Stair-Stepped Shaker Screen Seal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shale shakers face issues with solids bypassing seals between abutted screens, seal exposure to harsh fluids and solids, and seal degradation due to vibration and corrosive environments, leading to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The shale shaker design incorporates a stair-stepped deck arrangement where each screen's discharge is directed onto the frame or a discharge shield positioned below the seal, preventing direct contact and minimizing seal exposure to fluids and solids, thus protecting the seals from abrasion and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screens are arranged in a linear or traditional stair-stepped configuration, then solids can be effectively separated from drilling mud, but seals between screens are exposed to direct contact with fluids and solids causing degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidseal exposure to fluids and solids

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A discharge shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the screen discharge and the seal. The shield intercepts the discharged solids and fluids, redirecting them away from the seal to prevent direct contact and reduce degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (exposed to direct discharge) to a vertical arrangement beneath the screen. This dimensional change places the seal in a location where it is not directly in the path of discharged materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If seals are positioned to seal between abutted screens, then screening efficiency is maintained, but solids bypass the seals and reduce separation effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolids removal efficiencyVSAvoidseal performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge shield acts as a mediator that captures solids before they can reach and bypass the seal, preventing solids from working their way past the seal through recesses and maintaining separation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If screens are vibrated to move solids across the deck, then solids are effectively transported and removed, but the vibration causes seal movement and compromises seal integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolids transport efficiencyVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge shield serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the seal from the harsh vibrating environment where solids are actively transported, reducing the mechanical stress and movement experienced by the seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional screen arrangements are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but seals degrade quickly requiring frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen assembly simplicityVSAvoidseal replacement frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge shield is a simple structural component that can be easily manufactured and installed. It provides long-term protection to the seal, reducing maintenance frequency without complicating the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration significantly reduces solids bypass and seal degradation, enhancing the efficiency and longevity of the shale shaker by ensuring that most of the discharge lands on the frame or shield, rather than the seal, thereby maintaining the integrity of the sealing system.

Implementation Method 1

The frame of the vibrating screen is resiliently suspended or mounted upon a support and is caused to vibrate by a vibrating mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the second screen assembly is positioned such that the seal is positioned below the first shaker screen assembly, and positioned so that discharge from the first screen assembly will not discharge onto the seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10711545B2Shale shaker with stair-stepped arrangements of screens and methods of using same, and methods of retrofitting shale shakers

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 ELGIN SEPARATION SOLUTIONS IND LLC

AI summary

A shale shaker that includes a base, a basket, a vibrator interconnected with the basket, and two shaker screens releasably mounted on the basket, with the first shaker screen having a discharge end, with the second screen having a first end with a seal abutted thereto, with the second screen positioned such that the seal is positioned below the first shaker screen, and positioned so that discharge from the first screen will not discharge onto the seal.