Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A system for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid), the system having pump apparatus; including a plurality of removable pump modules; and, in certain aspects, removable valve cartridges for such modules.

Abstract: A system for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid), the system having pump apparatus; including a plurality of removable pump modules; and, in certain aspects, removable valve cartridges for such modules. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A screen assembly for a shale shaker comprising a panel (500) and a support structure (600), the panel (500) having an area provided with a multiplicity of apertures and at least one layer of screening material arranged over the multiplicity of apertures, wherein said panel (500) is removable from said support structure (600).

Abstract: A shale shaker (10) or vibratory separator which, in one aspect, has a base (22), vibration isolation apparatus on the base (22), a basket (12), mount apparatus (16) for mounting the basket on the base (22), and at least one of the base (22), basket (12), and the mount apparatus (16) made of, encased in, or coated with composite material which, in certain aspects, is all or part flexible composite material; and methods of using such separators and shakers.

Abstract: A mount for a screen assembly, a screen assembly with such a mount, and a vibratory separator (e.g., a shale shaker) with such a screen assembly; the mount in certain aspects including a body with an inwardly projecting handle apparatus accessible when the screen assembly with such a mount is located in operation position on a mount structure of a vibratory separator.

Abstract: Vessels, system and methods for conveying drilling cuttings material, which, in certain aspects, include a system for conveying material from a vessel, the system having a vessel for receiving material to be conveyed, a first conduit for conveying air, a second conduit for receiving air from the first conduit and for conveying air into the vessel, a metering screw for receiving material from the vessel and for moving the material from the vessel, a discharge line for receiving the material from the metering screw, the discharge line having an exit end, pressure sensor apparatus for sensing pressure in the discharge line, and control apparatus for automatically controlling the metering screw in response to a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for processing drill cuttings including measuring moisture content of the drill cuttings; systems for doing this; methods for moving drill cuttings using conduits with spaced-apart inlets for applying positive pressure; and feeding apparatuses for loading drill cuttings into a positive pressure conduit.

Abstract: Methods for automatically controlling a vibratory separator, e.g., but not limited to a shale shaker for processing drilling fluid, the methods in certain aspects including: introducing material to a vibratory separator; sensing with sensor apparatus a state parameter indicative of operation of the vibratory separator; providing a signal indicative of a value of said state parameter to control apparatus; and, with the control apparatus, automatically controlling the vibratory separator based on the level of the state parameter. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Vessels for selectively holding drilling cuttings material and methods employing such vessels; the vessels, in at least certain aspects, having a body with a hollow container with an interior space for receiving drilling cuttings material and from which the material may exit from the body; a first opening through which the material enters into the container; a second opening through which the material passes out from the container; and movement apparatus with a movement member within the container movable adjacent the second opening to facilitate passage of the material into the second opening; and in certain aspects, the vessels having moisture-content sensor apparatus on the body for sensing moisture content of material within a vessel; conduit apparatus for conducting drilling cuttings from the exit opening; valve apparatus for selectively controlling flow of material in the conduit apparatus; and a controller in communication with the moisture-content sensor apparatus and the valve apparatus for selective

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating feed material into component parts, in one aspect primarily solid and primarily liquid parts, the centrifuge, in certain aspects, including a conveyor rotatably mounted in a rotatable housing, the conveyor having an interior and at least one impeller, the rotatable housing having a separating region with a pool area and a beach area with feed material passable through the interior of the conveyor, the feed material directed radially by the impeller(s) and spread by the impeller(s), in certain aspects along the conveyor or part thereof, onto part of the pool area, and/or in certain aspects onto the beach area.

Abstract: Centrifuges and conveyor apparatuses for centrifuges, the conveyor apparatus, in one aspect, having a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor apparatus, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, a nose member with a target end within the plurality of support members, and a feed tube for feeding fluid having a fluid exit end within the conveyor, fluid exiting the fluid exit end flowable to the target end of the nose member; a centrifuge with such a conveyor apparatus; in one aspect the conveyor apparatus also having at least one wear protector on at least one flight member of the spaced-apart flight members and/or the conveyor apparatus having fluid accelerating apparatus and at least one wear protector positioned adjacent the accelerating apparatus to protect a flight or a support member.

Abstract: A conveyor for a centrifuge, the conveyor in certain aspects having a length and including a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, the spaced-apart flight members and plurality of support members defining a plurality of open areas through which fluid to be treated by the centrifuge is flowable from within the conveyor, and at least one accelerating impeller within and connected to the conveyor for accelerating the fluid; and/or a flow enhancer for accelerating fluid, e.g., but not limited to, in a low-flow mode and/or a chamber encompassing an internal centrifuge feed tube so fluid to be treated is fed only at a beach area of a centrifuge bowl; a centrifuge with such a conveyor; and methods for using such a conveyor and such a centrifuge.

Abstract: A vibratory separator including basket apparatus for holding screening apparatus, at least one upper screen apparatus in the basket, the at least one upper screen apparatus having a fluid exit end, at least one lower screen apparatus in the basket below the at least one upper screen apparatus, fluid flowable from the at least one upper screen apparatus down onto the at least one lower screen apparatus, flow diffusion apparatus mounted below the fluid exit end of the at least one upper screen apparatus and above the at least one lower screen apparatus, so that fluid flowing down from the at least one upper screen apparatus flows onto the flow diffusion apparatus and is diffused thereby, and vibrator apparatus for vibrating the basket and the screen apparatus therein.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating feed material into component parts, in one aspect primarily solid and primarily liquid parts, the centrifuge, in certain aspects, including a conveyor rotatably mounted in a rotatable housing, the conveyor having an interior and at least one impeller, the rotatable housing having a separating region with a pool area and a beach area with feed material passable through the interior of the conveyor, the feed material directed radially by the impeller(s) and spread by the impeller(s), in certain aspects along the conveyor or part thereof, onto part of the pool area, and/or in certain aspects onto the beach area.

Abstract: A shale shaker or vibratory separator which, in one aspect, has a base, vibration isolation apparatus on the base, a basket, mount apparatus for mounting the basket on the base, and at least one of the base, basket, and the mount apparatus made of, encased in, or coated with composite material which, in certain aspects, is all or part flexible composite material; and methods of using such separators and shakers.

Abstract: Centrifuges and conveyor apparatuses for centrifuges, the conveyor apparatus, in one aspect, having a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor apparatus, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, a nose member with a target end within the plurality of support members, and a feed tube for feeding fluid having a fluid exit end within the conveyor, fluid exiting the fluid exit end flowable to the target end of the nose member; a centrifuge with such a conveyor apparatus; in one aspect the conveyor apparatus also having at least one wear protector on at least one flight member of the spaced-apart flight members and/or the conveyor apparatus having fluid accelerating apparatus and at least one wear protector positioned adjacent the accelerating apparatus to protect a flight or a support member.