MOBILE HYDRAULIC FRACTURING UNIT DISCHARGE HOSE MOUNTING AND SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

A mobile fracking unit includes a trailer and a pumping system, the pumping system having a fluid end. The mobile fracking unit also includes a hose mounting and support system. The hose mounting and support system includes a fluid end clamp, the fluid end clamp attached to a first hose end of a hose and the fluid end of the pumping system and a midpoint saddle, the midpoint saddle affixed to the trailer, the midpoint saddle adapted to receive the hose. The mobile fracking unit further includes a hose end clamp, the hose end clamp affixed to a second hose end.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD/FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to transportation and use of mobile hydraulic fracturing systems, specifically securement of elements of mobile hydraulic fracturing systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

During hydraulic fracturing, flowing materials (including, for example, water, dry or fluid chemicals, and proppants, which collectively may be referred to as slurry when combined) are discharged from mobile fracking units. When the slurry is discharged from the mobile fracking unit, such as through a hose, or during transport of the mobile fracking unit, friction of the hose against other components of the mobile fracking units may damage the hose, potentially resulting in damages to equipment and operators.

SUMMARY

A mobile fracking unit is disclosed. The mobile fracking unit includes a trailer and a pumping system, the pumping system having a fluid end. The mobile fracking unit also includes a hose mounting and support system. The hose mounting and support system includes a fluid end clamp, the fluid end clamp attached to a first hose end of a hose and the fluid end of the pumping system, and a midpoint saddle, the midpoint saddle affixed to the trailer, the midpoint saddle adapted to receive the hose. The mobile fracking unit further includes a hose end clamp, the hose end clamp affixed to a second hose end, the hose end clamp held within a receiving end clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear of a mobile fracking unit consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of hosing as installed consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c are expanded views of a midpoint saddle on the mobile fracking unit consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tray for a hose end clamp consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of hosing as installed consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

FIG. 1 depicts pumping system 100. Pumping system 100 may be used to prepare fluids for use in wellbore operations including stimulation operations such as hydraulic fracturing operation. For the purposes of this disclosure and without any intent to limit the scope of this disclosure, the fluids prepared by pumping system 100 are referred to herein as a slurry made up of ingredients, chemicals, products, and base fluids as understood in the art such as, for example and without limitation, friction reducer, high viscosity friction reducer, guar or synthetic gel, inhibitors, PH buffers, proppant (such as sand), and biocides.

Pumping system 100 may be mounted on trailer 10. Pumping system 100 and trailer 10 are part of mobile fracking unit 50. FIGS. 1 and 2 further depict hose mounting and support system 200, which is also a part of mobile fracking unit 50 and mounted to trailer 10.

Hose mounting and support system 200 may include fluid end clamp 210. When fluid end clamp 210 is formed, first end 222 of hose 220 may be secured. Fluid end clamp 210 is attached to hose 220 by applying pressure around first end 222 of hose 220 at fluid end 54 of pumping system 100. Fluid end clamp 210 mitigates undesired movement and effects of vibration of hose 220, both during operation and transport.

In certain embodiments, hose mounting and support system 200 may include spring isolator 230 through which hose 220 may pass. Spring isolator 230 may be used during operation and transport of mobile fracking unit 50. Spring isolator 230 may be mounted on mounting arm 236. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, mounting arm 236 is shown as having a right angle. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate, mounting arm 236 may be of any shape or angle to accommodate hose 220 and spring isolator 230. Mounting arm 236 may be affixed to trailer 10.

In some embodiments, hose mounting and support system 200 may also include midpoint saddle 240. Midpoint saddle 240 may support hose 220 from below hose 220 as hose 220 turns around mobile fracking unit 50 during transport. In certain embodiments, the placement of midpoint saddle 240 may represent the tangent of the radius of the circle created by turned hose 220. Midpoint saddle 240 may be affixed to trailer 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 3a, midpoint saddle 240 may include a retaining mechanism, such as chain 242 to secure hose 220 to midpoint saddle 240.

In certain embodiments, midpoint saddle 240 may pivot to accommodate movement of hose 220. As shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, pivot 244 allows midpoint saddle 240 to rock or pivot to accommodate movement of hose 220.

For some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, hose mounting and support system 200 may also include hose tray 250. Hose tray 250 may support hose 220 between midpoint saddle 240 and hose end clamp 260. Hose tray 250 may be mounted to trailer 10. In certain embodiments, hose tray 250 may mount to hose tray isolator 252, as shown in FIG. 5. Hose tray isolator 252 may damp vibration on hose 220 during transport, for example.

Hose end clamp 260 may be affixed to second end 224 of hose 220. Hose end clamp may include handles, such as bars for removal of hose 220 from hose end clamp 260 from second end 224 of hose 220. Handles may also be used to hold the hose manually. Hose end clamp 260 may be locked or contained within receiving end clamp 270. By holding hose end clamp 260 within receiving end clamp 270 during transport, hose 220 may be secured and undesired movement of hose 220 may be reduced.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a person of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A mobile fracking unit comprising: a trailer;a pumping system, the pumping system having a fluid end, the pumping system mounted on the trailer; anda hose mounting and support system mounted to the trailer, the hose mounting and support system including: a fluid end clamp, the fluid end clamp attached to a first hose end of a hose and the fluid end of the pumping system;a midpoint saddle, the midpoint saddle affixed to the trailer, the midpoint saddle adapted to receive the hose; anda hose end clamp, the hose end clamp affixed to a second hose end of the hose.

2. The mobile fracking unit of claim 1 further comprising a spring isolator between the fluid end clamp and the midpoint saddle through which the hose passes.

3. The mobile fracking unit of claim 2, wherein the spring isolator includes springs supporting a pass-through hose clamp.

4. The mobile fracking unit of claim 2, wherein the spring isolator is mounted on a mounting arm, the mounting arm attached to the trailer.

5. The mobile fracking unit of claim 2 further comprising: a hose tray, the hose tray positioned between the midpoint saddle and the hose end clamp along the hose, the hose tray mounted to the trailer.

6. The mobile fracking unit of claim 5, wherein a hose tray isolator is positioned between the hose tray and the trailer.

7. The mobile fracking unit of claim 6, wherein the hose tray isolator is adapted to damp vibration of the hose.

8. The mobile fracking unit of claim 1, wherein the midpoint saddle is placed at a tangent of a radius of a circle created by the hose.

9. The mobile fracking unit of claim 8, wherein the midpoint saddle includes a retaining mechanism.

10. The mobile fracking unit of claim 6, wherein the retaining mechanism is a chain.

11. The mobile fracking unit of claim 1, wherein the midpoint saddle includes a pivot.

12. The mobile fracking unit of claim 1, wherein the hose end clamp includes handles.

13. The mobile fracking unit of claim 12, wherein the hose end clamp is locked within a receiving end clamp.