Shale shakers and screens with identification apparatuses

• US 20060108113A1
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Varco I/P Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Varco I/P Incorporated (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Scott, Eric, McClung, Guy L. III, Ellison, Leon D., Kammann, Rheinhold, Worms, Manfred H., Lam, Clive Chemo
• Granted Patent: US 7,484,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/255.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/52 Filter identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/0376 supported
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 33/0384 with corrugated, folded or wound filtering sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/42 Drive mechanisms, regulating or controlling devices, or balancing devices, specially adapted for screens
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/46 Constructional details of screens in general; Cleaning or heating of screens
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/4654 Corrugated Screening surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 1/4663 Multi-layer screening surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B07B 13/18 Control
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/065 Separating solids from drilling fluids

Abstract

A screen apparatus, which in certain aspects is a screen apparatus having a support, screening material on the support, and energizable identification apparatus on (exteriorly, interiorly, and/or within) the support for identifying the screen apparatus; a vibratory separator with such a screen apparatus; and a vibratory separator or shaker with energizable identification apparatus.

Claims

1. A screen apparatus for use on a vibratory separator, the screen apparatus comprising

a support,

screening material on the support, and

energizable identification apparatus contacting the support for identifying the screen apparatus.

2. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energizable identification apparatus is within the support.

3. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support is a frame.

4. The screen apparatus of claim 3 wherein the frame includes a plurality of interconnected hollow members and the energizable identification apparatus is within a hollow member.

5. The screen apparatus of claim 3 wherein the frame has an exterior and an interior and the energizable identification apparatus is on the interior.

6. The screen apparatus of claim 3 wherein the support is connected to side mounting structure and the energizable identification apparatus is contacting the side mounting structure.

7. The screen apparatus of claim 6 wherein the energizable identification apparatus is within the side mounting structure.

8. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screening material is non-flat and the energizable identification apparatus is under screening material.

9. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screening material has open ends, a plug plugs off each open end, and the energizable identification apparatus is in a plug.

10. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energizable identification apparatus is taped to the support.

11. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energizable identification apparatus is adhered to the support.

12. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energizable identification apparatus is within a mass of material.

13. The screen apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mass is rigid.

14. The screen apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mass is flexible.

15. The screen apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mass is shaped for receipt within a space within the screen apparatus.

16. The screen apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mass has an opening for insertion of the energizable identification apparatus into the mass.

17. The screen apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mass is made from material from the group consisting of plastic, epoxy, fiberglass, gel, aerogel, silica aerogel, nonmagnetic metal, ceramic, cermet, polytetrafluoroethylene, wood, metal, composite.

18. The screen apparatus of claim 1 further comprising encasement structure encasing the energizable identification apparatus, the encasement structure comprising at least one layer of heat resistant material.

19. The screen apparatus of claim 18 wherein the encasement structure further comprises at least one layer of impact resistant material.

20. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energizable identification apparatus is radio frequency identification apparatus with integrated circuit apparatus and antenna apparatus.

21. The screen apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vibratory separator is a shale shaker.

22. A method for sensing an energizable identification apparatus of a screen assembly, the screen assembly comprising a support, screening material on the support, energizable identification apparatus contacting the support for identifying the screen apparatus, the method including

energizing the energizable identification apparatus by directing energizing energy thereto,

the energizable identification apparatus upon being energized producing a signal,

positioning the screen assembly adjacent sensing apparatus, and

sensing with the sensing apparatus the signal produced by the energizable identification apparatus.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the sensing apparatus is in communication with and is controlled by control apparatus, the method further comprising

controlling the sensing apparatus with the control apparatus.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the signal is an identification signal identifying the screen assembly and the sensing apparatus produces and conveys a corresponding signal to computer apparatus, the computer apparatus including a programmable portion programmed to receive and analyze the corresponding signal, and the computer apparatus for producing an analysis signal indicative of accepting or rejecting the screen assembly based on said analysis, the method further comprising

the energizable identification apparatus producing an identification signal received by the sensing apparatus,

the sensing apparatus producing a corresponding signal indicative of identification of the screen assembly and conveying the corresponding signal to the computer apparatus, and

the computer apparatus analyzing the corresponding signal and producing the analysis signal.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising

producing the analysis signal prior to vibrating the screen assembly.