Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for creating a prescribed vibration profile on a mechanical device comprising a sensor for measuring an operating condition of the mechanical device, a circular force generator for creating a controllable rotating force vector comprising a controllable force magnitude, a controllable force phase and a controllable force frequency, a controller in electronic communication with said sensor and said circular force generator, the controller operably controlling the controllable rotating force vector, wherein the difference between the measured operating condition and a desired operating condition is minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus and vibratory separators having a base, a separator housing movably connected with the base, the separator housing including a top having an inlet chute, a bottom having a liquid discharge chute, a cylindrical sidewall defining an axial centerline and having a discharge spout, and at least one screen mounted within the separator housing. A vacuum system proximate the at least one screen may also be incorporated. The apparatus further includes at least one circular force generator (CFG) disposed on the separator housing, and at least one sensor positioned on the apparatus for measuring an operating function associated with and enabled by the vibration profile, and a controller in electronic communication with the sensor and with the at least one CFG. The difference between the measured operating function and the prescribed operating function is reduced. The apparatus may also include at least one CFG having a plurality of imbalanced masses which rotate in a plane parallel the axial centerline.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vibratory separator having a frame and a screen, a lift housing disposed proximate the vibratory separator, and a lift system disposed in the lift housing and configured to selectively engage a portion of the vibratory separator to lift the portion of the vibratory separator. A method includes actuating an actuator and vertically extending a lifting member, contacting an alignment device coupled to the lifting member with a corresponding alignment device coupled to a portion of a vibratory separator, and raising the portion of the vibratory separator to provide access to a screen of the vibratory separator.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for creating a prescribed vibration profile on a mechanical device comprising a sensor for measuring an operating condition of the mechanical device, a circular force generator for creating a controllable rotating force vector comprising a controllable force magnitude, a controllable force phase and a controllable force frequency, a controller in electronic communication with said sensor and said circular force generator, the controller operably controlling the controllable rotating force vector, wherein the difference between the measured operating condition and a desired operating condition is minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus and vibratory separators having a base, a separator housing movably connected with the base, the separator housing including a top having an inlet chute, a bottom having a liquid discharge chute, a cylindrical sidewall defining an axial centerline and having a discharge spout, and at least one screen mounted within the separator housing. A vacuum system proximate the at least one screen may also be incorporated. The apparatus further includes at least one circular force generator (CFG) disposed on the separator housing, and at least one sensor positioned on the apparatus for measuring an operating function associated with and enabled by the vibration profile, and a controller in electronic communication with the sensor and with the at least one CFG. The difference between the measured operating function and the prescribed operating function is reduced. The apparatus may also include at least one CFG having a plurality of imbalanced masses which rotate in a plane parallel the axial centerline.

Abstract: Apparatus having a base, a separator housing movably connected with the base, the separator housing including a top having an inlet chute, a bottom having a liquid discharge chute, a cylindrical sidewall defining an axial centerline and having a discharge spout, and at least one screen mounted within the separator housing. A vacuum system proximate the at least one screen may also be incorporated. The apparatus further includes at least one circular force generator (CFG) disposed on the separator housing, and at least one sensor positioned on the apparatus for measuring an operating function associated with and enabled by the vibration profile, and a controller in electronic communication with the sensor and with the at least one CFG. The difference between the measured operating function and the prescribed operating function is reduced. The apparatus may also include at least one CFG having a plurality of imbalanced masses which rotate in a plane parallel the axial centerline.

Abstract: A system and method include a shaker configured to separate solids from a drilling fluid, the shaker having a screen assembly, and an actuated arm operatively coupled to the shaker, the actuated arm configured to interact with the screen assembly of the shaker. The actuated arm is configured to interact with the screen assembly of the shaker, with the actuated arm configured to remove, to inspect, to clean, to repair, or to replace the screen assembly of the shaker.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vibratory separator having a frame and a screen, a lift housing disposed proximate the vibratory separator, and a lift system disposed in the lift housing and configured to selectively engage a portion of the vibratory separator to lift the portion of the vibratory separator. A method includes actuating an actuator and vertically extending a lifting member, contacting an alignment device coupled to the lifting member with a corresponding alignment device coupled to a portion of a vibratory separator, and raising the portion of the vibratory separator to provide access to a screen of the vibratory separator.

Abstract: Apparatus having a base, a separator housing movably connected with the base, the separator housing including a top having an inlet chute, a bottom having a liquid discharge chute, a cylindrical sidewall defining an axial centerline and having a discharge spout, and at least one screen mounted within the separator housing. A vacuum system proximate the at least one screen may also be incorporated. The apparatus further includes at least one circular force generator (CFG) disposed on the separator housing, and at least one sensor positioned on the apparatus for measuring an operating function associated with and enabled by the vibration profile, and a controller in electronic communication with the sensor and with the at least one CFG. The difference between the measured operating function and the prescribed operating function is reduced. The apparatus may also include at least one CFG having a plurality of imbalanced masses which rotate in a plane parallel the axial centerline.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for creating a prescribed vibration profile on a mechanical device comprising a sensor (30) for measuring an operating condition of the mechanical device, a circular force generator CFG (20) for creating a controllable rotating force vector comprising a controllable force magnitude, a controllable force phase and a controllable force frequency, a controller (22) in electronic communication with said sensor and said circular force generator, the controller operably controlling the controllable rotating force vector, wherein the difference between the measured operating condition and a desired operating condition is minimized.

Abstract: A dual feed centrifuge system for separating solids from fluids in a drilling mud, the centrifuge system including: a bowl; a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl; a first feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a first feed port in a wall of the screw conveyor to a first annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor; and a second feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a second feed port in the wall of the screw conveyor to a second annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor. The multiple feed ports may allow the centrifuge to operate more efficiently with both weighted and unweighted drilling fluids.

Abstract: A system and method include a shaker configured to separate solids from a drilling fluid, the shaker having a screen assembly, and an actuated arm operatively coupled to the shaker, the actuated arm configured to interact with the screen assembly of the shaker. The actuated arm is configured to interact with the screen assembly of the shaker, with the actuated arm configured to remove, to inspect, to clean, to repair, or to replace the screen assembly of the shaker.

Abstract: A dual feed centrifuge system for separating solids from fluids in a drilling mud, the centrifuge system including: a bowl; a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl; a first feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a first feed port in a wall of the screw conveyor to a first annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor; and a second feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a second feed port in the wall of the screw conveyor to a second annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor. The multiple feed ports may allow the centrifuge to operate more efficiently with both weighted and unweighted drilling fluids.

Abstract: A vibratory separator including a housing having a drilling material inlet and at least one basket, at least one screen assembly configured to be disposed in the at least one basket, an actuator connected to the at least one basket, wherein the actuator provides vibratory motion to the at least one basket, a sump configured to receive drilling material that passes through the at least one screen assembly, and at least one spray nozzle for cleaning the vibratory separator is disclosed. A method for cleaning a vibratory separator including providing instructions to a programmable logic controller to activate at least one spray nozzle disposed on the vibratory separator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibratory separator having a resiliently mounted housing with a vibratory drive. A screen extends across the housing and a cover is positionable over the screen. The screen includes a discharge port therethrough aligned with a discharge passage for removing material from the top of the screen from the system. Another discharge passage cooperates with a manifold plate extending across the separator beneath the screen. An access port is provided through the cover and arranged to receive a discharge plug which can selectively close the discharge hole through the screen. In operation, separating or dewatering is first accomplished, the energy level of the vibration is reduced and a vacuum is drawn above the screen. Bleed air is allowed into the separator below the screen with a restricted flow so that a vacuum can be drawn. Once the material has dried, the vibrational energy can be increased and the plug removed from the hole through the screen. The process material may then be discharged from the unit.

Abstract: A vibratory separator having a resiliently mounted housing with a vibratory drive. A screen extends across the housing and a cover is positionable over the screen. The screen includes a discharge port therethrough aligned with a discharge passage for removing material from the top of the screen from the system. Another discharge passage cooperates with a manifold plate extending across the separator beneath the screen. An access port is provided through the cover and arranged to receive a discharge plug which can selectively close the discharge hole through the screen. In operation, separating or dewatering is first accomplished, the energy level of the vibration is reduced and a vacuum is drawn above the screen. Bleed air is allowed into the separator below the screen with a restricted flow so that a vacuum can be drawn. Once the material has dried, the vibrational energy can be increased and the plug removed from the hole through the screen. The process material may then be discharged from the unit.

Abstract: A vibratory separator having a resiliently mounted housing with a vibratory drive. A screen extends across the housing and a cover is positionable over the screen. The screen includes a discharge port therethrough aligned with a discharge passage for removing material from the top of the screen from the system. Another discharge passage cooperates with a manifold plate extending across the separator beneath the screen. An access port is provided through the cover and arranged to receive a discharge plug which can selectively close the discharge hole through the screen. In operation, separating or dewatering is first accomplished, the energy level of the vibration is reduced and a vacuum is drawn above the screen. Bleed air is allowed into the separator below the screen with a restricted flow so that a vacuum can be drawn. Once the material has dried, the vibrational energy can be increased and the plug removed from the hole through the screen. The process material may then be discharged from the unit.

Abstract: A screen tie-down for a vibratory separator has a pedestal with a base plate and a post. The post has internal right hand threads for engaging the screen center support stud, and external left hand threads. A jam nut is threaded onto the support stud against the top end of the post. A cap having internal threads is turned onto the external threads of the post. All adjustments to the pedestal height can be made from above the screen and the tie-down cannot be overtightened.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly on a vertical, rotatably mounted shaft which is adjustable. First and second eccentric weight assemblies are fixed to the shaft. One of the eccentric weight assemblies includes a support fixed to the shaft to extend laterally of the shaft. The support has a ring of slots displaced laterally of the shaft. Two eccentric weights are rotatably mounted about the shaft and have pins extending to the ring of slots.