Sifting Screen Protrusion Design for Mesh Wear and Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sifting screens used in drilling operations face issues with mesh wear and warping due to vibration and temperature contraction, leading to reduced operational life and delayed mud recovery, as integral partial ribs can cause warping during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A screen frame with intersecting elongate members and protrusions that extend partway across openings to support the mesh, reducing stress and preventing warping, while maintaining mesh integrity and extending operational life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If integral partial ribs are used to support the mesh, then mesh wear is reduced, but warping occurs during manufacture due to differential contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The screen frame is divided into multiple cells, with each cell containing independent protrusions that support the mesh locally. This segmentation allows each protrusion to function independently without causing overall warping of the screen frame during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are extracted as distinct structural elements from the continuous rib structure. By removing the connecting portions between protrusions, the differential contraction that causes warping is eliminated while maintaining the mesh support function at each protrusion location.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the screen is divided into multiple cells with mesh bonding, then operational life is extended, but the weight and complexity of the screen increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is segmented into multiple rectangular cells formed by intersecting elongate members. This segmentation allows individual cells to be blocked off when mesh failure occurs in that area, extending the overall operational life of the screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are integrally formed with the intersecting elongate members, combining the support function into the existing structural elements rather than adding separate components, thus reducing overall complexity.
3Reliability
If protrusions extend partway across openings, then mesh stress is reduced and wear is minimized, but the opening area for mud flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions extend only partway across the opening rather than spanning the entire width. This partial action provides sufficient mesh support to reduce stress and wear while leaving adequate opening area for mud flow to pass through.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are positioned at specific locations within each opening where mesh support is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing material throughout. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between support and flow area.
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 solution effectively reduces mesh wear and prevents warping, thereby extending the operational life of the screen and improving mud recovery efficiency by distributing stress more evenly and allowing for staggered protrusions to support the mesh at spaced locations.
Implementation Method 1
This reduces stress on the mesh so reducing the rate at which it wears
Implementation Method 2
when the moulded screen cools, the subdividing ribs differentially contract to the remainder of the screen, so causing warping
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a screen frame adapted for use in a shaker to separate solids from liquid/solid mixture and to which woven wire mesh is to be attached, comprising a plurality of intersecting elongate members (12) defining a plurality of openings (10), or cells, wherein at least one protrusion (26) in the form of an elongate rib extends partway across each opening (10).