Patent Publication Number: US-8967388-B1

Title: Vector slot

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to screening panels, and more specifically to screening panels that include angled ribs configured to be arranged in a non-parallel direction relative to the flow of materials to facilitate screening materials. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Screening arrangements are used in the mining and similar industries to size and separate, or screen, particulate materials. Certain screening arrangements include modular screening systems which are composed of a plurality of modular and replaceable components, such as screening panels. The screening panels are mounted on the screening arrangement to define an overall screening surface. The overall screening surface of the screening arrangement is made up of the individual screening surfaces of the screening panels. 
     Current screening panels generally include a plurality of ribs or surface features extending across an opening. The ribs define the screening surface through which particulate material is directed. During a typical screening process, the screening arrangement is vibrated and particulate material is deposited on it. The configuration and vibration is such that the material migrates in a preferential feed direction on the screening arrangement. More specifically, the screening openings allow smaller material particles to pass through the screening surface while larger material particles are prevented by the ribs from passing through the screening surface, thereby achieving desired sizing separation of the material. 
     Certain screening panels, however, can suffer several disadvantages. For example, the surface features of certain screening panels can have flat, planar surfaces. These flat surfaces may prevent particulate materials from being properly screened. For example, when the feed direction is parallel to the planar ribs or surface features, relatively smaller material particles which should desirably pass through the screening surface may become entrained on the planar surface, in the direction of flow, and experience difficulty passing through the screening surface. Likewise, irregularly-shaped particles having similar dimensions to the spacing between the ribs and/or surface features may become lodged in the spacing while traveling in a parallel direction, blocking passage of the particles that could travel through the openings. 
     In addition, the ribs or surface features may stretch or deform, thereby blocking materials that would otherwise pass through the screening surface. For example, the flexibility and shape of the ribs, as well as their geometrical relationship to one another, may allow them to flex excessively apart from one another, effectively expanding the screening openings to a size which allows particles that are unacceptably large to pass through. 
     Thus, a need exists for a screening panel that allows for more efficient screening of materials by interrupting the parallel relationship between the feed travel direction and the orientation of the surface features and/or ribs, as well as by strengthening the surface features relative to feed direction. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one example aspect, a screening panel is provided for screening materials. The screening panel includes a peripheral frame having a first side frame member and an opposing second side frame member and a plurality of spaced elongated screening ribs defining a screening surface of the screening panel. The plurality of screening ribs includes a first set of screening ribs and a second set of screening ribs. The first set of screening ribs extends from the first side frame member of the peripheral frame towards a transition portion of the screening surface in a first direction. The second set of screening ribs extends from the transition portion towards the second side frame member of the peripheral frame in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction. 
     In another example aspect, a screening arrangement is provided for screening materials. The screening arrangement includes a support structure having a plurality of support members mounted in a parallel relationship to each other and a plurality of screening panels mounted on the support members. Each of the screening panels includes a peripheral frame having a first side frame member and an opposing second side frame member and a plurality of spaced parallel elongated screening ribs defining a screening surface of the screening panel. The plurality of screening ribs extends continuously across at least a portion of the screening surface of the screening panel in a non-parallel direction relative to a flow direction of the screening arrangement. 
     In still another aspect, a screening panel for screening materials is disclosed. The screening panel includes a peripheral frame having opposing first and second side frame members and opposing first and second end frame members. The frame members define an opening therebetween. The screening panel further includes a plurality of spaced parallel elongated screening ribs defining a screening surface of the screening panel. The plurality of screening ribs extend continuously across at least a portion of the screening surface in a direction that is diagonal relative peripheral frame. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a screening arrangement according to example aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a screening panel according to example aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the screening panel of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the screening panel of  FIG. 3  as indicated by the dotted lines; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the screening panel of  FIG. 2  along line  5 - 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a first side view of the screening panel of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a second side view of the screening panel of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom view of the screening panel of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the screening panel of  FIG. 8  as indicated by the dotted lines; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a screening arrangement according to example aspects of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a screening panel according to example aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Generally, the present disclosure is directed to a screening panel and corresponding screening arrangement. The screening panel can include a peripheral frame having opposing first and second side frame members and opposing first and second end frame members defining an opening therebetween. The screening panel can include a plurality of closely spaced elongated screening ribs defining a screening surface that generally directs materials towards and through the opening of the screening panel. According to example aspects of the present disclosure, the screening panel can include one or more sets of screening ribs that extend continuously across the screening surface of the screening panel in a non-parallel direction relative to a flow direction of materials in a screening arrangement. 
     In this manner, the screening panels according to example aspects of the present disclosure can be arranged in a screening arrangement such that the screening ribs are neither with nor against flow of particulate materials across the screening panel. In this way, the screening panels are capable of improving the throughput of material particles by reducing build-up of materials, such as debris or irregularly-shaped, near-size feed particles, which may become lodged in the screening panel during the screening process. 
     For instance, in one example embodiment, the screening panel can include a first and second set of screening ribs. The first set of screening ribs can continuously extend diagonally from the first side frame member at an acute angle towards the first end frame member. The second set of screening ribs can continuously extend diagonally at a different acute angle towards the second end frame member. 
     More or fewer sets of screening ribs arranged in a non-parallel direction relative to a flow direction of a screening arrangement can be included in the screening panel without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, the screening panel can include a single set of screening ribs extending in a non-parallel direction relative to a flow direction of a screening arrangement. Adjacent screening panels can be arranged on a screening arrangement such that adjacent screening ribs on adjacent screening panels extend in different directions. In another example embodiment, the screening panels can have three, four, five, or any other suitable number of sets of screening ribs extending in non-parallel direction relative to a flow direction of materials in a screening arrangement. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the screening arrangement  100  according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the screening arrangement  100  includes a support frame  110  that includes a plurality of support members  120  mounted in parallel relationship to one another. The support frame  110  may be composed of any suitable material capable of supporting the screening panels  150 , such as, for example, steel or aluminum. The support frame  110  supports a plurality of screening panels  150  as described herein, which are used to separate and size material. The screening panels  150  may be arranged in any suitable configuration on the support frame  110 . For example, in one embodiment, the screening panels  150  are arranged such that the ribs  180  of adjacent screening panels  150  extend in different directions. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the screening panels  150  are arranged such that ribs  180  of adjacent screening panels  150  are traverse to each other. 
     In further embodiments, the support members  120  can include a plurality of openings or sockets  132  for receiving one or more securing elements  140  of the screening panels  150 . More specifically, the sockets  132  may be spaced at regular intervals or at irregular intervals along the length of the support members  120 . The securing elements  140  can be secured within the sockets  132  in a variety of ways. For example, the securing element  140  can be secured to support member  120  by a screw thread. In other embodiments, the securing element  140  can be snapped into support member  120 . 
     The screening arrangement  100  can further include a plurality of protective covers  130  mounted in a side-by-side relationship along the length of the support members  120 . The protective covers  130  can be used to protect support members  120  from abrasion during the screening process. Further, the protective covers  130  can be formed from a variety of resilient materials that are resistant to abrasion, such as a high wear resistant polymer, such as polyurethane. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-9 , various views of one example embodiment of a suitable screening panel  150  according to example aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. As shown, the screening panel  150  may include a peripheral frame  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral frame  152  includes a pair of opposing side frame members  154 ,  156  and a pair of opposing end frame members  158 ,  160 . Thus, the frame members  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160  define an opening  172  therein. In one embodiment, the side frame members  154 ,  156  may be integral with the end frame members  158  and  160 . Alternatively, the side frame members  154 ,  156  may be separate features from the end frame members  158 ,  160  and mounted thereto. In addition, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the frame members  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160  may also define corners  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164  of the peripheral frame  152 . Thus, the peripheral frame  152  may have a generally rectangular or square frame. It should be understood, however, that the peripheral frame  152  is not limited to a rectangular or square frame, but may be a triangular frame, a circular or oval frame, or a frame with any polygonal shape. In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the peripheral frame  152  may also have an upper surface  166 , a lower surface  168 , and an outer peripheral surface  170 . The outer peripheral surface  170  may generally interconnect the upper surface  166  and the lower surface  168  so as to form a border of the peripheral frame  152 . 
     As mentioned, and referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the screening panel  150  may further include a plurality of screening ribs  180  defining a screening surface  190  that is configured to facilitate the screening of material (not shown) through the screening panel  150 . For example, the screening ribs  180  may direct materials, such as particulate materials, towards and through the screening surface  190  of the screening panel  150 . In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the screening ribs  180  extend continuously across at least a portion of the opening  172  of the screening panel  150  in a generally diagonal direction relative to one or more of the frame members  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160 . Further, the screening ribs  180  can be generally straight, linear ribs having an elongated rectangular-shaped configuration. In addition, the screening ribs  180  may also have varying widths and/or lengths. 
     The plurality of screening ribs  180  can include a first set  182  of screening ribs and a second set  184  of screening ribs. The first set of screening ribs  182  and the second set of screening ribs  182  may be included in the screening panel  150  in a variety of configurations. For example, in one embodiment, each of the first set of screening ribs  182  may be generally parallel to one another and may extend from the first side frame member  156  of the peripheral frame  152  towards a transition portion  165  of the screening surface  190  in a first direction. Similarly, each of the second set of the screening ribs  184  may be generally parallel to one another and may extend from the transition portion  165  towards the second side frame member  154  of the peripheral frame  152  in a second direction. The transition portion  165  can be located at any suitable point on the screening panel  150 . Further, as shown particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first direction of the first set  182  of screening ribs  180  is different than the second direction of the second set  184  of screening ribs  180 . 
     More specifically, the first set  182  of screening ribs  180  can extend generally diagonally from the first side frame member  152  at an acute angle from the first side frame member  152  towards the first end frame member  158 . Similarly, the second set  184  of screening ribs  180  can extend generally diagonally from the transition portion  165  at an acute angle towards the second end frame member  160 . In a particular embodiment, for example, the first set  182  of screening ribs  180  can extend at a generally 45-degree angle from the first side frame member  156  towards the first end frame member  158 , whereas the second set  184  of screening ribs  180  can extend at a generally 45-degree angle from the transition portion  165  towards the second end frame member  160 . In such an embodiment, the first  182  and second  184  set of screening ribs  180  are traverse to each other. 
     In further embodiments, the second direction of the second set  184  of screening ribs  180  extends at an angle greater than 0 degrees but less than 180 degrees relative to the first direction of the first set  182  of screening ribs  180 . In addition, the transition portion  165  may separate the first  182  and second set  184  of screening ribs  180 . In additional embodiments, the transition portion  165  may be purposefully molded into the screening panel  150  or may be indirectly molded into the screening panel  150  as a result of molding the first  182  and second  184  set of screening ribs  180  into the screening panel  150 . In an alternative embodiment, the transition portion  165  can simply be the point at which the first  182  and second set  184  of screening ribs directly connect with each other. 
     The various configurations of the screening ribs  180  as described herein allows the screening panel  150  to be oriented in a screening arrangement  100  such that the screening ribs  180  are at an angle that is neither with flow nor against flow (e.g. is non-parallel to the direction of flow of material). For example, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the screening ribs  180  of each screening panel  150  are configured at an angle relative to the flow direction  34  to channel the screening materials along a meandering path that improves throughput of the screening materials. For example, if a near size particle follows the pattern of example embodiments of the present disclosure, the particle will travel farther than if traveling along a traditional screening panel. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the screening panels described herein may further include a plurality of elongated support ribs  192  supporting the plurality of screening ribs  180 . As such, the screening ribs  180  are more rigid, thereby limiting the ability or tendency of the screening ribs  180  to be stretched open or pushed closed along their length. Further, as shown particularly in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the plurality of support ribs  192  extend in a different direction than the screening ribs  180 . In one embodiment, for example, the plurality of screening ribs  180  and the plurality of support ribs  192  cross each other at an angle other 90 degrees. More specifically, the screening ribs  180  and the support ribs  192  can cross each other at an angle ranging from greater than 0 degrees up to less than 90 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, the support ribs  192  cross the screening ribs  180  at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Alternatively, the screening ribs  180  and the support ribs  192  may cross each other at an angle ranging from greater than 90 degrees up to less than 180 degrees. By orienting the support ribs  192  in different directions relative to the screening ribs  180 , the screening panel  150  is further capable of reducing build-up of materials that flows through the screening panel  150  during the screening process, thereby improving the throughput of material particles by the screening panel  150 . In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the support ribs  192  may extend in a parallel relationship relative to the screening ribs  180 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of the screening panel  150  of  FIG. 2  along line  5 - 5  is illustrated. More specifically, one embodiment of the cross-sectional shapes  186 ,  194  of the screening ribs  180  and the support ribs  192 , respectively are illustrated. As shown, the screening ribs  180  have a generally ovoid, or egg-shaped, cross-sectional shape  186 . Such a cross-sectional shape, which has a radius non-tangential to the drafted flat edges, can help channel the material through the screening panel  150  and add wear to the material without tending to trap near-sized material within the screening panel  150 . In still further embodiments, the cross-sectional shape  186  of the screening ribs  180  may have any other suitable shape known in the art, such as a rectangle, a circle, a trapezoid, a triangle, an oval, a square, or similar. Similarly and still referring to  FIG. 5 , the cross-sectional shape  194  of the support ribs  192  may be any suitable shape known in the art. For example, as shown, the support ribs  192  have a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape  194 . In still additional embodiments, the support ribs  192  may have a square, rectangular, I-beam, triangular, round, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 - 8 , the screening panel  150  of the present disclosure may further include locating formations  169  provided on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral frame  152 . The locating formations  169  may be provided for engagement with complementary formations  169  on adjacent screening panels  150  to locate the screening panels  150  on the screening arrangement  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the locating formations  169  may be protrusions, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  6 - 8 . Complementary protrusions may be brought into register with one another and fit into securing sockets  132  ( FIG. 1 ) on the screening arrangement  100 . Securing elements  140  may then be knocked into bores formed by the complementary protrusions, to secure the adjacent screening panels  150  on the screening arrangement  100 . In other embodiments, the locating formations  169  may be recesses. Complementary recesses may be brought into register with one another, defining locating sockets into which complementary-shaped protrusions or spigots (not shown) are received to locate adjacent screening panels  150  on the screening arrangement  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another embodiment of a screening panel arrangement  200  having a plurality of screening panels  250  is illustrated. As shown, each of the screening panels  250  define a screening surface  290  that is configured to facilitate the screening of material (not shown) through the screening panel  250 . Further, the screening ribs  280  extend continuously across the screening surface  290  of the screening panel  250 . More specifically, the screening ribs  280  extend diagonally from a first side frame member  256  continuously across the screening surface  290  of the screening panel  250 . Further, in the illustrated embodiment, all of the screening ribs  280  on a single screening panel  250  are parallel to each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the screening panels  250  can be arranged in the screening arrangement  200  such that the screening ribs  280  of one of the plurality of screening panels  250  extend in a different direction than adjacent screening ribs of an adjacent screening panel in the screening arrangement  200 . As such, when material is screened through the screening arrangement  200 , the material contacts the screening ribs  280  of one screening panel  250  in a first direction and then contacts an adjacent screening panel  250  having screening ribs  280  in a different second direction as the particles move along the flow direction  134 . As such, if a near size particle follows the pattern of the present disclosure, the particle will travel farther than if traveling along a traditional screening panel. 
     Example embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed with reference to a screening panel having a single set of screening ribs extending in a direction non-parallel to the flow direction of material and to a screening panel having two sets of screening ribs extending in a direction non-parallel to the flow direction of material for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that a screening panel can include any number of sets of screening ribs extending in a direction non-parallel to the flow direction of material without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the screening panels as described herein may be formed of any suitable material. For example, in various embodiments, the material may be formed of a resiliently deformable material. For example, in various embodiments, the resiliently deformable material may be a resiliently deformable polymeric material. In certain embodiments, the resiliently deformable material may include polyurethane. Further, in certain embodiments, the resiliently deformable material may include rubber. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above disclosed materials. Rather, any suitable polymeric material or resiliently deformable material is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further it should be understood that the various components of the screening panel, such as the screening ribs and/or the support ribs, need not be formed of the same material, but rather may be formed from varying materials having varying desirable resilience characteristics. 
     In addition, the screening panel material may, in certain embodiments, have a Shore hardness in the range from approximately 40 Shore A to approximately 90 Shore A. In other embodiments, the screening panel material may have a Shore hardness in the range from approximately 60 Shore A to approximately 85 Shore A. However, it should be understood that the screening panel material of the present disclosure is not limited to Shore hardnesses in the range from approximately 40 Shore A to approximately 90 Shore A or approximately 60 Shore A to approximately 85 Shore A, but may be a material with any hardness above or harder than 90 Shore A or below or softer than 40 Shore A. Further it should be understood that the various components of the screening panel, such as the screening ribs and/or the support ribs, need not be formed of the same material, but rather may be formed from varying materials having varying desirable hardnesses. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.