Swaged Multi-Part Valve Assembly for Centering and Bend Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multipart valve designs for reciprocating positive displacement pumps, such as fracking pumps, are susceptible to bending under extreme forces and face challenges in achieving accurate centering and consistent compression, leading to reliability issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly comprising a unitary insert retainer with a circular head and a retainer pin, a polymer insert, a guide with legs, and a collar that is swaged onto the retainer pin to secure the assembly, allowing for the use of materials with varying carbon content for enhanced strength and wear resistance, and utilizing a swaging process to distribute compressive forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional welding methods are used to assemble valve components, then the valve can be constructed with multiple parts allowing material optimization, but the assembly becomes susceptible to bending under extreme forces and fails to achieve accurate centering
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into multiple components (valve body, guides, insert retainer, collar) that can be manufactured from different materials optimized for their specific functions. The retainer pin segments the connection between collar and valve body, allowing independent optimization of each part while maintaining structural integrity under extreme forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert retainer is nested within the valve body, and the collar is nested over the retainer pin, creating a compact hierarchical structure. This nesting arrangement allows accurate centering of components while maintaining resistance to bending forces through the nested configuration.
2Loss of substance
If multiple components are used in the valve assembly, then material waste and manufacturing costs can be minimized through selective material usage, but the number of assembly steps and fit-tolerance requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into four main components that can be manufactured using optimized processes for each material type. The retainer pin acts as a simple connecting element that reduces assembly complexity compared to traditional welding, requiring only insertion and swaging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert retainer combines multiple functions (retaining the polymer insert, providing a mounting surface for the collar, and serving as a structural element) into a single component. This merging reduces the total number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining material optimization benefits.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional valve designs are used, then manufacturing processes are well-established, but the valves lack consistent compression and accurate centering under extreme operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of the collar over the retainer pin, with the retainer nested in the valve body, provides self-centering geometry that achieves accurate centering under compression. The swaging process applied to the retainer pin creates consistent compression forces that maintain precision during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The swaging process changes the physical parameters of the retainer pin by cold-working it to expand and lock the collar in place. This parameter change creates consistent compression forces and accurate centering that are maintained under extreme operating conditions, while the overall process remains manufacturable.
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 design provides a more reliable and economical multipart valve assembly with improved strength and resistance to bending, achieving secure assembly and consistent compression, while minimizing material waste and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a collar that is swaged onto the retainer pin to secure the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a multi-component valve system for use in pumps such as fracking pumps for use in subterranean resource production. The assembly includes an insert retainer having a retainer head and a retainer pin. The retainer pin has an upper section extending below the retainer head and a grooved center section below the upper section. A valve is centered on the upper section of the retainer pin. An insert is located on the valve. A guide has a central portion centered on the upper section of the retainer pin and four legs extending from the central portion. A collar has a flange and a collar body that is swaged into the center section of the retainer pin.