Single-Mass Flywheel Assembly for Pump Driveline Resonance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reciprocating pumps in fracturing operations generate high and low frequency torsional vibrations that cause damage and premature wear in driveline components, leading to shock loading and potential failure of driving equipment due to synchronization of natural sinusoidal waveforms and torsional resonance.

Innovation Solution

A vibration dampening assembly comprising a single mass flywheel and/or torsional vibration dampener is integrated into the drive-train system between the gearbox or transmission and input shaft of a reciprocating pump to absorb torque shocks and reduce torsional resonance, using a method that calculates the desired moment of inertia for the flywheel to match kinetic energy from hydraulic fluid pulsation, thereby reducing upstream shock loading and resonance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If reciprocating pumps operate at high pressure and high speed to increase fluid pumping rate, then productivity increases, but torsional vibration amplitude increases causing damage to driveline components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid pumping rateVSAvoidtorsional vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration dampening assembly comprising a single mass flywheel and torsional vibration dampener is introduced as an intermediary component between the reciprocating pump and the driveline. The flywheel absorbs torque shocks while the dampener reduces torsional resonance, thereby mitigating the harmful torsional vibrations generated during high-pressure, high-speed operation without reducing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If reciprocating pumps are synchronized to operate in unison, then system coordination improves, but pressure spikes and torsional distortion amplitude increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidpressure spikes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration dampening assembly acts as an intermediary that decouples the synchronized pumps from the common discharge line. By absorbing pressure fluctuations and torsional vibrations at the pump level, the assembly allows synchronized operation to maintain system coordination while preventing the amplification of pressure spikes and torsional distortion that would otherwise occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional multi-component vibration dampening systems are used, then vibration protection improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple traditional vibration dampening components into a single integrated assembly. The single mass flywheel and torsional vibration dampener are combined into one compact unit that provides comprehensive vibration protection, thereby maintaining high reliability while significantly reducing device complexity compared to traditional multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If driving equipment with low natural damping is used, then cost decreases, but torsional resonance interaction increases causing component failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment costVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration dampening assembly implements preliminary anti-action by proactively counteracting torsional vibrations before they can cause resonance interactions and component failure. The assembly is installed on the pump side of the driveline to absorb and dampen vibrations at their source, preventing them from propagating upstream and causing damage to cost-effective driving equipment with low natural damping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 effectively dampens high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations, extending the life of driveline components and preventing equipment failure by mitigating torsional resonance and shock loading.

Implementation Method 1

a single mass flywheel (12) connected to the output flange (112)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoment of inertia: Moment of Inertia

Implementation Method 2

at least one torsional vibration dampener (24) connected to the single mass flywheel (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional vibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11092152B2Systems and method for use of single mass flywheel alongside torsional vibration damper assembly for single acting reciprocating pump

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 BJ ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.