Abstract: A shipping strap assembly protects the isolator mechanism of a vibratory screening machine against exceeding its elastic limits. The isolator mechanism is pivotally connected between shafts on the machine frame and the machine basket. The protective assembly includes a distally narrowing boss on at least one of the shafts. A rigid strap has two apertures, one contoured to receive and ride on the boss and the other contoured to receive the other shaft, spaced to maintain the distance between the shaft axes within an elastic limit of the isolator mechanism. The narrowing boss provides leeway for easy manual alignment of the mechanism shafts with the strap apertures, and the narrowing boss and contour of the other aperture facilitate restoration toward its normal load length, of an elastically distorted mechanism.

Abstract: A shipping strap assembly protects the isolator mechanism of a vibratory screening machine against exceeding its elastic limits. The isolator mechanism is pivotally connected between shafts on the machine frame and the machine basket. The protective assembly includes a distally narrowing boss on at least one of the shafts. A rigid strap has two apertures, one contoured to receive and ride on the boss and the other contoured to receive the other shaft, spaced to maintain the distance between the shaft axes within an elastic limit of the isolator mechanism. The narrowing boss provides leeway for easy manual alignment of the mechanism shafts with the strap apertures, and the narrowing boss and contour of the other aperture facilitate restoration toward its normal load length, of an elastically distorted mechanism.

Abstract: A shipping strap assembly protects the isolator mechanism of a vibratory screening machine against exceeding its elastic limits. The isolator mechanism is pivotally connected between shafts on the machine frame and the machine basket. The protective assembly includes a distally narrowing boss on at least one of the shafts. A rigid strap has two apertures, one contoured to receive and ride on the boss and the other contoured to receive the other shaft, spaced to maintain the distance between the shaft axes within an elastic limit of the isolator mechanism. The narrowing boss provides leeway for easy manual alignment of the mechanism shafts with the strap apertures, and the narrowing boss and contour of the other aperture facilitate restoration toward its normal load length, of an elastically distorted mechanism.

Abstract: A structural mount for a vibrator of a screen separator is provided in which the vibrator mounting plate is secured at an angle directly to the basket side wall structure or to a load bearing structure which is parallel and fixed to the basket side wall structure. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an opening or pocket is provided in the basket side wall to accommodate protrusion of the inward end of the vibrator into or even through the basket side wall. Access to and removal of the cap from the inward end of the vibrator is accomplished in the former case from the inside of the basket and in the latter case from the outside of the basket. The basket side wall reinforcing structure preferably includes a Y-shaped yoke with the mounting plate being fixed proximate the Y-connection point. Transverse reinforcing members of the basket have their ends fixed to the extremities of the Y-shaped yoke.

Abstract: A vibratory deck of an end feed separator transfers material in a linear direction from the feed end to the discharge end of a screen mounted on the separator frame. A pair of rotary eccentric vibrators is independently mounted in mirror relationship on opposite sides of the frame. The eccentric vibrator shafts are centered on axes at an alpha angle to the direction of horizontal motion of the material, canted at an epsilon angle from the alpha angle and tilted about the epsilon angle from the vertical in a plane normal to the epsilon axes at opposite beta angles. The centers of the eccentric vibrator shafts are offset from the center of vibratory mass of the frame by a rho distance. The alpha, epsilon, beta and rho factors are coordinated so that the aspect ratios of the elliptical patterns of motion from the feed to the discharge ends of the screen sequentially increase or decrease.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator for separating oil from water includes a substantially cylindrical first portion with a central overflow outlet and at least one tangential flow inlet, at least one converging section, and a tail portion with a central underflow outlet having a substantial length thereof characterized by a slight taper in the range of 1 to less than 15 degree-minutes.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator for separating oil from water includes a substantially cylindrical first portion with a central overflow outlet and at least one tangential flow inlet, an essentially single angled conical second portion, and a substantially cylindrical third portion, with a central underflow outlet. The hydrocyclone separator is made in accordance with the following relationships:do<du<Dc0.1.ltoreq. di/Dc.ltoreq. 0.40.01.ltoreq. do/Dc.ltoreq. 0.060.ltoreq. Lc/Dc.congruent. 2.03.degree..ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq. 30.degree.0.1.ltoreq. du/Dc.ltoreq. 0.59.ltoreq. Ls/Dc.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for preventing oil droplet size reduction when introducing an oil/water stream into an oil-from-water separation unit. The system includes a conduit extending from a source of the oil/water stream to an inlet of the oil-from-water separation unit, which can be one or more hydrocyclone separators, centrifuges, settling tanks and the like. A throttling device is operatively connected to the conduit for regulating the quantity of the oil/water stream passing therethrough. The throttling device eliminates the shearing of the fluid, thereby preventing oil droplet size reduction. The throttling device can include a progressive cavity motor with a rotation control mechanism connected to the rotor of the motor to control the rpm of the rotor, and thus the quantity and pressure of the fluid passing therethrough.

Abstract: A solids flow distribution apparatus is disclosed for use with two or more solid separation devices, such as shale shakers. The appartatus includes a plenum in communication with a source of flow of solids and liquid, such as from a drilling rig's mud system. The plenum includes lower outlets positioned adjacent inlet zones for each solid separation device. Valves are positioned across the lower outlets for regulating the quantity of solids and liquids that flow into the inlet zones of each solid separation device. A variable distribution apparatus is included within the plenum adjacent the flow inlet for regulating the proportion of solids directed towards each solid separation device.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separation system is disclosed for separating a fluid mixture into at least two separate density components and for precluding remixing of semi-separated higher density components. A first and second hydrocyclone separators each has a central overflow outlet, a tangential fluid inlet, and a central overflow outlet. The first and second hydrocyclone separators are oppositely disposed such that a curved flow direction conduit extends from the underflow outlet of the first hydrocyclone separator to the tangential fluid inlet of the second hydrocyclone separator. Thereby, rotating fluid exiting the underflow of the first hydrocyclone separator is tangentially passed into the inlet of the second hydrocyclone separator precluding remixing of semi-separated higher density components and increasing the overall separation efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus are disclosed herein for controlling the quantity of oil as a contaminant being discharged with water from a hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone comprises a conical body with an upper liquid mixture inlet, a drive fluid inlet, an overflow outlet for the separated oil and drive fluid, and an underflow outlet for the separated water. The method includes monitoring the quantity of separated oil with the discharged water and varying the quantity of the drive fluid introduced into the interior of the hydrocyclone whereby the quantity of the oil as a contaminant is minimized.

Abstract: A liquid separator is disclosed for separating a liquid mixture into first and second liquids of different densities. The liquid separator includes a substantially conical chamber having a closed upper portion with a liquid mixture inlet therein. A first liquid collecting mechanism is provided in a lower portion of the conical chamber for collecting and removing a first separated liquid, and a second liquid collecting device surrounds the opening in the lower portion of the conical chamber for collecting and removing a second separated liquid. A return conduit mechanism is provided for returning a portion of the second separated liquid tangentially into an upper portion of the conical chamber to act as a drive fluid to cause the centrally introduced liquid mixture to rotate for effective and efficient separation.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separation system is disclosed for separating a liquid mixture into at least two different density components. A central outlet of a primary separation chamber is in fluid communication with a tangential inlet of at least one secondary chamber via a conduit extending therebetween, whereby a rotating stream of the low density components exiting the central outlet of the primary separation chamber passes through the conduit and enters the secondary separation chamber with the same direction of rotation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a sharp separation of solids into components which are finer than the screen mesh and coarser then the screen mesh. The solids ladened fluid is introduced onto a screen to separate coarse solids from fine solids. A tray containing a body of aqueous liquid is vibrated causing the aqueous liquid to repeatedly contact the solids while on the screen to provide the needed mobility for fine particles to pass through the screen with the liquid. The aqueous liquid returns to the tray and the vibration of the tray aids in removal of the fine solids which have passed through the screen from the tray. Aqueous liquid is continuously added to the tray or sprayed above the screen to keep accumulated solids from increasing the viscosity of the aqueous liquid in the tray.