Fluid End Seal Assembly for High-Pressure Erosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure flow devices in the oil and gas industry suffer from erosion and leakage due to the use of corrosive and abrasive fluids, leading to cumbersome and disruptive repairs, particularly affecting valve bodies and fluid ends.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid end assembly with a housing featuring conduits and recesses for mounting seals that extend beyond the conduits to transfer erosion wear from the body to less complex and less expensive components, such as inserts and retaining nuts, reducing the need for extensive repairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are mounted to extend beyond conduits in the housing, then erosion wear is transferred from the housing body to replaceable components, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the seals and their mounting features replaceable rather than permanent. When erosion occurs, only the seal and its mounting feature need to be replaced, not the entire housing body. This allows the use of cheaper, replaceable components to protect the more expensive and complex housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing system into separate replaceable components (seals mounted on external features) rather than having the seal integrated directly into the housing bore. This segmentation allows the seal and its mounting feature to be independently replaced without affecting the housing structure.
2Device complexity
If conventional sealing methods are used with seals mounted inside conduit bores, then the structure remains simple, but erosion causes leakage and requires cumbersome repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting feature (such as a sleeve or external bracket) that sits between the seal and the housing bore. This intermediary component provides a platform for mounting the seal externally, making it accessible for replacement while transferring erosion wear away from the housing body.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the seal inside the housing bore (conventional approach), the patent inverts the mounting approach by placing the seal on an external feature that protrudes from or is mounted on the housing exterior. This inversion makes the seal accessible from the outside for easy replacement.
3Productivity
If high pressure corrosive fluids are handled, then the device performs its function, but erosion of valve body bore occurs leading to frequent repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using replaceable seals and mounting features that can be quickly swapped out when eroded by corrosive fluids. Instead of repairing the entire valve body, only the inexpensive seal and mounting feature need replacement, minimizing downtime and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the sealing system with pre-configured mounting features and accessible seal locations, so that when erosion occurs, the replacement process is straightforward and requires minimal disassembly. This preliminary preparation of the sealing architecture reduces repair time.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure fluid end assembly having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.