Fluid End Locking Assembly With Wedge Ring Sealing Under High Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking assemblies for fluid ends in the oil and gas industry face challenges such as high operational complexity, increased costs, reduced efficiency, and difficulty in maintaining sealing during high-pressure operations.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly apparatus for fluid ends that includes a first actuator with coupling surfaces, a second actuator with tapered interfacing surfaces, and a plurality of wedges that move between unlocked and locked positions, engaging with a lock ring to secure the valve cover in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking assemblies are used to secure valve covers on fluid ends, then the covers can be locked in place, but the operational complexity increases, costs increase, and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the body with internal tapered surface, the wedge with external tapered surface and locking protrusion, and the valve cover with receiving groove. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall design and reducing the number of parts needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge is disposed within the body and can move between locked and unlocked positions within the confines of the body structure. The locking protrusion on the wedge engages with the receiving groove on the valve cover, creating a nested arrangement where the locking mechanism is contained within the body while still providing external locking functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional locking assemblies are used, then covers can be secured, but operational times increase and efficiencies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions rather than being a fixed component. This dynamic capability allows for quick transition between states, enabling rapid installation and removal of valve covers without time-consuming operations, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
3Reliability
If locking assemblies are added to secure covers during high pressure operation, then sealing is maintained, but the design and operation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered surfaces of the body and wedge work together to automatically position and secure the locking protrusion in the receiving groove when the wedge is moved to the locked position. The geometry of the tapered surfaces provides self-aligning and self-locking functionality, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple operational steps, thus maintaining sealing reliability while preserving operational simplicity.
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 proposed locking assembly enhances operational efficiency, reduces complexity and costs, and maintains sealing during high-pressure operations by providing a simpler, more effective mechanism for securing valve covers.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more tapered interfacing surfaces of the body are configured to engage with the one or more tapered interfacing surfaces of each wedge... the one or more tapered interfacing surfaces taper inward at an angle relative to the center axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A locking assembly (240) for a fluid end of a high pressure pump, comprising: a first actuator (241) comprising one or more coupling surfaces (284); a second actuator (242) comprising: a body (280) and one or more coupling surfaces (285) disposed in coupling engagement with the one or more coupling surfaces (284) of the first actuator (241); a plurality of wedges (243) disposed about the second actuator (242) and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, each wedge (243) of the plurality of wedges comprising a set of one or more external locking surfaces (2002); a guide mechanism formed between the second actuator and the plurality of wedges, the guide mechanism comprising a plurality of guide blocks (244) and a plurality of guide slots (251); and a lock ring (247) disposed about the plurality of wedges (243), the lock ring (247) comprising a set of one or more internal locking surfaces (2001).