Valve Spring Holder Structure to Isolate Seal Pressure in Plunger Pumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plunger pumps in fracturing operations face issues with valve spring brackets conducting fluid pressure to sealing components, leading to fatigue fractures and installation difficulties due to complex structures and large throttling areas, which affect the efficiency and reliability of the fluid end.

Innovation Solution

A novel valve spring holder with a body part, supporting parts, and a limiting groove that prevents fluid pressure from being conducted to sealing components, featuring a simple structure, easy installation, and a small throttling area, using a limiting component like a circlip to secure the valve spring holder within the valve box.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional valve spring bracket is used to hold the valve spring, then the valve spring can be secured, but the fluid pressure is conducted to the sealing component causing fatigue fractures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of fatigue fracturesVSAvoidfluid pressure conduction to sealing component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful function of conducting fluid pressure to the sealing component by redesigning the valve spring holder structure. The new structure separates the fluid pressure path from the sealing component, preventing the harmful effect while maintaining the necessary support function for the valve spring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific structural configuration in the valve spring holder where different regions serve different functions. The holder has a first region that contacts the valve spring and a second region that contacts the valve box, with a deliberate design that prevents fluid pressure from being transmitted to the sealing component at the local level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a complex valve spring holder structure is used, then the valve spring can be securely held, but the installation becomes difficult and the throttling area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of valve springVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the valve spring holder into distinct functional parts: a body part with a first end part, second end part, and middle part. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall installation process. The limiting groove is also segmented into multiple regions for different retention purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex structure to secure the valve spring, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple structure with strategic limiting features (limiting groove and limiting component) that prevent unwanted movements while facilitating easy installation. The simplicity of the structure reduces the throttling area compared to traditional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the valve spring holder structure is simplified, then installation becomes easier, but the ability to prevent fluid pressure conduction may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidprevention of fluid pressure conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the limiting groove and limiting component as intermediary elements that mediate between the simple structure and the requirement to prevent fluid pressure conduction. These features act as intermediaries that maintain reliability while allowing structural simplification for easier installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If a traditional valve spring holder is used, then the structure can support the valve spring, but the throttling area becomes large affecting fluid flow efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidfluid flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the valve spring holder structure to be more dynamic in its configuration, allowing the fluid to flow more efficiently around the holder. The streamlined shape and strategic positioning of supporting surfaces reduce the throttling area while maintaining the necessary support capability for the valve spring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12560251B2Valve spring holder, valve box, and plunger pump

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 YANTAI JEREH PETROLEUM EQUIP & TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A valve spring holder, a valve box, and a plunger pump. The valve spring holder includes a body part, a first supporting part, a second supporting part, a spring mounting part, and a limiting groove. The first supporting part is connected to a first end part of the body part. The second supporting part is connected to a second end part of the body part. The spring mounting part is connected to a middle part of the body part. The first supporting part includes a first supporting surface, the second supporting part includes a second supporting surface, the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface are in contact with the valve box, and the limiting groove is located in at least one of the first supporting part and second supporting part, and is exposed to at least one of the first supporting surface and second supporting surface.