Controlled centrifuge systems
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a centrifuge system, the centrifuge system includinga bowl,a bowl motor system for rotating the bowl, rotation of the bowl resulting in a G-force applied to the bowl,a bowl variable frequency drive for driving the bowl motor,a conveyor rotatable within the bowl,a conveyor motor for rotating the conveyor,a conveyor variable frequency drive for driving the conveyor motor,a pump for pumping material to be centrifuged in the bowl,a pump motor for driving the pump,a pump variable frequency drive for driving the pump motor,a control system for controlling the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive, the control system including computer apparatus,the computer apparatus configured to control the centrifuge system in a G-force differential control mode, the computer apparatus programmed with a pre-set maximum G-force to be applied to the bowl,the G-force differential control mode includingcontrolling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system driven by the bowl VFD so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed the pre-set maximum G-force, andsaid controlling of the G-force accomplished by one of adjusting the G-force on the bowl and adjusting the speed of the bowl.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Centrifuge systems and methods for controlling centrifuge systems, the systems in certain aspects for processing material, e.g., but not limited to drilling fluids with solids therein. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
173 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a centrifuge system, the centrifuge system including
a bowl, a bowl motor system for rotating the bowl, rotation of the bowl resulting in a G-force applied to the bowl, a bowl variable frequency drive for driving the bowl motor, a conveyor rotatable within the bowl, a conveyor motor for rotating the conveyor, a conveyor variable frequency drive for driving the conveyor motor, a pump for pumping material to be centrifuged in the bowl, a pump motor for driving the pump, a pump variable frequency drive for driving the pump motor, a control system for controlling the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive, the control system including computer apparatus, the computer apparatus configured to control the centrifuge system in a G-force differential control mode, the computer apparatus programmed with a pre-set maximum G-force to be applied to the bowl, the G-force differential control mode including controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system driven by the bowl VFD so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed the pre-set maximum G-force, and said controlling of the G-force accomplished by one of adjusting the G-force on the bowl and adjusting the speed of the bowl.
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35. A computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a computer implement a method for processing material with a centrifuge system, the method including
feeding material to be processed to a centrifuge system, the centrifuge system comprising a bowl, a bowl motor system for rotating the bowl, rotation of the bowl resulting in a G-force applied to the bowl, a bowl variable frequency drive for driving the bowl motor, a conveyor rotatable within the bowl, a conveyor motor for rotating the conveyor, a conveyor variable frequency drive for driving the conveyor motor, a pump for pumping material to be centrifuged in the bowl, a pump motor for driving the pump, a pump variable frequency drive for driving the pump motor, a control system for controlling the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive, the control system including computer apparatus, the computer apparatus configured to control the centrifuge system in a G-force differential control mode, the computer apparatus programmed with a pre-set maximum G-force to be applied to the bowl, the G-force differential control mode including controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system driven by the bowl VFD so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed the pre-set maximum G-force, and said controlling of the G-force accomplished by one of adjusting the G-force on the bowl and adjusting the speed of the bowl, pumping the material into the bowl, and processing the material with the centrifuge system.
Specification