Sand screen

Abstract

A sand screen cartridge including a plurality of longitudinally extending segments together forming a tubular filtration media. An end ring engaging the filtration media.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sand screen cartridge comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinally extending segments together forming a tubular filtration media;   an end ring engaging the filtration media.   
     
     
         2 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of segments include offsets to space certain sides of the plurality of elements from mating sides of the plurality of elements to create radial fluid passageways through the filtration media. 
     
     
         3 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of segments further include standoffs to space the segments from a base pipe when installed thereon. 
     
     
         3 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of segments are staves. 
     
     
         4 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the segments are about 6 to 15 inches long. 
     
     
         5 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the segments comprise a ceramic material. 
     
     
         6 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the segments comprise a core of one material and an exterior of another material. 
     
     
         7 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a filtration area of the sand screen is proportional to the number of segments and the length of the segments. 
     
     
         8 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each segment is one of trapezoidal or curved trapezoidal cross section. 
     
     
         9 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the end ring contacts inner and outer surfaces of the filtration media near a longitudinal end of the filtration media. 
     
     
         10 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the end ring is a resilient material. 
     
     
         11 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a reinforcer located at a portion of the end ring that contacts either or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the filtration media. 
     
     
         12 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of segments comprise a highly erosion resistant material. 
     
     
         13 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a shroud disposed radially outwardly of the filtration media. 
     
     
         14 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the end ring comprises two openings to receive filtration media. 
     
     
         15 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the end ring comprises one opening to receive filtration media. 
     
     
         16 . A sand screen cartridge as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the ceramic comprises Sintered Boron Carbide, Silicon Carbide and/or Alumina. 
     
     
         17 . A sand screen comprising:
 a base pipe;   a plurality of longitudinally extending segments together forming a tubular filtration media about the base pipe;   an end ring engaging the filtration media and the base pipe.   
     
     
         18 . A sand screen as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising a shroud disposed radially outwardly of the filtration media. 
     
     
         19 . A sand screen as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the shroud is welded to a backup. 
     
     
         20 . A sand screen as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the shroud is welded to the basepipe.