Wedge-Like Screen Frame for Vibratory Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shale shaker screen installation methods are time-consuming and prone to damage, requiring multiple parts that wear out due to vibration, leading to increased downtime and potential for accidental damage during screen replacement.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-like screen frame with non-parallel top and bottom surfaces that acts as a wedge to secure the screen in place without additional parts like bolts or wedge blocks, allowing for quick installation and removal, and is formed from materials like stainless steel or composite materials for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional screen installation methods using multiple parts (bolts, wedge blocks) are used, then the screen can be securely attached, but the installation time increases and the number of parts subject to wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen frame integrates multiple functions into a single component by combining the screen support structure with built-in attachment features. The side rails incorporate tapered surfaces that work with corresponding wedge guides to secure the screen frame to the basket, eliminating the need for separate bolts and wedge blocks. This merging reduces the number of parts and simplifies installation while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary attachment components (bolts, separate wedge blocks) from the screen installation system. By taking out these separate parts and integrating their functions into the screen frame structure itself, the design reduces complexity and installation time while maintaining the necessary secure attachment function.
2Reliability
If multiple attachment parts (bolts, wedge blocks) are used to secure the screen, then the screen can be firmly fixed, but the number of parts subject to vibration wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen frame merges the support function with the attachment function into a single integrated structure. The side rails with tapered surfaces and the corresponding wedge guides form a unified attachment system that eliminates the need for multiple separate parts, reducing the number of components subject to vibration wear while maintaining stable fixation.
3Ease of repair
If traditional screen replacement methods are used, then screens can be replaced, but downtime increases due to the time-consuming process
Solution Approach 1:
The screen frame is designed as a modular, self-contained unit that can be quickly removed and replaced as a single segment. The integrated attachment system allows the entire screen assembly to be detached from the basket by simply removing the wedge guides, enabling rapid replacement without the need to disassemble multiple fasteners, thereby reducing downtime.
4Reliability
If additional attachment devices (bolts, wedge blocks) are used, then the screen can be securely mounted, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The screen frame combines multiple components into a single manufactured unit, reducing the total number of parts that need to be produced, stored, and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall manufacturing costs while maintaining secure mounting through the built-in tapered side rail and wedge guide attachment 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
This solution reduces the time and risk of damage during screen changes, minimizes the number of parts subject to wear, and eliminates the need for additional attachment devices, thereby reducing downtime and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A wedge-like screen frame with non-parallel top and bottom surfaces that acts as a wedge to secure the screen in place without additional parts like bolts or wedge blocks
Data Source
AI summary
A shaker apparatus including a basket having an upstream side, a downstream side, and two side walls, at least one wedge guide and one support rail disposed on each side wall, and at least one screen assembly. The support rails and the wedge guides may be configured to engage the screen assembly. The screen assembly may have one or more layers of screen mesh mounted on a screen frame. The screen frame may include a first and a second side rail, each having an upstream end, a downstream end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A slope of the top surfaces intermediate the upstream end and the downstream end may be different than a slope of the bottom surfaces intermediate the upstream end and the downstream end.