Bellows system for fluid end
AssigneeKerr Machine Co.
InventorsKelcy Jake Foster, Mark S. Nowell, Guy J. Lapointe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid end with an internal bellows can be used in high pressure environments. The bellows is disposed within a plunger bore, and has an interior isolated from a working chamber of the fluid end. An end of a plunger is received in the interior of the bellows. The bellows contains an incompressible fluid at a constant volume. As the plunger extends into the interior of the bellows, the fluid it contains is displaced. Such fluid displacement causes the bellows to extend. As the plunger is retracted, the fluid replaces the volume formerly displaced by the plunger, and causes the bellows to accordion to a retracted position.
Claims21
A fluid end comprising:
- a body having an external surface and a plunger bore disposed therein, the plunger bore opening at the external surface;
- a plunger having a first end, in which the first end is disposed within the plunger bore;
- a stuffing sleeve abutting the body within the plunger bore;
- a retainer nut disposed within the plunger bore, the retainer nut being at least partially surrounded by the stuffing sleeve;
- and
- a bellows having an interior separated from its exterior, the bellows situated within the plunger bore and at least partially surrounding the plunger.
A fluid end comprising:
- a body having a plunger bore and a working chamber disposed at a first end of the plunger bore;
- and
- a kit, comprising:
- a retainer nut having a centrally disposed opening extending therethrough;
- a stuffing sleeve having a centrally disposed opening extending therethrough;
- an elongate plunger receivable through the opening of the retainer nut and the opening of the stuffing sleeve;
- and
- a bellows;
- in which the retainer nut extends within and encloses a second end of the plunger bore, the plunger extends through the opening of the retainer nut and the opening of the stuffing sleeve, the stuffing sleeve is disposed within the plunger bore and abutting the retainer nut, and the bellows envelops the plunger;
- wherein the retaining nut defines a fluid passage in communication with an interior of the bellows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.