Automatic vibratory separator

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).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 096,192 filed Mar. 31, 2005 which is: a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 949,882 filed Sep. 25, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,540 on Oct. 9, 2007; a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 835,256 filed Apr. 29, 2004; a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 512,372 filed Oct. 25, 2004 which claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 134,027 filed Apr. 26, 2002 and Application Ser. No. PCT / IB03 / 01031 filed Mar. 12, 2003; and a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 373,216 filed Feb. 24, 2003 which claims priority from U.S. Application Ser. No. 60 / 424,262 filed Nov. 6, 2002—all of which are incorporated fully herein and with respect to all of which the present invention claims priority under the Patent Laws.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention is directed to vibratory separators and shale shakers; to apparatus...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The present invention, in certain embodiments, teaches a vibratory separator (in one particular aspect, a shale shaker) which has sensing apparatus for sensing parameters indicative of the level of fluid or material on a screen or screen assembly supported by the separator and, therefore, for indicating the extent of a beach area on the screen or screen assembly. In one aspect, a screen or screen assembly itself (or a screen on holding structure) is able to be inclined to a desired angle to adjust the extent of a beach area adjacent an exit end of a screen. A beach area is an area adjacent a screen's exit end with two boundary sides—a first side (or rear side) is the side of a pool of material on the screen (analogous to the seashore) and the second side or front side is at or near the exit end of the screen. It is important in some systems to maintain a beach area of desired extent which is sufficiently large so that the pool does not extend to or beyond the screen's exit end—which would result in some material not being treated (filtered, separated) by the screen and simply flowing off the end of the screen. It is also important in some systems to insure that the beach area is not too large which could adversely affect screening efficiency and effectiveness.

Problems solved by technology

Fluid or material that is too deep may not be adequately filtered.

Fluid or material that is too shallow may flow across a screen too quickly or without sufficient weight to be filtered adequately.

The large undesirable particles may include drilling cuttings and debris picked up in the drilling process.

The screens on these shakers have a limited life, and can be expensive and time consuming to replace.

This can be costly due to the loss of drilling fluid which flows off, rather than through, a screen.

Such dry particles vibrating on the beach of the last screen can tear holes in the screen and shorten the screen life.

Images