Patent ID: 8905376

Claim:
A tunable check valve assembly in a fluid end for high pressure pumping, said fluid end having at least one fluid-end resonant frequency; wherein said assembly is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of radially-spaced vibration dampers in a valve body having a peripheral seal; wherein each said vibration damper comprises a circular tubular area; wherein each said vibration damper is tunable via a fluid tuning medium within each said circular tubular area to a damping frequency similar to at least one said fluid-end resonant frequency; wherein said valve body comprises one of said plurality of radially-spaced vibration dampers having a central circular tubular area which is responsive to longitudinal compression of said assembly, said central circular tubular area being fillable with a fluid tuning medium; and wherein said central circular tubular area comprises at least one flow restrictor effective to limit fluid flow to and from said central circular tubular area, said flow restrictor being responsive to longitudinal compression of said assembly.