Fabric-Reinforced Starter Ring for Abrasive-Resistant Pump Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional starter rings for plunger pumps face challenges in durability and longevity due to pressure cycles and fatigue, and existing solutions do not effectively utilize fluid forces to enhance sealing and prevent abrasive particle contact.
Innovation Solution
A starter ring with a resilient body, featuring a male adapter pocket and fabric-reinforced elastomeric material, which leverages pressure forces to intensify the wiping effect and exclude abrasives, maintaining geometric integrity and static positioning of pressure rings within the pump packing assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional header rings are used for sealing in plunger pumps, then manufacturing is simpler, but durability and longevity deteriorate due to pressure cycles and fatigue causing material degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The starter ring employs a composite construction with a resilient body made of elastomeric material and a fabric reinforcement layer. This composite structure combines the flexibility and shock absorption of elastomers with the tensile strength and fatigue resistance of fabric, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and durability under pressure cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by transitioning from traditional rigid or simple elastomeric header rings to a composite material with enhanced mechanical properties. The fabric reinforcement alters the stress-strain characteristics, enabling the ring to withstand repeated pressure cycles without material degradation, thereby improving durability while maintaining ease of manufacture through molded construction.
2Device complexity
If traditional header rings are used, then device complexity is lower, but sealing effectiveness worsens due to inability to utilize fluid forces for wiping action
Solution Approach 1:
The starter ring's geometry, particularly the male adapter pocket, is designed to automatically utilize the process fluid pressure to generate a wiping action. The fluid forces act on the ring's internal geometry to push the fabric-reinforced radially inward portion against the plunger, creating a self-actuating sealing mechanism that enhances effectiveness without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention harnesses hydraulic principles by allowing the process fluid pressure to act upon the starter ring's internal structure. The male adapter pocket geometry converts fluid pressure into a mechanical wiping force, enabling the sealing ring to actively clear the plunger surface of abrasive particles, thereby improving sealing effectiveness while maintaining simple device architecture.
3Reliability
If starter rings with male adapter pocket geometry are used, then wiping action and sealing are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The male adapter pocket geometry is pre-formed during the molding process of the starter ring body. By incorporating the complex internal geometry into the initial molding step, the patent avoids subsequent complex machining or assembly operations. The fabric reinforcement is also integrated during molding, allowing the complex geometry to be manufactured in a single operation, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving improved sealing performance.
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 enhances the durability and longevity of the starter ring by providing a consistent wiping force and preventing abrasive contact, ensuring effective sealing and prolonged performance in high-pressure environments.
Implementation Method 1
The fabric reinforced elastomeric material provides a constant force to maintain the adjacent pressure rings in a static location
Implementation Method 2
The male adapter pocket allows pressure forces to intensify the wiping effect and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring
Data Source
AI summary
A starter ring for a pump packing assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises an annular portion adjacent to an opening of a housing cylindrical surface. An axially outwardly extending portion opposite the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface. Layers of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion. A male adapter pocket is positioned at one side of the starter ring and configured to displace the volume of the starter ring and to generate a wiper force for initiating a wiping effect on the adjacent position of the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring. The male adapter pocket allows pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to intensify the wiping effect of the starter ring, and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing.