Drilling mud screen apparatus and methods thereof

Abstract

A drilling mud screen comprising a body, the body comprising an optional flow collar, an optional flow divider, an optional breakup blade, and optional end cap and a filter; the filter having openings; and a drilling mud inlet or a drilling mud outlet at the openings of the filter is disclosed. Methods of installing and using the drilling mud screen are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drilling mud screen, the drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) a first body having a first end, a second end and a centerline, the first body comprising an end cap and a filter;   (b) the end cap connected to the first end of the filter;   (c) the filter having a first end, a second end and openings;   (d) a first drilling mud inlet at the openings of the filter;   (e) a first drilling mud outlet at the second end of the first body.   
     
     
         2 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap is a cone or a hemisphere. 
     
     
         3 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap is an inverted cone with respect to the second end of the first body. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap is an inverted hemisphere with respect to the second end of the first body. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap is solid. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the centerline of the first body and an outer surface of the end cap forms an angle, wherein the angle is from about 30-degrees to about 60-degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the centerline of the first body and an outer surface of the end cap forms an angle, wherein the angle is from about 35-degrees to about 45-degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of rods having a first end and a second end, wherein the rods are spaced a distance apart to form the openings in the filter. 
     
     
         9 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the rods are tapered from first end to the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a formed sheet having drilled holes or slots spaced a distance apart to form the openings in the filter. 
     
     
         11 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the drilled holes or slots are drilled in offset rows or straight rows from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         12 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is tapered from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         13 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first body, end cap and/or filter are constructed from alloy steel, tool steel, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first body, end cap and/or filter are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first body, end cap and/or filter have a hardened coating. 
     
     
         16 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first body, end cap and/or filter have a Carbide coating with about 6% Cobalt binder or equivalent. 
     
     
         17 . A drilling mud screen assembly, the drilling mud screen assembly comprising:
 (a) a second body having a first end and a second end;   (b) a second drilling mud inlet at the first end of the second body;   (c) a second drilling mud outlet at the second end of the second body, wherein the drilling mud screen of  claim 1  is disposed within the second drilling mud outlet to seal the second drilling mud outlet.   
     
     
         18 . The drilling mud screen assembly, wherein the second body is a cylinder or a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         19 . The drilling mud screen assembly, wherein the second body is a cylinder having tapered edges. 
     
     
         20 . The drilling mud screen assembly, wherein the second body is a rectangular prism having tapered edges. 
     
     
         21 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body comprises an access hatch. 
     
     
         22 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body comprises an access hatch having vent ports. 
     
     
         23 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body comprises a flow collar to direct the flow of drilling mud. 
     
     
         24 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body is constructed from alloy steel, tool steel, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body is constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body has a hardened coating. 
     
     
         27 . The drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second body has a Carbide coating with about 6% Cobalt binder or equivalent. 
     
     
         28 . A drilling mud screen apparatus, the drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) a third body having a first end, a second end and a centerline from the first end to the second end;   (b) a third drilling mud inlet at the first end of the third body;   (c) a third drilling mud outlet at the second end of the third body;   (d) a drilling mud screen access port located adjacent to the drilling mud screen when the drilling mud screen is installed;   (e) an access port cap, disposed within the drilling mud screen access port to close and seal the drilling mud screen access port;   (f) the drilling mud screen of  claim 1 , disposed within the third body between the third drilling mud inlet and the third drilling mud outlet.   
     
     
         29 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the third body further comprises:
 (a) a first transducer access port, located upstream of the drilling mud screen access port;   (b) a first transducer, disposed within the first transducer access port to close and seal the first transducer access port;   (c) a second transducer access port located downstream of the drilling mud screen access port; and   (d) a second transducer, disposed within the second transducer access port to close and seal the second transducer access port.   
     
     
         30 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the third body and/or access port cap are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . A drilling mud screen apparatus, the drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) a third body having a first end, a second end and a centerline from the first end to the second end;   (b) a third drilling mud inlet at the first end of the third body;   (c) a third drilling mud outlet at the second end of the third body;   (d) a drilling mud screen access port located adjacent to the drilling mud screen when the drilling mud screen is installed;   (e) an access port cap, disposed within the drilling mud screen access port to close and seal the drilling mud screen access port;   (f) the drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17 , disposed within the third body between the third drilling mud inlet and the third drilling mud outlet.   
     
     
         32 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the third body further comprises:
 (a) a first transducer access port, located upstream of the drilling mud screen access port;   (b) a first transducer, disposed within the first transducer access port to close and seal the first transducer access port;   (c) a second transducer access port located downstream of the drilling mud screen access port; and   (d) a second transducer, disposed within the second transducer access port to close and seal the second transducer access port.   
     
     
         33 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the third body and/or access port cap are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen system comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen of  claim 1  to the drilling mud pump;   (b) fluidly connecting the drilling mud screen in line with and immediately upstream or downstream of the drilling mud pump; and   (c) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen.   
     
     
         35 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen system comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen assembly of  claim 17  to the drilling mud pump;   (b) fluidly connecting the drilling mud screen assembly in line with and immediately upstream or downstream of the drilling mud pump; and   (c) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen assembly.   
     
     
         36 . A method of removing and replacing a drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump connected to the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 28 ;   (b) opening the drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus to remove and replace the drilling mud screen;   (c) installing a replacement drilling mud screen;   (d) closing the drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus; and   (e) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         37 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 29 ; and   (b) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  further comprising step (c) monitoring the first transducer and/or the second transducer for property information and step (d) using the property information to determine a status of the drilling mud screen apparatus. 
     
     
         39 . A method of removing and replacing a drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump connected to the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 31 ;   (b) opening the drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus to remove and replace the drilling mud screen;   (c) installing a replacement drilling mud screen;   (d) closing the drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus; and   (e) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         40 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 32 ; and   (b) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising step (c) monitoring the first transducer and/or the second transducer for property information and step (d) using the property information to determine a status of the drilling mud screen apparatus. 
     
     
         42 . A drilling mud screen, the drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) a first body having a first end, a second end and a centerline, the first body comprising a flow collar and a filter;   (b) the flow collar having a first end and a second end, wherein the flow collar is fluidly connected to the first end of the first body;   (c) the filter having a first end, a second end and openings;   (d) a first drilling mud inlet at the first end of the flow collar;   (e) a first drilling mud outlet at the openings of the filter.   
     
     
         43 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body is a cone or a cylinder. 
     
     
         44 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body is a truncated sideways cone. 
     
     
         45 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body is a portion of an upright cylinder. 
     
     
         46 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body further comprises a flow divider disposed between the first end of the first body and the second end of the first body to divide flow of drilling mud. 
     
     
         47 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body further comprises one or more breakup blades disposed between the first end of the first body and the second end of the first body to breakup debris in drilling mud. 
     
     
         48 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body further comprises one or more breakup blades and one or more flow dividers disposed between the first end of the first body and the second end of the first body. 
     
     
         49 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of rods, wherein the rods are spaced a distance apart to form the openings in the filter. 
     
     
         50 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the filter comprises a formed sheet having drilled holes or slots spaced a distance apart to form the openings in the filter. 
     
     
         51 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body, the flow collar and/or filter are constructed from alloy steel, tool steel, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         52 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body, flow collar and/or filter are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         53 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body, flow collar and/or filter have a hardened coating. 
     
     
         54 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body, flow collar and/or filter have a Carbide coating with about 6% Cobalt binder or equivalent. 
     
     
         55 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body further comprises a catch pan disposed around a lower portion of the first body. 
     
     
         56 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , wherein the first body further comprises a catch pan disposed around a lower portion of the first body, wherein the catch pan has a first cutout for the first drilling mud inlet and a second cutout for the first drilling mud outlet. 
     
     
         57 . A drilling mud screen apparatus, the drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) a second body having a first end, a second end and a centerline from the first end to the second end;   (b) a second drilling mud inlet at the first end of the second body;   (c) a second drilling mud outlet at the second end of the second body;   (d) a drilling mud screen access port located adjacent to the drilling mud screen when the drilling mud screen is installed;   (e) an access port cap, disposed within the drilling mud screen access port to close and seal the drilling mud screen access port;   (f) the drilling mud screen of  claim 42 , disposed within the second body between the second drilling mud inlet and the second drilling mud outlet.   
     
     
         58 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the first body further comprises a catch pan disposed around a lower portion of the first body. 
     
     
         59 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the first body further comprises a catch pan disposed around a lower portion of the first body, wherein the catch pan has a first cutout for the first drilling mud inlet and a second cutout for the first drilling mud outlet. 
     
     
         60 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the second body and/or access port cap are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the second body further comprises:
 (a) a first transducer access port located upstream of the drilling mud screen access port;   (b) a first transducer, disposed within the first transducer access port to close and seal the first transducer access port;   (c) a second transducer access port located downstream of the drilling mud screen access port; and   (d) a second transducer, disposed within the second transducer access port to close and seal the second transducer access port.   
     
     
         62 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising a catch pan disposed around a lower portion of the drilling mud screen. 
     
     
         63 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising a catch pan disposed around a lower portion of the drilling mud screen, wherein the catch pan has a first cutout for the first drilling mud inlet and a second cutout for the first drilling mud outlet. 
     
     
         64 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen system comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen of  claim 57  to the drilling mud pump;   (b) fluidly connecting the drilling mud screen in line with and immediately upstream or downstream of the drilling mud pump; and   (c) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen.   
     
     
         65 . A method of removing and replacing a drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump connected to the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 57 ;   (b) opening a drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus to remove and replace the drilling mud screen;   (c) installing a replacement drilling mud screen;   (d) closing the drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus; and   (e) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         66 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 61 ; and   (b) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66  further comprising step (c) monitoring the first transducer and/or the second transducer for property information and step (d) using the property information to determine a status of the drilling mud screen apparatus. 
     
     
         68 . A drilling mud screen, the drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) a first body having a first end and a second end, the first body comprising a flow collar, and end cap and a filter;   (b) the flow collar having a first end and a second end and a centerline, the flow collar connected to the first end of the first body;   (c) the end cap connected to the second end of the flow collar;   (d) the filter having openings;   (e) a first drilling mud inlet at the first end of the flow collar;   (f) a first drilling mud outlet at the openings of the filter.   
     
     
         69 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body is a cylinder or a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         70 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body is an upright cylinder. 
     
     
         71 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body is a rectangular prism. 
     
     
         72 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the end cap is a cone or a hemisphere. 
     
     
         73 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the end cap is an inverted cone with respect to the second end of the flow collar. 
     
     
         74 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the end cap is an inverted hemisphere with respect to the second end of the flow collar. 
     
     
         75 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the end cap is solid. 
     
     
         76 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the centerline of the flow collar and an outer surface of the end cap forms an angle, wherein the angle is from about 30-degrees to about 60-degrees. 
     
     
         77 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the centerline of the flow collar and an outer surface of the end cap forms an angle, wherein the angle is from about 35-degrees to about 45-degrees. 
     
     
         78 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of rods, wherein the rods are spaced a distance apart to form the openings in the filter. 
     
     
         79 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the filter comprises a formed sheet having drilled holes or slots spaced a distance apart to form the openings in the filter. 
     
     
         80 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the drilled holes or slots are drilled in offset rows or straight rows. 
     
     
         81 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body, flow collar, end cap and/or filter are constructed from alloy steel, tool steel, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         82 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body, flow collar, end cap and/or filter are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         83 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body, flow collar, end cap and/or filter have a hardened coating. 
     
     
         84 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the first body, flow collar, end cap and/or filter have a Carbide coating with about 6% Cobalt binder or equivalent. 
     
     
         85 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the flow collar further comprises one or more breakup blades. 
     
     
         86 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein the flow collar further comprises one or more breakup blades, each of the one or more breakup blades having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the first end of each of the one or more breakup blades is connected to the flow collar and a portion of the second end of each of the one or more break up blades is connected to the end cap. 
     
     
         87 . The drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , wherein a lower end of the first body comprises a sump. 
     
     
         88 . A drilling mud screen apparatus, the drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) a second body having a first end, a second end and a centerline from the first end to the second end;   (b) a second drilling mud inlet at the first end of the second body;   (c) a second drilling mud outlet at the second end of the second body;   (d) a drilling mud screen access port located adjacent to the drilling mud screen when the drilling mud screen is installed;   (e) an access port cap, disposed within the drilling mud screen access port to close and seal the drilling mud screen access port;   (f) the drilling mud screen of  claim 68 , disposed within the second body between the second drilling mud inlet and the second drilling mud outlet.   
     
     
         89 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the flow collar further comprises one or more breakup blades. 
     
     
         90 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the flow collar further comprises one or more breakup blades, each of the one or more breakup blades having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the first end of each of the one or more breakup blades is connected to the flow collar and a portion of the second end of each of the one or more break up blades is connected to the end cap. 
     
     
         91 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein a lower end of the first body comprises a sump. 
     
     
         92 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the second body and/or access port cap are constructed from AISI 4130/75k or equivalent material, AISI 4145 or equivalent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         93 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the second body further comprises:
 (a) a first transducer access port located upstream of the drilling mud screen access port;   (b) a first transducer, disposed within the first transducer access port to close and seal the first transducer access port;   (c) a second transducer access port located downstream of the drilling mud screen access port; and   (d) a second transducer, disposed within the second transducer access port to close and seal the second transducer access port.   
     
     
         94 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein the flow collar further comprises one or more breakup blades. 
     
     
         95 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein the flow collar further comprises one or more breakup blades, each of the one or more breakup blades having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the first end of each of the one or more breakup blades is connected to the flow collar and a portion of the second end of each of the one or more break up blades is connected to the end cap. 
     
     
         96 . The drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein a lower end of the first body comprises a sump. 
     
     
         97 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen system comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen of  claim 83  to the drilling mud pump;   (b) fluidly connecting the drilling mud screen in line with and immediately upstream or downstream of the drilling mud pump; and   (c) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen.   
     
     
         98 . A method of removing and replacing a drilling mud screen comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump connected to the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 83 ;   (b) opening a drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus to remove and replace the drilling mud screen;   (c) installing a replacement drilling mud screen;   (d) closing the drilling mud screen access port of the drilling mud screen apparatus; and   (e) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         99 . A method of installing a drilling mud screen apparatus comprising:
 (a) stopping a drilling mud pump to fluidly connect the drilling mud screen apparatus of  claim 93 ; and   (b) operating the drilling mud pump to produce flow of drilling mud through the drilling mud screen apparatus.   
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99  further comprising step (c) monitoring the first transducer and/or the second transducer for property information and step (d) using the property information to determine a status of the drilling mud screen apparatus.