Methods of use for a positive displacement pump having an externally assisted valve

A method for operating at least one pump in a pump assembly, comprising:

• providing a pump assembly comprising a fluid end and a power end, the fluid end in communication with a fluid source and at least one downstream destination and comprising a pump housing defining a plurality of cylinders each pressurizable by a piston driven by the power end, at least a pair of valves for controlling fluid communication to and from the cylinders, the valves defining a normal duration of controlling fluid communication with the chamber during operation of the pump assembly, the fluid end;
• providing a valve actuation guide external to the chamber, the valve actuation guide coupled to at least one of the valves and operable to assist in controlling fluid communication with the chamber;
• operating the pump assembly;
• and
• actuating the valve actuation guide to change an aspect of the valve duration and change an operating property of the pump assembly so as to create a pressure pulse utilized for sending a telemetric pressure signal to the at least one downstream destination.

A method for operating at least one pump in a pump assembly, comprising:

• providing a pump assembly, the pump assembly comprising:
• a fluid end in communication with a fluid source and at least one downstream destination and comprising a pump housing defining a plurality of cylinders, and at least one suction valve and one discharge valve for controlling fluid communication to and from the cylinders, and a piston disposed in the cylinders for pressurizing the cylinders;
• and
• a power end for driving the pistons, the suction and discharge valves defining a normal duration of controlling fluid communication with the cylinder during operation of the pump assembly;
• providing a valve actuation guide external to at least one of the cylinders, the valve actuation guide coupled to one of the suction valve and the discharge valve and operable to assist in controlling fluid communication with the cylinder;
• operating the pump assembly;
• and
• actuating the valve actuation guide to change an aspect of the valve duration so as to create a pressure pulse utilized for sending a telemetric pressure signal to the at least one downstream destination.