Offset Valve Guide Assembly for Reciprocating Pump Wear Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Reciprocating pumps used in oil and gas operations face challenges with the life and reliability of valve components due to high cyclical pressures and wear, leading to frequent maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A horizontal guided valve assembly with a valve guide having lower wings or skis that promotes adequate centering of the valve while minimizing flow obstruction, featuring a valve stem initially positioned vertically higher than the housing bore axis, which gradually transitions to maintain alignment and extend the life of the valve assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional valve assembly is used in reciprocating pumps, then the pump can operate, but the valve components experience high wear and frequent maintenance is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly lifeVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the valve guide bore off-center relative to the housing bore. Specifically, the valve guide bore is positioned such that its central axis is vertically higher than the central axis of the housing bore, creating an asymmetric arrangement that optimizes valve contact and reduces wear on the valve assembly components during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the valve assembly design by offsetting the valve guide bore axis vertically relative to the housing bore axis. This dimensional change allows the valve to maintain better alignment and contact during reciprocating motion, reducing wear and extending component life without complicating the horizontal manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the valve guide bore central axis is positioned vertically higher than the housing bore central axis, then valve alignment and life are extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly lifespanVSAvoidvalve assembly configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the valve guide bore off-center relative to the housing bore. Specifically, the valve guide bore is positioned such that its central axis is vertically higher than the central axis of the housing bore, creating an asymmetric arrangement that optimizes valve contact and reduces wear on the valve assembly components during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameter of the valve guide bore relative to the housing bore. By vertically offsetting the valve guide bore axis from the housing bore axis, the patent modifies the geometric parameters of the valve assembly to achieve better alignment and extended component life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the valve stem is initially positioned vertically higher than the housing bore axis, then wear is reduced and component life is extended, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent wear resistanceVSAvoidvalve stem positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the valve guide bore off-center relative to the housing bore. Specifically, the valve guide bore is positioned such that its central axis is vertically higher than the central axis of the housing bore, creating an asymmetric arrangement that optimizes valve contact and reduces wear on the valve assembly components during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the valve guide bore at an optimized vertical offset from the housing bore axis during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that the valve stem automatically achieves the correct initial position vertically higher than the housing bore axis, reducing wear from the start of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12188570B2Optimal-contact suction valve assembly guide

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A valve guide includes a valve guide body having a valve guide bore along a central axis thereof. In an assembled configuration of a horizontal valve assembly comprising the valve guide, a valve stem passes through the valve guide bore, connecting a valve body to the valve guide. The valve guide further includes first and second skis that each extends radially outward from the valve guide body to a lower wing outer surface, such that the lower wing outer surface is a first radial distance from the valve guide bore central axis; and an upper wing extending radially outward from the valve guide body to an upper wing outer surface. The upper wing outer surface is a second radial distance from the valve guide bore central axis. The first radial distance is greater than an interior radius of a housing bore the horizontal valve assembly is positioned in for use.