PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Great Britain Application Number 2001338.9 entitled “Magnetic Pump Suction Strainer,” filed January 31, 2020, the application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A wellsite may include a mud pit having drilling fluid (e.g., drilling mud) stored therein. A pump may cause the drilling fluid to flow from the mud pit, through the pump, and into a wellbore. The drilling fluid may have solid particles therein. The solid particles in the drilling fluid that are greater than a predetermined size may damage the pump. Accordingly, a pump suction strainer may be positioned between the mud pit and the pump (e.g., downstream from the mud pit and upstream from the pump). The pump suction strainer may be configured to filter out the solid particles that are greater than the predetermined size so that they do not flow into the pump and damage the pump. As will be appreciated, solid particles that are smaller than the predetermined size may still flow through the pump suction strainer and into the pump.

SUMMARY

[0003] 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.

[0004] A magnetic assembly for a strainer is disclosed. The magnetic assembly includes a holder. The holder includes a central longitudinal axis, a first segment defining a first recess, and a second segment defining a second recess. The first and second segments are circumferentially-offset from one another around the central longitudinal axis. The magnetic assembly also includes a first magnet positioned at least partially within the first recess, and a second magnet positioned at least partially within the second recess. The first and second magnets are configured to attract metallic particles in a fluid flowing through the strainer.

[0005] A strainer is also disclosed. The strainer includes a housing. The housing includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid and an outlet configured to discharge the fluid. A magnetic assembly is positioned at least partially within the housing. The magnetic assembly includes a holder. The magnetic assembly also includes a first magnet positioned at least partially within the holder, and a second magnet positioned at least partially within the holder. The first and second magnets are circumferentially-offset from one another around a central longitudinal axis of the holder. The first and second magnets are configured to attract metallic particles in the fluid to prevent the metallic particles from being discharged with the fluid through the outlet. The strainer also includes a screen positioned at least partially within the housing. The screen is configured to prevent particles in the fluid that are greater than a predetermined size from being discharged with the fluid through the outlet.

[0006] A pump suction strainer is also disclosed. The strainer includes a housing. The housing includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid from a pit or a mud tank, and an outlet configured to discharge the fluid to a pump. A magnetic assembly is positioned at least partially within the housing. The magnetic assembly includes a holder. The holder includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion, the second portion, or both include(s) a frame. The frame includes a curved outer surface that is configured to contact an inner surface of the housing. The holder also includes a first segment coupled to or integral with the frame. The first segment defines a first recess. The holder also includes a second segment coupled to or integral with the frame. The second segment defines a second recess. The first and second segments are circumferentially- offset from one another around a central longitudinal axis of the holder. The magnetic assembly also includes a first magnet positioned at least partially within the first recess, and a second magnet positioned at least partially within the second recess. The first and second magnets are configured to attract metallic particles in the fluid to prevent the metallic particles from being discharged with the fluid through the outlet. The strainer also includes a screen positioned at least partially within the housing and between the first and second portions of the holder. The screen is configured to prevent particles in the fluid that are greater than a predetermined size from being discharged with the fluid through the outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 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.

[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a pump suction strainer, according to an embodiment. [0009] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 illustrates another side view of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 1 , rotated 90° from the view in Figure 2, according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a holder of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a screen of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 illustrates side view of another pump suction strainer, according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a magnetic assembly of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 6 including a flange and a rod, according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of the magnetic assembly shown in Figure 7, according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the flange moving along the rod, according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of another pump suction strainer, according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a holder of a magnetic assembly of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 10, according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of another holder that may be used with or as part of the magnetic assembly of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 10, according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of another holder that may be used with or as part of the magnetic assembly of the pump suction strainer shown in Figure 10, according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of a magnet that is configured to be positioned at least partially within the holders, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pump suction strainer 100, according to an embodiment. The strainer 100 may include a housing 110 having an inlet 112 and an outlet 114. The housing 110 is shown transparent in Figure 1 to better illustrate the components therein. The housing 110 may be substantially cylindrical and define an internal volume therein. The housing 110 may be made from a non-ferrous material. For example, the housing 110 may be made from steel or iron.

[0025] The strainer 100 may also include a magnetic assembly 120 positioned at least partially within the housing 110. The magnetic assembly 120 may include a holder 130 and one or more magnets 160 that are positioned at least partially within (e.g., held by) and/or coupled to the holder 130. The strainer 100 may also include a screen 180 positioned at least partially within the housing 110 and/or at least partially within the holder 130. The screen 180 may define a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

[0026] As shown by the arrows, a fluid may flow into the housing 110 via the inlet 112. For example, the fluid may flow from a mud pit or mud tank (not shown) into the housing 110 via the inlet 112. The fluid may be or include a drilling fluid (e.g., a drilling mud). At least a portion of the fluid may flow through the magnetic assembly 120 and/or the screen 180 and flow out of the housing 110 via the outlet 114. The portion of the fluid that flows through the magnetic assembly 120 and/or the screen 180 and flows out of the housing 110 via the outlet 114 may be referred to as a filtered fluid or a filtered portion of the fluid. The filtered fluid may flow out of the housing 110 via the outlet 114 and into a pump (not shown).

[0027] The fluid may have solid particles therein. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the solid particles may be magnetic particles. For example, the magnetic particles may be made of ferrous materials. For example, the magnetic particles may be or include steel or iron. At least a portion of the particles (e.g., magnetic particles) in the fluid may be filtered out of the fluid by the magnetic assembly 120. The magnetic particles may remain within the strainer 100 and thus may not flow out of the housing 110 via the outlet 114. More particularly, the magnetic particles may remain attracted to the magnets 160 of the magnetic assembly 120. The magnets 160 may be or include rare earth magnetic material or an electromagnet. For example, the magnets 160 may be shaped as a stainless steel coffin.

[0028] Another portion of the particles (e.g., large particles) in the fluid may also or instead be filtered out of the fluid by the screen 180. More particularly, the particles in the fluid that are larger than the openings in the screen 180 may be prevented from flowing through the openings in the screen 180 and may remain trapped within the housing 110. Thus, the large particles may remain within the strainer 100 and thus may not flow out of the housing 110 via the outlet 114.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the strainer 100, according to an embodiment. The housing 110 is again shown transparent to better illustrate the components therein. The holder 130 may be made from steel. The holder 130 may include two or more portions (two portions are shown: 132A, 132B) that are circumferentially-offset from one another around a central longitudinal axis 102 of the strainer 100. The screen 180 may be positioned at least partially between the portions 132A, 132B. The portions 132A, 132B may each define one or more segments that are coupled to or integral with one another. For example, the portion 132A of the holder 130 may include the segments 134A, 135A, 136A. The portion 132B of the holder 130 may be the same as or different from the portion 132A.

[0030] The segments 134A-136A may each be configured to have one or more of the magnets 160 coupled thereto and/or positioned therein. For example, each of the segments 134A-136A may define a recess 144A-146A that is configured to have one of the magnets 160 positioned at least partially therein. The segments 134A-136A may be vertically-offset from one another. As shown, the segments 134A, 135A may be vertically-offset from one another, with the segment 134A being above the segment 135A. In addition, the segment 136A may be positioned at least partially vertically-between the segments 134A, 135A. Having one or more of the segments 134A-136A (and the magnets 160 therein) vertically-offset from one another may increase the amount of fluid that passes at least one of the magnets 160.

[0031] The segments 134A-136A may also or instead be laterally-offset from one another. More particularly, the segments 134A, 135 A may be laterally-aligned with one another and laterally- offset from the segment 136A. In other words, a distance from the central longitudinal axis 102 to the segment 134A may be substantially the same as a distance from the central longitudinal axis 102 to the segment 135 A, and a distance from the central longitudinal axis 102 to the segment 136A may be greater than the aforementioned distances from the central longitudinal axis 102 to the segments 134A, 135A. The segment 136A may be positioned closer to the outlet 114 and farther from the screen 180 than the segments 134A, 135 A. Having one or more of the segments 134A-136A (and the magnets 160 therein laterally-offset from one another may ease the assembly of the magnets 160 into the segments 134A-136A and may also increase the amount of fluid that passes at least one of the magnets 160.

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates another side view of the strainer 100, rotated 90° from the view in Figure 2, according to an embodiment. The housing 110 is again shown transparent to better illustrate the components therein. Figure 3 shows the portion 132A of the holder 130. The portion 132A of the holder 130 may include additional segments 137A, 138A. Instead of, or in addition to, being vertically-offset from one another and/or laterally-offset from one another, as discussed above, one or more of the segments 134A-138A may be circumferentially-offset from one another around the central longitudinal axis 102. For example, the segments 134A, 135A are circumferentially- aligned with one another, and the segments 137A, 138A are circumferentially-aligned with one another. The segment 136A is circumferentially-between the segments 134A, 135A and the segments 137A, 138A. In the embodiment shown, at least one of the segments (e.g., segment 136A) may be aligned between the central longitudinal axis 102, the inlet 112, and/or the outlet 114.

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the portion 132A of the holder 130, according to an embodiment. The holder 130 may include a frame 150 that is coupled to or integral with the segments 134A-138A. The frame 150 may include an upper portion 152A and a lower portion 152B that are vertically-offset from one another. The upper portion 152A may be coupled to or integral with the segments 134A, 136A, 137A, and the lower portion 152B may be coupled to or integral with the segments 135A, 136A, 138A. [0034] In the embodiment shown, the segments 134A-138A may be at least partially planar. An illustrative plane 139 through the planar portion of the segment 134A is shown in dashed lines. The planar portions of the segments 134A-138A may be parallel to one another. In one embodiment, a first radial direction 158A with respect to the axis 102 that extends through the segment 136A may be aligned with the planar portion of the segment 136A, and a second radial direction 158B with respect to the axis 102 that extends through the segment 134A may be oriented at an angle with respect to the planar portion 139 of the segment 134A. The angle may be from about 1° to about 179°, about 30° to about 150°, or about 60° to about 120° (where 0° is parallel to the second radial direction 158B). Having each of the segments 134A-138A be parallel, as opposed to each of the segments 134A-138A being oriented radially, may help direct the fluid from the inlet 112 to the outlet 114 with minimal interference. A flowpath from the inlet 112, through the housing 110, and to the outlet 114 may be aligned with the plane through the segment 136A. [0035] The portions 152A, 152B of the frame 150 may include outer surfaces 154A, 154B that are configured to contact an inner surface of the housing 110. As shown, the outer surfaces 154 A, 154B are at least partially circular (e.g., semi-circular) to conform to the inner surface of the cylindrical housing 110. The portions 152A, 152B of the frame 150 may also include inner surfaces 156A, 156B that are configured to at least partially surround and/or contact a portion of the screen 180. As shown, the inner surfaces 156A, 156B are at least partially circular (e.g., semi circular) to conform to the outer surface of portion of the screen 180.

[0036] One or more of the segments 134A-138A may be positioned at least partially between the outer surface(s) 154A, 154B and the inner surface(s) 156A, 156B. As shown, the segments 134A, 137A may be positioned at least partially between the outer surface 154A and the inner surface 156A, and the segments 135 A, 138A may be positioned at least partially between the outer surface 154B and the inner surface 156B. In the embodiment shown, the segments 134A, 137A may extend at least partially through the portion 154A of the frame 150, between the outer and inner surfaces 154A, 156A.

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the screen 180, according to an embodiment. The screen 180 may include a tube 182 that defines a bore 184. The screen 180 may also include one or more screen sections (two are shown 186A, 186B) that are coupled to or integral with the tube 182. As shown, the screen sections 186A, 186B may be circumferentially-offset from one another (e.g., by 180°) around the tube 182. As mentioned above, the screen sections 186A, 186B may include the openings 188 through which the fluid and the small particles may pass, but which may prevent the large particles from passing therethrough.

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates side view of another pump suction strainer 600, according to an embodiment. The strainer 600 may include a housing 610. The housing 610 may be substantially cylindrical and define an internal volume. Unlike the housing 110 discussed above, which has a screen 180 positioned therein (see e.g., Figures 1-3), the housing 610 may have openings 616 formed therein that serve the function of a screen. More particularly, the housing 610 may have a plurality of openings 616 extending radially from an inner surface thereof to an outer surface thereof. The openings 616 may serve as the outlet of the strainer 600.

[0039] The strainer 600 may also include a magnetic assembly 620. As shown, the magnetic assembly 620 may include a flange 630 and a rod 640. The flange 630 may be coupled to and/or positioned at least partially around an upper end of the housing 610. As described below, the flange 630 may include one or more openings that may serve as the inlet(s) of the strainer 600. The flange 630 may be made from carbon steel, stainless steel, or plastic.

[0040] The rod 640 may extend at least partially through the housing 610 and/or the flange 630. For example, the housing 610, the flange 630, and/or the rod 640 may be substantially concentric with one another. The rod 640 may be magnetic and configured to attract metallic particles in the fluid. The rod 640 may be or include rare earth magnetic material. For example, the rod 640 may be shaped as a stainless steel coffin.

[0041] The fluid (e.g., from the mud pit or mud tank) may flow into the housing 610 through an upper end of the housing 610 and/or through the opening(s) in the flange 630. More particularly, the fluid may flow downward through the openings in the flange 630 into an annular space between the housing 610 and the rod 640. The fluid may be or include the drilling fluid discussed above. At least a portion of the fluid may flow radially-outward through the openings 616 in the housing 610 (e.g., to the pump).

[0042] A portion of the particles (e.g., magnetic particles) in the fluid may be filtered out of the fluid by the magnetic assembly 620. The magnetic particles may remain within the housing 610. More particularly, the magnetic particles may remain attracted to the rod 640.

[0043] Another portion of the particles (e.g., large particles) in the fluid may also or instead be filtered out of the fluid by the openings 616 in the housing 610. The large particles may remain within the housing 610. More particularly, the particles in the fluid that are larger than the openings 616 in the housing 610 may be prevented from flowing through the openings 616 in the housing 610 and may remain trapped within the housing 610.

[0044] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the magnetic assembly 620, according to an embodiment. The flange 630 may include an outer portion 632 and an inner portion 634. The outer portion 632 may be configured to at least partially define and/or surround the upper end of the housing 610. As shown, the inner surface of the outer portion 632 may define a lip 636 that is configured to sit upon the upper end of the housing 610. The inner portion 634 may have the rod 640 extending therethrough. One or more openings (one is shown: 638) may be defined between the outer portion 632 and the inner portion 634. As mentioned above, this opening 638 may serve as the inlet of the strainer 600 through which fluid may flow to reach the interior of the housing 610.

[0045] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of a portion of the rod 640, according to an embodiment. An end 642 of the rod 640 may include a shoulder 644. The shoulder 644 may be or include a chamfer where a cross-sectional length (e.g., diameter) 646 increases proceeding toward the end 642.

[0046] Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the flange 630 moving along the rod 640, according to an embodiment. As mentioned above, when the strainer 600 is in use, the magnetic particles in the fluid may be attracted to the rod 640 to prevent them from flowing out of the housing 610 through the openings 616 (Figure 6). Over time, more and more magnetic particles may be attracted to the rod 640. To clean the magnetic particles from the rod 640, the magnetic assembly 620 may be removed from the housing 610, and then the flange 630 may be slid along the rod 640 toward the end 642. An inner diameter of the inner portion 634 of the flange 630 may be substantially the same as (e.g., within 1 mm) an outer diameter of the rod 640. Thus, as the flange 630 slides along the rod 640, the inner portion 634 may scrape the magnetic particles away from the rod 640. The shoulder 644 may serve as a stop to limit the axial movement of the flange 630 so that the flange 630 does not slide off of the end 642 of the rod 640.

[0047] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of another pump suction strainer 1000, according to an embodiment. The strainer 1000 may include a housing 1010, which may be similar to the housing 610 discussed above. The housing 1010 may be substantially cylindrical and define an internal volume. Unlike the housing 110 discussed above, which has a screen 180 positioned therein, the housing 1010 may have openings 1016 formed therein that serve the function of a screen. More particularly, the housing 1010 may define a plurality of openings 1016 extending radially from an inner surface thereof to an outer surface thereof. The openings 1016 may serve as the outlet of the strainer 1000.

[0048] The strainer 1000 may also include a magnetic assembly 1020. The magnetic assembly 1020 may include a flange 1030. The flange 1030 may be coupled to and/or positioned at least partially around an upper end of the housing 1010. The flange 1030 may define one or more openings 1038 that may serve as the inlet(s) of the strainer 1000.

[0049] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a holder 1040 of the magnetic assembly 1020, according to an embodiment. The magnetic assembly 1020 may also include a holder 1040 coupled to or integral with the flange 1030. The holder 1040 may be positioned at least partially within the housing 1010.

[0050] The holder 1040 may include a plurality of segments (four are shown: 1041-1044) that are circumferentially-offset from one another around a central longitudinal axis 1022 of the magnetic assembly 1020. The segments 1041-1044 extend radially-outward from the axis 1022. Each of the segments 1041-1044 may define a recess 1051-1054 (1052 cannot be seen in this view) that is configured to have one of the magnets 160 positioned at least partially therein.

[0051] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the fluid (e.g., from the mud pit) may flow into the housing 1010 through an upper end of the housing 1010 and/or through the openings 1038 in the flange 1030. More particularly, the fluid may flow downward through the openings 1038 in the flange 1030 into a space between the housing 1010 and the holder 1040. The fluid may be or include the drilling fluid discussed above. At least a portion of the fluid may flow through the openings 1016 in the housing 1010 (e.g., to the pump).

[0052] A portion of the particles (e.g., magnetic particles) in the fluid may be filtered out of the fluid by the magnetic assembly 1020. The magnetic particles may remain within the housing 1010. More particularly, the magnetic particles may remain attracted to the magnets 160.

[0053] Another portion of the particles (e.g., large particles) in the fluid may also or instead be filtered out of the fluid by the openings 1016 in the housing 1010. The large particles may remain within the housing 1010. More particularly, the particles in the fluid that are larger than the openings 1016 in the housing 1010 may be prevented from flowing through the openings 1016 in the housing 1010 and may remain trapped within the housing 1010.

[0054] Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of another/different holder 1240 that may be part of the magnetic assembly 1020, according to an embodiment. The holder 1240 may be similar to the holder 1040, except that the holder 1240 may include two segments 1241, 1242 that are circumferentially-offset from one another around a central longitudinal axis 1022 of the magnetic assembly 1020 (e.g., by 180°).

[0055] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of another/different holder 1340 that may be part of the magnetic assembly 1020, according to an embodiment. The holder 1340 may be similar to the holders 1040, 1240, except that the holder 1340 may include a single segment 1341. As will be appreciated, the holders 1040, 1240, 1340 may have other shapes and configurations.

[0056] Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of the magnet 160, according to an embodiment. The magnet 160 may include a body 162 that is made from a rare earth magnetic material or an electromagnet. A first end 164 of the body 162 may include or define a recess 166 that is configured to facilitate positioning the body 162 into a recess (e.g., recess 144 A). A second end 168 of the body 162 may include a fastener assembly 170. For example, the fastener assembly 170 may be in contact with and/or coupled to the second end 168. The fastener assembly 170 may be configured to fasten or secure the body 162 into/within the recess (e.g., recess 144 A).

[0057] 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.