BACKGROUND

[1] Many applications require that fluids be screened to remove solids (such as foreign objects, rocks, and particulates). Some examples include water treatment applications, hazardous material handling applications, and drilling applications. For example, in oilfield environments, fluid used in oilfield activities must be filtered via a screening process. Conventionally, screens used in such screening processes are flat screens mounted on metal frames. Construction and repair of such metal screens is time consuming, inefficient, and costly. Metal screens also put a great amount of wear on drilling equipment such as shaker screen beds.

[2] In many oilfield environments, operating space is extremely limited and equipment size and weight limits are important. Conventional metal screens are heavy and difficult to install and remove.

[3] Further, efficient screening reduces the time required to filter the fluid.

Increased fluid capacity of screens allows the filtering process to complete quickly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[4] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

[5] In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example apparatus for screening fluid;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the example apparatus for screening fluid of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of an example apparatus for screening fluid;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of an example apparatus for screening fluid; FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of another example apparatus for screening fluid; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of yet another example apparatus for screening fluid, each arranged in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[6] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting and are for explanatory purposes. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, each of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.

[7] This disclosure is drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to screening fluid. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to screening fluid using a screen having an increased screening area.

[8] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an example apparatus for screening fluid, in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present disclosure. An example apparatus may include a screen frame 100 having a base portion 1 10, supports 150, projections 120, and/or mesh 130 (e.g., wire cloth). In some examples, the screen frame 100 and/or its components may be made of a composite material, such as a non-metallic material, for example, a composite material, composite polymer and/or plastic.

[9] In some examples, the base portion 1 10 may include a first end 102 and a second end 104, which may be substantially parallel. The base portion 1 10 may also include a first member 106 and a second member 108, which may both separately be coupled to the first end 102 and the second end 104. First member 106 and second member 108 may be substantially parallel to each other. In this manner, screen frame 100 may comprise a rectangular shape or a square shape.

[10] The distance between the first end 102 and the second end 104 may be the width 180 of the base portion 1 10. The distance between the first member 106 and second member 108 may be the length 170 of the base portion 1 10. The distance between a top surface and a bottom surface of the base portion 1 10 may be the height 190 of the base portion 1 10.

[11 ] In some examples, base portion 1 10 may extend in a horizontal plane (e.g., parallel to the Earth's surface). In such examples, supports 150 and projections 120 may extend perpendicular to the horizontal plane (e.g., perpendicular to the Earth's surface).

[12] Screen frame 100 may include support(s) 150 that extend above the base portion 1 10. Supports 150 may connect with and extend between the first end 102 and the second end 104 (e.g., along the width 180 of the base portion 1 10).

Supports 150 contact and/or support the mesh 130 and provide structure on which the mesh 130 may be coupled. Supports 150 may also provide rigidity and structural support to the screen frame 100. Supports 150 may each have a thickness suitable for providing support to the base portion 1 10 and/or the mesh 130. Example supports 150 may be formed from composite materials and/or non-composite materials.

[13] Supports 150 may include a planar surface that extends parallel to the first member 106 and the second member 108. In some examples, multiple supports 150 may be spaced apart from each other and may be positioned in substantially parallel planes. In this manner, supports 150 extend along the width of the base portion 1 10.

[14] Some portions of the planar surface may extend above the base portion 1 10 to a maximum height (i.e., a peak 125) and some portions of the planar surface may not extend above the top surface of the base portion 1 10 (i.e., a valley 128). The planar surface may include an angle between a peak 125 and a valley 128. In this manner, the planar surface may be continuous along the width of the base portion 1 10, and the planar surface may have a height that varies between peaks 125 and valleys 128 along the width of the base portion 1 10.

[15] In some examples, the angle from a valley 128 to a peak 125 may be in the range of about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees. In some examples, the angle from a valley 128 to a peak 125 may be in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In some examples, the angle from a valley 128 to a peak 125 may be about 45 degrees.

[16] In some examples, supports 150 may include a fusing portion 152 at or near the top of supports 150. Fusing portion 152 may be integrated with a support 150 or may be coupled to a support 150. Fusing portion 152 may extend the entire length of a supports 150 or may extend only a portion of the length of a support 150.

[17] In some examples, the mesh 130 may be fused to screen frame 100 by melting a fusing portion 152 of the supports 150 such that a portion of the fusing portion 152 flows through the mesh 130 where the fusing portion 152 contacts the mesh 130. The fusing portion 152 may be cured through and/or around the mesh 130, effectively fusing the mesh 130 to screen frame 100. In some examples, fusing may include applying a fusing source to (or at least near) a top surface of screen frame 100. Example fusing sources may include a heat source (e.g., hot plate) and/or vibration source (e.g., ultrasonic welder).

[18] Screen frame 100 may include projection(s) 120, 121 that extend above the base portion 1 10. Projections 120, 121 may connect with and extend between the first member 106 and the second member 108 (e.g., along the length 170 of the base portion 1 10). Projections 120, 121 may contact and/or support the mesh 130 and provide structure on which the mesh 130 may be coupled. Projections 120, 121 may also provide rigidity and structural support to the screen frame 100. Example projections 120, 121 may be formed from composite materials and/or non-composite materials. [19] Some projections 120 may extend a first distance (i.e., height) above base portion 1 10, while some projections 121 may extend a second distance (i.e., height) from base portion 1 10. In some examples such as the example of FIGS. 1 -2, the first distance is different than the second distance.

[20] In some examples, supports 150 may intersect projection(s) 120, 121 . In some examples, supports 150 may intersect projections 120 at about a 90 degree angle such that supports 150 and projections 120, 121 exist in substantially perpendicular planes.

[21 ] In some examples, projection(s) 120, 121 and support(s) 150 may be coupled at various heights. For example, one projection 120 may connect with support 150 at a first height, while another projection 120 may connect with support 150 at a different, second height.

[22] The first height can be different than the second height such that mesh 130 positioned on top of the projections 120, 121 may form an undulating pattern such as that shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 -2, projections 120 may have a height that connects to supports 150 at peaks 125, and projections 121 may have a height that connects to supports 150 at valleys 128.

[23] In the example of FIGS. 1 -2, projections 120 and 121 form a pattern where each projection 120 is followed by two projections 121 . This pattern continues such one projection 120 is connected to support 150 at peaks 125 and two projections 121 are connected to support 150 at valleys 128. In some examples, other patterns may be formed, while in other examples, projections 120, 121 may be randomly located without a pattern.

[24] In some examples, all peaks 125 may have the same height above the base portion 1 10. In these examples, the peaks 125 may form a consistent wavelike configuration having peaks 125 of the same height.

[25] In some examples, all valleys 128 may have the same height above (or at) the base portion 1 10. In these examples, the valleys 128 may form a consistent wavelike configuration having valleys 128 of the same height. [26] In some examples, projections 120 may only be present at peaks 125, while valleys 128 may be created at locations where there are no projections 121 .

[27] In some examples, projections 120, 121 may include a fusing portion 122 at or near the top of projections 120, 121 . Fusing portion 122 may be integrated with a projection 120, 121 or may be coupled to a projection 120, 121 . Fusing portion 122 may extend the entire length of a projection 120, 121 or may extend only a portion of the length of a projection 120, 121 .

[28] In some examples, the mesh 130 may be fused to screen frame 100 by melting a fusing portion 122 of the projections 120, 121 such that a portion of the fusing portion 122 flows through the mesh 130 where the fusing portion 122 contacts the mesh 130. The fusing portion 122 may be cured through and/or around the mesh 130, effectively fusing the mesh 130 to screen frame 100. In some examples, fusing may include applying a fusing source to (or at least near) a top surface of screen frame 100. Example fusing sources may include a heat source (e.g., hot plate) and/or vibration source (e.g., ultrasonic welder).

[29] In some examples, supports 150 and projections 120, 121 may include and/or may form openings and/or apertures in which fluid may flow through after flowing through the mesh 130. In this manner, supports 150 and projections 120, 121 may not restrict the flow of fluid, thus the flow of fluid through the screening apparatus as a whole may not be impeded.

[30] Some example screen frames 100 may include screen reinforcement(s), which may provide some rigidity and/or structure to screen frame 100. In some examples, the screen reinforcements may be inside the base portion 1 10 and/or on one or more sides of the base portion 1 10. Some example screen reinforcement(s) may include metal (e.g., steel) and/or composite (e.g., glass filled polypropylene) materials. In some examples, screen frame 100 may include molding a composite material around the reinforcement material(s).

[31 ] In some examples, screen frame 100 may be manufactured as one piece or may be assembled from multiple pieces. Screen frame 100 (or pieces thereof) may be manufactured using known techniques, including, for example, injection molding. Some screen frames 100 may include the base portion 1 10, the supports 150, and the projections 120 all injection molded together as one unit. Some screen frames 100 may include the base portion 1 10, the supports 150, and the projections 120 being injection molded as separate units and fused together.

[32] In some examples, supports 150 and/or projections 120, 121 may be removable and/or replaceable, thus creating a modular system. In some examples, a piece of mesh 130 may be fused to a portion of supports 150 and/or projections 120, 121 to form modular pieces. Several modular pieces of mesh 130 fused and may be simultaneously coupled to screen frame 100. In this manner, maintenance may occur on only a subset of the entire apparatus, such as one modular piece. For example, if the mesh 130 includes a tear or hole, only that specific modular piece with a damaged screen may be removed for repair or replacement.

[33] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of an example apparatus for screening fluid, in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present disclosure. Screen frame 300 may include a base portion 310 having a base height 315, projection(s) 322, 324, coupling portion(s) 340, and/or support(s) 350. Support(s) 350 may be coupled to projection(s) 320. Projections 322, 324 and/or supports 350 may contact and/or support a screen. In FIG. 3, projection(s) 322, 324 and support(s) 350 are coupled at different heights. Specifically, projections 322 may be coupled to support 350 at a first height (from base portion 310 to line 360), and projections 324 may be coupled to support 350 at a greater second height (from base portion 310 to line 370). In some examples, first height and second height are greater that base height 315. In this manner, projections 322, 324 and supports 350 form a wavelike shape or pattern (as viewed from the side or top of screen frame).

[34] Mesh may contact and rest upon projections 322, 324 and/or supports 350. In this manner, the mesh may be formed such that at least a portion of the mesh extends above the top of the base portion 310. In some examples, the mesh may be formed in a wavelike shape similar to the wavelike shape formed by projections 322, 324 and supports 350. In this manner, the mesh may closely mimic or conform to projections 322, 324 and supports 350. The mesh may extend substantially along the entire length and/or the entire width of the example apparatus for screening fluid. [35] A mesh shape (such as a wavelike shape) may increase the surface area of the mesh 130. In this manner, compared to a conventional planar screen, more fluid may flow through the mesh 130 because of the increased surface area. Since more fluid may flow through the mesh 130, screening capacity and/or rate may be increased due to the shape.

[36] FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of an example apparatus for screening fluid, in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present disclosure. Screen frame 400 may include a base portion, projection(s), coupling portion(s), and/or support(s) 450. Like FIG. 3, projections and supports 450 form a wavelike shape or pattern (as viewed from the side or top of screen frame 400). There may be a gap or valley 452 between peaks 454 of supports 450. Mesh may contact and rest upon the projections and/or supports 450. In some examples, the mesh may be formed in a wavelike shape similar to the wavelike shape formed by the projections and supports 450. In this manner, the mesh may closely mimic or conform to the wavelike shape of the projections and supports 450.

[37] FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of another example apparatus for screening fluid, in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present disclosure. Screen frame 500 may include a base portion, projection(s), coupling portion(s), and/or support(s) 550. The projections and supports 550 form rectangular and/or block shapes (as viewed from the side of screen frame 500). There may be a gap or valley 552 between peaks 554 of supports 550. Mesh may contact and rest upon the projections and/or supports 550. In some examples, the mesh may be formed in a rectangular and/or block shape similar to the rectangular and/or block shape formed by the projections and supports 550. In this manner, the mesh may closely mimic or conform to the rectangular and/or block shape of the projections and supports 550.

[38] FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of yet another example apparatus for screening fluid, in accordance with at least an embodiment of the present disclosure. Screen frame 600 may include a base portion, projection(s), coupling portion(s), and/or support(s) 650. The projections and supports 650 form circular shapes (as viewed from the side of screen frame 600). There may be a gap or valley 652 between peaks 654 of supports 650. Mesh may contact and rest upon the projections and/or supports 650. In some examples, the mesh may be formed in a circular shape similar to the circular shape formed by the projections and supports 650. In this manner, the mesh may closely mimic or conform to the circular shape of the projections and supports 650.

[39] In some aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus for screening fluid may include a screen frame having a base portion and a projections extending from the base portion. At least one projection may extend a first distance from the base portion, and at least one projection may extend a second distance from the base portion.

[40] In some aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus for screening fluid may include a frame, projections, and a screen. The projections may be coupled to the frame. At least one projection may have first height greater than the frame's height, and at least one projection may have second height greater than the first height. The screen may contact and/or rest on the projections. The screen may substantially conform to a shape formed by the configuration of the projections.

[41 ] In some aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus for screening fluid may include a first end, a second end, a first member, a second member, and projections. The first end and the second end may be substantially parallel to each other. The first member and the second member may be separately coupled to the first end and the second end, and may be substantially parallel to each other. The projections may be substantially parallel to the first end and the second end. Each projection may be coupled to the first member and the second member. At least one projection may have a first height, and at least one projection may have a second height.

[42] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.