Pump Fluid End Segmented Discharge Manifold

Solution Overview

Problem

The high manufacturing costs of positive displacement pumps due to the need for increased wall thicknesses and high-strength materials in the fluid end to prevent fatigue failures, which limits their use in various industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A separate discharge manifold assembly for the fluid end of positive displacement pumps, constructed from a lower-cost material with reduced wall thickness, is used to decrease manufacturing costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If increased wall thicknesses and higher strength materials are used in the fluid end, then fatigue resistance and service life are improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefatigue resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid end is divided into two separate assemblies: a housing assembly subject to cyclical pressure changes and a discharge manifold assembly operating at stable pressure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific operational conditions, reducing the need for expensive high-strength materials throughout the entire fluid end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different material properties and wall thicknesses are applied to different portions of the fluid end based on their specific operational requirements. The housing has increased wall thickness and higher strength materials where fatigue resistance is critical, while the discharge manifold uses lower cost materials with reduced wall thickness where fatigue is not a concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If increased wall thicknesses and higher strength materials are used in the fluid end, then pressure rating is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure ratingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid end is divided into two separate assemblies: a housing assembly subject to cyclical pressure changes and a discharge manifold assembly operating at stable pressure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific operational conditions, reducing the need for expensive high-strength materials throughout the entire fluid end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different material properties and wall thicknesses are applied to different portions of the fluid end based on their specific operational requirements. The housing has increased wall thickness and higher strength materials where fatigue resistance is critical, while the discharge manifold uses lower cost materials with reduced wall thickness where fatigue is not a concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a separate discharge manifold assembly is used with reduced wall thickness, then manufacturing cost is decreased, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different material properties and wall thicknesses are applied to different portions of the fluid end based on their specific operational requirements. The housing has increased wall thickness and higher strength materials where fatigue resistance is critical, while the discharge manifold uses lower cost materials with reduced wall thickness where fatigue is not a concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250027486A1Fluid ends for pumps and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 VULCAN IND HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An embodiment of a fluid end of a pump includes a housing including a plurality of pumping chambers. Each pumping chamber configured to receive a plunger therein. In addition, the housing includes a plurality of outlet ports, each being in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of pumping chambers. The fluid end also includes a discharge manifold assembly connected to the housing and positioned to receive fluid discharged from the plurality of pumping chambers. The discharge manifold assembly including a single-piece, monolithic body having a plurality of discharge bores and a manifold bore defined therein, the manifold bore being in fluid communication with the plurality of discharge bores, the plurality of discharge bores positioned to align with the plurality of outlet ports, and each of the plurality of discharge bores being configured to at least partially receive a corresponding discharge valve assembly therein.