Abstract: A basket system for a shale shaker includes a front, solids discharge end and a rear, feed end, spaced apart by opposed first and second sides. The feed end includes a fluid retaining wall. A first screen deck frame is mounted or mountable to the basket for supporting a screening surface and forming a first screen deck in use. The screening surface of the first screen deck has a lower, feed receiving end that is proximal to the fluid retaining wall at the rear end of the basket and a distal, higher, solids discharge end at the front end of the basket. The basket further includes at least one mounting for mounting at least one additional screen deck frame above or below the first screen deck frame.

Abstract: A shale shaker includes a basket having a front, solids discharge end and a rear, feed end spaced apart by opposed first and second sides. The basket includes a lower, first, screen deck and an upper, second, screen deck directly above the first screen deck. The screening surfaces of the screen decks are spaced apart, by a vertical spacing of from 20 mm to 250 mm. There is a cavity above the feed receiving end of the first screen deck, in direct fluid communication with the space between the screening surfaces of the first and second screen decks ( ) that only receives feed that has passed through the upper, second, screen deck. The cavity extends to higher than the extreme end of the screening surface of the second screen deck, at its feed receiving end.

Abstract: A basket (1) for a shale shaker includes a front, solids discharge end (34) and a rear, feed end (36) spaced apart by opposed first and second sides (2,4). The first and second sides mount a drive mechanism (7). The drive mechanism includes a first eccentrically weighted shaft (12), mounted to the first side (2) of the basket for rotation about an axis transverse to the front to rear direction of the basket; a first shaft drive, coupled to the first shaft (12) and to a corresponding second eccentrically weighted shaft (12a), which is mounted to the second side of the basket (4) for rotation about an axis transverse to the front to rear direction of the basket. A drive module (48, 50) comprising two eccentrically weighted shafts mounted on bearings in a single housing (52) is also described.

Abstract: A shale shaker includes a basket having a front, solids discharge end and a rear, feed end spaced apart by opposed first and second sides. The basket includes a lower, first, screen deck and an upper, second, screen deck directly above the first screen deck. The screening surfaces of the screen decks are spaced apart, by a vertical spacing of from 20 mm to 250 mm. There is a cavity above the feed receiving end of the first screen deck, in direct fluid communication with the space between the screening surfaces of the first and second screen decks ( ) that only receives feed that has passed through the upper, second, screen deck. The cavity extends to higher than the extreme end of the screening surface of the second screen deck, at its feed receiving end.

Abstract: A basket system for a shale shaker includes a front, solids discharge end and a rear, feed end, spaced apart by opposed first and second sides. The feed end includes a fluid retaining wall. A first screen deck frame is mounted or mountable to the basket for supporting a screening surface and forming a first screen deck in use. The screening surface of the first screen deck has a lower, feed receiving end that is proximal to the fluid retaining wall at the rear end of the basket and a distal, higher, solids discharge end at the front end of the basket. The basket further includes at least one mounting for mounting at least one additional screen deck frame above or below the first screen deck frame.

Abstract: A method for separating solids from a drill cuttings and drilling mud mixture feed in a shale shaker includes providing a shale shaker (1) having a basket (4) including a stack of at least two screen decks (8,8a, 8b), wherein the screening surfaces (9,9a, 9b) of the decks are spaced apart and superposed one above the other. A fluid retaining wall (5) and the feed receiving end (12a, 12b) of the screening surface of the lowest screen deck define a pond region (15). In use of the method a drill cuttings and drilling mud mixture feed (18) forms a pond of solids and liquid in the pond region that immerses a portion of the screening surface at the feed receiving end of each of the two screen decks. Apparatus for use in the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for separating solids from a drill cuttings and drilling mud mixture feed in a shale shaker includes providing a shale shaker (1) having a basket (4) including a stack of at least two screen decks (8,8a, 8b), wherein the screening surfaces (9,9a, 9b) of the decks are spaced apart and superposed one above the other. A fluid retaining wall (5) and the feed receiving end (12a, 12b) of the screening surface of the lowest screen deck define a pond region (15). In use of the method a drill cuttings and drilling mud mixture feed (18) forms a pond of solids and liquid in the pond region that immerses a portion of the screening surface at the feed receiving end of each of the two screen decks. Apparatus for use in the method is also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filtering screen includes: attaching handle members (3) to edges of at least one wire cloth (1); providing a jig comprising tensioning means (23); placing the at least one wire cloth (1) in the jig and engaging the handle members (3) with handle member engagement portions (15) of the tensioning means (23). The tensioning means (23) are operated to drive the handle members (3) outwardly to tension the wire cloth (1) in orthogonal directions. The method also includes pressing the tensioned wire cloth (1) against a screen frame (6); bonding the wire cloth (1) to the screen frame (6); and trimming the wire cloth.

Abstract: A screen assembly (32) for use in a vibratory screening machine (1) includes first and second screen units (34, 36) spaced apart by a support frame (38) interposed between the screen units. The first and second screen units (34, 36) each comprise a screen panel (46, 48) including screening material. The screen panel (46) of the first screen unit (34) is disposed, in use, across a top side of the support frame (38) and the screen panel of the second screen unit (36) is disposed, in use across an underside of the support frame (38). The support frame (38) and second screen unit (36) define at least one channel (50) formed and arranged so that solids collected by the second screen unit may be transported off an end of the screen unit by the vibratory action of a vibratory screening machine. Modular screen assemblies are described. Methods of using the screen assemblies are also described.

Abstract: A basket (4) for a vibratory screening machine, for use in removing solids from a solids and liquids mixture feed (18), mounts at least five screen units in a stack, superposed one below the other from a first, upper, screen unit (146) to a fifth, lower, screen unit (146d), each screen unit comprising a screen panel including screening material. A first fluid directing tray (26) is provided between the first and second screen units and a second fluid directing tray (26a) is provided between the third and fourth screen units. The basket is also provided with a flow distributor (160) formed and arranged for receiving filtrate (22) from the first fluid directing tray, dividing the filtrate into at least a first filtrate stream and a second filtrate stream, directing the first and second filtrate streams onto the second (146a) and fourth (146c) screen units respectively and for receiving filtrate from the second fluid directing tray.

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory screening apparatus (1) for use in removing solids from a liquid feed, and a basket (4) therefore. The apparatus comprises a static outer housing (2), and a floating basket vibratable by a vibrator device (10). The basket mounts a stack (7) of screen assemblies (8) provided with respective flow directing trays (9) for receiving filtrates from the screen assemblies. A flow distributor (15) divides the feed into at least first and a second feed streams and directs them onto respective screen assemblies, and receives from the flow directing trays, filtrates from respective screen assemblies.

Abstract: A traffic control system comprises at least one signal unit, at least one detector, control means for controlling the timings of signals displayed by the at least one signal unit in dependence upon output from the at least one detector, and means for determining the position of the or each detector.

Abstract: A screen system 8 suitable for use in a vibratory screen apparatus 1, comprising: a screen element 11 consisting essentially of a mesh panel 19 provided with first and second elongate support members 22, 23 extending along opposite end portions 20, 21; and a support frame 12 therefore. The support frame 12 has spaced apart first and second elongate frame elements 13, 14 for engagement with said screen element support members 22, 23 and further elongate frame elements 17, 18 extending between the first and second frame elements 13, 14 for supporting the mesh panel 19. The support frame 12 is provided with at least one mesh panel support 27 provided with an elevating support surface, which tensions the screen element 11 across the support surface 27 and between the screen element support members 22, 23. The latter 22, 23 and the first and second frame elements 13, 14 are being formed and arranged for secure interengagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibratory screening apparatus (1) for use in removing solids from a liquid feed, and a basket (4) therefore. The apparatus comprises a static outer housing (2), and a floating basket vibratable by a vibrator device (10). The basket mounts a stack (7) of screen assemblies (8) provided with respective flow directing trays (9) for receiving filtrates from the screen assemblies. A flow distributor (15) divides the feed into at least first and a second feed streams and directs them onto respective screen assemblies, and receives from the flow directing trays, filtrates from respective screen assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen system (8) suitable for use in a vibratory screen apparatus (1), and comprising: a screen element (11) and a support frame (12) therefor, as well novel screen elements (11) and mesh panels (19) therefor, and the use thereof. The screen element (11) consists essentially of a mesh panel (19) provided with first and second elongate support members (22, 23) extending along opposite end portions of the mesh panel (19). The support frame (12) has spaced apart first second elongate frame elements (13, 14) for engagement with the screen element support members (22, 23) and further elongate frame elements (17, 18) extending there between for supporting the mesh panel (19).

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen system (8) suitable for use in a vibratory screen apparatus (1), and comprising: a screen element (11) and a support frame (12) therefor, as well novel screen elements (11) and mesh panels (19) therefor, and the use thereof. The screen element (11) consists essentially of a mesh panel (19) provided with first and second elongate support members (22, 23) extending along opposite end portions of the mesh panel (19). The support frame (12) has spaced apart first and second elongate frame elements (13, 14) for engagement with the screen element support members (22, 23) and further elongate frame elements (17, 18) extending there between for supporting the mesh panel (19).