Precompression effect in pump body

Abstract

The current application discloses various embodiments where a pre-compressive force is applied to a defined zone of the fluid end of a pump so as to extend the operational life of the fluid end by reducing stress and fatigue level at the defined zone of the fluid end. In one embodiment, the defined zone comprises one or more recesses near the piston bore of the fluid end. In another embodiment, the defined zone comprises one or more recesses near the inlet bore of the fluid end.

1 . A fluid end of a pump, said fluid end comprising:
 a piston bore, an inlet bore, an outlet bore and at least one pre-compressive element that creates a pre-compressive force in a defined zone of the fluid end.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid end of  claim 1 , wherein the defined zone is one or more recesses near the piston bore of the pump body. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid end of  claim 1 , wherein the defined zone of the pump body is one or more recesses near the inlet bore of the pump body. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid end of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-compressive element is a displacement plug mounted on the pump body. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid end of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-compressive element is a raised surface on the fluid end. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing fatigues of a fluid end of a pump, said method comprising:
 providing a fluid end comprising a piston bore, an inlet bore, and an outlet bore;   providing a pre-compressive element;   using the pre-compressive eminent to create a pre-compressive force in a defined zone of the fluid end.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defined zone is one or more recesses near the piston bore of the pump body. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defined zone of the pump body is one or more recesses near the inlet bore of the pump body. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pre-compressive element is a displacement plug mounted on the pump body. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pre-compressive element is a raised surface on the fluid end. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly comprising:
 a plurality of pump bodies each defining a piston bore, an inlet bore, an outlet bore and at least one raised surface element on one of the pump bodies thereof;   at least a pair of end plates disposed on an outside portion of the pump bodies; and   a plurality of fasteners connecting the pump bodies and end plates to form the pump assembly, the raised surface engaging on an adjacent pump body or an adjacent end plate, the fasteners and raised surface element providing a pre-compressive force in a defined zone of the pump body.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the raised surface element is on the surface exterior of the pump body. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the raised surface element has a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the raised surface element does not have a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the raised surface element is a part of the pump body. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the raised surface element is an independent and additional part of the pump body. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the raised surface element is made of a material different from the material of the pump body. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the defined zone of the pump body is areas of the pump body adjacent the intersection of the piston bore, the inlet bore, and the outlet bore. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein at least another raised surface element is present on one of the pump bodies thereof and the raised surfaces interacts together to create the pre-compressive force in the defined zone of the pump body. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the pre-compressive force extends the operational life of the assembly by reducing stress at the intersection.