MX2008004937A - Method for facilitating shale shaker operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for facilitating shale shaker operation, the method comprising the steps of having a computer readable identifier (795) on apparatus associated with separation equipment, the computer readable identifier storing information and reading the information stored in the computer readable identifier with reading apparatus.

Description

METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE OPERATION OF A VIBRATORY SCREEN Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method for facilitating the operation of a vibrating screen. The invention also relates to a screen and vibrating screen assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In drilling a borehole in the construction of an oil or gas well, a trepan is placed at the end of a series of drill rods and rotated to drill the borehole. A drilling fluid known as "drilling mud" is pumped through the series of drill rods to the trephine to lubricate the trephine. The drilling mud is also used to carry the materials produced by the trepan cuts and other solids to the surface through a void formed between the series of drill rods and the borehole. In drilling mud it contains expensive synthetic oil-based lubricants and it is therefore normal that the drilling mud used is recovered and reused, but this requires that the solids be removed from the drilling mud. This is achieved by the processing of the drilling fluid. The first part of the process is to separate the solids from the solids carried by the drilling mud. This is achieved at least partially with a separator Ref. 191677 vibratory, such as the vibrating screens described in US 5,265,730, WO 96/33792 and WO 98/16328. Vibrating screens generally comprise an open bottom basket having an open discharge end and a solid wall feed end. A number of rectangular sieves are placed in the basket, which are retained on C-shaped channel rails located on the basket walls, such as those described in GB-A-2, 176-424. The basket is placed on springs above a receiver to receive the recovered drilling mud. A drawer or pit is provided below the open discharge end of the basket. An engine is fixed to the basket, which has a drag rotor provided with the weight of a counterweight block. In use, the motor rotates the rotor and the weight of the counterweight block, which causes the basket and the sieves fixed thereto to shake. The mud that carries the solids is introduced in the feeding end of the basket on the sieves. The stirring movement induces the solids to move along the sieves towards the open discharge end. The drilling mud passes through the sieves. The recovered drilling mud is received in the receiver for further processing and the solids pass over the discharge end of the basket to the drawer or pit.

There are already a variety of systems and methods for using surface acoustic wave labels or radio frequency identification labels on identification items, including items used in the oil and gas industry such as a drill pipe. (See, for example, US Patent Nos. 4,698,631, 5,142,128, 5,202,680, 5,360,967, 6,333,699, 6,333,700, 6,347,292, 6,480,811, and US Patent Applications Serial Nos. 10 / 323,536 filed on December 18, 2002, 09 / 843,998 filed on April 27, 2001, 10 / 047,436 filed on January 14, 2002, 10 / 261,551 filed on September 30, 2002, 10 / 032,114 filed on December 21, 2001, and 10 / 013,255 filed on December 5, 2001. November 2001, all fully incorporated here for all purposes). In many of these systems, a radio frequency identification tag or "RFIDT" is used in the pipeline at a location that is either inside or outside a pipe, because RFIDT is exposed to temperatures and extreme conditions down the well in a borehole. Frequently, a RFIDT thus placed fails in its operation and is no longer used. Also, in many cases, RFIDT thus placed is subject to damage above ground due to the rigors of handling and handling.

The principle of operation of a SAW RFID tag is based on the conversion of an interrogation radio wave impulse emitted from a reader directly onto a nano-scale surface acoustic wave on the surface of the SAW tag. The label antenna is connected directly to an IDT (Interdigital Transducer) that uses the piezoelectric effect in a lithium niobate substrate material to perform an efficient conversion between radio waves and surface acoustic waves. These surface acoustic waves then travel once an encoded set of reflectors has been passed from the waves that interact to produce a single pulse train of acoustic waves. These impulses are converted directly into a reply signal of the coded radio wave that is sent back to the reader. The SAW (chip / integrated circuit) tag operates using the piezoelectric effect and does not require DC power. In the drilling of an oil or gas well, the drilling fluid carrying the solids, returned to the surface, is analyzed frequently and the results of the analysis are used to determine a suitable medium for the separation of the solids from the drilling. The analysis is also used to determine if the necessary additives have to be added to the fluid drilling. The means determined to separate the solids from the drilling fluid carrying the solids, often involve specifying a particular mesh size of the screen, the type of mesh and the type of mesh assembly. It is often difficult to recognize a particular type of screen by visual inspection. Errors can occur in the choice of the type of screen. In addition, the determined means may require specific speeds of operation of a screen, the operation at a particular inclination to contain a puddle of the drilling fluid that transports the solids to a certain depth to increase or decrease the hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid on the sieve and to increase or reduce the residence time of the drilling fluid that transports the solids onto the screen, both of which can be achieved by altering the angle of inclination of the screen from the inlet end to the discharge end of the screen . In angle of inclination of the sieve can be adjusted from downhill (perhaps between 3 and 30 degrees, more preferably 3 and 10 degrees), in a flat place and uphill, (with an uphill angle from the horizontal of between 3 degrees and 10 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 9 degrees). Certain screens will be able to do this and others will not. The sieves are of different size and type mesh. The mesh can be unidirectional, requiring a certain orientation in the vibrating screen. It is extremely important to use the correct screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for facilitating the operation of the vibrating screen, the method comprising the steps of having an identifier that can be read by a computer on the apparatus associated with the separation equipment. , the identifier that can be read by a computer stores information and reads the information stored in the identifier that can be read by the computer with a reading device. Preferably, the information is stored in the identifier that can be read by the computer. Advantageously, the information stored in the identifier that can be read is sufficient to determine the parameters of the separation equipment. In the case of a screen assembly, the information will be in at least one and preferably all of the following elements: the type of mesh, the size of the mesh, the number of layers of the mesh; if it is prestressed or is made of hook-shaped strips; the size of the frame (length, width and depth) that is to say all the physical parameters, as well as the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and other information to make it possible for the separation equipment to be tracked to its manufacture In the case of a vibrating screen: one, two or three auxiliary deck machines; if it exists, a covering of the uncured sieve; the type of the sieve fixing means; the manufacturer, the size of the printing area; the height; the width; the number of primary screens that can be fixed on the primary covers; Adjustable tilt covers and adjustment range. Advantageously, the information stored in the identifier that can be read is an identification code, the method also includes the step of entering the identification code in a field in a database, sufficient information to determine the parameters of the equipment of separation stored in the database that refer to the identification code. The database can simply be a look-up table. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of displaying sufficient information to determine the parameters of the separation equipment to an operator. Selling, the identifier that can be read is an energizable identification tag. Preferably, the reading apparatus energizes the energizable identification card. Preferably, the reading apparatus is portable. Advantageously, the separation equipment is a screen.

Preferably, the information reading step is carried out before the screen is placed on a vibrating screen. The separation equipment may be at least one of the group: a screen assembly; a sieve material; a sandwich of layers of sieve material; a de-weeding sieve; a primary sieve; and a vibrating screen. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of controlling the reading apparatus with the control apparatus. Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of transporting the information to a computer that includes a programmable portion programmed to receive and analyze the information, and the computer that produces a signal of analysis indicative of the acceptance or rejection of the screen assembly based on the analysis. Preferably, the acceptance or rejection analysis signal is displayed to a user, such as a drill assistant or other operating member. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of inserting in the parameters of the computer program of the separation equipment that are suitable. Advantageously, the method further comprises the steps of analyzing the separation process, formulating the parameters of the separation equipment that could be suitable, inserting these suitable parameters into a computer. For example, if the driller notifies from his instruments, or from an inspection Visual that the drilling fluid is overflying on the sieves in the agitator, it determines the cause of the problem, such as the agglutination of nearby particles of the sieve. Therefore, the driller introduces the appropriate parameters for an alternative screen to be used, which will reduce the likelihood that nearby particles will agglutinate. An operating member is alerted to change the sieve. The operating element uses a portable reading device to read the identifiers on a selection of the screens. The reading apparatus will otherwise display or alert the operating member when it passes the reading apparatus over a screen that matches the proper parameters of the perforator inserted in the computer program. The computer program may comprise a database and preferably comprises a look-up table. Preferably, in the case of a screen, the analysis signal is sent before the operating member vibrates the screen assembly. The present invention also provides a screen for use on a vibratory separator, the screen apparatus comprises a support, the screening material on the support, and an energizable identification apparatus that contacts the support to identify the screen apparatus. Preferably, the identification apparatus energizable is inside the support. Selling, the support is a frame. Preferably, the frame includes a plurality of interconnected hollow elements and the energizable identification apparatus is within a hollow element. Advantageously, the frame has an exterior and an interior and the energisable identification apparatus is on the interior. Preferably, the support is connected to the side mounting structure and the energizable identification apparatus is making contact with the side mounting structure. Advantageously, the energizable identification apparatus is within the side mounting structure. Preferably, the screening material is not planar and the energizable identification apparatus is under the screening material. Advantageously, the screening material has open ends, a stopper that completely covers each open end, and the energizable identification apparatus is in a stopper. Preferably, the energizable identification apparatus is capped with respect to the support. Advantageously, the energizable identification apparatus is adhered to the support. Preferably, the energizable identification apparatus is within a mass of the material. Selling it, the dough is rigid. Alternatively, the dough is flexible. Preferably, the mass is shaped for reception within a space within the apparatus of sieving. Advantageously, the dough has an opening for the insertion of the energizable identification apparatus in the dough. Preferably, the dough is made of the group material consisting of: plastic, epoxy, glass fiber, gel, airgel, siliceous airgel, a non-magnetic metal, ceramic, cermet, polytetrafluoroethylene, wood, metal, a composite material. In a particular aspect, one or more RFIDTs are covered with heat resistant and / or impact resistant materials on the exterior of an article. Preferably, the boxing structure encases the energizable identification apparatus, the boxing structure comprises at least one layer of a heat-resistant material. Such boxing can be made of a metal (magnetic, or non-magnetic, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, silver, gold, platinum and titanium), plastic, a composite material, polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass, ceramic and / or cermet . The RFIDT may be, in certain aspects, any radio-frequency identification label only for reading or only for writing, commercially available, known and any suitable known, manual, fixed, and / or automatic reader system may be used to read the RFIDT. Advantageously, the boxing structure further comprises at least one layer of an impact-resistant material. Preferably, the identification apparatus energizable is a radio frequency identification device with an integrated circuit device and an antenna apparatus. The present invention provides, in certain aspects, a screen or screen assembly for a vibratory separator or vibrating screen; sieve or screen assembly having one, two or more energizable identification apparatuses, for example RFIDT or SAW tags, the energizable identification apparatus may be on or within the sieve or sieve assembly, either within a solid part or in a space within a hollow element, for example within a hollow part of a frame. RFIDT (Radio Frequency Identification Labels) may be wrapped in heat and impact resistant materials in one aspect, located in an area of 5.08-7.62 cm (2-3") in length RFIDT (or RFIDTs) It is protected from shocks (pressure, impacts, thermal shock) that can be found on a drill tower RFIDT can be (as can be described here), in certain aspects, any RFID tag only for reading or only for writing, commercially available, known, and any suitable known, manual, fixed, and / or automatic reader system can be used to read the RFIDT.This installation of RFIDTs can be carried out on the field, in an installation, in a drilling tower, without the need for a machine. Optionally, a metal tag designating a unique serial number of each article, apparatus, or drillpipe length, located under the wrapper with the RFIDT (s) ensures that "traceability" will never be lost due to the failure of RFIDT (s). The replacement of the RFIDTs that have failed, can be carried out without leaving a location, eliminating the expensive transport or the costs of transport in truck. Optionally, the wrapper is applied a distinctive color and / or a bright color for ease of identification. The determination that if an article, apparatus, or a tubular element or a length of the drill pipe or a series of drill pipes, is labeled with RFID or is not visibly appreciable, for example from a distance once the RFIDTs are in place. Such wrapping can be used to apply an energizable identification apparatus to a screen assembly. The RFIDT can be located in a recess formed by machining or with a laser beam device or by drilling. In certain particular aspects, in the cross section a recess has a shape that is square, rectangular, triangular, semi-triangular, circular, semi-circular, trapezoidal, shaped like a dovetail, or rhomboid A derrick with a floor of the derrick that has on it or interspersed therein or placed thereunder, a tag reader system that reads the RFIDTs in the pipeline or other apparatus placed on the floor of the drilling rig. the derrick above the label reader system. The entirety of such reader systems based on the derrick floor, manually operated reader systems, and other fixed reader systems useful in the methods and systems according to the present invention, may be, in certain aspects, in communication with one. or more control systems, for example computers, computer systems, consoles, and / or control systems on the derrick, on the site, and / or at a location remote from the derrick, either by means of lines and / or cables or wirelessly. Such systems can provide identification, inventory, and quality control functions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the appended figures, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a vibrating screen according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of the screen Figure 1 is a view from one end of the vibrating screen of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a side view of a screen according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a screen assembly according to the present invention. Figure 6A is a top view of a screen assembly in accordance with the present invention. Figure 6B is an end view of the screen assembly of Figure 6A. Figure 6C is a side view of the screen assembly of Figure 6A. Figure 6D is a perspective view of a part of the screen assembly of Figure 6A. Figure 7A is a top view of a screen assembly in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7B is a top view of a screen assembly according to the present invention. Figure 7C is an end view of the screen assembly of Figure 7B. Figure 7D is an enlargement of the part of the screen assembly shown in Figure 7C. Figure 8 is an end view of the screen assembly according to a present invention.

Figure 9A is a top view of a screen assembly according to the present invention. Figure 9B is an exploded view of the assembly of sieve of figure 9A. Figure 9C is an end view of a screen assembly of Figure 9A. Figure 9D is an enlargement of the part of the screen assembly of Figure 9C. Figure 9E is an end view of a screen assembly according to the present invention. Figure 10A is a top view of a screen assembly according to the present invention. Figure 10B is a sectional view along the line 10B-10B of Figure 10A. Fig. 10C is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 10D is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 10E is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Figures 1-3 show a vibrating screen 810 according to the present invention having a basket 812 for mounting the screen and a bridge 814 on which are mounted two vibrating devices 820. The basket 812 has reinforcement brackets 816 to which the coil springs 818 are secured. Each spring 18 is secured to a base member 822. As shown in Figure 3, an optional housing 824 can be used on the sides and bottom of the vibrating screen 810 An electronic tracking apparatus 829 is on the housing 24, but may be, in accordance with the present invention, within any suitable element or part of a vibrating screen; and, optionally, such tracking apparatus has a container or housing made of a composite material and / or is encased within or coated with the composite material. Any known tracking device, apparatus, or system may be used, including, but not limited to, known satellite tracking systems. The reinforcement brackets 816 are preferably made of the composite material, as are the base elements 822 and the housing 824. Optionally, the basket 812 (side walls 812a, 812b, the ends 812c, 812d) are made of a composite material . Alternatively one, some, or all of these components are made of box steel, in a composite material or in steel coated with the composite material. A coating of the composite material may have the thickness of a paint layer or of two, three, four or more layers of paint. A vibrating screen similar to the 810 vibrating screen, but no teaching, motivation, or suggestion of use of such composite material for a vibrating screen or parts thereof, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 6,155,428 fully incorporated here for all purposes. Figure 4 shows an agitator 750 according to the present invention. The material to be treated (for example the drilling fluid with the solids) by the agitator 750 is introduced from a tank 751. The fluid material flows on the screening apparatus 752-755 which are mounted in a basket 756 of the sieve Any of the screening apparatus 753-755 can be horizontal (see screening apparatus 753, figure 4) or inclined uphill (see screening apparatus 752, 754, 755). The vibrating apparatus 757 vibrates the basket 756 and the screening apparatus 752-755. A reflux tray 754a below the screening apparatus 754 receives the fluid flowing through the screening apparatus 754 which flows down to a container 758 and a reflux tray 755a directs the material to the screening apparatus 755. The material and / or the fluid flowing through the screening apparatus 753-755 flows down to a sump, tank or vessel 758. The basket 756 is mounted on a sprung frame (not shown). Material that is not flowing through the screening apparatus, for example, separated solids, flows moving away from the end of the screening apparatus 754 descending on the screening apparatus 755. The material separated by the screening apparatus 755 flows on top of it and away from the end thereof. The screening apparatus 753-755 can be from any known sieves or screen assemblies used with vibrating separators or vibrating screens. Each screening apparatus 753-755 has an energisable identification apparatus or devices 753i-755i, respectively, on it or on it and / or the screen 750 has an identification device or energizing identification devices 750i and therein and / or about them. Any energizable identification apparatus described herein may be used for the screening apparatus, the vibrating apparatus, and / or for the screen (including, for example, RFIDTs and / or SAWs). Optionally, the vibratory apparatus 757 has a energisable identification apparatus 757i thereon or on it and / or the weights 757m of the engine have a energisable identification apparatus 757p. As is the case with several sieves or several rotary sieves, the sieves 752, 754, and 755 are inclined so that the materials on them ascend "uphill" to exit the end of the sieve. It is inside the It is within the scope of the present invention to use an energizable identification apparatus (any described herein) with any such inclined screen and with any screen inclined on any vibratory separator or vibrating screen. Optionally, the agitator 750 is provided with a reading device 759 (for example as described herein or in the prior art) to read and verify the energisable identification apparatuses on the screens mounted on the agitator 750 and / or on the other parts of the agitator 750. Optionally, the reading device communicates with a 759a control system (over some place or another remote location). The 759a control system can verify all of the energisable identification devices. With respect to a particular screening assembly, the 759a control system receives the signals, including the identification signals, from the screening assembly and determines (on any interconnected computer system 759c, on the site or at some remote location) if this The particular screening assembly is suitable for use on the 750 agitator. If by means of the 750s sensors the control system determines that the particular screening assembly is not suitable for the material being processed and / or for the flow rates , the control system and / or the computer system can send a signal and / or an alarm and / or they can automatically stop the agitator in its operation. The signals of the energizing identification device 757i can indicate, for example, the date of manufacture of the engine, the last date of service, the date of restoration of the engine, etc. The signals from the 757p energizing identification device can indicate the nominal calibrated motor force so that the control system can ensure correct motor force (operation at the correct frequency and operation with the correct weight (s)) (s)). Figure 5 shows a screening assembly 790 according to the present invention having a frame 791 with transverse elements 793a and cross bars 793b with multiple layers 792, 794, 796 of the screen mesh. The epoxy material connects the layers of the mesh to the frame 791. An energizable identification apparatus 795 on an outer portion of the frame 791 with a protective tape, a cover or casing 798 (which may be a encasement, the layer (s) (s), the mass of the material, the tape (s) and / or the wrapper (s) described here). Optionally, a protective cover, etc., surrounds the portion of the frame 791 adjacent to the apparatus 795. Optionally, or in place of the apparatus 795, an energizable identification apparatus 797 is on an inner portion of the frame 791 and is protected by a boxing, tape, or protective cover 797 (which can be any boxing, tape (s), mass of material, layer (s) and / or wrapping (s) described). It is within the scope of the present invention to provide one or more appliances 795 and / or one or more appliances 797 on or in any portion of any sieve or screen assembly used with a vibratory separator or vibrating screen, including but not limited to, on the frames, plates, supports, flanges, projections, transverse elements, bars, structural parts, and sealing structures of such screens or sieve assemblies. Figures 6A-6D show a screening assembly 840 according to the present invention having a tubular frame 842 made of hollow tubular elements with the ends 844 and the interconnected sides 845. A layer or combination of layers 850 of the screening material is secured to the tubular frame 842 with a suitable gluing material and / or adhesives. A plurality of transverse elements 843 spaced apart extend between and have ends 844 connected to the sides 845. The screening assembly 840 may have, in a particular aspect, a combination of multiple layers 850 of layers of the screening material adhered together with an adhesive or epoxy or with an adhesive material together with a hot melt adhesive material, in a wet phase, in a gluing configuration 862. The multiple layer combination 860 is secured to the tubular frame 842, for example with cured epoxy. It is within the scope of the present invention to place and / or mount an energizable identification apparatus within any portion of a screening screen or assembly for a vibrating screen or separator, including, but not limited to, within a frame member hollow or tubular, within a hole or recess, or within a side mounting structure of a screen or screening assembly. The screening assembly 840 has an energisable identification apparatus 841 secured in an amount of material 846 (eg, plastic, epoxy, glass fiber, gel, airgel, siliceous airgel, wood, metal, a composite material) within a end 844 of the screening assembly 840 and an energisable identification apparatus 847 in a quantity of the material 847a within a side 845. The energisable identification apparatuses 848 and 849 are adhesively secured externally to the frame portions 842 and / or have a layer or layers of casing or tape 848a, 849a, on them. Frequently, identification tags or tags, made for example of plastic or metal, are used on the sieves and screening assemblies to carry the information about the sieve or assembly. sieving. It is within the scope of the present invention to include on or within such labels or tags one or more energizable identification devices. For example, a tag or tag 851 on the frame 842 (FIG. 6D) has the information 852 about the screen 840 and on or interspersed within the tag or tag 851 is the information of an energizable identification device 853. FIGS. 7D show a screening assembly 910 according to the present invention having the layers 912 of the screen material and side mounts 914. In a particular aspect there are three layers 912 of stainless steel screening material with a lower layer with a mesh 20 x 20, an intermediate layer of 105 x 64 mesh, and an upper layer of 170 x 105 mesh. It is within the scope of this invention for layers 912 to be any known screening material, separated and connected to each other or to the bonded, connected, fused, sintered, glued together, and / or co-cooked layers in any known manner and the screening material can be made of any material The name used for such screening assemblies. In certain aspects, the layers 912 of the screening material are glued together with a co-sized screening material which produces a hot-melt, cured, bonded material that is flexible. In some aspects, a screening assembly according to the present invention with a flexible material, can be folded or rolled on itself. Each side mount 914 has a lower portion 921, a side portion 922, an upper portion 923, an upper flange 924, and an upper flange 925. The layers 912 pass between and are secured between the lower portion 921 and the upper edge 924. One end of the layers 912 is held between the opposite portions 925a and 925b of the upper edge 925. The upper edge 924, optionally, can be adhesively secured together and / or welded to the bottom 921 with welds 926 spaced apart, multiple , along the length of the side mounts 914. Adhesive material and / or similar solders, can optionally be used along the upper edge 925. In other respects, the 926 welds are removed or are supplemented with glued areas along the mounts 914. Alternatively, or additionally, the protruding teeth or protrusions on the upper edge 924 and / or the lower part 921 can be r used to retain the screening material. The bottom portion 921 has a plurality of holes 929 spaced apart for receiving the corresponding upwardly directed projections of the screen mounting structure or screening apparatus. vibratory or vibratory separator. Optionally, the ends 916 of the side mounts 914 are sealed with any suitable sealing material or sealing structure. As shown in Figure 7D, a solid plug or a quantity of hardened adhesive or a hot melt bonding material 927 is applied to the end opening 916. An energizable identification apparatus 928 is encased within the plug 927. Optionally, such material can encapsulate the flange of the layers 912 of the screening material. In certain aspects, the side mounts and / or the 927 plug are made of plastic, epoxy, steel, acrylic, steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, a composite material, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, zinc, a zinc alloy , bronze or brass. Optionally, upper portion 923 is removed and a generally "L" -shaped side assembly is provided and it is within the scope of this invention to provide such side mounting with any seal or handling apparatus described herein. Optionally, a plurality of screws 931 secures a sealing element 930 to the side portion 922. In one aspect, the sealing element 930 is made (as may be the case for any seal or sealing element in accordance with the present invention) neoprene, but it can be made of nitrile rubber, rubber, plastic, material joint, polyurethane, or any sealing material. The sealing element 930 has an upper portion 932 of generally circular cross-section (but, in accordance with the present invention, this cross section may be of any desired shape, including, but not limited to, the square, oval, and rectangular). Optionally, upper portion 932 is hollow and, for example, may have a space 933 of a generally circular (or in any desired way) cross section. An elongate portion 934 of the sealing element 930 extends downward from the upper portion 932. The sealing element 930 is positioned, in one aspect, so that when the screening assembly 910 is in place on a vibrating screen or vibrating separator. , the sealing element 930 is trapped between the screening assembly 910 and the side wall of a basket or other screen retaining structure. In another aspect, the sealing element 930 is positioned so that the upper portion 932 is above an upper flange of the upper edge 925. The sealing element 930 can be adhesively secured to a side mount. An energizable identification apparatus may be, in accordance with the present invention, in or on the sealing element 930 or in the hollow portion of the end 932. Figure 8 shows a screening assembly 940 of according to the present invention having side mounts 944 (similar to side mounts 914, FIG. 8D); one or more layers 942 of the screening material (similar to the layer or layers 912 of the screening assembly 910); and one, two, three or more layers (s) 946 of an undulating screening material or with projections on and / or connected to the layer (s) 942. The layer (s) of the screening material 946 may be any undulating or projection screening material, including, but not limited to, those described in US Pat. 6,450,345; 5,868,929; 5,720,881; 5,958,236; 5,876,552; 5,636,749; 5,417,858; 5,417,793; 5,417,859; and 5,944,993, all fully incorporated here for all purposes. In the screening assembly 940, a portion of the layers 946 may pass the layer (s) 942 between the bottom and bottom edges of the side mounts 944 and, if desired, towards the top edge. Alternatively, only the layer (s) 942 is (are) secured within the side mounts 944. The side mounts 944 may have a energisable identification apparatus 944a similar to the energisable identification apparatuses shown and / or described for the embodiment of Figure 8D. Figure 9A shows a screen 1110 according to the present invention with a base, support or lower frame 1112, three undulating mesh screens 1114 (any two of which may be removed) on and / or attached or connected to frame 1112, and, optionally, an upper mesh or screen 1116. Screens 1114 may be, by themselves, stitched, joined, or glued together, for example, with epoxy, glue, welding and / or sintering. The rubber strips, plastic tape strips, cushion or cushions 1118 are placed between the screen 1114 and the upper stream 1116. The strip (s) or cushion (s) 1118 are optional. As shown, the strip (s), belt (s), or cushion (s) 1118 are secured to the sieve 1114 (or ridges thereof), but it is within the scope of this invention to secure them (or some of them). they), to sieve 1116. To effect such assurance, any suitable sizing, epoxy, welding, and / or sintering can be used. The frame 1112 can be any known, suitable base, frame or support. It is within the scope of this invention for the screen 1114 to be any screen, mesh, screens, meshes, known, or combinations thereof, attached, together, not attached, or attached only in certain locations and in any manner known as observe from above or on one end (as in Figure 9A). It is within the scope of this invention for the upper sieve 1116, which is optional, to be any known sieve, mesh, sieves, meshes, or a combination thereof, joined together or unattached, and with any shape known As shown in Figure 9B, the sieve 1114 is three single-mesh screens attached together with a coarser mesh on the bottom, the intermediate mesh on the middle part, and a finer mesh on the top. Screen 1116 as shown, may be a coarser screening screen of a coarser mesh than the finer mesh of screen 1114 or a coarser multi-layered mesh. In another aspect, the screen 1114 is a single screen of a finely woven mesh made of any suitable material, for example of stainless steel and / or of a plastic material and the 1116 screen is a single screen of a coarser mesh made of any suitable material (for example but not limited to stainless steel and / or plastic), with the 1114 screen on a metal or plastic frame or support. Alternatively or additionally, instead of the frame 1112 of any perforated plate, strip, support, or series of strips or supports, known, may be used. In one aspect, the strips 1118 are fused plastic strips aligned with the peaks of the undulating fine mesh. Such strips may be made of rubber (for example of nitrile) or of plastic, for example of polypropylene, to inhibit or prevent abrasion of the finer meshes. Such strips can be glued to the bottom of the screen 1116 and / or to the screen 1114. Also the screen 1116 can be glued to the screen 1114.

The end plugs 1113 and 1115 (Figure 9D) closely seal the open ends of the screen 1110. These end plugs can be made of rubber, metal wood, plastic, a Teflon or urethane material. The plugs 1113 extend along two sides of the screen along the ridges of the screening material to completely seal the sides. The plugs are held in place by a friction, glue, epoxy, sintering and / or welding adjustment. Alternatively, the ends can be covered with a screening material. The flow of fluid on the screen 1110 from either end can be from the top to the bottom as seen in Figure 9A, from the bottom to the top, or from one side to the other. In one aspect, the sieve 1116 is a debonding screen of a woven steel mesh. In another aspect, it is made of a plastic or synthetic mesh or woven composite material; and in another aspect, it is a combination of a steel and plastic mesh or a synthetic material or a composite, woven material. The screen 1116 may be of the same mesh or of a coarser mesh than that of the screen 1114 of any layer thereof. In one embodiment, the areas 1117 between the sieve 1116 and the sieve 1114 are open. The sieve 1116 protects the screen mesh 1114 from the abrasive particles. When the sieve 1116 is of a coarser mesh than that of sieve 1114, the relatively larger particles retained on sieve 1116 are prevented from damaging and / or preventing flow through sieve 1114. With sieve 1110 as shown and with the sieve 1116 optionally, the flow of the liquid through the screen is increased by reducing the thickness of the bed of the solids of the finer mesh sieves by separating larger particles with the sieve 1116. Figure 9E shows an alternative embodiment of the sieve 1110 with identical parts (indicated by the same numbers) but with additional end plugs 1119 between upper sieve 1116 and sieve 1114. Such "double sealing" can be used either on one or both ends of the sieve. A fluid and / or the particles introduced to the sieve 1110 first meet the sieve 1116 and then the material with the material flowing through the sieve 1116, flows to the sieve 1114. The plugs 1119 can be made from the materials described for the plugs 1113, 1115 and the plugs 1119 can be installed and / or similarly secured in place. Any of the plugs 1113, 1115, 1119 can be removed in certain embodiments. As previously described, any energisable identification apparatus previously described may be applied to any part of the sieve 1110. An energizable identification apparatus 1120 is interleaved within a plug 1115 and / or a energizable identification apparatus 1122 is interleaved within a plug 1113. Optionally, an energizable identification apparatus 1124 is interleaved within the a sieve 1119 (Figure 9E). Optionally, an energizable identification apparatus 1126 with an antenna 1127 extending therefrom, is located within the frame 1112. It is within the scope of the present invention when a energizable identification apparatus that is used has an antenna extending from the same, to adhere the antenna to a part of the screen or the screening assembly and / or to locate the antenna within a part of the screen or screen assembly (e.g. inside a frame element, wooden board, or mounting lateral), and / or to locate such antenna in a mass of the material. Figures 10A and 10B show a sieve assembly 950 according to the present invention having a lower support plate 952 and one, two, three, four or more layers of the screening material on plate 952 (three layers 953, 954 , 955 are shown). The side wooden boards 956 on the sides of the plate 952 facilitate the assembly of the screen assembly 950 to a cover or mounting structure of a vibrating separator or screen. A energizing identification apparatus 957 is secured to an outer portion of the wooden board 956 and / or a energizable identification apparatus 958 is secured to an inner portion of a wooden board 956. In a particular aspect, the screen assembly 950 is similar to a screen assembly described in the US patent 4,575,421 (fully incorporated herein) modified in accordance with the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, an energizable identification apparatus may be applied to, connected to, or placed within a screen assembly utilizing a solid mass within which the energizable identification apparatus is located. Fig. 10C shows a mass 951 of the material within which is an energizable identification apparatus 959. The mass 951 is dimensioned and configured for insertion into a recess, notch, hollow element, channel or opening of a screen assembly (or other apparatus) to facilitate the installation of the energisable identification apparatus 959. The mass 951 may be held in place with a friction fit and / or an adhesive, glue, weld, and / or tape. The material of the mass 951 can be a metal, plastic, composite material, wood, ceramic, cermet, gel, airgel, siliceous airgel, fiberglass, a non-magnetic metal, or polytetrafluoroethylene. The material can be rigid and relatively non-flexible or it can be soft and / or flexible. An enlarged end 951a of the mass 951 is optional. Figure 10D shows a mass 1151 (made, for example of any material mentioned for the mass 951) with an energizable identification apparatus 1159 therein. The energisable identification apparatus 1159 has an antenna 1158 extending from the energisable identification apparatus 1159 and placed within the base 1551. With a mass 1151 flexible or not sufficiently rigid (and with the mass 951), a groove can be provided or recess 1157 of any desired length within the mass 1151 for inserting the energisable identification apparatus 1159 and the antenna 1158 into the mass 1151 and / or for the removable placement of the energisable identification apparatus 1159. Figure 10E shows a mass 1141 ( for example similar to the masses 951, 1151 and made of the materials mentioned above) with an energisable identification apparatus 1142 therein (or may be, according to the present invention, thereon). The dough 1141 has a recess 1143 sized, located, and configured for the reception therein of a portion or portion of a screen or screen assembly so that the dough 1141 can be easily installed on the screen or screen assembly. A friction fit between mass 1141 and the portion or portion of the screen assembly could retain mass 1141 in its place (e.g., on a frame, plate, mounting, wooden board or support of a screen or screen assembly) and / or connectors, fasteners and / or adhesives may be used to hold the dough 141 in place. It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (40)

1. Claims Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A method for facilitating the operation of the vibrating screen, characterized in that it comprises the steps of having an identifier that can be read by computer on the associated apparatus with the separation equipment, the identifier that can be read by the computer stores the information and reads the information stored in the identifier that can be read by a computer with the reading device.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information is stored in the identifier that can be read.
3. 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information stored in the identifier that can be read is sufficient to determine the parameters of the separation equipment.
4. 4. A method according to the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the information stored in the identifier that can be read is an identification code, the method also includes the step of entering the identification code in a field in a database, the information is sufficient to determine the parameters of the separation equipment stored in the database in relation to the identification code.
5. 5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it further comprises the step of displaying sufficient information to determine the parameters of the separation equipment to an operator.
6. 6. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the identifier that can be read is an energizable identification tag.
7. 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the reading apparatus energizes the energizable identification tag.
8. 8. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the reading device is portable.
9. 9. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the separation equipment is a screen.
10. 10. A method in accordance with the claim 9, characterized in that the step of reading the information is carried out before the screen is placed on a vibrating screen.
11. 11. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the equipment of separation is from the group of: a sieve assembly; a sieve material; a sandwich of layers of sieve material; a debarking screen; a primary sieve; and a vibrating screen.
12. 12. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises the step of controlling the reading apparatus with the control apparatus.
13. 13. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises the step of taking the information to a computer that includes a programmable portion, programmed to receive and analyze the information, and the computer produces a signal of analysis indicative of the acceptance or rejection of the screen assembly based on the analysis.
14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the acceptance or rejection analysis signal is displayed to a user.
15. 15. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that it also comprises the step of inserting into the computer the parameters of the separation equipment program that are suitable.
16. 16. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it also comprises the step of analyzing the separation process, formulate the parameters of the separation equipment that could be suitable, insert these parameters into a computer.
17. 17. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the analysis signal is sent prior to vibrating the screen assembly.
18. 18. A sieve for use on a vibrating separator, characterized in that the screen apparatus comprises a support, a screening material on the support, and an energizable identification apparatus that makes contact with the support to identify the screen apparatus.
19. 19. A screen according to claim 18, characterized in that the energizable identification apparatus is inside the support.
20. 20. A screen according to claim 19, characterized in that the support is a frame.
21. A screen according to claim 20, characterized in that the frame includes a plurality of interconnected hollow elements and the energizable identification apparatus is inside a hollow element.
22. 22. A sieve in accordance with the claim 20, characterized in that the frame has an exterior and an interior and the energisable identification apparatus is on the interior.
23. 23. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the support it is connected to the side mounting structure and the energizable identification apparatus is in contact with the side mounting structure.
24. 24. A screen according to claim 23, characterized in that the energizable identification apparatus is within the lateral mounting structure.
25. 25. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 24, characterized in that the screening material is not planar and the energizable identification apparatus is below the screening material.
26. 26. A screen according to claim 25, characterized in that the screening material has open ends, a plug completely obstructs each open end, and the energizable identification apparatus is in a plug.
27. 27. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 25, characterized in that the energizable identification apparatus is attached with ribbons to the support.
28. 28. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 25, characterized in that the energizable identification apparatus is adhered to the support.
29. 29. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 28, characterized in that the energizable identification apparatus is within a mass of the material.
30. 30. A screen according to claim 29, characterized in that the mass is rigid.
31. 31. A screen according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the dough is flexible.
32. 32. A screen in accordance with the claims 29, 30 or 31, characterized in that the dough is shaped for reception within a space within the screen apparatus.
33. 33. A screen according to claim 32, characterized in that the dough has an opening for the insertion of the energizable identification apparatus in the dough.
34. 34. A screen according to any of claims 29 to 33, characterized in that the dough is made of a material of the group consisting of: plastic, epoxy, glass fiber, gel, airgel, siliceous airgel, a non-magnetic metal, ceramic, cermet, polytetrafluoroethylene, wood, metal, a composite material.
35. 35. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 34, characterized in that it further comprises the boxing structure that encases the energizable identification apparatus, the boxing structure comprises at least one layer of the heat resistant material.
36. 36. A sieve in accordance with the claim 35, characterized in that the boxing structure further comprises at least one layer of an impact resistant material.
37. 37. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 36, characterized in that the energizing identification apparatus is a radio frequency identification device with an integrated circuit device and an antenna apparatus.
38. 38. A screen according to any of claims 18 to 37, characterized in that the vibrating separator is a vibrating screen.
39. 39. A screen assembly for use in the method according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises an energizable identification apparatus.
40. 40. A vibrating screen for use in the method according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises an energizable identification apparatus.