U.S. patent application number 16/254688 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-25 for pumps.
The applicant listed for this patent is IMPACT SOLUTIONS AS. Invention is credited to Oddgeir HUSOY, Geir Kvalsund Sandnes, Terje STOKKEV G.
Application Number | 20190226477 16/254688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65657496 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-25 |
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20190226477/US20190226477A1-20190725-D00010.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190226477 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
STOKKEV G; Terje ; et
al. |
July 25, 2019 |
PUMPS
Abstract
According to an embodiment, a pump includes a power end, and a
fluid end. A sliding plate extends from the power end, and a distal
end of the sliding plate has engaging structure. The fluid end has
complementary engaging structure for slidably mating with the
engaging structure as the fluid end is raised or lowered relative
to the power end. A locking plate is provided for preventing
disengagement of the complementary engaging structure and the
engaging structure.
Inventors: |
STOKKEV G; Terje;
(Ulsteinvik, NO) ; HUSOY; Oddgeir; (Fosnavaag,
NO) ; Sandnes; Geir Kvalsund; (Tjoervaag,
NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IMPACT SOLUTIONS AS |
ULSTEINVIK |
|
NO |
|
|
Family ID: |
65657496 |
Appl. No.: |
16/254688 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62621125 |
Jan 24, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 53/22 20130101;
F04B 53/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04B 53/16 20060101
F04B053/16 |
Claims
1. A pump, comprising: a power end; a sliding plate extending from
the power end, a distal end of the sliding plate having engaging
structure; a fluid end having complementary engaging structure for
slidably mating with the engaging structure as the fluid end is
raised or lowered relative to the power end; and a locking plate
for preventing disengagement of the complementary engaging
structure and the engaging structure.
2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the locking plate includes a
fastener interacting with the fluid end, the fastener being axially
offset angularly from a direction of sliding engagement between the
complementary engaging structure and the engaging structure.
3. The pump of claim 1, wherein the power end has a crank
shaft.
4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the power end is hydraulic.
5. The pump of claim 1, wherein the engaging structure has a
generally circular cross-section.
6. The pump of claim 1, wherein the engaging structure is
vertically oriented along a height of the sliding plate.
7. The pump of claim 6, wherein the engaging structure has a
generally circular cross-section.
8. The pump of claim 6, wherein the height of the sliding plate is
substantially similar to a height of the fluid end.
9. The pump of claim 8, wherein the engaging structure interacts
with the complementary engaging structure over a distance that is
at least fifty percent as long as the height of the fluid end.
10. The pump of claim 8, wherein the engaging structure interacts
with the complementary engaging structure over a distance that is
at least eighty percent as long as the height of the fluid end.
11. The pump of claim 8, wherein the engaging structure interacts
with the complementary engaging structure over a distance that is
at least ninety percent as long as the height of the fluid end.
12. The pump of claim 1, wherein the sliding plates are formed
unitary with the power end.
13. The pump of claim 1, wherein the fluid end further comprises a
stop to limit the sliding of the fluid end relative to the sliding
plates.
14. A pump, comprising: a power end; a first plate extending from
the power end, a distal end of the plate having engaging structure;
a fluid end having complementary engaging structure for mating with
the engaging structure as the fluid end is joined to the power end;
and a suction manifold positioned to automatically engage with the
fluid end when the fluid end is moved into an operating
position.
15. The pump of claim 14, wherein the engaging structure is
vertically oriented along a height of the first plate, and wherein
the height of the first plate is substantially equal to a height of
the fluid end.
16. The pump of claim 15, wherein the engaging structure has a
generally circular cross-section.
17. The pump of claim 16, wherein the engaging structure interacts
with the complementary engaging structure over a distance that is
at least fifty percent as long as the height of the fluid end.
18. The pump of claim 14, further comprising a second plate
extending from the power end, the second plate being devoid of
engaging structure, wherein the second plate is removably fastened
to the fluid end to prevent disengagement of the complementary
engaging structure and the engaging structure.
19. A method of engaging a power end of a pump with a fluid end of
the pump, comprising: providing a power end, comprising: a sliding
plate extending from the power end, a distal end of the sliding
plate having engaging structure vertically oriented along a height
of the sliding plate and having a generally circular cross-section;
and a locking plate extending from the power end; providing a fluid
end, comprising complementary engaging structure for mating with
the engaging structure of the power end; positioning the fluid end
such that the complementary engaging structure aligns with the
engaging structure of the power end; lowering the fluid end into an
operating position, wherein in the operating position, the fluid
end slidably mates with the power end and automatically engages a
suction manifold; and installing the locking plate to the fluid
end.
20. The pump of claim 19, wherein the fluid end further comprises a
stop to limit the sliding of the fluid end relative to the sliding
plates.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/621,125 filed Jan. 24, 2018, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application relates to pumps, and more specifically, to
pumps having a unique slide-in, slide-out feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention
in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the
invention. The summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the
invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole
purpose is to present some aspects of the invention in a simplified
form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is
presented elsewhere herein.
[0004] According to an embodiment of the invention, a pump includes
a power end, and a fluid end. A sliding plate extends from the
power end, and a distal end of the sliding plate has engaging
structure. The fluid end has complementary engaging structure for
slidably mating with the engaging structure as the fluid end is
raised or lowered relative to the power end. A locking plate is
provided for preventing disengagement of the complementary engaging
structure and the engaging structure.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the invention, a pump
includes a power end and a fluid end. A first plate extends from
the power end, and a distal end of the plate has engaging
structure. The fluid end has complementary engaging structure for
mating with the engaging structure as the fluid end is joined to
the power end. A suction manifold is positioned to automatically
engage with the fluid end when the fluid end is moved into an
operating position.
[0006] According to still another embodiment of the invention, a
method of engaging a power end of a pump with a fluid end of the
pump is provided. According to the method, a power end is provided,
which includes a sliding plate extending from the power end,
wherein a distal end of the sliding plate has engaging structure
vertically oriented along a height of the sliding plate and has a
generally circular cross-section. A locking plate also extends from
the power end. The method further includes providing a fluid end,
which has complementary engaging structure for mating with the
engaging structure of the power end. The fluid end is positioned
such that the complementary engaging structure aligns with the
engaging structure of the power end, and is subsequently lowered
into an operating position. In the operating position, the fluid
end slidably mates with the power end and automatically engages a
suction manifold. Finally, the locking plate is fastened to the
fluid end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a PRIOR ART pump.
[0008] FIG. 1B is an end view of the PRIOR ART pump of FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 1C is a top view of the PRIOR ART pump of FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pump according to an
embodiment of the current invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pump of FIG. 2, shown
with a fluid end of the pump removed.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pump of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the pump of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the pump of FIG. 2, taken
along line C-C in FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an end view of the pump of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view of the pump of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIGS. 9 through 12 are exploded views of the pump of FIG.
2.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pump according to another
embodiment of the current invention.
[0019] FIG. 14 is still another perspective view of a pump
according to still another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIGS. 1A through 1C show a PRIOR ART pump 10 having a power
end 11 and a fluid end 12. The power end 11 contains a crank shaft
converting rotational forces (e.g., from a diesel engine or another
power source) into reciprocating forces, and the fluid end 12
contains pistons and valves to pressurize various fluids to
relatively high pressures. "Stay rods" or "tie rods" 15 lock the
fluid end 12 to the power end 11. Due to such factors as vibration,
stresses, and stress cycling, the prior art pump 10 may experience
problems with cracking and separation within each of the bodies,
frames, and at or near the stay rods 15, leaving the fluid end 12
and the power end 11 inadequately fixed relative to each other. In
addition, installing the stay rods 15 typically requires special
tools and training, and may be labor intensive and tedious.
[0021] FIGS. 2 through 12 show a pump 100 according to an
embodiment of the current invention. As with the prior art pump 10
the pump 100 broadly includes a power end 110 and a fluid end 120.
But the pump 100 includes plates 130 to couple the fluid end 120 to
the power end 110. More particularly, the pump 100 has a plurality
of plates 130 extending from the power end 110. The plates 130 each
have a proximal end 130a and a distal end 130b. The proximal ends
130a may be formed unitary with the power end 110, or may be
fixedly coupled to the power end 110 in any appropriate manner
(such as through welding or bolting). The distal ends 130b have
elongate engaging structure 132, with each of the engaging
structure 132 extending generally parallel to each other of the
engaging structure 132. It may be desirable for the engaging
structure 132 to extend for a distance D (FIG. 3) that is at least
fifty percent as long as a height H (FIG. 5) of the fluid end 120,
more desirable for the engaging structure 132 to extend for
distance D that is at least eighty percent as long as height H, and
even further desirable for the engaging structure 132 to extend for
distance D that is at least ninety percent as long as height H.
Nevertheless, in some embodiments, it may be satisfactory for the
engaging structure 132 to extend for distance D that is less than
fifty percent as long as height H.
[0022] As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the fluid end 120 has
complementary engaging structure 122 for interlocking with the
engaging structure 132. The complementary engaging structure 122
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is formed (i.e., cast, machined, et cetera)
in structural block 121 of the fluid end 120. In other embodiments,
the complementary engaging structure 122 may be fixedly coupled to
the structural block 121. For example, the complementary engaging
structure 122 may include a plurality of tracks that are welded,
bolted, or otherwise affixed to the structural block 121. Moreover,
while the engaging structure 132 in the embodiment 100 is male
engaging structure and the complementary engaging structure 122 in
the embodiment 100 is female engaging structure, the engaging
structure 132 may be female engaging structure and the
complementary engaging structure 122 may be male engaging structure
in other embodiments. Still further, the complementary engaging
structure may be constructed of multiple components which
collectively allow engagement. For example, both the engaging
structure 132 and the complementary engaging structure 122 may
include male engaging structure, and the complementary engaging
structure 122 may further include clamps, bolts, or other fasteners
which bind the two together. And in some embodiments, the proximal
ends 130a of the plates 130 may be fixedly coupled to the fluid end
120 and the distal ends 130b may interact with complementary
engaging structure formed in or affixed to the power end 110.
[0023] The engaging structure 132 and the complementary engaging
structure 122 has a generally circular cross section, as shown in
FIG. 6. Yet other shapes may alternately be used, such as
rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, oval, and semi-circular shapes.
And while each of the plates 130 is shown having an equivalent
length such that the engaging structure 132 is aligned in plane 133
(FIG. 6), the lengths of the plates 130 may vary so long as the
complementary engaging structure 122 aligns with the respective
engaging structure 132.
[0024] Locking plates 140 couple the power end 110 to the fluid end
120 and prevent disengagement of the engaging structure 132 and the
complementary engaging structure 122. As shown, for example, in
FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, fasteners 141 (e.g., bolts, screws, welding, et
cetera) may affix the locking plates 140 to the power end 110 and
to the fluid end 120. It may be particularly desirable for the
fasteners 141 to be axially offset angularly from a direction of
sliding engagement between the engaging structure 132 and the
complementary engaging structure 122, though some embodiments may
not include such a configuration. In the embodiment 100, the
fasteners 141 are axially offset generally perpendicularly from a
direction of sliding engagement, though other angles may
alternately be used. And in some embodiments, the locking plates
140 may be formed unitary with either the power end 110 or the
fluid end 120.
[0025] To assemble the fluid end 120 to the power end 110, the
plates 130 are coupled to the power end 110 or formed unitary with
the power end 110. The fluid end 120 is positioned (e.g., using a
hoist) such that the complementary engaging structure 122 is
aligned with the engaging structure 132, and the fluid end 120 is
then lowered with the complementary engaging structure 122
slidingly engaging the engaging structure 132. As the fluid end 120
moves to the desired location relative to the power end 110, the
fluid end 120 may interact with suction manifold 150 and pretension
the suction gaskets of the manifold 150. The locking plates 140 are
then installed using the fasteners 141. The fluid end 120 may
include at least one stop 128 to prevent further sliding of the
fluid end 120 relative to the plates 130, and to help indicate when
the fluid end 120 is in the correct location for the fasteners 141
to be installed; this may be a redundant (though in some cases
desirable) feature. The stop 128 is shown in FIG. 8 as a layer of
the structural block 121 without the complementary engaging
structure 122, but the stop 128 may take other forms as well. The
fluid end 120 may subsequently be separated from the power end 110
(e.g., for maintenance) using a reverse sequence: the fasteners 141
and the locking plates 140 are removed to allow sliding between the
engaging structure 132 and the complementary engaging structure
122, the fluid end 120 is lifted (e.g., with a hoist) so that the
complementary engaging structure 122 slides relative to the
engaging structure 132 and the fluid end 120 separates from the
sliding plates 130 and the suction manifold 150.
[0026] The power end 110 shown in embodiment 100 is hydraulically
driven and foregoes the crankshaft in the traditional power end 11.
This may help reduce vibration and cracking, and the use of the
plates 130 in conjunction with the hydraulic power end 110 may be
synergistic and together offer even superior and unexpected
results. Nevertheless, the plates 130 and the other disclosed
structure may be used with traditional (rotating) power ends 11 and
achieve results superior to the prior art system 10. And the
hydraulic driven power end 110 may be used with the stay rods 15
(as shown, for example in FIG. 13) and achieve results superior to
the prior art system 10.
[0027] In the embodiment 100, the power end 110 has double acting
cylinders supporting opposing fluid ends 120, although those of
skill in the art shall understand that such a pump configuration is
not necessary, and that the power end 110 may include only single
acting cylinders supporting one fluid end 120. Nevertheless, in
embodiment 100, the locking plates 140 and sliding plates 130 are
shown as separate plates (e.g., FIG. 2) that extend in either
direction between the power end 110 and the respective fluid end
120.
[0028] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment 200 which is substantially
similar to embodiment 100, except as is shown and described or as
would be inherent. Here, the end plates 240 and the sliding plates
230 are single plates extending from one fluid end 220 to the
other. The end plates 240 are otherwise substantially similar to
end plates 140. Similarly, the sliding plates 230 are substantially
similar to sliding plates 130, and may include engaging structure
for engaging with the respective fluid ends 220 as is described
herein.
[0029] Many different arrangements of the various components
depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with the
intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative
embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that
do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop
alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It will
be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of
utility and may be employed without reference to other features and
subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the
claims. The specific configurations and contours set forth in the
accompanying drawings are illustrative and not limiting.
* * * * *