Flexible manifold for reciprocating pump

A pump comprising:

• a pump fluid end having a reciprocating element bore;
• a hollow, cylindrical reciprocating element having a front end opposite a fluid intake end;
• a hollow reciprocating element adapter comprising a first end having a fluid inlet opposite a second end having a fluid outlet, wherein the second end of the reciprocating element adapter is connected to and in fluid communication with the fluid intake end of the reciprocating element;
• a pump power end having a crankshaft and a push rod connected to the first end of the reciprocating element adapter, the pump power end operable to reciprocate the reciprocating element in the reciprocating element bore of the pump fluid end, wherein the pump fluid end and the pump power end are separated by a minimum spacing distance;
• a packing assembly comprising a packing screw, a packing carrier, and a packing, wherein the packing screw, the packing carrier, and the packing are each cylindrical and have a width measured along a central axis thereof that is less than the minimum spacing distance;
• and
• a movable manifold comprising a reciprocating element end and a fluid intake end, wherein the reciprocating element end of the movable manifold is connected to and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the reciprocating element adapter, whereby the reciprocating element end of the movable manifold moves in a same axial direction as the reciprocating element during reciprocation of the reciprocating element in alternating directions along a path within the reciprocating element bore of the bore-pump fluid end, and wherein the fluid intake end of the movable manifold is configured for connection to and fluid communication with a stationary fluid manifold such that fluid can be introduced into the movable manifold via the stationary fluid manifold and the fluid intake end of the movable manifold,
• wherein the minimum spacing distance is an axial distance measured along the central axis between a back of the pump fluid end and a front end of the reciprocating element adapter when the crankshaft is at top dead center (TDC).

A pump comprising:

• a pump fluid end having a reciprocating element bore;
• a hollow, cylindrical reciprocating element having a front end opposite a fluid intake end;
• a hollow reciprocating element adapter comprising a reciprocating element clamp end having a fluid inlet opposite a reciprocating element end having a fluid outlet, wherein the reciprocating element end of the reciprocating element adapter is connected to and in fluid communication with the fluid intake end of the reciprocating element;
• a power end having a push rod connected to the reciprocating element adapter via a reciprocating element clamp, the power end operable to reciprocate the reciprocating element in the reciprocating element bore of the bore pump fluid end,
• wherein the reciprocating element clamp couples the reciprocating element clamp end of the reciprocating element adapter with a reciprocating element clamp end of the pushrod of the power end and wherein the reciprocating element clamp is configured for concentric or non-concentric mating between the reciprocating element clamp end of the reciprocating element adaptor and the reciprocating element clamp end of the pushrod;
• and
• a movable manifold comprising a reciprocating element end and a fluid intake end, wherein the reciprocating element end of the movable manifold is connected to and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the reciprocating element adapter, whereby the reciprocating element end of the movable manifold moves in a same axial direction as the reciprocating element during reciprocation of the reciprocating element in alternating directions along a path within the reciprocating element bore of the pump fluid end, and wherein the fluid intake end of the movable manifold is configured for connection to and fluid communication with a stationary fluid manifold such that fluid can be introduced into the movable manifold via the stationary fluid manifold and the fluid intake end of the movable manifold.