Screen Condition Checking Apparatus for Vibrating Drilling Screens

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Solution Overview

Problem

The compact design of modern vibrating screens for drilling fluid makes it difficult for operators to check the condition of screen cloths during operation, leading to unreliable visual inspections and inefficient use of drilling fluid flow, with increased exposure to harmful environments and potential allergic reactions due to chemical use.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a pump, filter, and pressure gauge that draws a drilling fluid sample from the vibrating screen, filters it, and measures the differential pressure across the filter to detect screen cloth failures, allowing for early detection of issues and reducing operator exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vibrating screen is stopped for checking screen cloths, then the condition of screen cloths can be checked, but the flow of drilling fluid becomes variable and capacity is not utilised 100%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen cloth condition checkingVSAvoiddrilling fluid capacity utilisation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated monitoring system that uses sensors and electronic components to detect screen cloth conditions, enabling continuous monitoring without stopping the vibrating screen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-monitoring of screen cloth conditions through automated sensors that detect changes in vibration patterns, allowing the equipment to monitor its own state without human intervention or shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If operators perform rapid visual checking of wet screen cloths, then the checking can be done during operation, but the checking is not reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechecking speedVSAvoidscreen cloth condition detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces unreliable visual inspection with electronic sensors that objectively measure vibration patterns and transmit data to a monitoring system, providing reliable detection without human error or exposure to hazardous conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If operators remove screen cloths for checking during pump shutdown, then thorough inspection can be performed, but operator time is consumed and drilling deck tasks are delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen cloth inspection qualityVSAvoidoperator time and drilling deck productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous self-monitoring of screen cloth conditions through automated sensors, eliminating the need for operators to remove and inspect screen cloths manually, thus freeing operator time for drilling deck tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system operates continuously during screen operation, providing ongoing detection of screen cloth degradation without interruption to the drilling process or loss of operator time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Area of stationary object

If the vibrating screen is designed more compact with minimal space between screens, then maximum screen area is obtained in minimum space, but operator possibilities of checking screen cloths are reduced and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen area per spaceVSAvoidscreen cloth accessibility for inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual inspection requiring physical access to screen cloths with remote electronic monitoring that detects screen conditions through vibration analysis, eliminating the need for operators to access compact screen spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Reliability

If operators spend time in the shaker room for checking screen cloths and sampling drilling fluid, then necessary inspections can be performed, but exposure to harmful atmosphere and chemicals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection and sampling qualityVSAvoidoperator exposure to harmful atmosphere

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual inspection and sampling operations with automated electronic sensors and remote monitoring systems that detect screen cloth failures and drilling fluid conditions without requiring operator presence in the hazardous shaker room environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid and reliable detection of screen cloth failures, reducing downtime, exposure to hazardous environments, and minimizing the use of additives and equipment wear, while allowing personnel to focus on other tasks.

Implementation Method 1

a pump for drawing drilling fluid from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen into the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a filter for filtering the drilling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a pressure gauge for measuring the differential pressure across the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential measurement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7879227B2Screen condition checking apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2011.02.01 2K TOOLS

AI summary

An apparatus for the condition checking of a screen cloth in a vibrating screen for drilling fluid, comprising a pump for drawing a drilling fluid sample from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen into the apparatus, a filter for filtering the drilling fluid sample, and a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure difference across the filter. A method for the condition checking of a screen cloth in a vibrating screen, comprising drawing a drilling fluid sample from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen, filtering the drilling fluid sample through a filter, and measuring the pressure difference across the filter.