Abstract:
A pump system includes a pump housing defining a plurality of pump bores, a plurality of pumping members, and a plurality of valves positioned within the pump housing. Each of the valves includes a valve body defining a plurality of inlets, arranged to receive a low pressure fluid, a suction valve coupled to the valve body and movable between a closed position and an open position, the suction valve including a suction valve closing member having a conical contact surface having a large diameter portion, and a first elastomeric member positioned adjacent the large diameter portion, and a discharge valve coupled to the valve body and movable between a closed position and an open position, the discharge valve including a discharge valve closing member having a conical contact surface having a large diameter portion, and a second elastomeric member positioned immediately adjacent the large diameter portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure concerns a valve cartridge assembly that has a valve body with an inlet valve assembly at a first end of the valve body and an outlet valve assembly at a second end of the valve body. The valve cartridge assembly can be adapted to be carried by a fluid end of a high pressure fluid pump. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the invention includes a valve body. The valve body has a first main channel formed in a portion of said valve body. A second main channel is formed in a portion of said valve body. A plurality of inlet channels are formed in portions of said valve body. Each inlet channel has a respective first and a respective second opening; each inlet channel has a fluid pathway extending between its respective first opening and its respective second opening. Each each first opening of each inlet channel provides an entry into its respective pathway and provides an entry into the valve body. Each second opening provides an exit from its respective pathway into the first main channel. A suction valve seat delimits a first outlet. The first outlet opens into said first main channel. The suction valve seat has a continuous valve seating surface without any through channels opening therethrough. A discharge valve seat delimits a second outlet. The second outlet opens into the second main channel. 
     The valve body can further include a plurality of outlet channels formed in portions of said valve body. Each outlet channel has a respective first and a respective second opening. Each outlet channel has a fluid pathway extending between its respective first opening and its respective second opening. Each first opening of each outlet channel provides an entry into its respective pathway and an entry into the valve body. Each second opening provides an exit from its respective pathway into the second main channel. 
     A suction valve can be coupled to said valve body. The suction valve has a contact surface which contacts said suction valve seat seating surface when said suction valve is in a closed position and wherein a discharge valve is coupled to the valve body. A discharge valve can be coupled to the valve body. It has a contact surface which contacts said discharge valve seat seating surface when said discharge valve is in a closed position. 
     In one construction, a pump system includes a pump housing defining a plurality of pump bores, a plurality of pumping members, each pumping member disposed within one of the plurality of pump bores and reciprocal to pump a fluid, a fluid intake manifold formed as part of the pump housing and arranged to contain a quantity of fluid at a low pressure, and a fluid discharge manifold formed as part of the pump housing and arranged to contain a quantity of fluid at a high pressure. A plurality of valves is positioned within the pump housing, each of the valves including a valve body defining a plurality of inlets, each of the inlets disposed within the intake manifold to draw fluid directly therefrom, and a suction valve coupled to the valve body and movable between a closed position and an open position which facilitates the flow of low pressure fluid into one of the plurality of pump bores. Each of the valves also includes a plurality of inlet channels formed as part of the valve body to direct fluid from the plurality of inlets to the suction valve, a discharge valve coupled to the valve body and movable between a closed position and an open position which facilitates the flow of high pressure fluid into the fluid discharge manifold, and a plurality of discharge channels formed as part of the valve body and arranged to direct high pressure fluid from one of the pump bores to the discharge valve. 
     In another construction, a pump system includes a pump housing defining a plurality of pump bores, a plurality of pumping members, each pumping member disposed within one of the plurality of pump bores and reciprocal to pump a fluid, and a plurality of valves positioned within the pump housing. Each of the valves includes a valve body defining a plurality of inlets, each of the inlets arranged to receive a low pressure fluid, a suction valve coupled to the valve body and movable between a closed position and an open position which facilitates the flow of low pressure fluid into the valve, the suction valve including a suction valve closing member having a conical contact surface having a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion, and a first elastomeric member positioned immediately adjacent the large diameter portion, and a discharge valve coupled to the valve body and movable between a closed position and an open position which facilitates the flow of high pressure fluid out of the valve, the discharge valve including a discharge valve closing member having a conical contact surface having a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion, and a second elastomeric member positioned immediately adjacent the large diameter portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a valve cartridge assembly looking into a suction end of the assembly; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a partial sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the valve body and other components of the assembly have been sectioned; the section is through inlet channels in the valve body; some components, such as the suction valve, for clarity, have not been sectioned; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a partial sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the valve body and other components of the assembly have been sectioned; the section is through outlet channels in the valve body; the valve cartridge assembly has been rotated 45 degrees relative to  FIG. 2 a   ; some components, such as the suction valve, for clarity, have not been sectioned; 
         FIG. 3 a    is an exploded and partial sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the valve body, discharge valve assembly O-ring, and elastomeric member of the suction valve have been sectioned; the section is through inlet channels in the valve body; 
         FIG. 3 b    is an exploded and partial sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the valve body and discharge valve assembly O-ring have been sectioned; the section is through outlet channels in the valve body; the valve cartridge assembly has been rotated 45 degrees relative to  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of a fluid end of a pump having the valve cartridge assembly of  FIG. 1  installed therein; valve cartridge assembly labeled number  1  is sectioned through inlet channels; for clarity the valve cartridge assembly labeled  2  has been rotated 45 degrees relative to cartridge number  1  and sectioned through outlet channels; valve cartridge assembly labeled  3  has been rotated 90 degrees relative to valve cartridge assembly  1  and has not been sectioned; the valves are all in the closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1-3   b , a valve cartridge assembly  15  has a valve body  17 , a suction valve assembly  19  carried by the valve body  17  and a discharge valve assembly  21  carried by the valve body  17 . The suction valve assembly  19  has a suction valve  23 . The suction valve in the closed position closes and seals off and covers an inlet  25 . The discharge assembly  21  has a discharge valve  28 . The discharge valve  28  in the closed position closes and seals off and covers an outlet  29 . The inlet  25  opens through a portion of the valve body  17 . The outlet  29  opens through a portion of the valve body  17 . The inlet  25  is called an inlet because it allows fluid to flow into the pumping chamber  31  from the suction manifold. With respect to the valve body  17 , the inlet  25  can be called a first outlet or a suction outlet because this is where fluid entering the valve body  17  exits the valve body  17  into the pumping chamber  31 . The outlet  29  is called an outlet because it allows fluid to exit the valve body from the pumping chamber  31 . With respect to the valve body, the outlet  29  can be called a second outlet or discharge outlet because this is where fluid exits the valve body after being received into the valve body  17  from the pumping chamber  31 . In general, and as explained in more detail below, during the upstroke of the pumping member  33  of the pump, fluid is drawn from the suction manifold  35  of the fluid end  34  and into the valve body  17 . The fluid moves through the inlet  25  and past the suction valve  23  and into pumping fluid chamber  31  of the fluid end  34 . During the down stroke, the fluid in the pumping chamber  31  moves back into the valve body  17  and passes through the outlet  29  and past the discharge valve  28 . The fluid flows into the discharge manifold  37  of the fluid end  34 . 
     The inlet  25  is the only inlet proximate and adjacent the suction valve  23 . The inlet  25  is at a first end of a first main channel  39  and opens into the first main channel  39 . The first main channel  39  is formed in a portion of the valve body  17 . The inlet  25  is delimited by a surface. The surface  41  circumscribes the inlet  25 . The surface is continuous. The continuous surface is smooth and without any appreciable detents or bumps. The inlet  25  is delimited and circumscribed in the radial direction, relative to the axis of the inlet, by the surface  41 . The continuous surface  41  intersects and lies along a continuous path wherein the path falls completely within a single plane. 
     The inlet  25  is delimited by suction valve seat  43 . The inlet  25  is circumscribed by the suction valve seat  43 . The inlet  25  is circumscribed and delimited in the radial direction, relative to the axis of the inlet, by the suction valve seat  43 . The inlet  25  is the only inlet delimited and/or circumscribed by the suction valve seat  43 . The continuous surface  41  forms at least part of the suction valve seat  43 . In the present embodiment the suction valve seat  43  has a seating surface  45  which is formed at least in part by the continuous surface  41 . In the present example the entire valve seating surface  45  is formed by the continuous surface  41 . The valve seating surface  45  is continuous and without any through channels opening therethrough. It also has no appreciable bumps or detents therein. The inlet  25  is the only inlet delimited and/or circumscribed by the suction valve seating surface  45 . The suction valve seat  43  is coupled to a portion of the valve body  17 , is integrally formed with the portion of the valve body  17  and seamless with the portion of valve body. 
     The valve seating surface  45  extends from a first axial end to a second axial end. The second axial end is proximate the first main channel  39  and delimits an area of the inlet  25  that opens to the main channel  39 . The first axial end is proximate the pumping fluid chamber  31  and delimits that area of the inlet  25  which opens to the fluid chamber  31 . The valve seating surface  45  is angled from the first axial end towards the axis of inlet. The axis of the inlet extends through the first axial end and the second axial end. The angle of intersection, relative to the axis of the inlet, is greater than 0 and less than 90 degrees. The surface  45  is concave. 
     The suction valve  23  has a valve closing member  47  with a contact surface  48 . In this example the closing member  47  is a valve head. The contact surface  48  contacts the valve seating surface  45  when the suction valve is in the closed position. The contact surface  48  delimits a shape complimentary to the shape delimited by the valve seating surface  45 . The contact surface  48  is continuous, smooth and without any appreciable detents or bumps. A portion  51  of the contact surface  48  which contacts valve seating surface  45  when the valve is in the closed position enhances the sealing engagement between the closing member  47  and the suction valve seat  43 . The portion  51  is a different material than other portions of the contact surface that contact the valve seating surface. The portion can be a softer resilient alloy than the other contact portions. The portion can be plastic or rubber. The portion in the enclosed example is elastomeric. The portion is a continuous surface without any appreciable bumps or detents. The elastomeric material is part of a continuous elastomeric member inlaid around a portion of the closing member. It is carried by a portion of the closing member  47 . The pumping member  33  in the present example is a plunger. 
     A plurality of inlet channels  53  is in different portions the valve body  17 . Each has a respective first opening  55  and a respective second opening  57 . Each channel has a fluid pathway  58  extending between its respective first  55  and respective second  57  opening. Each first opening  55  opens through different portions of a surface  63  of the valve body  17 . There are four first openings  55 , each spaced 90 degrees apart and around an axis of the valve body  17 . The axis of the valve body  17  extends through a first  60  and second  62  surface of the valve body  17 . The surface  63  is radially outward of the axis. The surface  63  delimits the valve body in the radial direction relative to the valve body axis. The surface  63  is an intermediate surface and between the first surface  60  and the second surface  62  of the valve body  17 . The first  60  and second  62  surfaces are oppositely facing and opposite each other. The first surface  60  is proximate the suction valve seat  43 . The suction valve seat  43  extends away from the first surface  60  in the direction of the inlet axis. It is coupled to the first surface  60  and seamless with first surface. The second surface  62  is proximate the discharge valve seat  64 . The first  60  and second  62  surfaces are axially spaced and delimit axial ends of the valve body  17 . Each first opening  55  opens into and is proximate a portion of a suction chamber  65  in suction manifold  35  pathway  58  and an entry into the valve body  17 . Each inlet channel second opening  57  opens into and is proximate the first main channel  39 . Each second opening  57  provides an exit from its pathway  58  into the first main channel  39 . The main channel  39  can simply be a hollow formed by a chamber into which each second opening  57  opens. Each inlet channel  53  extends radially outwardly and axially relative to the valve body  17  axis, inlet  25  axis and first main channel  39  axis. Accept for the first main channel, the inlet channels do not intersect. The suction valve  23  is not proximate or adjacent any of these second openings  53 . 
     A plurality of outlet channels  69  is in different portions of the valve body  17 . Each channel  69  has a respective first opening  71  and a respective second opening  73 . Each channel  69  has a fluid pathway  74  extending between its respective first  71  and second  73  openings. Each first  71  opening opens into and is proximate pumping chamber  31 . Each first opening  71  provides an entry into its respective pathway  74  and an entry into valve body  17  from the pumping chamber  31 . The pumping chamber  31  is the area fluid is drawn into from the suction manifold  35  after it has passed through the inlet  25 . Neither the suction valve  23  nor the discharge valve  28  covers the first openings  71 . Each first opening  71  remains open and uncovered during operation of the pump. There are four first openings  71 ; each first opening  71  opens through a portion of the first surface  60 . Each first opening  71  is spaced 90 degrees apart around and radially outward of the valve body axis. Each first opening  71  is also radially outward of and around the inlet  25 . Each second opening  73  opens into a second main channel  76 . Each second opening  73 , provides an exit from its respective pathway  74  into the second main channel  76 . The second main channel  76  is also in a portion of the valve body  17 . It is fluidly sealed off from the first main channel  39 . There are no channels in the valve body interconnecting the first main channel and the second main channel. The second main channel  76  can simply be a hollow chamber into which all second openings  73  open. Each outlet channel  69  extends radially outwardly and axially relative to the valve body  17  axis and second main channel axis and outlet axis. The outlet channels first openings  71  and outlet channels  69  are each offset 45 degrees from each adjacent inlet channel first opening and each adjacent inlet channel. 
     The outlet  29  is the only outlet proximate and adjacent the discharge valve  28 . The outlet  29  is at a first end of the second main channel  76 . The outlet  29  is delimited by a surface  78 . The surface  78  circumscribes the outlet  29 . The surface is continuous. The continuous surface is smooth and without any appreciable detents or bumps. The outlet  29  is delimited and circumscribed in the radial direction, relative to the axis of the outlet, by the surface  78 . The continuous surface  78  intersects and lies along a continuous path wherein the path falls completely within a single plane. 
     The outlet  29  is delimited by discharge valve seat  64 . The outlet  29  is circumscribed by the discharge valve seat  64 . The outlet  29  is circumscribed and delimited in the radial direction, relative to the axis of the outlet, by the discharge valve seat  64 . The outlet  29  is the only outlet delimited and/or circumscribed by the discharge valve seat  64 . The continuous surface  78  forms at least part of the discharge valve seat  64 . In the present embodiment the discharge valve seat  64  has a seating surface  81  which is formed at least in part by the continuous surface  78 . In the present example the entire valve seating surface  81  is formed by the continuous surface  78 . The valve seating surface  81  is continuous and without any through channels opening therethrough. It is without any appreciable detents or pumps therein. The outlet  29  is the only outlet delimited and/or circumscribed by the discharge valve seating surface  81 . The discharge valve seat  64  is coupled to a portion of the valve body  17 , integrally formed with the portion valve body  17  and seamless with the portion of the valve body  17 . 
     The valve seating surface  81  extends from a first axial end to a second axial end. The second axial end is proximate the second main channel  76  and delimits an area of the outlet  29  that opens to the second main channel  76 . The first axial end is proximate fluid chamber  83  in the discharge manifold  37 . The first axial end delimits that area of the outlet  29  which opens to the fluid chamber  83 . The discharge valve seat  64  is coupled to the second surface  62  and seamless with second surface  62 . It extends away from the second surface  62  in the direction of the outlet  29  axis. The discharge valve seating surface  81  is angled from the first axial end towards the axis of outlet. The axis of the outlet extends through the first axial end and the second axial end. The angle of intersection relative to the axis of the outlet is greater than 0 and less than 90 degrees. The suction valve seating surface  81  is concave. 
     The discharge valve  28  has a valve closing member  85  with a contact surface  86 . In this example the closing member  85  is a valve head. The contact surface  86  contacts the valve seating surface  81  when the discharge valve  28  is in the closed position. The contact surface  86  delimits a shape complimentary to the shape delimited by the valve seating surface  81 . The contact surface  86  is continuous, smooth and without any appreciable detents or bumps. A portion  87  of the contact surface  86  which contacts valve seating surface  81  when the valve  28  is in the closed position enhances the sealing engagement between the closing member  85  and the discharge valve seat  64 . The portion  87  is a different material than other portions of the contact surface  86  that contact the valve seating surface  81 . The portion  87  can be a softer resilient alloy than the other contact portions. The portion  87  can be plastic or rubber. The portion  87  in the enclosed example is elastomeric. The portion  87  is a continuous surface without any appreciable bumps or detents. The elastomeric material is part of a continuous elastomeric member inlaid around a portion of the closing member. It is carried by a portion of the closing member  85 . 
     In more detail the suction  19  and discharge  21  valve assemblies each have a cage  90 . Each cage  90  supports its respect valve  23 ,  28  and acts as a guide for its respective valve  23 ,  28 . The cage  90  also acts as a retainer for each assembly&#39;s respective spring  92 . Each spring biases its respective valve  23 ,  28  in the closed position. Each spring  92  is carried by its respect valve  23 ,  28  and sits around each valve&#39;s respective stem  93 . Each spring  92  is disposed between each valve assembly&#39;s respective cage  90  and its respective head  47 ,  85 . Each spring  92  biases its respective valve  23 ,  28  in the closed position. Each valve  23 ,  28  is in slideable engagement with its respective cage  90 . Each stem  93  is in slideable engagement with the stem guide  97  of its respective cage  90 . Each cage  90  is coupled to the valve body  17 . One cage  90  is coupled proximate the first surface  60 . The other cage  90  is coupled proximate the second surface  62 . Notably an O-ring  150  seals each cage  90  to valve body  17 . Extending from each valve head  47 ,  85  in a direction opposite from which each stem  93  extends is a respective flow divider  95 . Each flow divider  95  has partitions which form channels within each divider. When each valve  23 ,  28  is in its respective closed position, each flow divider  95  sits in its respective main channel  39 ,  76 . The suction valve flow divider  95  sits in first main channel  39  when suction valve  23  is in the closed position. It is in inlet  25 , at least partially, when the suction valve  23  is in the open position. The discharge valve flow divider  95  sits in the second main channel  76  when discharge valve  28  is in the closed position. It is in the outlet  29 , at least partially, when the discharge valve  28  is in the open position. The suction valve  23  does not have a flow channel therethrough to allow fluid to pass into the valve body when the suction valve  23  is in the closed position. 
     The discharge valve assembly  21  and the suction valve assembly  19  have the same construction and their components have the same dimensional shape. Every component does not have to have the same dimension or construction. Notably the contact surface  48 ,  86  of each valve head  47 ,  85  is dimensionally the same and is the same construction. Each valve head  47 ,  85  is dimensionally the same and has the same construction. The valve cartridge assemblies are interchangeable with one another. All components do not have to be interchangeable with one another. Notably the valves  23 ,  28  are interchangeable and the cages  90  are interchangeable. 
     In more detail, the valve body  17  is a single unit. It is a seamless construction. 
     The inlet and outlet are inline and extend along a same axis; the suction valve and discharge valve are inline and extend along a same axis; the first main channel and second main channel are inline and along a same axis. The inlet, outlet, suction valve, discharge valve, first main channel, and second main channel are all inline with each other and along a same axis. 
     In operation, during the upstroke of the pumping member  33  of the pump, fluid  100 , in this case liquid and more particularly water, is drawn into the into the suction chamber  65  of the fluid end  34 . From the suction chamber  65  the fluid is drawn into the valve body  17  through the first openings  55  of the inlet channels  53 . The fluid passes into the inlet channels  53  from the first openings  55 . The fluid exits the inlet channels  53  through the second openings  57  of the inlet channels  53 . From the second openings  53 , the fluid enters the first main channel  39 . The fluid travels from first main channel  29  and through the inlet  25  past the flow divider  95  and past the valve head  47 . The suction valve  23  has moved from the closed position, in which it seats on the valve seat  43  and wherein its contact surface  48  is in contact with the valve seating surface  45 , to an open position. In the open position fluid can pass over the valve head  47  from the inlet  25 . The valve head contact surface  48  is off of suction valve seating surface  45 . From the inlet  25  the fluid passes into and collects in chamber  31 . During the upstroke, the discharge valve  28  is in the closed position. In the closed position, during the upstroke, the discharge valve closing member  85  is in sealing engagement with the discharge valve seat  64 . The contact surface  86  is in contact with the valve seating surface  81 . The valve  28  seats on the discharge vale seat  65 . 
     During the down stroke of the pumping member  33  of the pump, the suction valve head  47  moves to the closed position from the open position along the inlet axis. In the closed position, during the down stroke, the valve head  47  is in sealing engagement with the valve seat  43 . The contact surface  48  is in contact with the valve seating surface  45 . The valve  23  seats on the valve seat  43 . Fluid passes from pumping chamber  31  through the first openings  71  of the outlet channels  69 . The fluid passes from the outlet channels  69  through the channels&#39; second openings  73  and into the second main channel  76 . From the second main channel, the fluid travels through the outlet  29  and past the flow divider  95  and past the discharge valve head  85 . The discharge valve  28  has moved from the closed position in which it seats on the discharge valve seat  64 , its contact surface  86  is in contact with the valve seating surface  81 , to an open position. The discharge valve  28  moves along the outlet axis to the open position. In the open position fluid can pass over the valve head  85  from the outlet  29 . The valve head contact surface  86  is off of suction valve seat  65 . From the outlet the fluid passes into chamber  83  of the discharge manifold  37 . During the operation of the pump the pumping member  33  reciprocates between the upstroke and down stroke, the suction valve  23  reciprocates from the closed to the open position along the inlet axis and the discharge valve  28  reciprocates from the closed to the open position along the outlet axis. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations in addition to those shown and discussed herein are possible. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. 
     The constructions and methods described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.