Adjustable inlet assembly for sand separator

Abstract

An adjustable inlet assembly for a separator includes a nozzle positioned in an inlet of a cyclone housing, an inlet housing coupled to the cyclone housing and sealing therewith around the inlet, and a movable rod disposed at least partially in the inlet housing. The movable rod is configured to move between a first position in which the movable rod at least partially obstructs fluid flow in the nozzle, and a second position in which the movable rod does not obstruct fluid flow in the nozzle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable inlet assembly for a separator, comprising:
 a nozzle positioned in an inlet of a cyclone housing;   an inlet housing coupled to the cyclone housing and sealing therewith around the inlet; and   a movable rod disposed at least partially in the inlet housing, wherein the movable rod is configured to move between a first position in which the movable rod at least partially obstructs fluid flow in the nozzle, and a second position in which the movable rod does not obstruct fluid flow in the nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the cyclone housing is a tangential inlet, and wherein an end of the nozzle is curved so as to fit into the tangential inlet of the cyclone housing without extending into an internal chamber of the cyclone housing. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a distal end of the movable rod is curved so as to fit into the nozzle without extending into the internal chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to move the movable rod with respect to the inlet housing and the nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator, a threaded connection with the inlet housing, a rack-and-pinion, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the movable rod has a semi-cylindrical shape and is configured to contact an inside surface of the nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet housing comprises a T-connection having a first port configured to receive a fluid therein, a second port configured to deliver the fluid from the first port to the nozzle, and a third port, wherein the first port is disposed at a non-zero angle to the second and third ports, and wherein the second and third ports are parallel to one another and to the nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the movable rod in the first position extends through the second and third ports and past the first port, and wherein the movable rod in the second position does not extend past the first port. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the inlet housing comprises a cylindrical extension coupled to the T-connection such that the T-connection is between the cyclone housing and the cylindrical extension, the movable rod being at least partially disposed in the cylindrical extension in the first position and in the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable inlet assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the inlet housing further comprises a packing seal that is coupled to the cylindrical extension and seals with the movable rod, wherein a first portion of the movable rod is within the inlet housing, and a second portion is outside of the inlet housing, the movable rod extending between the first and second portions through the packing seal.