Unitized Valve Cartridge for Simplified 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 to be inserted and removed as a unit from the pump's housing, incorporating both suction and discharge valve assemblies, allowing for simplified servicing and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If valve assemblies are serviced by disassembly and removal using specialized equipment, then the valve components can be reconditioned and repaired, but the servicing process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cartridge is designed as a separable module that can be removed as a complete unit from the pump housing. This segmentation allows the valve assembly to be extracted without disassembling the entire pump, enabling rapid removal and servicing of the valve components while minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cartridge is extracted as a complete functional unit from the pump system. By taking out the entire valve cartridge assembly rather than individual components, the design enables quick removal and replacement, significantly reducing the time required for valve servicing while maintaining full access to all valve components for reconditioning and repair.
2Ease of repair
If suction and discharge valve assemblies are removed and reassembled separately, then each valve can be serviced individually, but the overall servicing process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suction valve assembly and discharge valve assembly are merged into a single integrated valve cartridge unit. This combination allows both valve assemblies to be serviced together as one module, simplifying the servicing procedure by eliminating the need for separate removal, handling, and reassembly operations for each valve while still enabling individual component access for repair and reconditioning.
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.