Lightweight, Lattice Structure Horsehead for Reciprocating Pump Unit
AssigneeTRC Services, Inc.
InventorsDarius J. Yakimchuk, Brent W. Pickens, Robert G. McDonald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A horsehead is used on a walking beam of a reciprocating pump unit. The horsehead includes side plates, a face, tabs, and brace plates. The side plates are spaced apart, and the face affixed to front, arced edges of the side plates. The face defines a split therein extending from a bottom end toward a top end, and the tabs are affixed to the face across the split. The face thereby defines two runner surfaces. A fixture at the top end of the face can be used for connection to a bridle of the pump unit. The brace plates are connected in the space between the side plates and are arranged in a lattice structure. Preferably, the brace plates include cutouts to reduce weight.
Claims25
A horsehead for use on a walking beam of a reciprocating pump unit, the horsehead comprising:
- side plates disposed adjacent to one another with a space therebetween, each of the side plates having a front edge and a back edge;
- a face affixed to the front edges of the side plates and having a top end and a bottom end, the face defining a split therein extending from the bottom end toward the top end;
- a plurality of tabs affixed to the face across the split;
- and
- brace plates connected in the space between the side plates and being arranged in a lattice structure.
A reciprocating pump unit, comprising:
- arms configured to translate on the reciprocating pump unit;
- an equalizer bar hingedly connected to the arms;
- a walking beam mounted to pivot on the reciprocating pump unit;
- and
- a horsehead mounted on the walking beam, the horsehead comprising:
- side plates disposed adjacent to one another with a space therebetween and having front edges;
- a face affixed to the front edges of the side plates and having a top end and a bottom end, the face defining a split therein extending from the bottom end toward the top end;
- a plurality of tabs affixed to the face across the split;
- and
- brace plates connected in the space between the side plates and being arranged in a lattice structure.
A method of fabricating horsehead for use on a walking beam of a reciprocating pump unit, the method comprising, not necessarily in sequence:
- forming side plates each having a front edge and a back edge;
- forming a face having a top end and a bottom end, the face defining a split therein extending from the bottom end toward the top end;
- forming brace plates;
- affixing the face to the front edges of the side plates;
- affixing a plurality of tabs to the face across the split;
- and
- affixing the brace plates in a lattice structure in a space between the side plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.