A fluid end assembly comprising a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each section comprises a housing containing a reciprocating plunger. One and only one packing seal is installed within the housing and surrounds and engages an outer surface of the plunger. A retainer compresses and holds the packing seal within the housing. The retainer is secured to the housing using a clamp, such that no threads are formed in the housing of the fluid end section and no threads are formed in the retainer.

This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling the flow of molten metal alloys and, in particular, to a method to finely control the delivery rate of liquid aluminum alloys and the liquid fraction of semi-solid aluminum alloys. The apparatus and method described herein provide for the pumping of liquid metal alloys in a precise and controlled manner. By controlling the heat flow through a section of the pump piston, the pump chamber, the porous liner of the pump chamber and the metal alloy charge, the present invention provides a means to deliver liquid metal alloys at high pressure through one or more exit ports.

This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling the flow of molten metal alloys and, in particular, to a method to finely control the delivery rate of liquid aluminum alloys and the liquid fraction of semi-solid aluminum alloys. The apparatus and method described herein provide for the pumping of liquid metal alloys in a precise and controlled manner. By controlling the heat flow through a section of the pump piston, the pump chamber, the porous liner of the pump chamber and the metal alloy charge, the present invention provides a means to deliver liquid metal alloys at high pressure through one or more exit ports.

A packing assembly includes a packing sleeve having a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion, wherein a first sleeve portion outer diameter is larger than a second sleeve portion outer diameter and a first sleeve portion inner diameter is larger than a second sleeve portion inner diameter. The packing assembly also includes a groove formed in the second sleeve portion outer diameter. The packing assembly further includes a shoulder formed at a transition between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. The packing assembly includes a shelf formed at the transition between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. The packing assembly also includes a plurality of packing components arranged within the first sleeve portion inner diameter, at least a portion of the plurality of packing components engaging the shelf. The packing assembly further includes a seal positioned within the groove.

A packing assembly includes a packing sleeve having a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion, wherein a first sleeve portion outer diameter is larger than a second sleeve portion outer diameter and a first sleeve portion inner diameter is larger than a second sleeve portion inner diameter. The packing assembly also includes a groove formed in the second sleeve portion outer diameter. The packing assembly further includes a shoulder formed at a transition between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. The packing assembly includes a shelf formed at the transition between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. The packing assembly also includes a plurality of packing components arranged within the first sleeve portion inner diameter, at least a portion of the plurality of packing components engaging the shelf. The packing assembly further includes a seal positioned within the groove.

Provided are stomach simulating devices and methods for simulating a stomach. Stomach simulating devices can comprise a bag-shaped conduit, a mechanical constrictor, and a valve. The conduit can have a body portion, a first diameter at an inlet portion, and a second diameter at an outlet portion, wherein the first diameter at the inlet portion is greater than the second diameter at the outlet portion, the body portion is located between the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and at least a portion of the conduit is curved in a direction from the inlet portion the outlet portion. The mechanical constrictor can he configured to constrict at least a portion of the body portion of the conduit. The valve can be configured to at least partially close a portion of the conduit closer to the outlet portion than the inlet portion of the conduit.

The invention relates to pressure transfer device, system comprising the pressure transfer device, a fleet comprising the system and use of a pressure transfer device for pumping fluid at pressures above 500 bars, the pressure transfer device (1′, 1″) comprising a pressure chamber housing (1′, 1″) and at least one connection port (3′, 3″), the at least one connection port (3′, 3″) being connectable to a dual acting pressure boosting liquid partition device (2) via fluid communication means (26′, 27′; 26″, 27″), the pressure chamber housing comprises: - a pressure cavity (4′, 4″) inside the pressure chamber housing, and at least a first port (5′, 5″) for inlet and/or outlet of fluid to the pressure cavity (4′, 4″), - a bellows (6′, 6″) defining an inner volume (7′, 7″) inside the pressure cavity (4′, 4″), and wherein the inner volume (7′, 7″) is in fluid communication with the connection port (3′, 3″), wherein the pressure cavity (4′, 4″) has a center axis (C′, C″) with an axial length (L) defined by the distance between the connection port (3′, 3″) and the first port (5′, 5″) and a varying cross sectional area over at least a part of the axial length (L), and wherein the bellows (6′, 6″) is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel with the center axis (C′, C″) over a part of the axial length (L) of the pressure cavity (4′, 4″).

The invention relates to pressure transfer device, system comprising the pressure transfer device, a fleet comprising the system and use of a pressure transfer device for pumping fluid at pressures above 500 bars, the pressure transfer device (1′, 1″) comprising a pressure chamber housing (1′, 1″) and at least one connection port (3′, 3″), the at least one connection port (3′, 3″) being connectable to a dual acting pressure boosting liquid partition device (2) via fluid communication means (26′, 27′; 26″, 27″), the pressure chamber housing comprises: - a pressure cavity (4′, 4″) inside the pressure chamber housing, and at least a first port (5′, 5″) for inlet and/or outlet of fluid to the pressure cavity (4′, 4″), - a bellows (6′, 6″) defining an inner volume (7′, 7″) inside the pressure cavity (4′, 4″), and wherein the inner volume (7′, 7″) is in fluid communication with the connection port (3′, 3″), wherein the pressure cavity (4′, 4″) has a center axis (C′, C″) with an axial length (L) defined by the distance between the connection port (3′, 3″) and the first port (5′, 5″) and a varying cross sectional area over at least a part of the axial length (L), and wherein the bellows (6′, 6″) is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel with the center axis (C′, C″) over a part of the axial length (L) of the pressure cavity (4′, 4″).

A piston (1) comprising a first portion (10) suitable for coupling with an actuator member (53) and a second portion (20) made of ceramic material suitable for sliding in a cylinder (51). The first portion (10) and the second portion (20) are axially connected along a longitudinal axis (L) of the piston (1). The second portion (20) has an elongated shape along the longitudinal axis (L) of the piston (1), with an interface base (21) proximal to the first portion (10) and a free base (23) distal from the first portion (10). Moreover, the free base (23) is closed and entirely defines a piston crown.

A precision volumetric pump with a bellows hermetic seal provides compliance time performance comparable to a conventional pump having a dynamic seal. However, the precision volumetric pump with a bellows hermetic seal is enabled to operate over a very long service life with minimal or no maintenance without a propensity to develop leaks over the long service life.