Cooling Sleeve Assembly for Fluid End Packing Overheating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure fluid end assemblies in oil and gas operations experience overheating due to component wear and expansion, leading to significant wear and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A cooling sleeve is attached to the fluid end assembly, surrounding the stuffing box and plunger packing, which circulates coolant through an annular passage to absorb heat and reduce operating temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-pressure reciprocating pumps operate continuously, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing component wear and expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidcomponent temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A cooling sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the plunger and the stuffing box. The cooling sleeve contains internal cooling passages that allow coolant to flow through, creating a thermal barrier that protects the plunger and packing from excessive heat while maintaining continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes hydraulic cooling by circulating liquid coolant through passages in the cooling sleeve. This hydraulic system absorbs and removes heat from the plunger and packing area, enabling continuous high-pressure operation without thermal damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If cooling passages are added to the fluid end, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperature controlVSAvoidfluid end structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged with the stuffing box structure by integrating the cooling sleeve into the existing fluid end assembly. The cooling passages are incorporated within the sleeve that already surrounds the plunger, combining thermal management with the existing sealing structure rather than adding separate cooling systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling sleeve serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as part of the fluid end housing, contains the cooling passages for thermal management, and protects the plunger and packing assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cooling sleeve effectively reduces component temperatures, increasing operational life and reducing maintenance intervals and costs by effectively transferring heat away from critical components.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

circulates coolant through an annular passage to absorb heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12404857B2Cooling sleeve for use with a fluid end

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 KERR MACHINE CO

AI summary

A fluid end section which cools plunger packing during operation. The fluid end section uses a cooling sleeve that surrounds a portion of a fluid end housing and a stuffing box. A plunger packing is situated within the stuffing box. A cooling fluid may be circulated within a passage formed between the cooling sleeve and stuffing box so that it continuously cools components of the fluid end section during operation.