Valve assembly for a fluid pump
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsDaryl James Belshan, David T. Figgs, Justin Poehls
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve assembly may include a first valve having a central opening and a guide element connected within the central opening. The valve assembly may include a second valve having a valve stem extending through the guide element to define a protruding portion of the valve stem, and a spring retainer on the protruding portion of the valve stem. The valve assembly may include a spring disposed between the spring retainer and the guide element. The spring may be configured to bias both the first valve and the second valve.
Claims20
A valve cartridge for a fluid pump, comprising:
- a cartridge housing;
- a fluid cavity defined in the cartridge housing;
- a suction valve assembly, comprising:
- a suction valve, configured to control flow into the fluid cavity, having an annular shape defining a central opening, a perimeter edge, and a sealing surface sloped inwardly from the perimeter edge to the central opening;
- a guide element connected within the central opening;
- and
- a plurality of axial guide portions, projecting from the suction valve away from the fluid cavity, configured to slide along a surface to guide opening and closing of the suction valve;
- a discharge valve configured to control flow out from the fluid cavity, the discharge valve having a valve stem extending through the guide element to define a protruding portion of the valve stem, and a spring retainer on the protruding portion of the valve stem;
- and
- a spring disposed between the spring retainer and the guide element, the spring configured to bias both the suction valve and the discharge valve to closed positions.
A valve assembly for a fluid end of a hydraulic fracturing pump, comprising:
- a first valve assembly, comprising:
- a first valve having an annular shape defining a central opening, a perimeter edge, and a sealing surface sloped inwardly from the perimeter edge to the central opening;
- a guide element connected within the central opening;
- and
- a plurality of axial guide legs configured to slide along a surface to guide opening and closing of the first valve;
- a second valve assembly, comprising:
- a second valve having a valve stem extending through the guide element to define a protruding portion of the valve stem;
- and
- a spring retainer on the protruding portion of the valve stem;
- and
- a spring disposed between the spring retainer and the guide element, the spring configured to bias both the first valve and the second valve, wherein the plurality of axial guide legs extend from the first valve away from the second valve.
A hydraulic fracturing pump, comprising:
- a fluid end having a fluid end block with a bore, and a plunger configured to reciprocate with respect to the bore;
- a power end operably connected to the plunger;
- and
- a valve cartridge, configured for insertion into and removal from the bore as a unit, comprising:
- a cartridge housing;
- a fluid cavity defined in the cartridge housing;
- and
- a valve assembly configured to control flow through the fluid cavity, wherein the valve assembly comprises:
- a first valve assembly, comprising:
- a first valve having an annular shape defining a central opening, a perimeter edge, and a sealing surface sloped inwardly from the perimeter edge to the central opening;
- a guide element connected within the central opening;
- and
- a plurality of axial guide portions, projecting from the first valve away from the fluid cavity, configured to slide along a surface to guide opening and closing of the first valve;
- a second valve assembly, comprising:
- a second valve having a valve stem extending through the guide element to define a protruding portion of the valve stem;
- and
- a spring retainer on the protruding portion of the valve stem;
- and
- a spring disposed between the spring retainer and the guide element, the spring configured to bias both the first valve and the second valve to closed positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.