WO2021003143A1

WO2021003143A1 - System and method for stabilizing a vibratory separator screen assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2021003143A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/040271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Cady; John Fedders; Benjamin Lanning HOLTON; Mitchell LANDWEHR
Original assignee: M-I L.L.C.
Priority date: 2019-06-30
Filing date: 2020-06-30
Publication date: 2021-01-07

Abstract

A screen assembly includes a filter media and a frame coupled to the filter media. The frame includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion of the frame is configured to be coupled to a stabilizing member. The screen assembly is configured to be positioned in a vibratory separator and to vibrate within the vibratory separator. The stabilizing member is configured to facilitate the inner portion of the frame vibrating substantially uniformly with the outer portion of the frame.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING

A VIBRATORY SEPARATOR SCREEN ASSEMBLY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of US Patent Application No. 62/869,000, filed June 30, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Vibratory separators are used to separate solid particles from fluids and/or to separate solid particles of different sizes from one another. In the oil and gas industry, vibratory separators, such as shale shakers, are used to remove cuttings and other solid particles from a used drilling fluid (e.g., mud) returned from a wellbore. A shale shaker may include a screen assembly that is tilted upward or downward. When the screen assembly is tilted upward, a used drilling mud is introduced onto the lower end of the screen assembly while the screen assembly vibrates. The used drilling mud flows up the sloped surface of the screen assembly, aided by the vibration. As the used drilling mud flows toward the upper end of the screen assembly, liquid and small particles fall through perforations in the screen assembly to a first reservoir below, and larger particles fall over the edge of the higher end of the screen assembly into a second, separate reservoir.

[0003] The outer portion of the screen assembly may be coupled to a basket of the shale shaker, and the basket (including the screen assembly) may vibrate to facilitate the separation process. The coupling between the outer portion of the screen assembly and the basket may provide structural stability to the outer portion of the screen assembly; however, the inner portion of the screen assembly may move (e.g., vibrate) more than the outer portion. For example, the inner portion may move vertically through a greater distance than the outer portion. The movement of the inner portion may also be out of phase with the outer portion. As a result, the inner portion of the screen assembly may experience a whipping effect, which may cause the screen assembly to deteriorate more quickly than the rest of the shale shaker. More particularly, the whipping effect may cause a filter media of the screen assembly to deteriorate more quickly than the rest of the shale shaker.

SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] A screen assembly is disclosed. The screen assembly includes a filter media and a frame coupled to the filter media. The frame includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion of the frame is configured to be coupled to a stabilizing member. The screen assembly is configured to be positioned in a vibratory separator and to vibrate within the vibratory separator. The stabilizing member is configured to facilitate the inner portion of the frame vibrating substantially uniformly with the outer portion of the frame.

[0006] In another embodiment, the screen assembly includes a filter media and a frame coupled to and positioned below the filter media. An inner portion of the frame includes a plurality of cross beams. A lower surface of a first of the cross-beams is configured to be coupled to a stabilizing member within a middle half portion of the first cross-beam. The screen assembly is configured to be positioned in a vibratory separator and to vibrate within the vibratory separator. The stabilizing member is configured to limit movement of the inner portion of the frame and an inner portion of the filter media such that the inner portion of the frame and the inner portion of the filter media vibrate substantially uniformly with an outer portion of the frame and an outer portion of the filter media.

[0007] A method for stabilizing a screen assembly in a vibratory separator is also disclosed. The method includes coupling a first end of a stabilizing member to an inner portion of a frame of the screen assembly. A second end of the stabilizing member is coupled to or integral with a portion of the vibratory separator. The stabilizing member is configured to limit movement of the inner portion of the frame such that the inner portion of the frame vibrates substantially uniformly with an outer portion of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying Figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibratory separator, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. [0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a screen assembly, according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly including a stabilizing member, according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly including another (e.g., different) stabilizing member, according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly including another (e.g., different) stabilizing member, according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly including a plurality of (e.g., two) stabilizing members, according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly including another (e.g., different) stabilizing member, according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting a method for stabilizing a screen assembly in a vibratory separator (e.g., a shale shaker), according to one or more examples of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Illustrative examples of the subject matter claimed below will now be disclosed. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0018] Further, as used herein, the article“a” is intended to have its ordinary meaning in the patent arts, namely“one or more.” Herein, the term“about” when applied to a value generally means within the tolerance range of the equipment used to produce the value, or in some examples, means plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless otherwise expressly specified. Further, herein the term“substantially” as used herein means a majority, or almost all, or all, or an amount with a range of about 51% to about 100%, for example. Moreover, examples herein are intended to be illustrative only and are presented for discussion purposes and not by way of limitation. [0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibratory separator 100, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. The vibratory separator 100 may be a vibratory shaker, such as a shale shaker, used in the oilfield industry to process wellbore fluids. The vibratory separator 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is exemplary and other suitable vibratory separators may be those used in the food industry, cleaning industry, waste water treatment industry, and others.

[0020] The vibratory separator 100 may include a screen assembly 200, a pair of inner walls 104, a feed end 106, and a discharge end 108. The screen assembly 200 is disposed on the inner walls 104. Drilling fluid, along with drill cuttings and debris, may be deposited on top of the screen assembly 200 at the feed end 106. The screen assembly 200 may be vibrated (e.g., in the 25-40 Hz frequency range) by a motor or motors for the purpose of screening or separating the drilling fluid on screen assembly 200. The liquid and fine particles of the drilling fluid may pass through the screen assembly 200 by force of gravity and acceleration caused by the motor and may be recovered underneath the screen assembly 200. Solid particles greater than a certain size may migrate and vibrate across the screen assembly 200 where they may be discharged at the discharge end 108.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the screen assembly 200, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. As mentioned above, the screen assembly 200 may include the frame 210 and the filter media 250. The frame 210 may include a first (e.g., upper) surface 212 and a second (e.g., lower) surface 214. The frame 210 may also include a first (e.g., left) side 216, a second (e.g., right) side 218, a third (e.g., front) side 220, and a fourth (e.g., back) side 222. Thus, the frame 210 may have a height H between the surfaces 212, 214; a length L between the sides 216, 218; and a depth D between the sides 220, 222.

[0022] The upper surface 212 may include one or more actuator support surfaces (two are shown: 224, 226). As shown, the first actuator support surface 224 may be positioned proximate to the left side 216, and the second actuator support surface 226 may be positioned proximate to the right side 218. The frame 210 may also include a first plurality of cross-beams 228 that are substantially parallel to one another extend in the direction of the length L, and a second plurality of cross-beams 230 that are substantially parallel to one another and extend in the direction of the depth D. The cross-beams 228, 230 may define a plurality of openings 232 in/through the frame 210.

[0023] As mentioned above, the screen assembly 200 may also include the filter media 250. The filter media 250 may be or include a wire mesh. The filter media 250 is configured to be positioned on and/or above the upper surface 212 of the frame 210. The filter media 250 may be coupled to (e.g., clamped together with) the frame 210. More particularly, an outer portion of the filter media 250 may be coupled to an outer portion of the frame 210 (e.g., proximate to the actuator support surfaces 224, 226), as discussed below. In one embodiment, the inner portion of the filter media 250 may not be coupled to the cross-beams 228, 230.

[0024] In one embodiment, the outer portion of the frame 210 may be or include the sides 216, 218, 220, 222 and/or the actuator support surfaces 224, 226, and the outer portion of the filter media 250 may be or include the portion of the filter media 250 that is positioned directly above the sides 216, 218, 220, 222 and/or the actuator support surfaces 224, 226 when the filter media 250 is positioned on the frame 210. In this embodiment, the inner portion of the frame 210 may be or include the cross-beams 228, 230, and the inner portion of the filter media 250 may be or include the portion of the filter media 250 that is positioned directly above the cross-beams 228, 230 when the filter media 250 is positioned on the frame 210.

[0025] The filter media 250 may include a plurality of openings (e.g., to filter the used drilling fluid). The openings in the filter media 250 may be smaller than the openings 232 in the frame 210. For example, the openings in the filter media 250 may have an average or maximum cross- sectional length (e.g. diameter) from about 1 pm to about 1 cm, about 10 pm to about 1 mm, or about 100 pm to about 1 mm. For example, the average or maximum cross-sectional length may be larger than about 4000 pm.

[0026] As described above, the screen assembly 200 may be tilted/sloped when in use. In one embodiment, the left side 216 may be positioned above or below the right side 218, or the front side 220 may be positioned above or below the back side 222. For example, The lower side of the screen assembly 200 may be positioned proximate to the feed end 106 of the vibratory separator 100, and the higher side of the screen assembly 200 may be positioned proximate to the discharge end 108 of the vibratory separator 100 (see FIG. 1).

[0027] With the screen assembly 200 tilted/sloped, a used drilling fluid (e.g., mud) may be introduced onto the upper surface of the filter media 250, proximate to the lower side of the screen assembly 200, such that the used drilling fluid flows up the sloped surface of the filter media 250 due to the vibratory motion. Liquid and particles in the used drilling fluid having a size smaller than the openings in the filter media 250 may flow through the openings in the filter media 250 (and the openings 232 in the frame 210) into a first reservoir. The particles in the used drilling fluid having a size larger than the openings in the filter media 250 may not flow through the openings in the filter media 250. Rather, the larger particles (e.g., cuttings) may pass over the higher side of the screen assembly 200 into a second reservoir that is separate from the first reservoir. Thus, the screen assembly 200 may be configured to filter the used drilling fluid to produce a filtered drilling fluid (e.g., in the first reservoir) and separated particles (e.g., in the second reservoir).

[0028] FIG. 3 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly 200 including a first stabilizing member 300, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. The screen assembly 200 may be positioned on and/or coupled to a screen bed 310 in the vibratory separator 100. One or more actuators (two are shown: 324, 326) may be positioned on and/or above the screen assembly 200. More particularly, the first actuator 324 may be positioned on and/or above the first actuator support surface 224, and the second actuator 326 may be positioned on and/or above the second actuator support surface 226. In one embodiment, the outer portion of the filter media 250 may be positioned between the actuator support surfaces 224, 226 and the actuators 324, 326. The actuators 324, 326 may be or include electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators that are configured to exert a downward force on the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 to hold/clamp the outer portions of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 in place between the screen bed 310 and the actuators 324, 326. The actuators 324, 326 may also provide a fluid seal so that the drilling fluid does not bypass the screen assembly 200. In at least one embodiment, other clamping devices may be used in addition to (or instead) of the actuators 324, 326, such as, for example, wedges.

[0029] The screen assembly 200, the screen bed 310, the actuators 324, 326, or any combination thereof may be part of a basket 328 of the vibratory separator 100. In one embodiment, the screen bed 310 and the actuators 324, 326 may be a part of the basket 328, and the screen assembly 200 may not be a part of the basket 328. As mentioned above, when the vibratory separator 100 is in use, a vibrator, which may include an electric motor with one or more eccentric weights, may cause the basket 328 to move (e.g., vibrate) to facilitate the filtering of the used drilling fluid. For example, the basket 328 may move up and down, as shown by the arrow 330. In another example, the basket 328 may move in a direction that is about 45° with respect to horizontal, such that the movement has both a horizontal component and a vertical component, which may facilitate movement of solids in the drilling fluid.

[0030] To minimize the whipping effect, the screen assembly 200 and/or the vibratory separator 100 may include one or more stabilizing members (one is shown: 300). In one embodiment, the stabilizing member 300 may be part of (e.g., coupled to or integral with) the vibratory separator 100. More particularly, a first (e.g., lower) end 304 of the stabilizing member 300 may be coupled to or integral with a portion of the vibratory separator 100 that is configured to vibrate. For example, the lower end 304 may be coupled to or integral with a portion 329 of the basket 328 that is below the screen assembly 200, and the portion 329 may be or include one or more structural members that are coupled to, integral with, and/or positioned between the inner walls 104.

[0031] When the screen assembly 200 is inserted or positioned within the basket 328 of the vibratory separator 100, the stabilizing member 300 may then be coupled to the screen assembly 200. For example, the stabilizing member 300 may be coupled to the frame 210. As shown, the lower surface 214 of the frame 210 (e.g., the cross-beam 228 and/or 230) may define a recess 229, and a second (e.g., upper) end 302 of the stabilizing member 300 may be positioned at least partially within the recess 229 to couple the stabilizing member 300 to the frame 210.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the recess 229 and the upper end 302 of the stabilizing member 300 may fit together as part of a dovetail-shaped joint. More particularly, a cross-sectional length (e.g., diameter) of the recess 229 may decrease proceeding toward the lower surface 214 of the frame 210 to secure the upper end 302 of the stabilizing member 300 within the recess 229. A tolerance within the recess 229, between the stabilizing member 300 and the surrounding frame 210 (e.g., the cross-beam 228 and/or 230), may be less than about 5 mm, less than about 1 mm, less than about 100 pm, less than about 10 pm, or less than about 1 pm. The tolerance may be in the same range for the embodiments shown in FIGs. 4-6 that are discussed below.

[0033] In one embodiment, the recess 229 may be located in an inner (e.g., middle) portion of the frame 210. As described above, the inner (e.g., middle) portion of the frame 210 may include the cross-beams 228. Thus, the recess 229 may be located in a middle half portion 340, a middle third portion 342, and/or a middle fourth portion 344 of the length L of one or more of the cross-beams 228. In at least one embodiment, the recess 229 may not be located outside of the middle half portion 340, the middle third portion 342, and/or the middle fourth portion 344 of the length L of the cross-beams 228. Thus, the stabilizing member 300 may be coupled to the inner (e.g. middle) portion of one or more of the cross-beams 228.

[0034] As will be appreciated, the middle half/third/fourth portions 340, 342, 344 may be the portions of the beams 228 that are farthest away from the locations where the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 are coupled/secured between the screen bed 310 and the actuators 324, 326. Thus, the middle half/third/fourth portions 340, 342, 344 may represent the portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 that move(s) a greater distance than (and/or is out of phase with) the rest of the basket 328.

[0035] In one embodiment, the stabilizing member 300 may be coupled to a plurality of the cross beams 228. For example, the stabilizing member 300 may extend substantially the full depth D (e.g., from the front side 220 to the back side 222) and be positioned within a plurality of recesses in the cross-beams 228. As used herein, the full depth D refers to greater than 50%, greater than 70%, or greater than 90% of the depth D. In another example, the stabilizing member 300 may not extend substantially the full depth D. Rather, the stabilizing member 300 may extend within a middle half portion, a middle third portion, and/or a middle fourth portion of the depth D and be coupled to one or more of the cross-beams 228 therein.

[0036] In another embodiment, the recess 229 (or another, different recess) may also or instead be located in one of the cross-beams 230 of the frame 210. In this embodiment, the recess 229 may be located in a middle half portion, a middle third portion, and/or a middle fourth portion of the depth D of the one or more of the cross-beams 230. In this embodiment, the stabilizing member 300 may be coupled to the inner (e.g., middle) portion of one or more of the cross-beams 230. In one embodiment, the stabilizing member 300 may extend substantially the full length L (e.g., from the left side 216 to the right side 218) and be coupled to one or more of the cross-beams 230 therebetween. As used herein, the full length L refers to greater than 50%, greater than 70%, or greater than 90% of the length L. In another example, the stabilizing member 300 may not extend substantially the full length L. Rather, the stabilizing member 300 may extend within a middle half portion, a middle third portion, and/or a middle fourth portion of the length L and be coupled to one or more of the cross-beams 230 therein.

[0037] As mentioned above, the recess 229 may be defined in the lower surface 214 of the frame 210. Thus, the stabilizing member 300 may be positioned at least partially below the frame 210 and be coupled to the lower surface 214 of the frame 210 (e.g., the cross-beams 228 and/or 230). In at least one embodiment, no portion of the stabilizing member 300 may be positioned above the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250. As a result, the stabilizing member 300 may not contact or obstruct any part of the filter media 250 and thus may not reduce the cross-sectional area of the filter media 250 through which the fluid may flow.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, the stabilizing member 300 may exert an upward force on the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250, which opposes the downward force exerted on the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 by the actuators 324, 326. The opposing forces may cause the upper surface 212 of the frame 250 and/or the filter media 250 to curve upward in a convex manner. This may preload the screen assembly 200 and/or increase stiffness of the screen assembly 200. This force and curvature may also apply to the embodiments shown in FIGs. 4-7 that are discussed below.

[0039] The stabilizing member 300 may limit the distance that the inner (e.g., middle) portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 move during operation. In other words, the stabilizing member 300 may help to prevent the inner (e.g., middle) portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 from moving more than outer portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250, which may reduce or eliminate the whipping effect. The stabilizing member 300 may also or instead maintain the inner (e.g., middle) portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 in phase with the outer portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250, which may reduce or eliminate the whipping effect.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly 200 including another (e.g., different) stabilizing member 400, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. The stabilizing member 400 may be similar to the stabilizing member 300, with the difference being the shape. More particularly, a first (e.g., upper) end 402 of the stabilizing member 400 may be rounded to help retain the upper end 402 within the recess 229. For example, the upper end 402 and the recess 229 may be at least partially spherical.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly 200 including another (e.g., different) stabilizing member 500, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. The stabilizing member 500 may be similar to the stabilizing members 300, 400, with the difference being the shape. More particularly, a first (e.g., upper) end 502 of the stabilizing member 500 and the recess 229 may be T-shaped to help retain the upper end 502 within the recess 229.

[0042] Although three shapes are shown in FIGs. 3-5, it will appreciated these shapes are merely illustrative, and other shapes may also or instead be used to retain the stabilizing members 300, 400, 500 within the recess 229. In other embodiments, the stabilizing members 300, 400, 500 may also or instead be coupled to the frame 210 via an adhesive, a mechanical fastener (e.g., a screw), a strap, or the like.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly 200 including a plurality of stabilizing members (two are shown: 600A, 600B), according to one or more examples of the disclosure. The stabilizing members 600A, 600B and the recesses 229A, 229B may be spaced apart along the length L of the cross-beam 228 to increase the stiffness/rigidity of the screen assembly 200. The stabilizing members 600A, 600B may be coupled to the cross-beam 228 in the middle half portion 340, the middle third portion 342, and/or the middle fourth portion 344 of the length L of the cross-beam 228. The stabilizing members 600A, 600B may also or instead be coupled to the cross-beam 230 in the middle half portion, the middle third portion, and/or the middle fourth portion of the depth D of the cross-beam 230.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a side or front, cross-sectional view of the screen assembly 200 including another (e.g., different) stabilizing member 700, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. Unlike the stabilizing members 300, 400, 500, 600A, 600B discussed above, the stabilizing member 700 may not be positioned within a recess 229 in the frame 210. Rather, the stabilizing member 700 may contact and push upward against the lower surface 214 of the frame 210 and/or sideways against a protrusion 211 that extends (e.g., downward) from the frame 210. Thus, the tight tolerances discussed above may be avoided.

[0045] As shown, the stabilizing member 700 may be coupled to the protrusion 211. For example, the stabilizing member 700 may include a first portion 702 and a second portion 704. The first portion 702 may be or include an actuator that is positioned on a first side of the protrusion 211, and the second portion 704 may be or include a (e.g., steel) retaining member positioned on a second side of the protrusion 211. The actuator 702 may be similar to the actuators 324, 326 discussed above (e.g., pneumatic), with a difference being that the actuators 324, 326 exert a downward force on the screen assembly 210, and the actuator 702 exerts an upward force on the screen assembly 210 and/or a sideways force on the screen assembly 210. For example, the actuator 702 may exert a sideways force on the protrusion 211 when the actuator 702 fills with pressurized gas (e.g., air), which may clamp or pinch the protrusion 211 between the actuator 702 and the retaining member 704, thereby minimizing relative movement of the inner portion of the screen assembly 200 relative to the outer portion of the screen assembly 200 during vibration.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting a method 800 for stabilizing the screen assembly 200 in the vibratory separator 100, according to one or more examples of the disclosure. An illustrative order of the method 800 is described below; however, it will be appreciated that one or more portions of the method 800 may be performed in a different order.

[0047] The method 800 may include coupling the stabilizing member to the vibratory separator 100, as at 802. The stabilizing member may be or include one or more of those discussed above (e.g., the stabilizing member 300, 400, 500, 600A, 600B, 700). Coupling the stabilizing member to the vibratory separator 100 may include coupling the lower end of stabilizing member to the portion 329 of the basket 328. In another embodiment, the stabilizing member may be integral with the basket 328, such that the coupling may be omitted. For example, the lower end of the stabilizing member may be integral with the portion 329 of the basket 328.

[0048] The method 800 may also include positioning the screen assembly 200 in the vibratory separator 100, as at 804. The screen assembly 200 may be positioned in the vibratory separator 100 before or after the stabilizing member is coupled to vibratory separator 100.

[0049] Positioning the screen assembly 200 in the vibratory separator 100 may include positioning the screen assembly 200 on the screen bed 310, as at 806. For example, this may include positioning the frame 210 on the screen bed 310. Positioning the screen assembly 200 in the vibratory separator 100 may also include positioning the actuators 324, 326 on the screen assembly 200, as at 808. For example, this may include positioning the actuators 324, 326 on the filter media 250, above the actuator support surfaces 324, 326 of the frame 210. At this point, the frame 210 and the filter media 250 may be positioned and secured between the screen bed 310 and the actuators 324, 326.

[0050] The method 800 may include coupling the stabilizing member to the inner portion of the frame 210, as at 810. For example, this may include positioning the upper end of the stabilizing member in the recess 229 in the lower surface 214 of one or more of the cross beams 228 and/or one or more of the cross-beams 230. As mentioned above, the recess 229 may be located in a middle half/third/fourth of one or more of the cross beams 228 and/or one or more of the cross beams 230.

[0051] The method 800 may also include causing at least a portion of the vibratory separator 100 to vibrate, as at 812. For example, this may include causing the frame 210, the filter media 250, the stabilizer, the screen bed 310, the actuators 324, 326, the basket 328, or any combination thereof to vibrate.

[0052] The method 800 may also include introducing a fluid onto the filter media 250, as at 814. The fluid may be introduced onto the filter media 250 during vibration. As mentioned above, the fluid may be or include a used drilling mud having a plurality of solid particles (e.g., cutting) therein. The vibration may facilitate separating the particles from the liquid.

[0053] The stabilizing member may limit the movement of the inner portion of the screen assembly 200 (e.g., the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250). This may cause the inner (e.g., middle) portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 to move (e.g., vibrate) substantially uniformly with the outer portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250. More particularly, this may cause the inner portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 to move through substantially the same distance as the outer portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250. This may also cause the inner portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 to move through substantially the same distance as the remainder of the basket 328. This may also cause the inner portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 to move substantially in phase with the outer portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250. This may also cause the inner portion of the frame 210 and/or the filter media 250 to move substantially in phase with the remainder of the basket 328.

[0054] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the systems and methods described herein. The foregoing descriptions of specific examples are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive of or to limit this disclosure to the precise forms described. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The examples are shown and described in order to best explain the principles of this disclosure and practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize this disclosure and various examples with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of this disclosure be defined by the claims and their equivalents below.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A screen assembly, comprising:

a filter media; and

a frame coupled to the filter media, wherein the frame comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion of the frame is configured to be coupled to a stabilizing member, wherein the screen assembly is configured to be positioned in a vibratory separator and to vibrate within the vibratory separator, and wherein the stabilizing member is configured to facilitate the inner portion of the frame vibrating substantially uniformly with the outer portion of the frame.

2. The screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the frame comprises a cross beam, and wherein the cross-beam is configured to be coupled to the stabilizing member.

3. The screen assembly of claim 2, wherein the cross-beam defines a recess that is configured to receive an end of the stabilizing member.

4. The screen assembly of claim 3, wherein the recess is located in a lower surface of the cross-beam.

5. The screen assembly of claim 4, wherein the recess is located within a middle half portion of the cross-beam.

6. The screen assembly of claim 5, wherein the recess is not located outside of the middle half portion of the cross-beam.

7. The screen assembly of claim 5, wherein the recess is dovetail-shaped, spherically-shaped, or T-shaped.

8. The screen assembly of claim 5, wherein the screen, the frame, or both curve upward in a convex manner after receiving the end of the stabilizing member.

9. The screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a protrusion that extends downward from a lower surface of the frame, and wherein the protrusion is configured to have the stabilizing member coupled thereto.

10. The screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the protrusion is configured to have the stabilizing member coupled to opposing sides thereof.

11. A screen assembly, comprising:

a filter media; and

a frame coupled to and positioned below the filter media, wherein an inner portion of the frame comprises a plurality of cross-beams, wherein a lower surface of a first of the cross-beams is configured to be coupled to a stabilizing member within a middle half portion of the first cross beam, wherein the screen assembly is configured to be positioned in a vibratory separator and to vibrate within the vibratory separator, and wherein the stabilizing member is configured to limit movement of the inner portion of the frame and an inner portion of the filter media such that the inner portion of the frame and the inner portion of the filter media vibrate substantially uniformly with an outer portion of the frame and an outer portion of the filter media.

12. The screen assembly of claim 11, wherein the lower surface of the first cross-beam defines a recess that is configured to receive an end of the stabilizing member.

13. The screen assembly of claim 12, wherein the screen, the frame, or both curve upward in a convex manner after receiving the end of the stabilizing member.

14. The screen assembly of claim 13, wherein the recess is dovetail-shaped, spherically-shaped, or T-shaped.

15. The screen assembly of claim 11, wherein the lower surface of the first cross-beam defines two recesses that are offset from one another along a length or a depth of the first cross-beam, and wherein each of the two recesses is configured to receive a portion of the stabilizing member.

16. A method for stabilizing a screen assembly in a vibratory separator, comprising:

coupling a first end of a stabilizing member to an inner portion of a frame of the screen assembly, wherein a second end of the stabilizing member is coupled to or integral with a portion of the vibratory separator, wherein the stabilizing member is configured to limit movement of the inner portion of the frame such that the inner portion of the frame vibrates substantially uniformly with an outer portion of the frame.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the inner portion of the frame comprises a cross-beam, and wherein coupling the first end of the stabilizing member to the inner portion of the frame comprises coupling the first end of the stabilizing member to the cross-beam within a middle half portion of the cross-beam.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the first end of the stabilizing member to the cross-beam comprises inserting the first end of the stabilizing member into a recess formed in a lower surface of the cross-beam.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the stabilizing member exerts an upward force on the cross-beam.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

positioning the frame on a screen bed;

causing the frame, the stabilizing member, and the screen bed to vibrate; and

introducing a used drilling fluid onto the screen assembly while the frame, the stabilizing member, and the screen bed are vibrating.