Fluid End Extension Plate for Outer Tie Rod Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to enable the use of a smaller fluid end forging in larger fluid end applications and to capture outer stay rods or tie rods within the smaller fluid end envelope.
Innovation Solution
Coupling a plate to a smaller fluid end forging to extend its size, allowing it to capture tie rods or stay rods that a larger forged fluid end typically captures, with the plate being partially or fully attached to the fluid end surface and aligned with the housing surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smaller fluid end forging is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to capture outer tie rods or stay rods is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid end assembly is divided into two segments: a smaller forged fluid end block and a separate plate. The plate is coupled to the fluid end block to extend its envelope, enabling the smaller forging to capture outer tie rods or stay rods that would normally require a larger forging. This segmentation allows cost reduction through smaller forging while maintaining the adaptability to accommodate various tie rod configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate acts as an intermediary element between the smaller fluid end forging and the outer tie rods. By coupling the plate to the fluid end block, the system enables the smaller forging to indirectly capture and support outer tie rods, achieving the functionality of a larger forging without the associated manufacturing costs.
2Weight of stationary object
If a smaller fluid end forging is used, then material cost and weight are reduced, but the overall size envelope is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid end assembly is segmented into a compact forged block and an additive plate component. This segmentation enables the use of a smaller, lighter forging while the plate extends the overall envelope to accommodate outer tie rods, thus reducing weight without sacrificing the required size envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate extends the fluid end envelope in a dimensional direction perpendicular to the main forging body. By adding this dimensional extension, the system achieves the required outer tie rod spacing without increasing the size of the main forged block, thereby maintaining weight efficiency while meeting spatial requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger forged fluid end is used, then outer tie rods are captured, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large forging, the solution segments the structure into a smaller forging and a separate plate. This allows the system to achieve the tie rod spacing capability of a larger forging while using a smaller, more cost-effective forging process for the main block.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate serves as a cost-effective extension component that is easier and cheaper to manufacture than a large forging. By using this simpler, less expensive plate component instead of a large forging, the system achieves the required adaptability at lower manufacturing cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid end of a reciprocating pump that includes a housing defining multiple bores extending therein. In one embodiment, the present invention involves coupling a plate to a side of a smaller fluid end forging, thereby extending the overall length of the forging to capture the outer tie rods or stay rods that a larger forged fluid end typically captures. The plate allows a smaller forged fluid end to be utilized in a tie rod spacing that is outside of the smaller fluid end envelope. In one embodiment, the plate can partially capture the side or end surface of the fluid end. In another embodiment, the plate can fully capture the side or end surface of the fluid end.