Radial Bore Seal for High-Pressure Reciprocating Pump Liners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-pressure reciprocating pumps require large flanges for face seals, limiting the size and number of piston assemblies, and face seals wear quickly, leading to reduced efficiency and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A piston assembly with a hollow cylindrical end part and a radial bore seal, featuring a groove and a seal element oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, allowing for a smaller flange and independent sealing, reducing clamping force requirements and extending lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a face seal with sealing surface oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is used, then the seal can be mounted on the liner, but a large flange is required which limits the size and number of piston assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element is reoriented from a face seal configuration (sealing surface perpendicular to longitudinal axis) to a radial bore seal configuration (sealing surface parallel to longitudinal axis). This dimensional change in seal orientation allows the seal to function without requiring a large flange, thereby enabling closer spacing of piston assemblies on the pump.
2Reliability
If a face seal is used to seal the liner to the fluid end, then sealing is achieved, but the seal wears quickly leading to reduced efficiency and increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a face seal where the sealing surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the invention inverts the seal orientation to create a radial bore seal where the sealing surface is parallel to the longitudinal axis. This inversion changes the wear characteristics and loading conditions, resulting in extended seal lifespan and maintained pump efficiency.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a radial bore seal with seal element oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis is used, then seal lifespan is extended and maintenance is reduced, but the seal geometry must be precisely configured
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element is given specific local geometric qualities including a tapered inner surface and an outer surface with a specific profile. These localized geometric features are precisely configured to ensure proper sealing contact and load distribution, achieving extended seal lifespan through carefully controlled local geometry rather than overall complex design.
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 radial bore seal enables higher pressure and flow rates without increasing pump size or weight, with reduced maintenance needs and improved geometric flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The seal element includes a sealing surface oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical end part to form a seal between the end part and the inner side wall of the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A piston assembly for a reciprocating pump comprises a piston disposed within a liner, a flange extending radially outward from the liner, and a hollow cylindrical end part insertable into a bore in a fluid end of the reciprocating pump. A groove is formed about a circumference of an outer surface of the hollow cylindrical end part and is positioned to face a cylindrical, inner side wall of the bore in the fluid end when the end part is inserted into the bore. A seal element is seated in the groove and is configured to protrude radially outward therefrom. The seal element includes a sealing surface oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical liner to form a seal between the end part of the piston assembly and the cylindrical, inner side wall of the bore when the end part is inserted into the bore.