Integrated Valve Cartridge for Faster Fluid Pump Valve Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Servicing the suction and discharge valve assemblies of fluid pumps, such as those used in hydraulic fracturing, is time-consuming and inefficient due to the need for disassembly and reassembly using specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A valve cartridge for fluid pumps is designed with integrated suction and discharge valve assemblies that can be inserted and removed as a unit, facilitating efficient servicing and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If valve assemblies are serviced by disassembly and removal using specialized equipment, then complete servicing of all valve components is achieved, but servicing time and operational downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cartridge is segmented into a modular assembly that can be independently removed from the pump housing as a complete unit. The cartridge body contains both suction and discharge valve assemblies integrated within it, allowing the entire valve system to be serviced by removing just this one modular segment rather than disassembling the entire pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cartridge is extracted as a separate, self-contained module from the pump housing. By designing the cartridge with an external cartridge bore that receives the plunger barrel while keeping valve assemblies internal to the cartridge body, the valve system can be removed and serviced independently without affecting other pump components.
2Ease of repair
If valve assemblies are removed and reassembled separately, then individual valve components can be serviced, but the complexity of the servicing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction valve assembly and discharge valve assembly are merged into a single integrated cartridge body. Both valve assemblies, along with their respective seats and components, are housed within the same cartridge structure, allowing them to be serviced together as one unit rather than requiring separate removal and reassembly procedures for each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge body serves multiple functions: it houses both suction and discharge valve assemblies, provides structural support for the plunger barrel through the cartridge bore, and acts as a sealed chamber for fluid flow. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during servicing.
3Ease of operation
If specialized equipment is used for valve assembly removal, then proper handling and installation are ensured, but equipment availability and operational flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cartridge is pre-assembled with all valve components (valves, seats, springs, retainers) installed within the cartridge body before installation into the pump. The cartridge body itself is pre-configured with the cartridge bore to receive the plunger barrel, eliminating the need for specialized equipment during field servicing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump may include a power end, a fluid end having a cartridge bore, and a valve cartridge configured for insertion into, and removal from, the cartridge bore as a unit. The valve cartridge may include a cartridge body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a first valve assembly configured to control fluid flow through the fluid inlet, and a second valve assembly configured to control fluid flow through the fluid outlet.