosed. A vibrating separator apparatus including a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a bottom wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, a first screen having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one wedging apparatus disposed along the length of the bottom surface of the first screen is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicants: UNITED WIRE LIMITED, M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Benjamin Lanning Holton, Brian S. Carr, Graham Robertson, John Fedders
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Publication number: 20140166592Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses to separate solids from a drilling fluid. A shaker in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first screening deck having a first channel and a second channel, and also includes a second screening deck. Drilling fluid received by the first channel and separated through the first screening deck is directed to the second screening deck, and drilling fluid received by the second channel and separated through the first screening deck is directed to a sump of the shaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Benjamin Lanning Holton
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Publication number: 20140124417Abstract: An apparatus includes a vibratory separator, a screen support coupled to an inner surface of the vibratory separator, a screen having a first side with a sloped edge and a second side, the second side having a sloped edge, a screen retainer coupled to the vibratory separator, a wedge retainer coupled to a sidewall of the vibratory separator opposite the screen retainer, and a wedge having a first surface configured to engage the wedge retainer and a second surface configured to engage the a sloped edge of the second side of the screen. A method includes disposing a screen on a screen support in a vibratory separator, engaging a first side of the screen with a screen retainer coupled to the vibratory separator, and applying at least one of a downward vertical force and a lateral force to a second side of the screen with a clamping apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventor: Benjamin Lanning Holton