Abstract:
A new and improved separating device for separating particulate from a fluid stream including a plurality of screen units which are releasably held in a screen unit mounting assembly by inflatable tubes; the screen unit angular position is adjustable by adjusting the height of a plurality of adjustable support posts; and, dual vibrators are mounted with the screen unit mounting assembly and are interconnected for simultaneous vibration in mutually perpendicular directions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of this invention is separators for separating particulate from a fluid stream. Separating devices for separating particulate such as drill cuttings from a fluid stream such as oil well drilling &#34;mud&#34; are known in the art. Although not particularly directed to the oil well drilling industry, there are numerous patents which have issued on separating devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,133 of Venanzetti discloses two parallel pluralities of vibrating screens which are mounted in cascaded alignment with each of the screens being resiliently mounted on a main frame for independent vibration. U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,534 of Peterson discloses a variable mode vibratory screen mounted at an incline angle wherein the vibration frequency is adjustable. 
     There are several very important problems which have not been fully solved by known vibrating devices. For example, the screen portions of known separating devices are quite cumbersome to remove and require that the entire separating device be shut down for extended periods. U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,823 of Crain discloses a releasable screen tensioning and connector spring which is designed to releasably connect the screen to a supporting frame. However, it is likely that the screen disclosed in the Crain patent cannot be removed very quickly because the screen includes a plurality of individual connectors which must be attached and then removed from the spring clips. U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,230 of Peterson discloses the use of a plurality of clips mounted in a screen border of resilient material for positioning over a frame flange. It is at least doubtful that the clips sufficiently secure the screen for continuous vibratory movement. U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,376 to Krause discloses the use of fastening clamps to actually mount the screen itself directly onto a strainer box. 
     Another difficulty with known separating devices is in making the angle of inclination of the screens adjustable for various applications. And, the placement and use of the vibrators for greater separating efficiency seems to be a never ending quest. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved separating apparatus which provides for a very rapid release and replacement of screen units. It is another object of this invention to provide a separating device which adjustably mounts the screen units for use at various angular positions with respect to the ground. Further, the new and improved separating device of the preferred embodiment of this invention provides for the utilization of dual mounted fluid driven vibrators which are mounted for imparting vibratory motion in planes at substantially right angles with respect to each other. One vibrator is mounted on a screen unit mounting assembly in position to vibrate in a plane parallel to the plane of the screen unit mounted with the mounting assembly. A second vibrator is mounted adjacent to the first vibrator for imparting vibratory motion in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the mounted screen unit. 
     In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a plurality of posts are provided to support the screen unit mounting assemblies in various angular positions. Each of the posts include a hydraulically operated cap for adjusting the post height thereby adjusting the angular position of the screen mounting assembly which is resiliently supported on the posts. 
     The screen unit is releasably attached to the screen unit mounting assembly by the utilization of an inflatable tube which is attached to the screen mounting assembly and engages the screen unit for releasably maintaining the screen unit for vibratory movement with the screen unit mounting assembly. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view partly in section of the new and improved separator apparatus of the preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one of the vertically adjustable posts which are used to support the screen units and screen unit mounting assemblies at various angular positions; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of a screen unit mounting assembly with the screen unit in position with the mutually perpendicular positions of the vibrator mounting plates illustrated; and 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the screen unit mounting assembly illustrating the inflatable tube for releasably holding a screen unit in position for vibration. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, the letter D generally designates the separating device of the preferred embodiment of this invention for separating particulate from a fluid stream. The separating device D includes a frame 10 having mounted thereon an inlet tank 11 for receiving a fluid to be filtered or cleaned. Screen units 14a and 14b are mounted in cascaded alignment on the frame 10 by vibration mount means generally designated as 15a and 15b which are basically identical except for position. The vibration mount means 15a and 15b each include a vibrating means 16 mounted therewith for vibrating screen units 14a and 14b simultaneously in mutually perpendicular directions. 
     The frame 10 includes first and second side members 10a (only one is illustrated) which are connected together by a front end connecting rod 10b and a rear connecting rod 10c. The front and rear connecting rods 10b and 10c cooperate with the side members such as 10a to provide a generally rectangular form having an opening therethrough through which the cleaned fluid stream may pass to a recovery area positioned therebelow. The side frame members such as 10a may be I-beams or other suitable frame members for supporting the structure to be disclosed here. 
     The fluid inlet means 11 includes a fluid inlet tank 11a which may be any suitable configuration. The fluid inlet tank 11a has connected therewith an inlet line 11b for receiving the fluids to be cleaned. The tank 11a has an outlet opening at 11c; and, the opening 11c has a hood or deflector 11d mounted thereover so that fluid directed outwardly of the tank 11a is directed downwardly toward the screen unit 14b. 
     Referring in particular to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the vibration mount means 15b for the screen unit 14b is illustrated. It should be understood that the vibration mount means 15a for the screen unit 14a is identical. The screen unit 14b includes a square metal frame 20 which mounts a separating screen 21 thereon by suitable means such as by welding as described in the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 650,285, filed Jan. 19, 1976 entitled &#34;Improved Separator Apparatus&#34; invented by Ernest L. Gage and Roger A. Crocker. The screen unit 14a is identical to the screen unit 14b. 
     The screen unit 14b is releasably mounted in a screen unit mounting assembly 22. The screen unit mounting assembly 22 is square-shaped and includes sides 22a, 22b and 22c which are formed by I-beams. A front ledge is provided by front member 22d. Each of the three sides 22a-c and the ledge 22d are respectively connected by suitable means such as welding. The I-beams 22a, 22b and 22c cooperate to provide a three-sided recess generally designated by the number 23 to receive the screen unit 20. 
     Release means generally designated by the number 25 is mounted in the recess 23 for releasably holding the screen unit 14b in position for vibration with the screen unit mounting assembly 22. The release means 25 is formed by an inflatable tube 26 which extends along the perimeter of the three-sided recess 23 and is mounted underneath a curved channel portion 27 which is welded or otherwise attached to the web portion 28a of each of the I-beams 22a-22c. The inflatable tube is closed at one end 25a and has an air valve of a known variety at 25b for connection to a suitable air source for inflation. The channel 27 supports the inflatable tube 26 slightly above the bottom ledge 28b of the three I-beams 22a-22c so that the screen unit 20 may be easily inserted into the recess 23 below the tube 26. The tube 26 is then inflated through the air valve 25b thereby fully securing the screen unit 14b in position. Whenever it is necessary to replace the screen unit 14b, the air valve 25b is simply opened and the screen unit 20 is immediately released for removal and replacement. 
     A front bar 29 is mounted on the I-beams 22a and 22c and extends outwardly therefrom. Mounting cups 30a and 30b are welded on the underside thereof. Rear mounting cups such as 30c are mounted or attached to extend outwardly from the rear side I-beam 22b in alignment with the front mounting cups 30a and 30b. An upper support framework is provided by a front laterally extending bar 31a mounted onto the I-beam sides 22a and 22c adjacent to the bar 29. Two upper support bars 31b and 31c are connected between the rear side I-beam 22b and the frame member 31a. Laterally extending upper frame members or bars 32a and 32b are welded between the side I-beams 22a and 22c and the upper support bars 31b and 31c and between and the support bars 31b and 31c also. The upper frame members 31a, 31b and 31c  cooperate with the upper frame members 32a and 32b to provide a latticework for supporting the vibrating means 16. A similar lattice framework is illustrated in the co-pending application Ser. No. 650,285. The mounting cups such as 30a and 30b are adapted to be lined with and mounted onto resilient springs 33. Each of the resilient springs 33 are in turn mounted or positioned in a hollow pod 34 which is mounted on top of each adjustable post 35. The adjustable posts 35 mount the springs 33 in position to receive the mounting cups such as 30a and 30b to resiliently mount the entire screen unit mounting assembly 22 with the screen unit 14b positioned therein for vibration therewith. Thus, there are four adjustable posts 35 which cooperate to provide adjustable support for the screen unit mounting assembly 22 and the screen unit 14b mounted therein. The exact structure of the adjustable posts 35 will be described shortly. 
     The vibration means 16 is mounted on each of the screen unit mounting assemblies 22 for each of the vibration mount means 15a and 15b. Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 3, the vibration means 16 includes a first or a master pneumatic vibrator 40 which is mounted on the screen unit mounting assembly 22 for vibration in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the screen unit 14b. A second or slave pneumatic vibrator 41 is mounted onto the screen unit mounting assembly 22 for vibration in a plane parallel to the mounted screen unit 14b. A mounting plate 41a is welded to the upper frame members 31b and 31c in a plane parallel to the screen unit 14b and another mounting plate 40a is welded or otherwise attached to and extends perpendicularly from the mounting plate 41a. The master pneumatic vibrator 40 is bolted to the mounting plate 40a and the slave vibrator unit 41 is bolted to the mounting plate 41a. The pneumatic vibrators 40 and 41 are of a type of pneumatic vibrator available under the brand name Ben Master manufactured by National Air Vibrator Company of Houston, Texas. The outlet 40b for the master vibrator 40 is connected by an air line 42 to the inlet 41b of the slave vibrator 41 such that the slave vibrator 41 is actually powered by the exhaust of the master vibrator 40 so that the screen units 14a and 14b are vibrated substantially simultaneously in mutually perpendicular planes. Of course, the vibrating means 16 for the vibration mount means 15a for screen unit 14a is identical. The combination of the master and slave vibrators provides unique efficiency in separating particulate from a stream flowing across the screen units 14a and 14b. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates in detail the structure of each of the posts 35. A central post member 45 is mounted onto a frame side such as 10a. The central post member 45 includes a hollow portion 45a for receiving a piston 46 having suitable seal rings such as 46a thereon such that the piston is mounted for slidable, sealable movement therein. A rod 47 is mounted onto and extends upwardly from the piston into threaded engagement with a cap 48. The cap 48 is a hollow, cylindrical sleeve having a closed top portion 48a. The hollow mounting pod 34 previously mentioned is mounted thereon for receiving the springs 33. A combination fluid inlet and outlet 50 is positioned in the central post member 45a below the piston 45. Hydraulic fluid or air under pressure may be pumped into the central post portion 45 below the piston 46 in order to displace the piston upwardly thereby adjusting the overall height of the cap 48 and thus of the posts 35. 
     A combination of four of the adjustable posts 35 cooperates with the springs 33 to resiliently mount the screen unit mounting assembly 22 with the screen unit 14b therein. The height of each of the posts 35 is adjustable so that the angle of inclination of the screen unit 14b may be adjusted from a horizontal position to an inclined angle with respect to the horizontal. 
     In operation and use of the separating device D of the preferred embodiment of this invention, the device D is mounted over a collection or recovery area such as a mud pit which is part of a return circulating system for an oil well drilling operation. The drilling fluid or mud which has been circulated upwardly from down the bore hole is passed through line 11b into the tank 11a and is directed outwardly of opening 11c over the cascadedly positioned screen frame members 14b and 14a. Screen frame members 14b and 14a are vibrated by the combination master and slave pneumatic vibrators 40 and 41. And, the angle of inclination of the screen frame members 14a and 14b is adjustable by adjusting the necessary posts 35 as previously described. The fluid directed outwardly of the tank opening 11c is passed through the vibrating screens 14b and 14a thus removing therefrom undesirable solids or particulate. These solids or particulate may be vibrated off of the separating device D and collected outwardly of the recovery area. Whenever it is necessary to replace one of the screen units such as 14b, the inflatable tube or hose 25 is at least partly deflated by draining air out of the air valve 25b. This releases the screen unit such as 14b for quick replacement. Thus, there is very little lost time in shutting down the entire device D in order to change the screen units 14a and 14b, a substantial advantage. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the number of screen units such as 14a or 14b may be two as described in the embodiment herein or any other number.