Fluid End Seal Assembly That Shifts Erosion Wear to Replaceable Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure fluid end bodies in oil and gas production systems experience erosion and corrosion, leading to premature leakage and costly repairs, with existing solutions burdening the more expensive fluid end body rather than transferring wear to less complex and less expensive components.
Innovation Solution
The technology involves forming endless grooves in the fluid end body to mount seals that extend and press against less complex and less expensive components, such as discharge and suction plugs, transferring erosion wear from the body to these components, and applying erosion-resistant surface treatments like HVOF coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are mounted to extend and press against the fluid end body, then sealing is achieved, but erosion wear occurs on the expensive fluid end body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional sealing arrangement by mounting seals on the plugs (suction plug, discharge plug, valve seats) rather than on the fluid end body. The seals now press against the fluid end body from the opposite direction, transferring erosion wear from the expensive body to the cheaper plugs and seats. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining sealing performance while protecting the fluid end body from erosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the principle of using cheaper, replaceable components (plugs and valve seats with mounted seals) to protect the more expensive fluid end body. When erosion occurs, the inexpensive plugs and seats can be replaced rather than the costly body, effectively transferring the harmful erosion effect from the critical body to disposable components.
2Reliability
If the fluid end body is repaired when erosion occurs, then leakage is fixed, but downtime and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function from the fluid end body by mounting seals on separate, removable plugs and valve seats. This segmentation allows the sealing components to be independently replaced without repairing the entire body, reducing downtime and operating costs while maintaining leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the seals and their mounting components (plugs, seats) replaceable and inexpensive relative to the body, the system enables quick replacement rather than costly body repair, reducing both downtime and operating cost while maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If erosion-resistant surface treatments are applied to the fluid end body, then body protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying complex erosion-resistant treatments to the entire fluid end body, the patent uses inexpensive, replaceable plugs and seats that inherently resist erosion or can be easily replaced. This avoids the need for complex surface treatments on the body while achieving the same protective effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from modifying the body's surface properties through complex treatments to selecting materials and designs for the plugs and seats that provide erosion resistance through their inherent properties, simplifying the overall system while achieving the same protective function.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid end assembly comprising a housing having multiple conduits formed therein. A tubular sleeve is installed within one of the conduits and is configured to house a plurality of packing seals. A seal is installed within a groove formed in the walls of the housing surrounding the tubular sleeve such that the seal engages an outer surface of the tubular sleeve.