Screen Frame Metal Rib Rigidity Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sifting screens used in drilling operations for oil and gas face issues with transmitting vibratory motion effectively, leading to excessive 'whipping' and premature failure due to inadequate rigidity and weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A screen frame design featuring a plastics perimeter with plastics ribs and strategically placed metal ribs extending between opposing regions, providing enhanced rigidity without significant weight increase, and allowing for controlled vertical and lateral vibrations to improve solid conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a plastics screen frame with multiple ribs is used, then weight is reduced and ease of handling is improved, but rigidity is insufficient leading to excessive whipping
Solution Approach 1:
The screen frame combines plastics material for the perimeter and ribs with strategically placed metal ribs to create a composite structure. This allows the frame to maintain the lightweight advantage of plastics while incorporating the high rigidity of metal only where structurally necessary for vibration transmission and whip prevention.
2Strength
If more metal ribs are added to increase rigidity, then whipping is reduced, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Metal ribs are placed only at specific critical locations within the frame structure where rigidity is most needed for vibration transmission and whip prevention, rather than uniformly throughout. This localized reinforcement provides maximum structural benefit with minimum weight addition.
3Strength
If the screen frame is made more rigid, then whipping is reduced, but the transmission of vibratory motion to the screen is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure has varying rigidity at different locations - metal ribs are placed at positions requiring structural stability for whip prevention, while other areas maintain the flexibility needed for effective vibration transmission to the screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite plastics-metals construction allows different parts of the frame to have different mechanical properties, combining the vibration-transmissive characteristics of plastics with the whip-preventing rigidity of metal in a balanced manner.
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
The design effectively transmits vibratory motion, reducing 'whipping' and extending the screen's lifespan by enhancing rigidity and weight distribution, leading to improved separation efficiency and reliability in drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
the shaker vibrates the sifting screen or screens, to aid the sifting process
Implementation Method 2
the at least one metal rib provides rigidity to the screen frame without significantly increasing its weight
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a screen frame adapted for use in a shaker to separate solids from a liquid/solid mixture and to which woven wire mesh is to be attached, comprising an outer perimeter and a plurality of plastics ribs extending between opposing regions of the perimeter, the plastics ribs together forming an upper face and a lower face, wherein the frame further comprises at least one metal rib extending between opposing regions of the perimeter and extending from the upper face to the lower face, and to a shaker comprising at least one such screen frame.