Hardened Insert Valve Assembly for High-Pressure Pump Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Reciprocating pumps used in oil and gas production face challenges with wear and tear due to high cyclical pressures, leading to increased maintenance needs and reduced component lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating apparatus with a valve assembly featuring a hardened insert coupled with a hardened insert carrier, allowing for improved sealing and reduced wear, suitable for high-pressure operations, thereby extending component life and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pump components are used, then the pump can operate at high cyclical pressures, but the components are susceptible to wear and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by hardening the insert carrier material to increase surface hardness and wear resistance. This material parameter modification allows the component to withstand high cyclical pressures while reducing wear, thereby extending component lifespan and reducing maintenance frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a base material with a hardened insert carrier. The insert carrier is made of a different material with superior wear resistance properties, creating a composite structure that combines the advantages of both materials to achieve both durability and reduced maintenance
2Reliability
If hardened insert carrier is used, then component durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the valve assembly into distinct modular components: a valve body, a hardened insert carrier, and sealing elements. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system durability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hardened insert carrier acts as an intermediary element between the valve body and the sealing surfaces. It mediates the wear and stress, protecting the main valve body while providing a stable mounting surface for seals, thereby improving durability without significantly complicating the overall assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly including: a hardened insert coupled with a hardened insert carrier; and a valve body coupled with a valve insert, wherein, in a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts a primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the valve insert contacts an initial sealing surface of a hardened insert carrier to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and, in an open configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body does not contact the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the valve insert does not contact the initial sealing surface of the hardened insert carrier to allow fluid flow through the valve assembly, wherein the hardened insert carrier comprises a reciprocating element, a replaceable valve carrier (RVC), or a pump fluid end body.