Drilling Fluid Pump Modules with Thicker Walls and Common Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling fluid pumping systems face issues with complex and heavy drive systems, large footprint, and premature seal failure due to fluctuating internal pressure, which complicates assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
The development of a drilling fluid pumping system with thicker-walled modules made from cheaper alloy steel, reducing deflection and improving seal life, and a design that eliminates the need for a discharge ring and S-pipe by using a common discharge conduit between modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If thinner-walled modules are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is easier, but module deflection increases causing premature seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wall thickness parameter of the module from thin to thick, which reduces deflection under pressure and prevents seal failure. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by prioritizing reliability over manufacturing ease, demonstrating that sometimes critical performance parameters must be optimized even at higher cost.
2Productivity
If complex drive systems with multiple components are used, then pumping capability is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the discharge ring and S-pipe components from the system, simplifying the overall structure. By extracting these unnecessary intermediate components and directly connecting modules through conduit apparatus, the system achieves the same pumping capability with reduced complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the discharge functions of multiple modules into a common discharge conduit apparatus. Instead of having separate discharge paths for each module, the invention combines them into a unified system, reducing the number of components while maintaining pumping capability.
3Ease of operation
If discharge ring and S-pipe are used, then fluid discharge is achieved, but assembly complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the discharge ring and S-pipe from the system. By removing these components that occupied significant space, the invention reduces the overall footprint while maintaining fluid discharge functionality through a more compact conduit apparatus configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid), the system having pump apparatus; including a plurality of removable pump modules; and, in certain aspects, removable valve cartridges for such modules.