(12) United States Patent (cid:9)
`Mooney et al. (cid:9)
`
`11111111111101111111111!!!!111!j!!11111111111111110111111
`
`(to) Patent No.: (cid:9)
`(45) Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`VIBRATORY SCREENING MACHINE AND
`VIBRATORY SCREEN AND SCREEN
`TENSIONING STRUCTURE
`
`Inventors: James A. Mooney, Tonawanda, NY
`(US); Keith F. Wojciechowski,
`Lakeview, NY (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation,
`Buffalo, NY (US)
`
`Notice: (cid:9)
`* )
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/273,687
`
`(22)
`
`Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Mar. 22, 1999
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/272,498, filed on
`Mar. 19, 1999.
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`Int. C1.7 (cid:9)
`U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
`
`(58)
`
`Field of Search (cid:9)
`
` BO7B 1/48
` 209/405; 209/399; 209/403;
`209/404; 209/408
` 209/404, 405,
`209/408, 411, 392, 399, 403
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,438,489 A (cid:9)
`
`12/1922 Hawley
`
`6/1923 Mitchell
`1,459,845 A
`1/1942 Behnke (cid:9)
`2,268,853 A
`* 5/1961 Wright (cid:9)
`2,985,303 A (cid:9)
`3/1963 Corbin et al. (cid:9)
`3,081,874 A
`10/1968 Crain (cid:9)
`3,406,823 A
`8/1989 Derrick et al. (cid:9)
`4,857,176 A
`11/1989 Derrick et al. (cid:9)
`4,882,054 A
`* 7/1994 Bakula (cid:9)
`5,332,101 A (cid:9)
`5/1995 Bakula (cid:9)
`5,417,859 A
`* 12/1999 Bakula (cid:9)
`6,000,556 A (cid:9)
`* 6/2000 Ballman et al. (cid:9)
`6,070,736 A (cid:9)
`6,290,069 B1 * 9/2001 Schwarze et al. (cid:9)
`
` 209/403
` 209/405
` 209/408
` 209/363
` 209/392
` 210/389
` 209/403
` 210/388
` 210/388
` 209/325
` 209/405
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Donald P. Walsh
`Assistant Examiner—Daniel Schlak
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Joseph P. Gastel
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A vibratory screening machine having opposite sides with a
`plurality of stationary aligned tensioning members mounted
`on one side and a plurality of nut actuated movable tension-
`ing members mounted on the opposite side and a vibratory
`screening screen mounted on the stationary and movable
`tensioning members. The tensioning members have upstand-
`ing fingers which are received in apertures in the plates of
`the vibratory screen, and the edge portions of the vibratory
`screen include screening material which extends all of the
`way to the extreme edges of the supporting plate and the
`fingers are below the screening material. Also, the tension-
`ing structure is mounted on the side walls of the vibratory
`screening machine below the vibratory screen.
`
`41 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`94
`
`
`7 5
`22
`
`22'
`
`93
`90
`94
`75
`
`10
`
`12
`
`63
`9f
`150
`
`139
`
`51
`
`50
`
`72
`
`10
`
`61
`
`27
`
`12'
`0 620 92
`91 (cid:9)
`(cid:9) 6
`90
`
`1 1
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`79
`140 I
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`29
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`48
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`40
`
`120 1
`41
`H3 (cid:9)
`, -- 1
`143 (cid:9)
`149 I 144
`
`111
`
`-410
`
`6
`
`6
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 1 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`Fig.l.
`
`14
`
`,_..--121
`
`12,,
`
`Fig.2.
`
`17
`
`15'
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`llimio
`
`7
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`
`20
`
`2 0
`
`\
`
`-15
`
`17
`—16
`50 —13
`
`lc
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 2 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`10
`
`12
`
`94
`
`90
`
`75 (cid:9)
`122
`
`22'
`
`90 93
`94
`75
`
`137 --72)
`139
`39
`25
`
`10
`
`GI
`
`27
`
`63
`91
`150
`139
`
`51
`
`50
`
`FIG. 3.
`
`135
`
`1
`120
`113
`
`149
`
`48
`36
`40
`41
`143 (cid:9)
`144
`
`10
`
`74
`
`94
`75
`
`70
`81
`137
`79
`80
`33
`82
`
`FIG. 4.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`6
`
`45 431 33
`
`33
`
`6
`
`33 43
`
`43 43'
`=-3
`
`47
`
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`
`48
`
`34
`
`9
`
`441
`--- 25
`47 (cid:9)
`—77132
`C30
`48\
`FIG. 5.
`
`41
`
`40
`
`37 (cid:9)
`
`123 (cid:9)
`
`37
`
`42 (cid:9)
`
`33 (cid:9)
`
`48
`
`FIG. 6.
`
`37
`31 34
`
`41
`
`*Foil •
`1000.k.,
`
`35
`
`30
`
`36
`
`137
`33
`
`39
`25
`32
`
`48
`
`FIG. 7.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`9
`
`3'
`
`27
`
`12
`
`50
`
`52
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`54
`
`55
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`FIG. 8.
`
`12
`
`FIG. 9.
`
`FIG. 10.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`89 87
`
`7 r
`
`92,"
`94
`
`12
`
`I
`
`j\......---.11-
`-,. (cid:9)
`
`62
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`
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`
`---41-4-
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`
`FIG. (cid:9)
`
`84 (cid:9)
`
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`
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`
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`
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`72
`
`71 72
`
`71 (cid:9)
`
`72'
`
`69
`
`FIG, 12.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`29 125
`
`1
`
`12
`
`
`
`115
`
`101
`
`119
`
`18
`
`113
`100
`127
`124
`114
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`
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`
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`FIG. 13.
`
`22'
`
`
`
`HO
`
`109
`1 (cid:9)07
`
`100
`
`
`123
`
`FIG. 14.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 30, 2003 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`FIG. 15.
`
`123
`
`125
`
`105
`
`FIG. 16.
`
`119
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`114
`
`120
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`12'
`
`20
`
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`
`29
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`on
`
`FIG. 19.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 9 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`20
`
`291
`
`25
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`-- 20
`
`FIG. 20.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`1
`VIBRATORY SCREENING MACHINE AND
`VIBRATORY SCREEN AND SCREEN
`TENSIONING STRUCTURE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of appli-
`cation Ser. No. 09/272,498, filed Mar. 19, 1999.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not Applicable
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an improved vibratory
`screening machine and an improved vibratory screen and to
`an improved tensioning structure for a vibratory screening
`machine.
`In the past, a conventional way of mounting vibratory
`screens on vibratory screening machines was by utilizing
`elongated channel members on the sides of the machines
`which interfitted with channels formed at the side edges of
`a screening screen. However, this system had certain defi-
`ciencies. One deficiency was that the channels formed on the
`side edges of the screen would distort. Another deficiency
`was that the tensioning channels had to be moved clear of
`the channels on the edges of the screens before the screens
`could be demounted from the machine. This was a time-
`consuming operation, considering that generally twelve
`bolts had to be loosened on each side of the machine before
`screens could be removed and thereafter all twenty-four
`bolts had to be tightened after new screens had been
`replaced. In addition, the use of the foregoing channel-type
`of tensioning structure was especially detrimental when used
`in conjunction with undulating screening screens because
`the material to be screened would accumulate in the areas of
`the channels and thus create turbulent flow of the material to
`be screened which caused excessive wear on the undulations
`adjacent the side edges of the screens. Additionally, the
`foregoing type of tensioning system utilizing channels
`required the bolts which moved the tensioning channels to
`pass through apertures in the sides of the machine above the
`screens. Thus, material to be screened could pass through
`these apertures and mix with the material which passed
`through the screens. In addition to the foregoing, since the
`channels on both sides of the machine had to be loosened in
`order to remove and replace the screens, both sides of the
`screening machine had to be placed so that access could be
`had thereto. In certain instances this required premium floor
`space, especially on offshore oil drilling rigs. It is with
`addressing the foregoing deficiencies of the prior art that the
`present invention is concerned.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is accordingly one object of the present invention to
`provide an improved tensioning system for a vibratory
`screening machine which permits rapid mounting and
`demounting of vibratory screening screens.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide an 60
`improved tensioning system for a vibratory screening
`machine which requires access to only one side of the
`machine.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved mounting arrangement on a vibratory screen 65
`which does not require conventional channel-types of
`mounting structures.
`
`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`2
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved vibratory screening screen in which there is no
`excessive wear in the areas which are adjacent the side edges
`of the screening screen.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved vibratory screening machine wherein the tension-
`ing structure which is mounted on the sides of the machine
`engages the screen from underneath, thereby obviating the
`requirement for holes in the sides of the machine above the
`screens through which material to be screened can flow.
`Other objects and attendant advantages of the present inven-
`tion will readily be perceived hereafter.
`The present invention relates to a vibratory screening
`machine comprising a frame, opposed first and second side
`walls on said frame, a fixed screen-engaging member on said
`first wall, and a movable screen-engaging member on said
`second wall.
`The present invention also relates to a vibratory screen
`tensioning member comprising an elongated body, a base on
`said elongated body, and a plurality of spaced fingers on said
`base extending longitudinally of said body.
`The present invention also relates to a vibratory screen
`comprising a plate, first and second side edges on said plate,
`first and second series of spaced apertures proximate said
`first and second side edges, respectively, first and second
`flanges on said plate located outwardly of said first and
`second series of apertures, respectively, a screen on said
`plate, and first and second side edges on said screen secured
`to said first and second flanges, respectively.
`The various aspects of the present invention will be more
`fully understood when the following portions of the speci-
`fication are read in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings wherein:
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibratory screening
`machine mounting the improved screen and screen tension-
`ing structure of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along
`line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing a vibratory screen of the
`present invention in position on the bed of the machine and
`tensioned by the tensioning structure of the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the portion of
`FIG. 2, with parts omitted, showing the improved screen and
`the associated tensioning structure;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substan-
`tially in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3 with the
`major portion of the screen omitted and showing in solid
`lines the fingers of the screen tensioner structure bearing
`against the sides of the apertures at the borders of the screen
`plate and also showing schematically in dotted lines the
`positions of the fingers on one side of the machine when the
`plate is being mounted and demounted;
`FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the movable tension-
`ing member;
`FIG. 6 is a plan view of the movable tensioner taken
`substantially in the direction of arrows 6-6 of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substan-
`tially along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;
`FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the fixed tensioning
`member;
`FIG. 9 is an end elevational view taken substantially in the
`direction of arrows 9-9 of FIG. 8.
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the
`support for the movable tensioning member mounted on the
`side of the machine;
`FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the improved screen
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view
`taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tightening nut
`assembly;
`FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the tightening nut
`assembly mounted on the wall of the vibratory screening
`machine;
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the wall of the vibratory
`screening machine mounting the base onto which the tight-
`ening nut assembly is mounted;
`FIG. 16 is a plan view of the rear of the fixed member of
`the tightening nut assembly which mounts on the base of
`FIG. 15;
`FIG. 17 is a plan view of the front of the fixed member of
`the tightening nut assembly;
`FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing the
`connection between the movable member of the tightening
`nut assembly and the bolt which is attached to the movable
`tensioning member;
`FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a plurality of screens
`mounted between the sides of the vibratory screening
`machine; and
`FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a plurality of screens
`mounted between the sides of the vibratory screening
`machine and having movable tensioning members on both
`sides of the machine.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The improved screen tensioning structure of the present
`invention is for mounting on a vibratory screening machine
`of any suitable type. Vibratory screening machine 10 of
`FIGS. 1-3 is of conventional construction except for certain
`structure, namely, the structure associated with the improved
`tensioning structure of the present invention. Thus, the
`vibratory screening machine 10 may be of the types shown
`in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,332,101 and 4,882,054, the latter two
`patents being incorporated herein by reference and which
`should be referred to for a better understanding of the
`present invention. By way of specific description, the vibra-
`tory screening machine 10 includes a base 11 having a
`vibratory frame 14 suitably mounted thereon. Standards 13
`and 13', which are mirror image counterparts, are mounted
`on base 11, and they pivotally support frame 14 by means of
`trunnions 15 and 15'. Side walls 12 and 12' are resiliently
`mounted on frame 14 by means of elastomeric connectors 17
`and 17' to permit the screen-supporting assembly 16 to
`vibrate when actuated by vibrator motor assembly 19 suit-
`ably connected thereto. The foregoing type of mounting is
`conventional in the art. In addition to struts 16 which
`connect walls 12 and 12' to each other, a plurality of cross
`members 20 (FIGS. 2, 19 and 20) are spacedly mounted
`between side walls 12 and 12' and suitably connected
`thereto, and elongated stringers 21 extend longitudinally of
`the machine and are connected to struts 16 and cross
`members 20. The stringers and cross members comprise the
`bed of the machine, as is well known in the art. In operation,
`the vibratory screen assembly 22 rests on the bed of the
`machine which includes struts 16 and cross members 20, and
`plastic caps (not shown) are mounted on stringers 21, as is
`
`15 (cid:9)
`
`4
`well known in the art, as more specifically shown in U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,857,176, which, insofar as pertinent here, is
`incorporated by reference and for showing a better under-
`standing of the present invention. As noted above, vibratory
`5 screening machine 10, as expressed above, is substantially
`identically described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,101.
`Furthermore, as expressed above, any suitable vibratory
`screening machine, with suitable modification, can mount
`the improved screen tensioning structure of the present
`invention.
`The screen tensioning structure 24 of the present inven-
`tion broadly includes a movable tensioning member 25
`mounted on machine wall 12', a stationary tensioning mem-
`ber 27 mounted on wall 12 and a tightening nut assembly 29.
`The movable tensioning member 25 includes an elongated
`body 30 which is of generally U-shaped configuration (FIG.
`7) having a rear side 31 and a front side 32 connected by
`base or U-bend 36. A plurality of spaced flexible resilient
`fingers 33 extend from side 32. U-bend 36 is also flexible
`20 and resilient. A block 34 has one side welded to rear side 31
`at 35 and the opposite side of block 34 is welded at 37 to the
`central portion of reinforcing bar 39 which has its opposite
`ends welded to rear side 31 at 40. The portion of reinforcing
`bar on block 34 is spaced from front side 32. Reinforcing bar
`25 39 rigidizes rear side 31 against excessive flexing. A band
`spring 41 is riveted to rear side 31 by a plurality of rivets 42.
`Fingers 33 have relatively narrow upper portions 43 which
`merge into downwardly outwardly flaring portions 44 which
`merge into front side 32. The outermost fingers 45 have
`30 upper portions 43' which have the same width as upper
`portions 43 of fingers 33. However, the lower portions 44' of
`fingers 45 are narrower than the lower portions 44 of fingers
`33. Therefore, the lower portions 44' terminate at valleys 47
`which are higher than valleys 49 which are positioned
`35 between fingers 33. This is so that fingers 45 will flex
`substantially the same amounts as fingers 33 when they are
`stressed during the tensioning process. A plurality of
`inverted T-shaped members 48 extend outwardly from the
`bottom of front side 32 for slidingly engaging the tops of
`40 spaced sides 145 of support 143 (FIGS. 3 and 10).
`The elongated planar base 51 of fixed tensioning member
`27 (FIGS. 8 and 9) is rigidly mounted on wall 12 by a
`plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 50 which extend through
`base 51. A central portion 52 extends upwardly and out-
`(cid:9) from base 51, and a plurality of flexible resilient
`fingers 53 and 53', which are identical to fingers 33 and 45,
`respectively, extend upwardly from side 54 which extends
`upwardly from central portion 52. A plurality of gussets 55
`extend between base 51 and central portion 52 to rigidize the
`so latter against bending. As can be seen from FIG. 3, there are
`no tensioning nut assemblies on side 12 of the machine.
`Therefore, this side of the machine need not be accessed for
`changing the screen assemblies 22. Thus, side 12 can be
`placed closely adjacent a wall or other objects, thereby
`55 conserving space, which is especially desirable on offshore
`drilling rigs where space is a premium. The resilience of the
`fingers on both the movable tensioner 25 and stationary
`tensioner 27 tend to maintain a substantially constant tension
`on the screening screen 22.
`The improved tensioning structure 24 is preferably used
`with a screen assembly such as 22 of FIGS. 11 and 12, which
`is a modified form of the screen disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,417,859 which is incorporated herein by reference and
`which can be referred to for better understanding of the
`65 screen assembly structure. The screen assembly includes a
`frame in the form of a perforated metal plate 61, such as steel
`or any other suitable material, having a first pair of opposite
`
`45
`
`60 (cid:9)
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`5
`side edges 62 and 63 and a second pair of opposite edges 64
`and 65 and an upper surface 67 and a lower surface 69. Plate
`61 includes apertures 70 which are bordered by elongated
`metal strip-like portions or members 71 which extend
`between side edges 62 and 63 and by shorter strip-like
`portions 72 and 72' which extend lengthwise between elon-
`gated strip-like portions 71. The apertures 70 in the rows
`adjacent to edges 64 and 65 are 1.71 by 11/2 inches and are
`formed by a punching operation and have rounded corners.
`The apertures 70 between the rows adjacent to edges 64 and
`65 are quadrangles of 1.687 by 13/16 inches. Strip-like
`portions 71 are 0.1875 inches wide and strips 72 and 72' are
`approximately 0.1217 inches wide, but the various strips
`may be of any desired width and the apertures 70 may be of
`any desired dimensions. The length of plate 61 between
`edges 12 and 13 may be approximately 31/2 feet, and its
`width between edges 64 and 65 may be approximately 21/2
`feet and it may have a thickness of 14 gauge, or any other
`suitable thickness. It will be appreciated that the size of plate
`11 may vary as required to fit different machines. Edges 62
`and 63 are mirror-image counterparts. The outer edges 62
`and 63 are formed into longitudinally extending flanges
`which extend throughout the entire width of plate 61, that is,
`they extend all the way between edges 64 and 65.
`A screen subassembly 73, which is fully disclosed in the
`above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,859, is of undulating
`shape and has ridges 74 alternating with grooves 75. Epoxy
`end caps 77 seal both ends of ridges 74 at edges 64 and 65.
`As can be seen from FIG. 11, the undersides of troughs 75
`are bonded to rows of aligned strip-like members 72 and the
`peaks of ridges 74 overlie rows of aligned strip-like mem-
`bers 72' which are interspersed with rows of strip-like
`members 72. See FIGS. 4 and 11. The outer edges 62 and 63,
`which are flanges (FIG. 3), as expressed above, are proxi-
`mate horizontal side edge portions 79 (FIGS. 4 and 11).
`Immediately adjacent side edge portions 79, which lie in the
`plane of plate 61, are larger apertures 70 which alternate
`with smaller apertures 80 which have edges 81 and 82,
`respectively, which are substantially in alignment.
`The undulating screen subassembly 22', which is part of
`screen assembly 22, in this instance consists of a heavy
`screen 83, a fine screening screen 84 and a finer screening
`screen 85, all of which are bonded by a fused plastic grid 87
`having openings 89 therein. The screen subassembly 22' at
`its outer edges is formed into planar sides 90 which are
`parallel to flanges 62 and 63, and the extreme outer edges of
`screen subassembly 22' are turned up into short sides 91
`which are parallel to sides 90. The space between screen side
`90 and flange 62 is filled with epoxy 92 and the space
`between screen side 90 and flange 63 is filled with epoxy 93.
`Strips 92 and 93 of epoxy extend the entire distances
`between edges 64 and 65. The portion of the screen between
`sides 90 and 91 is preferably bonded to plate 61. The
`configuration at screen portions 90 and 91 is merely by way
`of example and not of limitation, and it will be appreciated
`that other configurations for securing the ends of screen
`subassembly 22' to plate 61 may be utilized.
`As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the screen subas-
`sembly 22' has straight screen portions 94 between the
`troughs 75 closest to planar portions 79 and screen sides 90.
`However, screen portions 94 may be curved. The screen
`portions 94 provide additional screening area as compared to
`prior constructions wherein the screen subassembly did not
`have any screen portion such as 94 beyond the last trough,
`such as 75, which was closest to the outer edges of the plate.
`The screen portions 94 in addition to providing additional
`screening area also provide unrestricted flow paths for
`
`6
`material to be screened. This is in contrast to prior art
`structures which utilized channel-type tensioners which
`became clogged and thus produced turbulent flow which
`abraded the sides of the ridges closest to the sides of the
`5 machine which resulted in screen failure.
`The screen tensioning structure 24 includes a plurality of
`bolt assemblies 29 mounted on one side wall 12' (FIGS.
`1-3). Actually there are two bolt assemblies 29 associated
`with each screen assembly 22, and there are three screen
`10 assemblies 22 mounted on the bed of the machine. Thus,
`there are six bolt assemblies 29 mounted on the machine side
`12'. However, there are no bolt assemblies, such as 29,
`mounted on machine side 12 (FIG. 3) because the stationary
`tensioning members 27 are bolted to screen side 12. The
`is advantage of the foregoing installation is that only the six
`bolt assemblies 29 on one side of the machine have to be
`loosened, as will appear hereafter, in order to demount the
`three screen assemblies 22 whereas in the past in installa-
`tions utilizing channels at the side edges of the screen
`20 assemblies 22, twelve bolt assemblies were required on each
`side of the machine, for a total of twenty-four. Each bolt
`assembly had to be loosened in order to permit the channels
`of the prior art tensioning structure to be withdrawn from the
`channels at the side edges of each prior art screen assem-
`25 blies. This required an exceptionally long time, and while
`the prior art screen assemblies were being changed, the flow
`of material which was to be screened was diverted.
`However, as will appear hereafter, the screen assemblies 22
`can be changed by merely loosening the six bolt assemblies
`30 29 on one side of the machine and thus the screen assemblies
`22 can be changed in a matter of between 3 and 4 minutes
`whereas in the prior art requiring twenty-four bolt
`assemblies, the time required to change three screens usually
`was between about 10 and 15 minutes.
`Each tightening nut assembly 29 is extremely similar to
`that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,101, which is incor-
`porated herein by reference and which should be referred to
`for background material. However, the tightening nut
`assembly 29 differs from that disclosed in the foregoing
`40 patent in that it does not utilize a spring. Instead it has a rigid
`cylindrical central member 117 which can be adjusted to
`determine the stroke of the nut assembly 29. More
`specifically, each tightening nut assembly 29 is mounted on
`the machine side 12' on a generally triangular solid member
`45 102 which is welded to machine side 12' and has parallel
`planar sides 103 and a lip 104. The rear of fixed tightening
`member 100 includes two flanges 105 which straddle sides
`103 in contiguous relationship and top member 107 has a
`portion 109 which rests on the top of lip 104 and it has a lip
`so 110 which lies behind lip 104, to thereby firmly mount
`stationary nut tightening member 100 onto the side 12' of the
`machine. The movable tightening member 101 includes an
`outer nut 111 which is integral with flange 112 which is
`integral with cylindrical extension 113 which terminates at
`55 an end wall 114 at the end of cylindrical chamber 115. A
`cylindrical central member 117 is rotatably mounted within
`chamber 115 and is retained therein by means of snap ring
`119. Bolt 120 has a threaded end 121 (FIG. 6) which is
`received within threaded portion 122 of cylindrical member
`60 117. The opposite end of bolt 120 is threaded at 123 (FIG.
`6) and is threadably received in block 34 of tensioning
`member 25. The central portion of bolt 120 passes through
`aperture 126 in wall 12' and through aperture 126' in
`triangular member 102 and aperture 128 in fixed tightening
`65 member 100 and through aperture 136 in wall 114 of
`movable tightening member 101. Fixed nut tightening mem-
`ber 100 includes two cam tracks 123 having lower portions
`
`35 (cid:9)
`
`Derrick 2029
`IPR2016-00642
`Axon EP, Inc. and Screen Logix, LLC v. Derrick Corporation
`
`

`

`US 6,669,027 B1
`
`7
`124 and higher portions 125. The higher portions terminate
`at lips 127 which are located immediately above the lowest
`portions of low portions 124. Diametrically opposite cam
`followers 129 extend radially outwardly from cylindrical
`portion 113 of movable member 111 and they terminate at
`cam follower edges 130 which ride on cam surfaces 123.
`The screen tensioning system of the present invention is
`initially adjusted as follows. First of all, the tightening nut
`assemblies 29 are set with the cam followers 129 on the
`highest portions 125 of cams 123 which are adjacent lips
`127. Thereafter, nut 135, which is integral with cylindrical
`member 117, is rotated while member 117 is in threaded
`engagement with bolt threads 121 until the inner sides 137
`of fingers 33 are spaced approximately 3/8 inch from the edge
`of shelf 140 which extends longitudinally along side wall 12'
`throughout the extent of the side wall underneath three of the
`screen assemblies 22, each of which has two tension mem-
`bers 25 associated therewith in end-to-end relationship.
`Each of the six tensioners 25 is adjusted in the foregoing
`manner. Thereafter, the set screw 141 is adjusted until it hits
`the end 142 of bolt 120. The set screw has a thread locking
`compound thereon so that once it has been set, it cannot be
`unscrewed. In view of the foregoing adjustment, bolt 120
`can never be threaded into threaded bore 122 a greater extent
`than to which it has been set, and thus the inner surfaces 137
`of fingers 33 cannot be moved any closer to the edges 139
`of shelf 140. However, member 117 can be unscrewed from
`bolt 120 to thus increase the distance between fingers 33 and
`edge 139.
`The foregoing adjustment is made while each tensioner 25
`is mounted on tensioner support 143 which is rigidly
`mounted on side wall 12' by bolts 144. Each support
`includes two sides 145 and a back plate 149 through which
`bolts 144 extend to secure support 143 to side wall 12'.
`Each screen assembly is mounted in the following man-
`ner: Nut portion 111 of each tensioning member is rotated so
`as to cause cam followers 129 to return to the low portions
`124 of cam surfaces 123, as shown in FIG. 14. This will
`permit spring 41 of each tensioner 45 to return to its
`unstressed condition (FIG. 6) to thereby push each elongated
`body 30 away from wall 12'. At this time edge 62 of each
`screen assembly 22 is placed over two adjacent tensioning
`members 25 and the opposite edge 63 is placed over two
`adjacent tensioning members 27 with fingers 33 and 53
`within apertures 70 and 80. Thereafter, a wrench is applied
`to each nut 111 to thereby rotate movable tightening nut
`member 101 so that cam followers 129 will move from the
`low portion 124 of each cam 123 to the high portion 125
`thereof. This will cause flexible resilient fingers 33 to move
`against aperture sides 81 and 82 to thereby pull the plate 61
`until aperture sides 81 and 82 engage fingers 53 and there-
`after continued movement of fingers 33 will tension screen
`plate 61 the proper amount. In this respect, the above-noted
`setting of fingers 33 approximately 3/8 inch from shelf 140
`constitutes a dimension which causes the inner sides 137 of
`fingers 33 to be located a specified distance from the inner
`sides 137' of fingers 53, and this distance is slightly greater
`than the distance between opposed side edges 81 and
`opposed side edges 82 of plate sides 79 so that plate 61 is
`placed in the proper tension. The flexibility of the fingers
`permits all of them to engage the edges 81 and 82 during
`tensioning in the event these edges may not be in perfect
`alignment with each other.
`As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 14, support 143
`positions bolt 120 at a proper angle so that it will not pivot
`downwardly due to the tensioning force applied at the upper
`ends of the fingers 33. Furthermore, the tensioner 25 is
`
`8
`fabricated from rolled 17-4PH stainless steel and the fingers
`of tensioner 25 will d