Reciprocating Pump Crosshead Guide Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positive displacement reciprocating pumps suffer from structural inefficiencies, leading to high compliance and lack of rigidity, which limits load rating and increases mechanical fatigue due to unsupported crosshead guide structures during high-pressure operations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a structural support system with integrated crankcase, crosshead support frame, and pump support base, featuring precision interior surfaces and arcuate crosshead guide sections to enhance rigidity and minimize deflections, providing proper support for critically loaded components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional pump structures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but structural rigidity and load rating decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the crankcase, crosshead support frame, and pump support base into a unified structural assembly. The crosshead support frame is permanently joined to the crankcase via rigid connections, and the pump support base is integrated with the crosshead support frame, creating a combined structure that enhances overall rigidity and load-bearing capacity while distributing mechanical stresses across multiple integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support system is divided into distinct functional segments: the crankcase housing the power transmission components, the crosshead support frame providing guided movement support, and the pump support base anchoring the fluid end. Each segment is optimized for its specific function while being rigidly connected to form a cohesive high-strength structure capable of withstanding high-pressure reciprocating loads.
2Reliability
If conventional crosshead guide structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but mechanical fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crosshead guide sections are pre-formed with precise arcuate geometries and then permanently joined to the crosshead support frame using rigid connections. This preliminary formation of precision guide surfaces followed by rigid assembly ensures optimal load distribution and stress management from the outset, reducing mechanical fatigue during operation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular pre-fabrication.
3Productivity
If high-pressure operations are performed, then pumping efficiency is improved, but vibration and mechanical fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces arcuate crosshead guide sections that constrain crosshead movement along a curved path rather than a straight line. This dimensional change in the guide geometry allows the crosshead to follow an optimized trajectory that reduces lateral forces and vibration during high-pressure reciprocating operations, thereby decreasing mechanical fatigue while maintaining pumping efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating pump includes a fluid section that includes fluid-displacing members and a power section that includes crossheads coupled to a respective fluid-displacing member. The power section actuates the fluid section by actuating the crossheads through respective crosshead bores formed through the power section. The power section also includes structural members, pairs of support plates, and pairs of arcuate crosshead sections secured in place between the structural members against a respective pair of support plates. Each pair of the arcuate guide sections comprises a top section and a bottom section that form a portion of a respective crosshead bore. Each pair of the arcuate crosshead guide sections are also secured in place using clamping segments secured to edges of windows of the structural members by bolts extending through interior passages of the clamping segments and having threads that mate with threaded holes extending into the edges of the windows.