Access pump casing

Abstract

A new pump design is described. The pump features a casing with a continuous enclosure extending from a power end of the casing to a fluid end of the casing for housing the reciprocating assembly of the pump, which includes a crankshaft, a plurality of control rods coupled to the crankshaft, and a plurality of crossheads coupled to the control rods. A detachable lid is attached to the casing at the power end and the fluid end of the casing, and encloses the reciprocating assembly. An alignment plate oriented substantially parallel to a stroke axis of the pump maintains alignment of the crossheads.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump, comprising:
 a reciprocating assembly comprising a crankshaft, a plurality of control rods coupled to the crankshaft, and a plurality of crossheads coupled to the control rods, wherein the stroke of the crossheads define an axis of the pump, and the crankshaft is disposed transverse to the axis of the pump;   a casing with a continuous enclosure extending from a power end of the casing to a fluid end of the casing for housing the reciprocating assembly; and   a detachable lid that fastens to the casing at the power end and at the fluid end.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment plate that fastens to the casing in an orientation aligned with the axis of the pump. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein the lid has a first portion that covers the crankshaft and a second portion that covers the crossheads, and the first and second portions are non-coplanar. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the lid are connected by a third portion that forms an angle with the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 4 , wherein the alignment plate has a curved alignment surface for each crosshead. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 5 , wherein the pump casing has an alignment feature opposite each alignment surface of the alignment plate. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 6 , wherein the alignment plate contacts a curved surface of the casing. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 7 , further comprising a seal between the alignment plate and the casing. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 8 , wherein the alignment plate has a curved surface that contacts a flat surface of the casing. 
     
     
         10 . A pump, comprising:
 a reciprocating assembly comprising a crankshaft, a plurality of control rods coupled to the crankshaft, and a plurality of crossheads coupled to the control rods, wherein the stroke of the crossheads define an axis of the pump, and the crankshaft is disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pump;   a casing with a continuous enclosure extending from a power end of the casing to a fluid end of the casing for housing the reciprocating assembly;   a detachable lid that fastens to the casing at the power end and at the fluid end; and   an alignment plate that fastens to the casing in an orientation substantially parallel to the axis of the pump, wherein the alignment plate has a curved alignment surface for each crosshead.   
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the pump casing has an alignment feature opposite each alignment surface of the alignment plate. 
     
     
         12 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the alignment plate contacts a curved surface of the casing. 
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 12 , wherein the curved surface of the casing intersects a stress point of the casing. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 13 , wherein the casing has an opening through which the crankshaft is disposed, and the stress point is a span between an edge of the opening and the curved surface. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 14 , wherein the casing has two sides connecting the power end and the fluid end, the attachment plate fastens to the sides of the casing, and the lid fastens to the sides of the casing. 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the lid has a first portion that covers the crankshaft and a second portion that covers the crossheads, and the first and second portions are non-coplanar. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the lid are connected by a third portion that forms an angle with the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . A pump, comprising:
 a reciprocating assembly comprising a crankshaft, a plurality of control rods coupled to the crankshaft, and a plurality of crossheads coupled to the control rods, wherein the stroke of the crossheads define an axis of the pump, and the crankshaft is disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pump;   a casing with a continuous enclosure extending from a power end of the casing to a fluid end of the casing for housing the reciprocating assembly and an alignment feature for each crosshead;   a detachable lid that fastens to the casing at the power end and at the fluid end; and   an alignment plate that fastens to the casing in an orientation substantially parallel to the axis of the pump, wherein the alignment plate has a curved alignment surface for each crosshead opposite each respective alignment feature of the casing.   
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 18 , wherein the casing has two sides connecting the power end and the fluid end, the attachment plate fastens to the sides of the casing, and the lid fastens to the sides of the casing. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 19 , wherein the alignment plate contacts a curved surface of the casing located at a stress point of the casing.