Pump assembly including fluid cylinder and tapered valve seats

Abstract

According to one aspect, a pump assembly includes a fluid cylinder, the fluid cylinder including a fluid passage, the fluid passage defining a tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder, the tapered internal shoulder defining a first angle. A valve controls flow of fluid through the fluid passage. The valve includes a valve seat, which is disposed in the fluid passage and includes a tapered external shoulder, the tapered external shoulder defining a second angle. In one embodiment, the first tapered external shoulder engages the first tapered internal shoulder to distribute and transfer loading.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump assembly, comprising:
 a fluid cylinder having a first axis, the fluid cylinder comprising a first fluid passage through which fluid is adapted to flow along the first axis, the first fluid passage defining a first tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder, the first tapered internal shoulder defining a first angle from the first axis; and   a first valve to control flow of fluid through the first fluid passage, the first valve comprising a first valve seat disposed in the first fluid passage, the first valve seat having a second axis that is aligned with the first axis, the first valve seat comprising a first tapered external shoulder, the first tapered external shoulder defining a second angle from the second axis;   wherein each of the first and second angles ranges from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees measured from the first axis and the second axis aligned therewith.   
     
     
         2 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first tapered internal shoulder and the first tapered external shoulder define first and second frusto-conical surfaces, respectively; and
 wherein the first tapered internal shoulder engages the first tapered external shoulder to distribute and transfer loading between the first and second frusto-conical surfaces.   
     
     
         3 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second angles are equal. 
     
     
         4 . The pump assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second angles is about 30 degrees measured from the first axis and the second axis aligned therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid cylinder further comprises:
 a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid passage;   a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the pressure chamber and through which fluid is adapted to flow along the first axis, the second fluid passage defining a second tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder, the second tapered internal shoulder defining a third angle from the first axis;   a fluid inlet passage in fluid communication with the pressure chamber via the first fluid passage; and   a fluid outlet passage in fluid communication with the pressure chamber via the second fluid passage;   wherein the pump assembly further comprises a second valve to control flow of the fluid through the second fluid passage, the second valve comprising a second valve seat disposed in the second fluid passage, the second valve seat having a third axis that is aligned with each of the first and second axes, the second valve seat comprising a second tapered external shoulder, the second tapered external shoulder defining a fourth angle from the third axis; and   wherein each of the third and fourth angles ranges from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees measured from the first axis and each of the second and third axes aligned therewith.   
     
     
         6 . The pump assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second tapered internal shoulder and the second tapered external shoulder defines third and fourth frusto-conical surfaces, respectively; and
 wherein the second tapered internal shoulder engages the second tapered external shoulder to distribute and transfer loading between the third and fourth frusto-conical surfaces.   
     
     
         7 . The pump assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the third and fourth angles are equal. 
     
     
         8 . The pump assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each of the third and fourth angles is about 30 degrees measured from the first axis and each of the second and third axes aligned therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve seat further comprises:
 a seat body, the seat body comprising an enlarged-diameter portion at one end thereof, the enlarged-diameter portion comprising the first tapered external shoulder and defining a first cylindrical surface extending axially from the first frusto-conical surface, the first cylindrical surface defining a first outside diameter;   a bore formed through the seat body, the bore defining a second cylindrical surface, the second cylindrical surface defining a first inside diameter;   wherein the first fluid passage comprises an enlarged-diameter portion and a reduced-diameter portion extending axially therefrom;   wherein the enlarged-diameter portion of the first fluid passage defines the first tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder;   wherein the reduced-diameter portion of the first fluid passage defines an inside surface of the fluid cylinder and a second inside diameter;   wherein the enlarged-diameter portion of the seat body is disposed in the enlarged-diameter portion of the first fluid passage;   wherein the seat body defines an outside surface that is engaged with the inside surface of the fluid cylinder; and   wherein the outside surface defines a second outside diameter.   
     
     
         10 . The pump assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the inside surface of the fluid cylinder and the outside surface of the seat body is tapered at a taper angle from the first axis and the second axis aligned therewith, the taper angle ranging from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees measured from the first axis and the second axis aligned therewith. 
     
     
         11 . The pump assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first valve seat further comprises:
 an annular groove formed in the outside surface of the seat body, the annular groove defining a groove diameter; and   a sealing element disposed in the annular groove and sealingly engaging the inside surface of the fluid cylinder.   
     
     
         12 . The pump assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second angles is about 30 degrees;
 wherein the first outside diameter is about 5 inches;   wherein the first inside diameter is about 3 inches;   wherein the second inside diameter is about 4.5 inches;   wherein the groove diameter is about 4 inches; and   wherein the second outside diameter is about 4.5 inches.   
     
     
         13 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid cylinder further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid passage; and
 wherein the pump assembly further comprises a housing connected to the fluid cylinder, and a plunger rod assembly extending out of the housing and into the pressure chamber.   
     
     
         14 . A fluid cylinder for a pump assembly, the fluid cylinder having a fluid passage axis and comprising:
 a first fluid passage through which fluid is adapted to flow along the fluid passage axis, the first fluid passage defining a first tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder, the first tapered internal shoulder defining a first angle from the fluid passage axis, the first angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees measured from the fluid passage axis; and   a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid passage.   
     
     
         15 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 14 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees measured from the fluid passage axis. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the pressure chamber and through which fluid is adapted to flow along the fluid passage axis, the second fluid passage defining a second tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder, the second tapered internal shoulder defining a second angle from the fluid passage axis; and   a fluid outlet passage in fluid communication with the pressure chamber via the second fluid passage;   wherein the second angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees measured from the fluid passage axis.   
     
     
         17 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second angles are equal. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second angles is about 30 degrees measured from the fluid passage axis. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 14 , wherein the first fluid passage comprises an enlarged-diameter portion and a reduced-diameter portion extending axially therefrom;
 wherein the enlarged-diameter portion of the first fluid passage defines the first tapered internal shoulder of the fluid cylinder; and   wherein the reduced-diameter portion of the first fluid passage defines an inside surface of the fluid cylinder and an inside diameter.   
     
     
         20 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 19 , wherein the inside surface is tapered at a taper angle from the fluid passage axis, the taper angle ranging from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees measured from the fluid passage axis. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid cylinder of  claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second angles is about 30 degrees; and
 wherein the inside diameter is about 4.5 inches.   
     
     
         22 . A valve seat adapted to be disposed within a fluid cylinder for a pump assembly, the valve seat having a valve seat axis and comprising:
 a seat body, the seat body comprising an enlarged-diameter portion at one end thereof, the enlarged-diameter portion comprising a first tapered external shoulder, the first tapered external shoulder defining a first angle from the valve seat axis, and a frusto-conical surface extending at the first angle from the valve seat axis, the first angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees measured from the valve seat axis,
 wherein the enlarged-diameter portion defines a first cylindrical surface extending axially from the frusto-conical surface, the first cylindrical surface defining a first outside diameter, 
 wherein the seat body defines an outside surface, the outside surface defining a second outside diameter that is less than the first outside diameter, and 
 wherein the frusto-conical surface is axially disposed between the outside surface and the first cylindrical surface; and 
   a bore formed through the seat body and through which fluid flows along the valve seat axis, the bore defining a second cylindrical surface, the second cylindrical surface defining an inside diameter that is less than the second outside diameter.   
     
     
         23 . The valve seat of  claim 22 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees measured from the valve seat axis. 
     
     
         24 . The valve seat of  claim 22 , wherein the outside surface of the seat body is tapered at a second angle from the valve seat axis; and
 wherein the second angle ranges from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees measured from the valve seat axis.   
     
     
         25 . The valve seat of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 an annular groove formed in the outside surface of the seat body, the annular groove defining a groove diameter that is less than the second outside diameter and greater than the inside diameter; and   a sealing element disposed in the annular groove.   
     
     
         26 . The valve seat of  claim 25 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees measured from the valve seat axis;
 wherein the first outside diameter is about 5 inches;   wherein the inside diameter is about 3 inches;   wherein the groove diameter is about 4 inches; and   wherein the second outside diameter is about 4.5 inches.   
     
     
         27 . A valve seat adapted to be disposed within a fluid cylinder for a pump assembly, the valve seat having a valve seat axis and comprising:
 a seat body, the seat body comprising an enlarged-diameter portion at one end thereof, the enlarged-diameter portion comprising a first tapered external shoulder, the first tapered external shoulder defining a first angle from the valve seat axis, and a frusto-conical surface extending at the first angle from the valve seat axis,
 wherein the enlarged-diameter portion defines a first cylindrical surface extending axially from the frusto-conical surface, the first cylindrical surface defining a first outside diameter, 
 wherein the seat body defines an outside surface, the outside surface defining a second outside diameter that is less than the first outside diameter, 
 wherein the outside surface of the seat body is tapered at a second angle from the valve seat axis, and 
 wherein the frusto-conical surface is axially disposed between the outside surface and the first cylindrical surface; 
   and   a bore formed through the seat body and through which fluid flows along the valve seat axis, the bore defining a second cylindrical surface, the second cylindrical surface defining an inside diameter that is less than the second outside diameter.   
     
     
         28 . The valve seat of  claim 27  wherein the first angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees measured from the valve seat axis; and
 wherein the second angle ranges from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees measured from the valve seat axis. 
 
     
     
         29 . The valve seat of  claim 27 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees measured from the valve seat axis; and
 wherein the second angle ranges from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees measured from the valve seat axis.   
     
     
         30 . The valve seat of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 an annular groove formed in the outside surface of the seat body, the annular groove defining a groove diameter that is less than the second outside diameter and greater than the inside diameter; and   a sealing element disposed in the annular groove.   
     
     
         31 . The valve seat of  claim 30 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees measured from the valve seat axis;
 wherein the second angle ranges from greater than 0 degrees to about 5 degrees measured from the valve seat axis;   wherein the first outside diameter is about 5 inches;   wherein the inside diameter is about 3 inches;   wherein the groove diameter is about 4 inches; and   wherein the second outside diameter is about 4.5 inches.   
     
     
         32 . A method of producing a first pump assembly based on a second pump assembly, the first and second pump assemblies comprising first and second fluid cylinders, respectively, and first and second valve seats, respectively, the first and second fluid cylinders comprising first and second fluid passages formed therein, respectively, in which the first and second valve seats are adapted to be disposed, respectively, the first and second fluid passages defining first and second inside diameters, respectively, the first and second valve seats defining first and second outside diameters, respectively, the method comprising:
 producing the first fluid cylinder, comprising sizing the first inside diameter to be less than the second outside diameter so that the second valve seat is not permitted to be disposed in the first fluid passage; and   producing the first valve seat, comprising sizing the first outside diameter so that:
 the first outside diameter is less than the second inside diameter; and 
 a radial clearance would be defined between the first valve seat and an inside surface of the second fluid cylinder defined by the second fluid passage if the first valve seat were to be disposed in the second fluid passage. 
   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising disposing the first valve seat in the first fluid passage. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein producing the first valve seat comprises forming an enlarged-diameter portion, the enlarged-diameter portion comprising a tapered external shoulder, the tapered external shoulder defining a first angle, the enlarged-diameter portion defining a cylindrical surface, the cylindrical surface defining a third outside diameter that is greater than the first outside diameter; and
 wherein producing the first fluid cylinder comprises forming the first fluid passage so that the first fluid passage defines a tapered internal shoulder, the tapered internal shoulder defining a second angle.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein producing the first valve seat further comprises:
 forming a bore through the first valve seat, the bore defining a third inside diameter that is less than the first outside diameter;   forming an annular groove in the first valve seat, the annular groove defining a groove diameter that is less than the first outside diameter and greater than the third inside diameter; and   disposing a sealing element in the annular groove.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising disposing the first valve seat in the first fluid passage of the first cylinder so that:
 the tapered external shoulder engages the tapered internal shoulder, and   the sealing element sealingly engages the fluid cylinder.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein each of the first and second angles is about 30 degrees relative to an axis;
 wherein the third outside diameter is about 5 inches;   wherein the third inside diameter is about 3 inches;   wherein the first inside diameter is about 4.5 inches;   wherein the groove diameter is about 4 inches; and   wherein the first outside diameter is about 4.5 inches.