Flexible Manifold for Reciprocating Pump Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating pumps used in oil and gas operations face challenges with component wear and maintenance due to harsh conditions, leading to increased costs and reduced pump fluid end lifetime, with existing designs complicating access to critical components.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating apparatus with a pump fluid end featuring a movable manifold and a hollow reciprocating element, allowing for easier access and reduced maintenance, coupled with a flexible hose type movable manifold that accommodates reciprocation without contacting the power end, thereby reducing stress and extending component life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reciprocating pump uses a rigid manifold design, then structural strength is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates and component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid manifold with a flexible hose that can dynamically adapt its position and shape. The flexible hose moves with the reciprocating element during operation, maintaining fluid connection while allowing easy access to pump components for maintenance. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between structural strength and maintenance accessibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If the manifold is fixed and rigid, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to reciprocating motion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible hose instead of a rigid manifold. The hose's flexible structure allows it to accommodate the reciprocating motion of the pump components while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision through controlled flexibility and proper routing. This resolves the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability to reciprocating motion.
3Device complexity
If traditional rigid manifold design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but component lifetime deteriorates due to stress and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from a rigid manifold to a flexible hose, changing the physical state and mechanical properties of the connection system. The flexible hose reduces stress concentrations and wear on pump components by accommodating motion dynamically, thereby extending component lifetime while maintaining acceptable system complexity through the use of a standardized flexible coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A hose for a reciprocating pump, the hose comprising: a first end and a second end separated by a length (L) along a centerline of the hose, wherein the first end reciprocates with a reciprocating element of the reciprocating pump during operation of the reciprocating pump; an inner surface and an outer surface separated by a thickness; and a variable bend radius wherein a bend radius of a first section of the hose is different from a bend radius of at least one second section of the hose, such that, during operation of the reciprocating pump, a stress on the first end of the hose, the second end of the hose, or both the first end of the hose and the second end of the hose is reduced relative to that of a hose that does not contain the variable bend radius.