WO2016077432A1

WO2016077432A1 - Plug for filtering screen

Info

Publication number: WO2016077432A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/060105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claire Rosaleen Galloway MCLEAN; Andrew Ralph; Graham Robertson
Original assignee: M-I Drilling Fluids U.K. Ltd.; M-I L.L.C.
Priority date: 2014-11-12
Filing date: 2015-11-11
Publication date: 2016-05-19
Also published as: GB201707580D0; GB2546942A; NO343744B1; MX2017006196A; NO20170776A1

Abstract

A filter assembly includes a filter housing and a plug member. The filter housing defines an opening having a first length. The plug member is mounted in the opening and includes a first flange portion and a second flange portion. The first flange portion includes a first wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and a second wall extending between and connecting the plug member and the first wall. The second flange portion includes a third wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and facing the first wall, and a fourth wall extending between and connecting the plug member and the third wall. The first and second flange portions define a second length greater than the first length, such that the first and second flange portions interferingly fit within the opening.

Description

PLUG FOR FILTERING SCREEN

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/078793, filed November 12, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section provides background information related to the disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Separators are used to separate solid particulates of different sizes and/or to separate solid particulate from fluids in various industries. One such type of separators is a vibratory separator usable in the oil and gas industry, in which they are often referred to as shale shakers. Shakers or vibratory separators are used to remove cuttings and other solid particulates from drilling mud returned from a wellbore. A shale shaker is a vibrating sieve-like table upon which returning used drilling mud is deposited and through which substantially cleaner drilling mud emerges. The shale shaker may be an angled table with a generally perforated filter screen bottom. Returning drilling mud is deposited at one end of the shale shaker. As the drilling mud travels toward the opposite end, the fluid falls through the perforations to a reservoir below, thereby leaving the solid particulate material behind. Vibratory separators may also be used in the food industry, cleaning industry, waste water treatment, and others.

[0004] A mesh screen is commonly used as the perforations to separate the liquid part of the drilling fluid from the solid part of the drilling fluid. If the mesh screen is damaged or otherwise removed, the filter may allow larger solid parts of the drilling fluid through the screen. In such instances, it may be desirable to have an improved way of plugging the screen, or otherwise repairing the filter, such that the filter properly separates the liquid and solid components of the drilling fluid.

SUMMARY

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0006] According to one particular aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus, such as a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter housing and a plug member. The filter housing defines an opening having a first length. The plug member is mounted in the opening and includes a first flange portion and a second flange portion. The first flange portion includes a first wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and a second wall extending between and connecting the plug member and the first wall. The second flange portion includes a third wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and facing the first wall, and a fourth wall extending between and connecting the plug member and the third wall. The first and second flange portions define a second length greater than the first length, such that the first and second flange portions interferingly fit within the opening.

[0007] According to another particular aspect, the disclosure provides a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter housing and a plug member. The filter housing defines an opening having a first length. The plug member is mounted in the opening and includes a first flange portion and a second flange portion. The first and second flange portions each include a substantially triangular cross section. The first and second flange portions define a second length greater than the first length, such that the first and second flange portions interferingly fit within the opening.

[0008] In some aspects, the disclosure provides the plug member having a plurality of flanges, where a first set of the plurality of flanges has an orientation which enables the plug member to interferingly fit within a first sized opening in the filter housing, and a second set of the plurality of flanges has an orientation which enables the plug member to interferingly fit within a second sized opening in the filter housing.

[0009] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus comprising a shaker, such as a shale shaker, a filter housing fitted within a vibratory cradle of the shaker, where the filter housing defines an opening, and a plug member mounted within the opening formed within the filter housing. The plug member including a first flange portion and a second flange portion, and the plug member is secured within the opening, in accordance with the disclosure. In one embodiment, the plug member is secured by press-fitting the first and second flange portions within the opening of the filter housing, where the first and second flange portions deform to increase the contact surface area between the first and second flange portions and the filter housing.

[0010] In yet other aspects, the disclosure provides a method of repairing an area of damaged mesh in a sifting screen by providing a filter housing having a sifting screen disposed thereon, the sifting screen including an area of damaged mesh, the filter housing having an opening adjacent the area of damaged mesh with a first length; and inserting into the opening, a plug member including a first flange portion and a second flange portion, where the first and second flange portions each have a substantially triangular cross section, such that the first and second flange portions interferingly fit within the opening. [0011] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter plug in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the filter plug of FIG. 1 assembled in a filter housing in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the filter plug of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another configuration of a filter plug in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the filter plug of FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 6 is another plan view of the filter plug of FIG. 4 assembled in a filter housing in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another configuration of a filter plug in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the filter plug of FIG. 7 assembled in a filter housing in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. [0021] FIG. 9 is another plan view of the filter plug of FIG. 7 assembled in a filter housing in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.

[0022] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a filter plug constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure is illustrated and generally identified at reference numeral 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in one configuration, the plug 10 may be part of a filter assembly 12. The filter assembly 12 may also include a filter housing or frame 14 and a screen 16. While the filter assembly 12 is generally described herein as being used for filtering drilling fluid or mud from an oil well, it will be appreciated that the filter assembly 12 and/or filter plug 10 may be used for filtering other materials, including materials from other types of wells, within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] The plug 10 may be generally configured as a rectangular cuboid having a length LI, a width Wl and a height HI . It will also be appreciated that the plug 10 may have other shapes within the scope of the disclosure.

[0026] The plug 10 may be formed from plastic, metal, metal alloy, or another suitable material having generally resilient properties when exposed to conditions present in the manufacture, delivery, installation and use of the plug 10. Some examples of plastics suitable for forming the plug include, but are not limited to: thermoset materials such as polyurethanes, polyesters, epoxy resins, polyimides, phenolic resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, vulcanized rubber, melamine resin, and the like, or any suitable combination; thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, polyethylene - terephthalate, fluoropolymers, polybenzimidazole, poly(methyl methacrylate), and the like, or any suitable combination; and any suitable mixture of thermoplastic and thermoset materials.

[0027] When thermoset and/or thermoplastic materials are used to produce plug 10, other components may be added to the materials to achieve certain properties. For example, but not limited hereto, reinforcing fibers, such as boron, carbon, fibrous minerals, glass, Kevlar®, and the like may be incorporated to increase tensile strength, increase flexural modulus, increase heat-deflection temperature, and/or to resist shrinkage and warpage. Conductive fillers, such as aluminum powders, carbon fiber, graphite, and the like may be used to improve electrical and thermal conductivity. Coupling agents, such as silanes, titanates, and the like, may be incorporated to improve interface bonding between polymer matrix and the fibers. Extender fillers, such as calcium carbonate, silica, or clay, as well as plasticizers such as monomeric liquids, low-molecular-weight materials may be also incorporated to improve melt flow properties, enhance flexibility, and/or reduce material cost. Colorants (pigments and dyes), such as metal oxides, organic pigments, and/or carbon blacks to provides colorfastness and protect from thermal and UV degradation. Blowing agents, like gas, azo compounds, hydrazine derivatives, may be used to generates a proper material density. Other additives, known to those of skill in the art, may be utilized as well.

[0028] Any suitable method of manufacturing plug 10 may be utilized. For example, in the processing of thermoplastic materials, suitable techniques include extrusion molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, injection molding, injection stretch blow molding, insert molding, machining, molding expanded polypropylene (EPP), molding expanded polystyrene (EPS), process cooling, rotational molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, and the like. For processing of thermoset materials, suitable techniques include injection molding, reaction injection molding, pultrusion, resin transfer molding, SMC / DMC molding, compression molding, and the like. Some other methods of forming plug 10 include three dimensional printing, casting, machining or stamping.

[0029] Referencing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in one configuration, the plug 10 may include at least one flange portion 18. The flange portion 18 may be monolithically formed with the plug 10. The flange portion 18 may be disposed upon and may extend from at least two opposing surfaces of the plug 10. In one configuration, the flange portion 18 extends from and about a periphery of the plug 10, such that the flange portion 18 defines a length L2. The flange portion 18 may include a triangularly shaped cross section defined by a first wall 20 and a second wall 22. In one configuration, the first wall 20 extends substantially perpendicularly from the plug 10. The second wall 22 extends from and between the plug 10 and the first wall 20 at an angle a relative to the plug 10. The angle a may be any suitable angle, and in some cases between 10 degrees and 75 degrees. In one configuration, the angle a is about forty- five degrees.

[0030] In another configuration, the plug 10 includes four flange portions 18 extending from a periphery of the plug 10. It will be appreciated, however, that the plug 10 may include greater or less than four flange portions 18 within the scope of the disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the flange portions 18 may be arranged on the plug 10 such that the first wall 20 of a first flange portion 18a faces the second wall 22 of a second flange portion 18b. In addition, the first wall 20 of the second flange portion 18b may face the first wall 20 of a third flange portion 18c, and the second wall 22 of the third flange portion 18c may face the first wall 20 of a fourth flange portion 18d. This configuration of the first, second, third, and fourth flange portions 18a-18d may help to ensure accurate alignment and secure assembly of the plug 10 within the frame 14, as will be described in more detail below.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 4-6, another configuration of a plug 100 is shown. The plug 100 may be substantially similar to the plug 10, except as otherwise provided herein. Accordingly, like numerals will be used to describe like features and components. The plug 100 may be used in a filter assembly 1 12 and may include at least one flange portion 118. The fiange portion 118 may extend from at least two opposing surfaces of the plug 100. In one configuration, the flange portion 118 extends from and about a periphery of the plug 100, such that the flange portion 1 18 defines a width W3. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the flange portions 118 may be arranged on the plug 100 such that a first wall 20a of a first flange portion 118a faces a second wall 20a of a second flange portion 1 18b. In one configuration, the plug 100 includes four first flange portions 1 18a and four second flange portions 118b, arranged in an alternating configuration of first and second flange portions 118a, 118b.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 7-9, another configuration of a plug 200 is shown. The plug 200 may be substantially similar to the plug 10, except as otherwise provided herein. Accordingly, like numerals will be used to describe like features and components. The plug 200 may be used in a filter assembly 212 and may include at least one flange portion 218. The fiange portion 218 may extend from at least two opposing surfaces of the plug 200. In one configuration, a first flange portion 218a extends from a first side 224 of the plug 200 and from a second side 226 of the plug 200. The first side 224 opposes the second side 226, such that the first flange portion 218a defines a length L4. In one configuration, each of the first and second sides 224, 226 of the plug 100 includes four first flange portions 218a. A second flange portion 218b may extend from a third side 228 of the plug 200 and from a fourth side 230 of the plug 200. The third side 228 opposes the fourth side 230, such that the second flange portion 218b defines a width W4 that is not equal to the length L4. In one configuration, each of the third and fourth sides 228, 230 of the plug 100 includes six second flange portions 218b. The first and second flange portions 218a, 218b defining a length L4 that does not equal the width W4 helps to ensure that the plug 200 can be used in more than one configuration with the filter frame 14, as will be described in more detail below.

[0033] Referencing FIGS. 7-9 again, with the plurality of flanges 218 disposed with different orientations upon the respective sides 226 and 228 of the plug 200, the same plug 200 may be insertable into different sized cells formed in the filter frame 14, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. This may be achieved by rotating the plug 18 to essentially match the size of the cell in which it is inserted. Hence, in some embodiments, the plug member may include a plurality of flanges, with a first set of the plurality of flanges having an orientation which enables the plug member to interferingly fit within a first sized opening in a filter housing, and a second set of the plurality of flanges having an orientation which enables the plug member to interferingly fit within a second sized opening in the filter housing.

[0034] The filter frame 14 is configured to be attached to a shaker frame (not shown) as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and may be constructed of metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.), thermoset polymeric material, thermoplastic polymeric material, a reinforced composite material, or any other suitable material within the scope of the present teachings. Accordingly, the filter frame 14 may be manufactured by three dimensional printing, injection molding, casting, extruding, machining or stamping, within the scope of the disclosure. [0035] The filter frame 14 includes an array of openings or cells 24 extending therethrough. Each cell 24 may be defined by four orthogonally and rectilinearly configured ribs 26 forming an array of rectangular cells 24. The cell 24 may have a length L5 and a width W5. The length L5 of the cell 24 may be greater than the length LI of the plug members 10, 100 and 200, and less than lengths L2 and L4 of the flanges 18 and 218a, respectively. Likewise, the width W5 of the cell 24 may be greater than the width W2 of the plug members 10, 100, and 200, and less than widths W3 and W4 of the flanges 118 and 218b, respectively. While the ribs 26 are generally described herein as forming an array of rectangular cells 24, it will be appreciated that the ribs 24 may include other configurations such that the cells 24 have other shapes (e.g., triangular, hexagonal, ovate, circular, diamond, etc.) within the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the shape of the cells 24 is substantially similar to the shape of the plug members 10, 100, 200.

[0036] The screen 16 may be a generally mesh- like construct. In an assembled configuration, the screen 16 may be mounted to the frame 14 such that the screen 16 generally covers each of the cells 24.

[0037] In operation, the plugs 10, 100, 200 may be installed or assembled within the cells 24 of the frame 14 to generally block the cells 24 and prevent the flow of drilling mud or other fiuids or solids therethrough. In this regard, if the lengths L2 and L4 of the flanges 18 and 218a, respectively, are greater than the length L5 of the cell 24, and/or if the widths W3 and W4 of the fianges 1 18 and 218b, respectively, are greater than the width W5 of the cell 24, it will be appreciated that the plugs 10, 100, 200 may be press, or otherwise interferingly fit, within the cells 24, such that the flanges 18, 1 18, 218a, 218b engage at least one rib 26 of the frame 14. The press-fit configuration of the plugs 10, 100, 200 within the cells 24 may cause at least one of the flanges 18, 118, 218a, 218b and/or the ribs 26 to deform. Deformation of the flanges 18, 118, 218a, 218b and/or the ribs 26 may increase a contact surface area between the flanges and the ribs, thereby increasing a frictional holding force between the plug 10, 100, 200 and the frame 14. While the plug 10, 100, 200 is generally described herein as being secured within the cell 24 by a interference fit, it will be appreciated that the plug 10, 100, 200 may be secured within the cell 24, or otherwise coupled to the frame 14, using other techniques within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the plug 10, 100, 200 may be secured within cell 24 by an adhesive, a mechanical fastener such as a screw or bolt extending through at least one rib 26, or any other suitable technique.

[0038] In cases where the plug is secured by interference fit, which may also be known as a press fit or friction fit, the plug and cell may be secured together by friction after the parts are mated. This type of fit may be utilized so that substantial amounts of force cannot separate the plug from the cell under typical operating conditions. Using an interference fit, the plug can be formed to be slightly larger than the mating cells of the screen frame. The plug may then be installed into the cell with force, where both may deform slightly to fit together, and unitize to secure.

[0039] In some embodiments, to achieve an interference fit, one or more flanges are disposed on the plug which have a length greater than length of the mating surface of the cell defined by an opening in the filter housing. This may enable the flange and filter housing to deform slightly and securely fit together. Referring to FIG. 2, in some cases, the flange 18 is has triangularly shaped cross section defined by a first wall 20 and a second wall 22, which may function similar to teeth or ribs which are adequately edged to grip with or embed into the mating surface of the filter housing cell. [0040] Filter assemblies which include one or more plug members in accordance with this disclosure, may be any filter assembly known to those of skill in the art. For example, those sifting screens described in US Patent Numbers 5,819,952, 5,626,234, 7,810,649, 7,316,321 (incorporated in their entirety by reference hereto) and just some non-limiting examples of filter assemblies which may include plug members. Some other nonlimiting examples of filter assemblies which are useful with the plug members described herein include those disclosed in International Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/045249 filed June 11, 2013, and entitled, "Vibratory Separator Screen", and United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/658175 filed June 1 1, 2012, and entitled, "Vibratory Separator Screen", both of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein, as well as their copending patent applications.

[0041] Shakers using screen surfaces formed by the filer housings with plug members described herein may have a single screen deck in certain embodiments. Particularly, older shakers may be retrofitted with the screen surfaces described herein. In other embodiments, shakers using a plurality of screen surfaces may have multiple screening decks and multiple screening surfaces. In certain embodiments, the shaker may include a first screening deck, such as a top screening deck, with a first screen, and a second screening deck, such as a bottom screening deck, with a second screen positioned beneath the top screening deck. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other screening decks, such as a third and/or a fourth screening deck, may be included within the shaker without departing from the scope of this disclosure. These arrangements are useful in methods of treating fluids.

[0042] In some embodiments, the screening surfaces based upon filter housings, and plug member(s) included within, may be used in methods of treating fluids, where they are positioned in a shaker at or near the feed end of the separator. A single level or conventional screen is disposed proximate the discharge end of the shaker. The screening surfaces may also be placed adjacent one another and have staggered relative heights. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, depending on the configuration of a given shaker, one or more screening surfaces may be used in various positions on one or more decks of the shaker.

[0043] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well- known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0046] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0047] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0048] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a filter housing defining an opening having a first length; and

a plug member securable in the opening, the plug member including a first flange portion and a second flange portion, the first flange portion having a first wall extending from a first side of the plug member and a second wall extending from a second side of the plug member, the first side adjacent the second side;

wherein the first flange portion and the second flange portion engage the opening to interferingly fit within the opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flange portion and the second flange portion are deformable to engage the opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug member interferingly fits within the opening by compression.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flange portion has a triangularly shaped cross section defined by a first wall and a second wall, whereby the first wall extends substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and the second wall extends from and between the plug member and the first wall at a first angle relative to the plug member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second flange portion has a triangularly shaped cross section defined by the third wall and the fourth wall, whereby the third wall extends substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and the fourth wall extends from and between the plug member and the third wall at angle a relative to the plug member.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein angle a is in the range from about 10 degrees to about 75 degrees.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plug member comprises a plurality of flanges, wherein a first set of the plurality of flanges are orientated to enable the plug member to interferingly fit within a first sized opening in the filter housing, and wherein a second set of the plurality of flanges are orientation to enable the plug member to interferingly fit within a second sized opening in the filter housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , whereby the plug member is formed by any one or more of extrusion molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, injection molding, injection stretch blow molding, insert molding, machining, molding expanded polypropylene, molding expanded polystyrene, process cooling, rotational molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, injection molding, reaction injection molding, pultrusion, resin transfer molding, SMC / DMC molding, compression molding, three dimensional printing, casting, machining and stamping.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a filter housing defining an opening having a first length; and

a plug member mounted in the opening, the plug member including a first flange portion and a second flange portion, the first and second flange portions each having a substantially triangular cross section;

wherein the first and second flange portions define a second length greater than the first length, such that the first and second fiange portions fit within the opening.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a screw, wherein the screw couples the filter housing to the plug member.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plug member interferingly fits within the opening by compression.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plug member is secured within the opening by an adhesive.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plug member is secured within the opening with a bolt extending through the plug member and into the filter housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plug member is secured within the opening by press-fit, whereby the first and second flange portions deform to increase the contact surface area between the first and second flange portions and the filter housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plug member comprises a plurality of flanges, wherein a first set of the plurality of flanges are orientated to enable the plug member to interferingly fit within a first sized opening in the filter housing, and wherein a second set of the plurality of flanges are orientated to enable the plug member to interferingly fit within a second sized opening in the filter housing.

16. A method comprising:

providing a filter housing comprising a sifting screen disposed thereon, wherein the sifting screen comprises an area of damaged mesh, and wherein the filter housing defines an opening having a first length adjacent the area of damaged mesh; and,

inserting into the opening a plug member, the plug member including a first flange portion and a second flange portion, the first and second flange portions each having a substantially triangular cross section, such that the first and second flange portions interferingly fit within the opening.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the plug member includes a first flange portion and a second flange portion, the first flange portion having a first wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and a second wall extending between and connecting the plug member and the first wall, and the second flange portion having a third wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the plug member and facing the first wall, and a fourth wall extending between and connecting the plug member and the third wall; wherein the first and second flange portions define a second length greater than the first length.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising installing the filter housing including the plug member into a vibratory shaker.

19. The method of claim 18 as used to at least partially separate drilling cuttings from drilling fluid produced from a wellbore.