It is described a mining screen (100) comprising at least one propulsion element (140) associated with a screening structure (165), wherein the mining screen (100) is able to carry out (develop) at least one vibration regime, thereby promoting the screening of a material moving through the screen (100), wherein the screen (100) is configured in such a way that at least one between the propulsion element (140) and the screening structure (165) are manufactured from a first material, the first material configured as a compound (composite) material. Furthermore, it is described as a screen panel (156) applied on a mining screen (100), a control method for mining screen as well as a mining system.

The present invention provides an environmentally-friendly, fully recyclable composite mining screen which has sufficient rigidity to replace existing metal and metal covered plastic mining screens. The inventive composite screen insert contains stiff reinforcing fibers (glass, carbon, etc.) and exhibits the rigidity of metal and metal-covered plastic mining screen inserts so as to minimize deflection in use. The inventive mining screen is also completely recyclable because at the end of its useful life, the broken and used screen can be ground into polymer particles and the particles incorporated into new screens or other parts.

Disclosed embodiments include a removable support structure for a vibratory screening machine. The removable support structure is a single structure including one or more of plastic, metal, and composite materials and may be configured to provide mechanical support to one or more screening assemblies of the vibratory screening machine. The removable support structure may further be configured to be removably fastened to the vibratory screening machine. The removable support structure may be a single thermoplastic injection molded piece or may be a single injection molded piece that includes nylon, carbon, and graphite. The removable support structure may have a concave shape that is configured to mechanically support a screening assembly held under compression or may have a convex shape that is configured to mechanically support a screening assembly held under tension. A disclosed wear protective covering, made of a flexible material, provides wear protection to the removable support structure.

Methods and apparatuses for screening are provided. Embodiments include a screen basket apparatus for screening material, comprising a grid frame having a plurality of openings arranged in a lattice and a plurality of screening cartridge assemblies affixed to the grid frame to cover the respective openings of the grid frame. The screening cartridge assembly includes a case and a screen assembly fitted into the case, and may be affixed to a set of transversal member of the grid frame. The case may be an injection molded thermoplastic polyurethane or a thermoset polymer. The screening elements together form a generally continuous screening surface across an exterior portion of the grid frame.

Methods and apparatuses for screening are provided. Embodiments include a screen basket apparatus for screening material, comprising a grid frame having a plurality of openings arranged in a lattice and a plurality of screening cartridge assemblies affixed to the grid frame to cover the respective openings of the grid frame. The screening cartridge assembly includes a case and a screen assembly fitted into the case, and may be affixed to a set of transversal member of the grid frame. The case may be formed of a single injection molded piece integrally formed by injection molding one of a polyurethane or a thermoset polymer. The screening elements together form a generally continuous screening surface across the exterior of the grid frame, which reduces blinding and is resistant to wear and tear.

Disclosed embodiments include a removable support structure for a vibratory screening machine. The removable support structure is a single structure including one or more of plastic, metal, and composite materials and may be configured to provide mechanical support to one or more screening assemblies of the vibratory screening machine. The removable support structure may further be configured to be removably fastened to the vibratory screening machine. The removable support structure may be a single thermoplastic injection molded piece or may be a single injection molded piece that includes nylon, carbon, and graphite. The removable support structure may have a concave shape that is configured to mechanically support a screening assembly held under compression or may have a convex shape that is configured to mechanically support a screening assembly held under tension. A disclosed wear protective covering, made of a flexible material, provides wear protection to the removable support structure.

A screen assembly is formed by attaching side edges of a plurality of screen elements to each other. Reinforcing fibers may be embedded in the material of selected screen elements. The reinforcing fibers extend in a direction in which the screen assembly will be tensioned to secure the screen assembly to a screening machine. Hook strips may be attached to ends or sides of the screen assembly to facilitate mounting the screen assembly to a screening machine.

A disclosed screening apparatus includes a subgrid, and a screen element attached to the subgrid via laser welding at a plurality of attachment positions such that, under vibrational excitation, the screen element has a pre-determined profile of vibrational motion relative to the subgrid. The screen element may be attached at a maximal number of attachment locations to the subgrid to minimize relative motion of the screen element and the subgrid under vibrational excitation, or the screen element may be attached a sub-set of the maximal number of attachment locations to allow vibrational motion of the screen element relative to the subgrid. A disclosed method may include attaching a plurality of screen elements to a respective plurality of subgrids, attaching the plurality of subgrids to one another to form a screening pre-assembly, and cutting edges of the screening pre-assembly to form the screen assembly having a perimeter with a pre-determined shape.

A screen assembly for vibratory separation includes a screen having a plurality of raised screen components formed therein, with each of the raised screen components defining a face oriented to oppose a flow direction of the screen assembly. In examples, a screen of the screen assembly is assembled from a plurality of metal cloth layers bonded together. Bonding of the metal cloth layers may be accomplished by a sintering process.

A self-cleaning screen is formed via additive printing. The dimensions of the self-cleaning screen are modified. Supports are printed via additive printing. The supports are formed over a plurality of wires. Side seals may be additively printed along major sides of the plurality of wires. Wear of the screens is monitored.