Patent Application
20240026976
The present invention relates to a starter ring. More particularly, the invention relates to the starter ring for use in a plunger pump packing assembly.
The subject matter discussed in this background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because of its mention herein. Similarly, any solutions to problems mentioned in this background section or associated with the subject matter of this background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter as disclosed in this background section merely represents different approaches related to providing a starter ring for use in a pump assembly, wherein such starter ring may themselves also correspond to implementation of the claimed technology and invention.
Positive displacement piston pumps or plunger pumps find extensive use in scenarios where fluids exhibit challenging characteristics, including high temperatures, viscosity, or solid content. In these pumps, sealing at high pressures presents a persistent challenge, as abrasive fluids must be prevented from leaking between the reciprocating plunger and the housing. Traditionally, sealing components like header rings encountered issues, primarily due to their tendency to degrade due to pressure cycles or fatigue, thereby loosing material integrity. To address this problem, starter rings were introduced. The starter rings leverage fluid forces, by way of their unique geometry featuring a male adapter pocket. This geometry results in a distinctive wiping action, setting them apart from conventional header ring.
In contrast, traditional header rings often fall short in meeting essential requirements such as ease of manufacturing, durability, longevity, and ease of installation. Such header rings may attempt to protect against abrasive particles but often fail, leading to surface damage and reduced durability compared to starter rings.
Prior art, for various aspects contained there within, relevant to this disclosure includes US patent application No. US20220243723A1 to Herold, US patent application No. US20200223043A1 to Colburn, US patent application No. US20090166980A1 to Miller, US patent application No. US2010155055A1 to Henry, US patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,035A to Brian M, US patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,338A to Brian M, US patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,948A to Brian M, US patent application No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,471A to Brian M, and US application No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,694A to Ralph. Each of the prior art references does not suggest a starter ring that can utilize the presence from the available force of the present fluid resulting from the geometry where the male adapter pocket is designed into the starter ring.
In particular, reference '723 to Herold discloses a set of reduction gears constructed to aid the installation or removal of a packing nut or similar equipment part onto or from an oil field pump. A first gear is integrated onto a packing nut or other threaded part to a piece of oil field equipment. The first gear is placed in rotational contact with a second gear rotatably mounted on the surface of a fluid end. The second gear is a reduction gear which a worker can turn to thread the first gear of the packing nut. The invention includes a pawl set against the first gear to prevent unwanted loosening of the packing nut during operations. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Herold does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring.
In particular, reference '043 to Colburn discloses an improved tool for pulling a valve seat from a valve in a fluid end, and it replaces the standard threaded nut and stem commonly used in such tools with a split nut comprising a plurality of removeably engageable split nut segments placed within a base and a stem configured to be used with the plurality of removeably engageable split nut segments. In the preferred embodiment, each split nut segment possesses a center-facing surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the invention comprising a set of horizontal v-grooves suitable to be disposed against complementary v-grooves of the stem. The base permits the plurality of split nut segments to be placed in an engaged position permitting the v-grooves of the split nut segments to removably engage the v-grooves of the stem securely or to be placed in a disengaged position. The base containing the split nut segments is durable enough to be used in oil field work but lightweight enough to be used by individual or groups of workers safely. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Colburn does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring.
In particular, reference '980 to Miller discloses a header ring for use in a stuffing box comprising an annular body portion of an elastomeric material, an annular radially inward projecting sealing lip portion formed on said body portion and an annular, axially facing pedestal portion formed on said body portion, said pedestal portion defining an annularly extending radially inwardly facing pedestal surface, the sealing lip portion defining an annularly extending, radially inward facing sealing surface, the sealing surface and the pedestal surface forming a juncture, at least a portion of the pedestal portion adjacent the juncture and forming the pedestal surface and at least a portion of the sealing lip portion adjacent the juncture and forming a portion of the sealing surface being comprised of a layer of reinforced elastomeric material bonded to the body portion. Originally, this reference relates to a packing assembly for a pump, and specifically to a header ring for use in such an assembly, However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Miller does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring.
In particular, reference '055 to Henry discloses a drop ball for use in wellbore activities, such as wellbores in oil and gas drilling, completion and/or production activities comprising a generally spherical body, the spherical body carrying at least one marker, which contains and/or can determine at least one parameter related to the drop ball, the wellbore and/or activities being conducted in the wellbore. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Henry does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring.
In particular, reference '035 to Brian M discloses a cluster bearing for use in a swashplate pump, said cluster bearing comprising a continuous ring of material having a generally flat first surface and a generally flat second surface opposite the first surface, a plurality of piston receiving bearing cups formed integrally into the first surface and a plurality of thrust bearing pads extending integrally from the second surface. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Brian M does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring, by utilizing the available force of the present fluid, where a “male adapter pocket” is designed into the starter ring.
In particular, reference '338 to Brian M discloses a single-piece unidirectional tapered land thrust bearing cluster for use in high-pressure positive-displacement swashplate piston pumps and the like. The bearing cluster has a plurality of identical bearing pads integral to the bearing cluster. Each bearing pad includes a tapered section, a flat section and a fluid communicating slot integral therewith. During operation of the pump the swashplate camming surface rotates relative to the bearing cluster which develops a pressurized load-carrying hydrodynamic film of decreasing thickness and increasing strength between a back plate of the rotating swashplate and the bearing cluster. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Brian M does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring, by utilizing the available force of the present fluid, where a male adapter pocket is designed into the starter ring.
In particular, reference '948 to Brian M discloses a positive displacement pump including a plurality of pistons reciprocally driven in respective cylinders by a swashplate assembly to expel fluid during the pressure stroke of the piston from a chamber in communication with each piston. Oppositely disposed magnets are located respectively in an upper pressure face of each piston and in a check valve housing adjacent each cylinder to produce a magnetic force circuit accelerating movement of each piston toward and in continual contact with a cluster bearing associated with the swashplate assembly during the suction stroke of each piston. Like poles of each magnet face each other to produce a permanent levitating force on each piston. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Brian M does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring, by utilizing the available force of the present fluid, where a male adapter pocket is designed into the starter ring.
In particular, reference '471 to Brian M discloses a swashplate style pump uses a dual location cluster bearing of consistent configuration for use in each of two positions in the pump. In one location the dual location cluster bearing will interface with pistons and the swashplate cam. In a second location the dual position cluster bearing will interface with the non-camming side of the swashplate and the back plate of the pump. The dual position cluster bearing can be used in either and both positions with equal facility. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Brian M does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring, by utilizing the available force of the present fluid, where a “male adapter pocket” is designed into the starter ring.
In particular, reference '694 to Ralph discloses a load segment assembly for use in pipe swivel joints or pipe connectors locks male and female hubs of a joint together while providing an axial bearing there between. The load assembly includes arcuate segments each having a dove-tail groove on the face of the convex side of the arcuate segment, requiring a flexible joining member to be threaded there through, providing maximum shear and bearing strength. However, unlike the subject matter of the disclosed invention, Ralph does not discuss or suggest the aspect of improving the durability and longevity of the starter ring, by utilizing the available force of the present fluid, where a male adapter pocket is designed into the starter ring.
Therefore, there is a need for a starter ring to have superior quality that allows the user to fabricate it more efficiently and improve the durability and longevity of the starter ring.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor delineate the scope of such elements. Its purpose is to present some concepts of the described features in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to one embodiment, a simple, easy to assemble starter ring for a pump packing assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a plunger reciprocally positioned within a cylindrical bore that is extending and forming a radially inwardly facing housing cylindrical surface. An annulus is formed between the housing cylindrical surface and the plunger. Further, at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring positioned in the annulus. A starter ring positioned in the annulus and engaged with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring. The starter ring defines an opening through which the plunger extends. The starter ring has a resilient body and comprises a radially inwardly extending annular portion adjacent the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface. Further, the starter ring comprises an axially outwardly extending portion opposite the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface. The starter ring further comprises a layer of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion. Further, 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 ring.
In some embodiments, the fabric reinforced elastomeric material is selected from a group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Such elastomeric material of the starter ring enhances tensile strength and minimizes tear resistance.
In another embodiment, the layer of fabric reinforced elastomeric material is fabric reinforced to maintain the durability and longevity of the starter ring into the pump packing assembly.
In some embodiments, the one or more pressure rings are maintained in a static location within an inner diameter of the pump packing assembly by the starter ring.
In some embodiments, the fabric reinforcement material improves durability and longevity of the starter ring by preventing to coming in contact with an abrasive resistant wear component inside the stuffing box bore of the pump.
In some embodiments, the male adapter pocket dimensionally combined with proper height are the same height as a standard header ring. Such design of the male adapter pocket ensures proper alignment and equivalent industrial standard height and also allows available pressure forces to intensify the wiping effects.
In some embodiments, the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring correspond to one or more pressure rings that are interchangeable inside the pump packing assembly. The starter ring ensures that the geometric integrity of the ring is maintained, thereby, providing the consistent force required to maintain the adjacent pressure rings in a static location or position on the inside diameter of the stuffing box bore of the pump.
In some embodiments, the elastomeric material core of the starter ring provides a 360-degree spring resilience that maintains a radially outward force for the wiping pressure to prevent abrasives from annular sealing rings and from preventing inside the pump packing assembly.
According to another embodiment, a starter ring for a reciprocating plunger-type pump is disclosed. The pump is adapted to displace a fluid. The reciprocating plunger-type pump comprises a plunger reciprocally positioned with a cylindrical bore that is extending and forming a radially inwardly facing housing cylindrical surface. An annulus is formed between the housing cylindrical surface and the plunger. At least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring is positioned in the annulus. Further, a starter ring is positioned in the annulus and engaged with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring. The annular sealing ring having a high pressure end and circumscribing and slidingly engaged by the plunger and the starter ring. The starter ring has forward facing surfaces and rearward facing surfaces, the forward facing surfaces being disposed at the high pressure end of the sealing ring and the rearward facing surfaces being engaged with the annular sealing ring. The starter ring defines an opening through which the plunger extends. Further, the starter ring has a resilient body formed of a non-fabric reinforced homogeneous elastomeric material. The starter ring comprises a radially inwardly extending annular portion adjacent the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface, and an axially outwardly extending portion opposite the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface. A layer of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material is covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion. Further, 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 ring.
In some embodiments, the fabric reinforced elastomeric material provides a constant force to maintain the adjacent pressure rings in a static location or position on inside diameter of the stuffing box bore of the reciprocating plunger-type pump.
The foregoing general description of the illustrative embodiments and the following detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspects of the teachings of this disclosure and are not restrictive.
A more complete appreciation of this disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. Any person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the various boundaries' representative of the disclosed invention. It may be that in some examples of this disclosure one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In other examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon the illustrated principles.
Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which:
In an embodiment, the pump packing assembly 300 comprises a plunger (not shown) reciprocally positioned within a cylindrical bore 304. Further, the cylindrical bore 304 is configured to extend and form a radially inwardly facing housing cylindrical surface 306. Further, an annulus 308 is formed between the housing cylindrical surface 306 and the plunger. Further, in an embodiment, the pump packing assembly 300 shall comprise at least one resembling the shape of annular sealing ring 310 positioned in the annulus 308. Further, the starter ring 302 is configured to be positioned in the annulus 308 and engaged with the at least one resembling the shape of annular sealing ring 310. The starter ring 302 defines an opening through which the plunger extends. In one aspect, the opening dimensionally and/or physically shall corresponds to the cylindrical bore 304 through which the plunger extends. In some embodiments, the at least one resembling the shape of annular sealing ring 310 shall include at least two sealing rings stacked over each other towards one side of the starter ring 302.
In some embodiments, the starter ring 302 is configured to have a resilient body. The starter ring 302 comprises a radially inwardly extending annular portion adjacent to the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface 306. Further, the starter ring 302 comprises an axially outwardly extending portion opposite to the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface 306. A layer 312 of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material is configured to cover the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion.
Further, a male adapter pocket 314 shall be positioned at one side of the starter ring 302. The male adapter pocket 314 shall be configured to displace the volume of the starter ring 302 and generate a wiper force for initiating a wiping effect on the adjacent position of the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring 310. In some embodiments, the male adapter pocket 314 shall allow pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to intensify the wiping effect of the starter ring 302, and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring 310. In some embodiments, the proppants shall include fluids having solid abrasive particle that shall damage the starter ring 302 and the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring 310.
In an exemplary embodiment, the starter ring 302 comprises the male adapter pocket 314 that is grooved towards one side of the starter ring 302. Additionally, the male adapter pocket 314 is configured to receive a male adapter (not shown). The male adapter, also commonly referred to in the industry as a junk ring, is configured to nest in the male adapter pocket 314. As discussed, in an embodiment, the male adapter pocket 314 is fashioned to allow pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger of a fracking operation to intensify the wiping aspect of the starter ring 302. In some embodiments, the male adapter pocket 314 shall assure proper alignment and equivalent industrial standard height when combined with appropriate height male adapter. Such design shall allow the available pressure forces to intensify the wiping effects. Further, the starter ring 302 shall provide highly effective wiping effects to stop the proppants beneath starter ring level and therefore preventing the proppants from migrating to the sealing rings 310 and a high impingement point. In some example embodiments, the reciprocating pump is responsible for internal pressure forces inside a stuffing box bore of the pump packing assembly 300. In some embodiments, the one or more sealing rings 310 is configured to be interchangeably combined inside the pump packing assembly 300.
In some example embodiments, the starter ring 302 shall have a unique difference from the traditional industries Header Rings, as the starter ring 302 does not have a molded monolithic pedestal into the geometry and relies on atypical non-contacting (to the dynamic plunger) male adapter to first displace or redirect volume of the starter ring 302 to generate the wiper force to exclude proppants from getting past the starter ring 302. In some other example embodiments, the male adapter shall be either provided to generate the industry's standard soft set height or, in other cases, shall be longer if the soft set is to be combined with other components to make up a complete set that includes the junk rings and top adapters.
Referring to
Referring to
The fabric casing 404 shall be covered along surface of the annular body portion of the starter ring 302. In some embodiments, the fabric casing 404 shall be a layer of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion. In some embodiments, the elastomeric core 402 along with fabric casing 404 shall provide a 360-degree spring resilience/flexibility that maintains an outward force for the wiping pressure to secure the sealing ring from dithering, and prevent from the abrasive particles to coming in contact/interacting with the surface of the annular body portion of the starter ring 302. The fabric reinforcement extends the durability and longevity of the starter ring 302 inside the pump packing assembly 300.
Referring to
In some example embodiments, the starter ring 302 shall have a forward facing surfaces and rearward facing surfaces. The forward facing surfaces being disposed at the high pressure end of the sealing rings 310 and the rearward facing surfaces being engaged with the sealing rings 310.
It shall be noted that the fabric reinforced elastomeric material of the elastomeric core 402 and the fabric casing 404 provides a constant force to maintain the adjacent pressure rings in a static location or position on the inside diameter of the stuffing box bore of the pump 300. As discussed, the starter ring 302 has the male adapter pocket 314, and when the starter ring 302 is in use within the pump packing assembly 300, the male adapter pocket 314 displaces a certain volume of the starter ring 302 material. Such displacement of material creates a force that pushes against the adjacent area of the sealing rings 310. As a result, the sealing rings 310 are wiped or cleaned when in contact with the starter ring's 302 displaced material, to effectively remove any debris or contaminants from the sealing ring's 310 surface. It shall be noted that the wiping action helps maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the sealing ring, ensuring a proper seal and preventing solid particles or contaminants from reaching and potentially damaging the sealing rings 310.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. In addition, where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claim set forth here below not be construed as being order-specific unless Such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim.
This application claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/378,265 filed Oct. 4, 2022, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/459,869 filed Aug. 14, 2014 now granted, further which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/954,672 filed Jul. 30, 2013 now abandoned, and further which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/440,585, filed Apr. 5, 2012 now abandoned, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/347,207, filed Dec. 31, 2008 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/018,538 filed on Jan. 2, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63378265 | Oct 2022 | US | |
| 61018538 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14459869 | Aug 2014 | US |
| Child | 18376443 | US | |
| Parent | 13954672 | Jul 2013 | US |
| Child | 14459869 | US | |
| Parent | 13440585 | Apr 2012 | US |
| Child | 13954672 | US | |
| Parent | 12347207 | Dec 2008 | US |
| Child | 13440585 | US |
