Vibratory separator and screen assembly

Abstract

A vibratory separator comprising a basket and a side rail for fixing at least a portion of a periphery of a screen assembly to said basket, characterised in that the vibratory separator further comprises means for pulling a screen assembly down within a periphery of a screen assembly to fix a screen assembly in said basket. A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a support and at least one layer of screening material, wherein the screen assembly has a periphery characterised in that the support further comprises a fitting within the periphery, the fitting for receiving a means for pulling the support downwardly and fixing the screen assembly in the vibratory separator. A method for fitting a screen assembly in a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a support having at least one layer of mesh arranged thereon, the method comprising the steps of inserting the screen assembly into a clamping mechanism of a vibratory separator, operating the clamping mechanism wherein at least part of the screen assembly within its perimeter is pulled down to fix the screen assembly in the vibratory separator.

1 . A vibratory separator comprising a basket and a side rail for fixing at least a portion of a periphery of a screen assembly to said basket, characterised in that the vibratory separator further comprises means for pulling a screen assembly down within a periphery of a screen assembly to fix a screen assembly in said basket.  
     
     
         2 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means is pneumatically operable.  
     
     
         3 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means is hydraulically operable.  
     
     
         4 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises an inflatable bladder.  
     
     
         5 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means is mechanically operable.  
     
     
         6 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises a rail for engaging a screen assembly.  
     
     
         7 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said rail is T-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises an outer housing and an inner housing, said inner housing movable with respect to said outer housing for pulling a screen assembly downwardly to fix a screen assembly in said basket.  
     
     
         9 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said rail is attached to said inner housing and said outer housing comprises a slit through which part of said rail passes.  
     
     
         10 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein an inflatable bladder is arranged in said inner housing for moving said inner housing with respect to said outer housing.  
     
     
         11 . A vibtratory separator as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said outer housing has an intermediate member which passes through openings in said inner housing, said inflatable bladder arranged underneath said intermediate member.  
     
     
         12 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said vibratory separator has a length, said inner housing and said outer housing extends substantially said length of said vibratory separator.  
     
     
         13 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said vibratory separator has a length, said rail extends substantially said length of said vibratory separator.  
     
     
         14 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said basket is rectangular having a pair opposing side walls, said side rails arranged on each of said pair of opposing side walls.  
     
     
         15 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said basket comprises at least one beam linking said pair of opposing sides, said means arranged on said at least one beam.  
     
     
         16 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder located within said periphery on to which said screen assembly is pulled on to to fix a screen assembly in said basket.  
     
     
         17 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said means comprises a stationary part which forms said shoulder or land.  
     
     
         18 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises a return mechanism to release a screen assembly.  
     
     
         19 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said return mechanism comprises at least one return spring.  
     
     
         20 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a bladder is arranged in said side rail.  
     
     
         21 . A screen assembly for a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a support and at least one layer of screening material, wherein said screen assembly has a periphery characterised in that said support further comprises a fitting within said periphery, said fitting for receiving a means for pulling the support downwardly and fixing the screen assembly in the vibratory separator.  
     
     
         22 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said fitting comprises a rail.  
     
     
         23 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said screen assembly has a length and said rail extends the length of said screen assembly.  
     
     
         24 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said rail is in the form of a T.  
     
     
         25 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said rail is a channel.  
     
     
         26 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said fitting is centrally mounted.  
     
     
         27 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising a pull down member engageable with said fitting, said pull down member having arms, which in use, are engageable in clamping rails of a vibratory separator, such that upon activation of the clamping rails, the arms push the pull down member downwardly, pulling the support downwardly and fixing the screen assembly in the vibratory separator.  
     
     
         28 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising a rigid chassis having a plurality of ribs, each of which forms a shoulder, in use said support is pulled down and fixed on said shoulders.  
     
     
         29 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said support comprises a panel having apertures therein.  
     
     
         30 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising a rigid chassis, said fitting formed in said rigid chassis, spaced from said at panel, such that in use filtered material flows therearound.  
     
     
         31 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said panel comprises folded portions.  
     
     
         32 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said at least one layer of screening material is adhered to said side portions of said panel.  
     
     
         33 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said at least one layer of screening material is adhered to said area provided with apertures.  
     
     
         34 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one layer of screening material comprises at least a first layer of screening mesh arranged on top of a second each other, wherein said mesh size of said second layer is the same or larger that of said first layer and has larger diameter wires making up the mesh.  
     
     
         35 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising a third layer of screening mesh.  
     
     
         36 . A screen assembly as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said panel is flexible.  
     
     
         37 . A vibratory separator comprising a screen assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , the vibratory separator further comprising a basket, a vibratory mechanism and a clamping mechanism for fixing the screen assembly to the basket.  
     
     
         38 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 33  wherein said clamping mechanism comprises a pneumatic means.  
     
     
         39 . A vibratory separator as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said pneumatic means comprises a pneumatic hose.  
     
     
         40 . A method for fitting a screen assembly in a vibratory separator, the screen assembly comprising a support having at least one layer of mesh arranged thereon, the method comprising the steps of inserting the screen assembly into a clamping mechanism of a vibratory separator, operating the clamping mechanism wherein at least part of said screen assembly within its perimeter is pulled down to fix said screen assembly in said vibratory separator.  
     
     
         41 . A method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the screen assembly further comprises a pull down member, the method further comprising the step of operating the clamping mechanism depresses a pull down member, pulling intermediate parts of said panel on to said support structure.