Direct Load Wrist Pin Assembly for Compact Reciprocating Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positive displacement reciprocating pumps are heavy and large due to their multiple moving parts, making them cumbersome for applications like oil and gas drilling and fracking, where a more compact and lightweight design is needed to reduce manufacturing and maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A direct load wrist pin assembly is introduced, comprising a crank member, wrist pin assembly, and plunger assembly, where the wrist pin assembly translates in both directions as the crank member rotates, directly coupling to the plunger assembly to reduce axial loads and weight, and allowing for a more compact design by minimizing non-axial load transfer and reducing the number of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional multiple moving parts are used in positive displacement reciprocating pumps, then the pump can achieve high pressure and constant flow, but the pump becomes heavy and large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wrist pin and crosshead into a single integrated wrist pin assembly that directly couples the connecting rod to the plunger assembly. This merging of previously separate components eliminates intermediate parts and reduces overall weight while maintaining the ability to transmit high axial loads for high pressure pumping operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the traditional slider-crank mechanism. By removing redundant parts and creating a direct load path from the connecting rod through the wrist pin assembly to the plunger, the design reduces weight and size while preserving the core pumping function
2Power
If traditional multiple moving parts are used in positive displacement reciprocating pumps, then the pump can achieve high pressure and constant flow, but the pump becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the wrist pin and crosshead into a single wrist pin assembly reduces the number of discrete components and minimizes the space required for component arrangement, resulting in a more compact pump design that fits into smaller spaces while maintaining high pressure pumping capability
3Power
If traditional multiple moving parts are used in positive displacement reciprocating pumps, then the pump can achieve high pressure and constant flow, but the number of parts required for manufacturing and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the wrist pin and crosshead into a single integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained. This simplification lowers manufacturing complexity and reduces the time and cost required for maintenance operations
Data Source
AI summary
A wrist pin assembly can include a connecting rod can be pivotably attached to a crank member. A housing can extend between a crank member end and a piston rod end. The connecting rod can extend from the crank member and into the housing through the crank member end. A crosshead can be installed within the housing. The crosshead can be operable to translate within the housing between the crank member end and the piston rod end. A wrist pin can be installed within the crosshead. The connecting rod can be pivotably attached to the wrist pin to translate the wrist pin and the crosshead within the housing in a first direction and a second direction as the crank member rotates. A plunger assembly can be directly coupled to the wrist pin and can extend from the wrist pin through the piston rod end.