Suction stabilizer for pump assembly

A method, comprising:

• reciprocating a plunger in a fluid end of a pump to alternatingly suction and discharge a slurry;
• passing the slurry through a manifold in fluid communication with the fluid end, wherein the manifold comprises a lower surface transverse to vertical;
• and
• alternatingly expanding and contracting a stabilizer comprising a compressible fluid in a compliant chamber defined by an expandable membrane, said expandable membrane elongated along the lower transverse surface to dampen pressure oscillations within the manifold and inhibit solids settling in the manifold;
• wherein the membrane is capable of actively applied expansion and contraction pulsations via external active pressurization and depressurization.

A method for stabilizing fluid flow in a flow conduit having a lower surface transverse to vertical in contact with the fluid, wherein the fluid contains suspended solid particles and is subject to pressure oscillations, comprising:

• positioning an expandable membrane defining a compliant chamber along the lower surface;
• inflating the membrane with a gas isolated from the fluid flow;
• and,
• alternatingly expanding and contracting the membrane to dampen the pressure oscillations and inhibit settling of the solid particles at the lower surface;
• wherein the membrane is capable of actively applied expansion and contraction pulsations via external active pressurization and depressurization.