STARTER RING FOR RECIPROCATING PLUNGER PUMP

Abstract

A starter ring for a pump packing assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises an annular portion adjacent to an opening of a housing cylindrical surface. An axially outwardly extending portion opposite the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface. Layers of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion. A male adapter pocket is positioned at one side of the starter ring and configured to displace the volume of the starter ring and to generate a wiper force for initiating a wiping effect on the adjacent position of the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring. The male adapter pocket allows pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to intensify the wiping effect of the starter ring, and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing.

Claims

1. A starter ring for a pump packing assembly, the assembly comprising: a plunger reciprocally positioned within a cylindrical bore that is extending and forming a radially inwardly facing housing cylindrical surface, and an annulus is formed between the housing cylindrical surface and the plunger; at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring positioned in the annulus; and a starter ring positioned in the annulus and engaged with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring, wherein the starter ring defines an opening through which the plunger extends, and wherein the starter ring has a resilient body comprising: a radially inwardly extending annular portion adjacent the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface; an axially outwardly extending portion opposite the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface; and a layer of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion; a male adapter pocket positioned at one side of the starter ring and configured to displace the volume of the starter ring and to generate a wiper force for initiating a wiping effect on the adjacent position of the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring, wherein the male adapter pocket allows pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to intensify the wiping effect of the starter ring, and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric reinforced elastomeric material is selected from a group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring correspond to one or more pressure rings that are interchangeable inside the pump packing assembly.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the one or more pressure rings are maintained in a static location within an inner diameter of the pump packing assembly by the starter ring.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the starter ring and the male adapter are dimensionally combined with proper height are the same height as a standard header ring.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material core of the starter ring provides a 360-degree spring resilience that maintains a radially outward force for the wiping pressure to prevent abrasives from annular sealing rings from dithering inside the pump packing assembly.

7. A starter ring for a reciprocating plunger-type pump, the pump adapted to displace a fluid, comprising: a plunger reciprocally positioned with a cylindrical bore that is extending and forming a radially inwardly facing housing cylindrical surface, and an annulus is formed between the housing cylindrical surface and the plunger; at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring positioned in the annulus; and a starter ring positioned in the annulus and engaged with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring, the annular sealing ring having a high pressure end and circumscribing and slidingly engaged by the plunger and the starter ring; wherein the starter ring has forward facing surfaces and rearward facing surfaces, the forward facing surfaces being disposed at the high pressure end of the sealing ring and the rearward facing surfaces being engaged with the annular sealing ring, wherein the starter ring defines an opening through which the plunger extends, and wherein the starter ring has a resilient body formed of a non-fabric reinforced homogeneous elastomeric material, comprising: a radially inwardly extending annular portion adjacent the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface; an axially outwardly extending portion opposite the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface; and a layer of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion; a male adapter pocket positioned at one side of the starter ring and configured to displace the volume of the starter ring and to generate a wiper force for initiating a wiping effect on the adjacent position of the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring, wherein the male adapter pocket allows pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to intensify the wiping effect of the starter ring, and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring.

8. The starter ring for a reciprocating plunger-type pump of claim 7, wherein the fabric reinforced elastomeric material provides a constant force to maintain the adjacent pressure rings in a static location or position on inside diameter of the stuffing box bore of the reciprocating plunger-type pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] A more complete appreciation of this disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art header ring prior to installation;

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view, partly in section, of a sealing assembly according to the prior art header ring in a stuffing box of a plunger pump;

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the starter ring coupled with a pump packing assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the starter ring, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] FIGS. 4B-4C illustrate front cross-sectional views of the starter ring, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. Any person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the various boundaries' representative of the disclosed invention. It may be that in some examples of this disclosure one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In other examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon the illustrated principles.

[0036] Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a prior art header ring prior to installation. The header ring 100 comprises distinct components, including an annular body portion 102, an annular axially extending pedestal 104, an annular axially extending bead 106 located distally from the pedestal 104, and a radially inwardly facing annularly extending sealing lip 108. The annular body portion 102, the annular axially extending pedestal 104, the annular axially extending bead 106, and the radially inwardly facing annularly extending sealing lip 108 are primarily constructed from an elastomeric material. However, a segment of the pedestal 104 that forms the radially inwardly facing cylindrical surface 110, and a segment of the sealing lip 108, contributing to a portion of sealing surface 112, consist of a layer of reinforced elastomeric material firmly adhered to the elastomeric composition of the remaining header ring 100.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view, partly in section, of a sealing assembly 200 according to the prior art header ring in a stuffing box 202 of a plunger pump. The stuffing box 202, in an embodiment comprises a housing 204 with a cylindrical bore 206. The cylindrical bore 206 extends through the housing 204, delineating a cylindrical surface 208. The housing 204 includes a shoulder portion 210. A plunger 212 is positioned within the cylindrical bore 206 in a reciprocating manner. The sealing assembly 200 comprises an annular gland 214, an annular header ring 216, a first annular seal ring 218, and a second annular seal ring 220. Furthermore, the sealing assembly 200 encompasses a top annular adaptor ring 222 and an annular bushing 224. Notably, the header ring 100 assumes the role of a wiper ring at a high-pressure end of the sealing assembly 200, primarily serving to prevent the ingress of abrasives or solids into the region occupied by the first annular seal ring 218, and the second annular seal ring 220, thereby mitigating excessive wear on the seal rings. However, the first annular seal ring 218, and the second annular seal ring 220 fail to prevent the header ring 100 from getting damaged by the effect of continuous reciprocating motion of the plunger 212 within the cylindrical bore 206 which also damages the seal rings 218 and 220.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a pump packing assembly 300 coupled to a starter ring 302, according to one or more embodiments. FIGS. 4A-4C are described in conjunction with FIG. 3.

[0040] In an embodiment, the pump packing assembly 300 comprises a plunger (not shown) reciprocally positioned within a cylindrical bore 304. Further, the cylindrical bore 304 is configured to extend and form a radially inwardly facing housing cylindrical surface 306. Further, an annulus 308 is formed between the housing cylindrical surface 306 and the plunger. Further, in an embodiment, the pump packing assembly 300 shall comprise at least one resembling the shape of annular sealing ring 310 positioned in the annulus 308. Further, the starter ring 302 is configured to be positioned in the annulus 308 and engaged with the at least one resembling the shape of annular sealing ring 310. The starter ring 302 defines an opening through which the plunger extends. In one aspect, the opening dimensionally and/or physically shall corresponds to the cylindrical bore 304 through which the plunger extends. In some embodiments, the at least one resembling the shape of annular sealing ring 310 shall include at least two sealing rings stacked over each other towards one side of the starter ring 302.

[0041] In some embodiments, the starter ring 302 is configured to have a resilient body. The starter ring 302 comprises a radially inwardly extending annular portion adjacent to the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface 306. Further, the starter ring 302 comprises an axially outwardly extending portion opposite to the opening and engaged with the housing cylindrical surface 306. A layer 312 of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material is configured to cover the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion.

[0042] Further, a male adapter pocket 314 shall be positioned at one side of the starter ring 302. The male adapter pocket 314 shall be configured to displace the volume of the starter ring 302 and generate a wiper force for initiating a wiping effect on the adjacent position of the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring 310. In some embodiments, the male adapter pocket 314 shall allow pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to intensify the wiping effect of the starter ring 302, and exclude proppants from coming in contact with the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring 310. In some embodiments, the proppants shall include fluids having solid abrasive particle that shall damage the starter ring 302 and the at least one resembling shape of annular sealing ring 310.

[0043] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate cross-sectional views of the starter ring 302 for the pump packing assembly 300, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the starter ring 302 comprises the male adapter pocket 314 that is grooved towards one side of the starter ring 302. Additionally, the male adapter pocket 314 is configured to receive a male adapter (not shown). The male adapter, also commonly referred to in the industry as a junk ring, is configured to nest in the male adapter pocket 314. As discussed, in an embodiment, the male adapter pocket 314 is fashioned to allow pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger of a fracking operation to intensify the wiping aspect of the starter ring 302. In some embodiments, the male adapter pocket 314 shall assure proper alignment and equivalent industrial standard height when combined with appropriate height male adapter. Such design shall allow the available pressure forces to intensify the wiping effects. Further, the starter ring 302 shall provide highly effective wiping effects to stop the proppants beneath starter ring level and therefore preventing the proppants from migrating to the sealing rings 310 and a high impingement point. In some example embodiments, the reciprocating pump is responsible for internal pressure forces inside a stuffing box bore of the pump packing assembly 300. In some embodiments, the one or more sealing rings 310 is configured to be interchangeably combined inside the pump packing assembly 300.

[0045] In some example embodiments, the starter ring 302 shall have a unique difference from the traditional industries Header Rings, as the starter ring 302 does not have a molded monolithic pedestal into the geometry and relies on atypical non-contacting (to the dynamic plunger) male adapter to first displace or redirect volume of the starter ring 302 to generate the wiper force to exclude proppants from getting past the starter ring 302. In some other example embodiments, the male adapter shall be either provided to generate the industry's standard soft set height or, in other cases, shall be longer if the soft set is to be combined with other components to make up a complete set that includes the junk rings and top adapters.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 4B-4C, the starter ring 302 shall comprise an elastomeric core 402 encased within a fabric casing 404. The fabric casing 404 shall be molded over the elastomeric core 402. In some embodiments, the fabric casing 404 shall be woven or weaved prior to the molding over the elastomeric core 402 for the purposes of resisting the abrasion and wear that creates volume loss. Further, the male adapter pocket 314 shall be compression molded when the fabric casing 404 and the elastomeric core 402 are assembled and then bonded together to make the starter ring 302. The elastomeric core 402 encased within fabric casing 404 shall withstand abrasive forces and internal pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5B, the fabric casing 404 shall have a nipple 406 that shall be compression molded towards other end of the starter ring 302. It shall be noted that the nipple 406 shall correspond to an annular bead of the starter ring 302 and shall be nested in annular extending axially facing grooves of the sealing rings 310. The nipple 406 shall provide a proper coupling of the starter ring 302 with the sealing rings 310. Further, fabric casing 404 shall have landing features 408 on either side of the nipple 406. The landing features 408 shall provide positive nesting to the sealing rings 310. It will be apparent that the combination of elements and their dimensions shall vary according to requirements for installation purposes.

[0048] The fabric casing 404 shall be covered along surface of the annular body portion of the starter ring 302. In some embodiments, the fabric casing 404 shall be a layer of a fabric reinforced elastomeric material covering the radially inwardly extending annular portion and the axially outwardly extending portion. In some embodiments, the elastomeric core 402 along with fabric casing 404 shall provide a 360-degree spring resilience/flexibility that maintains an outward force for the wiping pressure to secure the sealing ring from dithering, and prevent from the abrasive particles to coming in contact/interacting with the surface of the annular body portion of the starter ring 302. The fabric reinforcement extends the durability and longevity of the starter ring 302 inside the pump packing assembly 300.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4A, the male adapter pocket 314 shall be positioned on the underside of the starter ring 302, serving to displace the starter ring's 302 volume. Such displacement generates the wiper force that initiates the wiping action on the adjacent portion of the sealing rings 310. In some embodiments, the male adapter pocket 314 shall allow pressure forces from the reciprocating plunger to enhance the wiping effect of the starter ring 302 and prevent solids from making contact with the sealing rings 310. It shall be noted that the wiper force refers to a force or action generated by the starter ring 302 to clean or wipe the adjacent area of the sealing rings 310. It shall also be noted that the wiper force is initiated by the displacement of the starter ring's 302 volume, which is achieved through the presence of the male adapter pocket 314 at the bottom side of the starter ring 302. It will be apparent to a skilled artisan that the above mentioned elements and their combination thereof are for illustrative purposes only. Any modification to the such elements shall be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the starter ring 302 shall have a forward facing surfaces and rearward facing surfaces. The forward facing surfaces being disposed at the high pressure end of the sealing rings 310 and the rearward facing surfaces being engaged with the sealing rings 310.

[0051] It shall be noted that the fabric reinforced elastomeric material of the elastomeric core 402 and the fabric casing 404 provides a constant force to maintain the adjacent pressure rings in a static location or position on the inside diameter of the stuffing box bore of the pump 300. As discussed, the starter ring 302 has the male adapter pocket 314, and when the starter ring 302 is in use within the pump packing assembly 300, the male adapter pocket 314 displaces a certain volume of the starter ring 302 material. Such displacement of material creates a force that pushes against the adjacent area of the sealing rings 310. As a result, the sealing rings 310 are wiped or cleaned when in contact with the starter ring's 302 displaced material, to effectively remove any debris or contaminants from the sealing ring's 310 surface. It shall be noted that the wiping action helps maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the sealing ring, ensuring a proper seal and preventing solid particles or contaminants from reaching and potentially damaging the sealing rings 310.

[0052] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. In addition, where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claim set forth here below not be construed as being order-specific unless Such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

[0053] 100 Header Ring [0054] 102 Annular Body Portion [0055] 104 Annular Axially Extending Pedestal [0056] 106 Annular Axially Extending Bead [0057] 108 Radially Inwardly Facing Annularly Extending Sealing Lip [0058] 110 Radially Inwardly Facing Cylindrical Surface [0059] 112 Portion of Sealing Surface [0060] 200 Sealing Assembly [0061] 202 Stuffing Box [0062] 204 Housing [0063] 206 Cylindrical Bore [0064] 208 Cylindrical Surface [0065] 210 Shoulder Portion [0066] 212 Plunger [0067] 214 Annular Gland [0068] 216 Annular Header Ring [0069] 218 First Annular Seal Ring [0070] 220 Second Annular Seal Ring [0071] 222 Top Annular Adaptor Ring [0072] 224 Annular Bushing [0073] 300 Pump Packing Assembly/Stuffing Box Bore Pump [0074] 302 Starter Ring [0075] 304 Cylindrical Bore [0076] 306 Radially Inwardly Facing Housing Cylindrical Surface [0077] 308 Annulus [0078] 310 At Least One Resembling Shape of Annular Sealing Ring/Sealing Rings [0079] 312 Layer [0080] 314 Male Adapter Pocket [0081] 402 Elastomeric core [0082] 404 Fabric Casing [0083] 406 Nipple [0084] 408 Landing Features