Mud Pump Booster Piston Valve Opening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mud and cement pumps experience pressure surges and vibrations due to sudden pressure changes, leading to noise, loose fastenings, and potential fatigue failure, while requiring consistent pressure for efficient drilling and construction processes.
Innovation Solution
A pump design incorporating a booster piston and cylinder system that applies an additional opening force to the outlet valve, using a transfer member to facilitate smoother valve opening and maintain consistent pressure, reducing pressure spikes and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional outlet valve is used in the pump, then the structure is simple, but pressure surges and vibrations occur due to sudden pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
A booster piston is introduced as an intermediary component between the cavity pressure and the outlet valve. The booster piston receives pressure from the cavity and transmits it to the outlet valve through a transfer member, mediating the pressure transmission to avoid sudden pressure changes that cause vibrations and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure transmission function is segmented into two stages: first, the cavity pressure acts on the booster piston; second, the booster piston transmits this pressure through a transfer member to the outlet valve. This segmentation allows for controlled, gradual pressure application rather than direct sudden pressure changes.
2Ease of operation
If pressure is increased to crack the outlet valve open, then the valve opens reliably, but pressure spikes and vibrations are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The booster piston is pre-positioned and ready to receive cavity pressure before the outlet valve opening is required. As cavity pressure builds, the booster piston gradually transmits this pressure to the outlet valve through the transfer member, preparing the valve for opening in a controlled manner rather than sudden pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer member acts as a cushioning element between the booster piston and the outlet valve. It absorbs and distributes the pressure gradually, preventing sudden pressure spikes that would cause vibrations and noise while still ensuring reliable valve opening.
3Productivity
If the pump operates with sudden pressure changes, then the valve opens and closes functionally, but noise and vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The booster piston and transfer member serve as intermediaries that smooth out the pressure transmission from the cavity to the outlet valve. This mediation maintains the functional opening and closing of the valve while eliminating the sudden pressure changes that generate noise and vibrations, thus preserving pumping efficiency without the harmful side effects.
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 solution ensures a consistent and stable pressure output, reducing vibrations and noise, and preventing fatigue failure, while maintaining efficient fluid flow and pressure control in mud and cement pumping applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first face of the booster piston exposed to a low pressure zone and a second face exposed to fluid pressure in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A pump comprises a housing (141) having a cavity (142) with an inlet valve (143), an apparatus (144) for raising fluid pressure in the cavity (142) and a discharge valve (145), the discharge valve (145) comprises a valve head (160) movable between an open and closed position and a valve seat (167), wherein the pump further comprises a booster piston (182) arranged in a booster cylinder (183), the booster piston (182) has a first face (191) exposed to a low pressure zone (189) and a second face (194) exposed to fluid pressure in the cavity (142), and at least one of the booster piston (182) and the booster cylinder (183) is movable relative to the other to add an opening force to the discharge valve. The pump is preferably a mud pump for circulating drilling mud through a drill string in a wellbore or a cement pump which may be of the type for pumping cement into a wellbore. Also disclosed is a method for facilitating opening a valve comprising a valve head (160) and a valve seat (167), the valve head (160) is movable a predetermined distance from a closed position on the valve seat (167) to a fully open position distant on the valve seat, and the method comprises the step of adding a force to the valve head (160) along a small portion of the predetermined distance.