Controlled centrifuge systems
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- providing a centrifuge system, wherein the centrifuge system comprises;
a bowl,a bowl motor system that is adapted to rotate the bowl so as to apply a G-force thereto,a bowl variable frequency drive that is adapted to drive the bowl motor,a conveyor that is adapted to be rotated within the bowl,a conveyor motor that is adapted to rotate the conveyor,a conveyor variable frequency drive that is adapted to drive the conveyor motor,a pump that is adapted to pump material to be centrifuged in the bowl,a pump motor that is adapted to drive the pump,a pump variable frequency drive that is adapted to drive the pump motor, anda control system that is adapted to control the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive, wherein the control system comprises a computer apparatus that is adapted to control the centrifuge system in a G-force differential control mode, and wherein the computer apparatus is programmed with a pre-set maximum G-force to be applied to the bowl; and
controlling the centrifuge system in said G-force differential control mode by controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed the pre-set maximum G-force, wherein the G-force is controlled by one of adjusting the G-force on the bowl and adjusting the speed of the bowl.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure is generally directed to centrifuge systems and methods for controlling centrifuge systems, wherein the systems in certain aspects are adapted for processing material, e.g., but not limited to drilling fluids with solids therein. One illustrative method includes providing a centrifuge system that is made up of, among other things, a bowl, a bowl motor system, a bowl variable frequency drive, a conveyor, a conveyor motor, a conveyor variable frequency drive, a pump, a pump motor, and a pump variable frequency drive. Additionally, the centrifuge system includes a control system that is adapted to control the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive. The method includes controlling the centrifuge system in the G-force differential control mode by controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed a pre-set maximum G-force.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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providing a centrifuge system, wherein the centrifuge system comprises; a bowl, a bowl motor system that is adapted to rotate the bowl so as to apply a G-force thereto, a bowl variable frequency drive that is adapted to drive the bowl motor, a conveyor that is adapted to be rotated within the bowl, a conveyor motor that is adapted to rotate the conveyor, a conveyor variable frequency drive that is adapted to drive the conveyor motor, a pump that is adapted to pump material to be centrifuged in the bowl, a pump motor that is adapted to drive the pump, a pump variable frequency drive that is adapted to drive the pump motor, and a control system that is adapted to control the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive, wherein the control system comprises a computer apparatus that is adapted to control the centrifuge system in a G-force differential control mode, and wherein the computer apparatus is programmed with a pre-set maximum G-force to be applied to the bowl; and controlling the centrifuge system in said G-force differential control mode by controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed the pre-set maximum G-force, wherein the G-force is controlled by one of adjusting the G-force on the bowl and adjusting the speed of the bowl. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification