Separator with a helix assembly
View Patent ↗A separator with a helix assembly that includes a plurality of segments disposed end to end and forming an intermediate casing. Each of the segments has a tubular portion with a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge and a helical portion extending from the second circumferential edge. The tubular portions of the segments form an intermediate casing, while the helical portions of the segments form a spiral helix. The helix assembly further includes an inner casing concentrically disposed within the intermediate casing and coupled to the spiral helix.
1. A method for fabricating a helix assembly for a separator, the method comprising:
inserting an inner casing into a first segment;
coupling a circumferential edge of the first segment to the inner casing; and
joining one or more subsequent segments to the inner casing, the joining of each subsequent segment to the inner casing comprising:
lowering the subsequent segment about the inner casing to seat on the previously-installed segment; and
coupling abutting circumferentially extending edges of the subsequent segment and the previously-installed segment with a seal weld.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the joining of each subsequent segment to the inner casing further comprises:
coupling a circumferential edge of the subsequent segment to the inner casing.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the coupling of the circumferential edge of the subsequent segment to the inner casing comprises forming a seal weld connecting the circumferential edge of the subsequent segment to the inner casing.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the joining of each subsequent segment to the inner casing further comprises:
coupling abutting radial edges of the subsequent segment and the previously-installed segment; and
coupling abutting axial edges of the subsequent segment and the previously-installed segment.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming a continuous helical surface by the coupling of the circumferential edges of the segments to the inner casing and the coupling of abutting radial edges of the segments.
6. A method for fabricating a separator, comprising:
disposing a first segment about an inner casing;
coupling the first segment to the inner casing;
disposing one or more subsequent segments to the inner casing to abut the previously-installed segment; and
coupling the one or more subsequent segments to the inner casing;
coupling all of the segments to each other;
coupling helical portions of the segments to form a helix around the inner casing; and
placing the helix assembly into an outer casing.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the coupling of each subsequent segment to the inner casing further comprises coupling a circumferential edge of the subsequent segment to the inner casing.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the coupling of each subsequent segment to the inner casing further comprises:
coupling abutting radial edges of the subsequent segment and the previously-installed segment; and
coupling abutting axial edges of the subsequent segment and the previously-installed segment.
9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the helix forming a continuous helical surface.