Back to results
US 12,460,630 B2Granted
Valve assemblies, valve assemblies for use with downhole pumps and related methods
AssigneeChampionX LLC
InventorsRamamurthy Narasimhan, Juan Felipe Correa Pugliese, Riyadh Salloom, Randy De Werff, Bradley C. Rogers, Jimmy Kemp, Matthew Bishop
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Valve assemblies and related pumps and methods may include an insert disposed in an internal flow path of a casing where an outer surface of the insert is fixedly engaged with an inner surface the casing with fluid sealing. The insert includes protrusions, each individually extending into the internal flow path of the casing and converging at an apex of the insert to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path.
Claims20
A valve assembly comprising:
- a restriction element;
- a casing defining an internal flow path through the casing, the casing comprising at least one axial connection for connecting with a component of a fluid-handling device;
- an insert disposed in the internal flow path through the casing, an outer surface of the insert being fixedly engaged with an inner surface the casing, the insert comprising at least three axially extending protrusions, each of the at least three axially extending protrusions individually extending inward into the internal flow path of the casing and converging at an apex of the insert to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path, wherein the at least three axially extending protrusions each exhibit a curved profile that extends inward in a radial direction to meet at the apex, the apex extending through a longitudinal axis of the insert and configured to obstruct the internal flow path at the longitudinal axis, the at least three axially extending protrusions defining laterally inward openings positioned about the apex, and wherein the at least three axially extending protrusions have a lateral width extending along a circumference of the insert that gradually reduces along substantially an entire length as the at least three axially extending protrusions extend in a longitudinal direction along a spiral path toward the apex;
- and
- a seat positioned opposite to the apex of the insert to contain the restriction element in the insert, the at least three axially extending protrusions exhibiting a diameter at the apex that is less than an internal diameter of the seat;
- wherein:
- in an open position, the restriction element is configured to be displaced toward the apex of the insert to enable fluid flow through the internal flow path and through the laterally inward openings defined between the at least three axially extending protrusions;
- and
- in a closed position, the restriction element is configured to engage with the seat to restrict fluid flow through the internal flow path.
6 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a restriction element;
- a casing defining an internal flow path through the casing, the casing comprising at least one axial connection for connecting with a component of a fluid-handling device;
- an insert disposed in the internal flow path through the casing, an outer surface of the insert being fixedly engaged with an inner surface the casing, the insert comprising at least three axially extending protrusions, each of the at least three axially extending protrusions individually extending along a longitudinal axis of the insert inward into the internal flow path of the casing and converging at an apex of the insert to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path, the apex extending through the longitudinal axis and configured to obstruct the internal flow path along the longitudinal axis, the at least three axially extending protrusions at least partially defining laterally inward quartic lima bean-shaped openings positioned about the apex;
- and
- a seat positioned opposite to the apex of the insert to contain the restriction element in the insert;
- wherein:
- in an open position, the restriction element is configured to be displaced toward the apex of the insert to enable fluid flow through the internal flow path and through the laterally inward quartic lima bean-shaped openings defined between the at least three axially extending protrusions;
- and
- in a closed position, the restriction element is configured to engage with the seat to restrict fluid flow through the internal flow path.
6 more elements
A valve assembly comprising:
- a restriction element;
- a casing defining an internal flow path through the casing, the casing comprising at least one axial connection for connecting with a component of a fluid-handling device;
- an insert disposed in the internal flow path through the casing, an outer surface of the insert being fixedly engaged with an inner surface the casing, the insert comprising at least three axially extending protrusions, each of the at least three axially extending protrusions individually extending inward into the internal flow path of the casing and converging with at least another of the at least three axially extending protrusions at an apex of the insert to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path;
- and
- a base ring including scallop cutouts leading into laterally inward quartic lima bean-shaped openings defined between the at least three axially extending protrusions, the scallop cutouts configured to provide a relatively larger volume for diverging fluid flow;
- wherein:
- in an open position, the restriction element is configured to be displaced toward the apex of the insert to enable fluid flow through the internal flow path and through the laterally inward quartic lima bean-shaped openings exhibiting a non-circular and a non-oval cross section defined between the at least three axially extending protrusions;
- and
- in a closed position, the restriction element is configured to restrict fluid flow through the internal flow path.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.