Patent ID: 7621728

Claim:
A fluid inlet manifold for a reciprocating piston/plunger pump, said manifold comprising: an elongated manifold member having a substantially central axis, a first end closed by a transverse end member, a second end closed by a transverse end member, one of said end members being adapted for connection to a fluid inlet conduit, said manifold member defining a fluid chamber therewithin; spaced apart transversely extending fluid discharge tubes connected to said manifold member and extending within said chamber, each of said discharge tubes being adapted for connection to a fluid inlet member of said pump; partitions disposed within respective ones of said tubes and forming plural flow passages within said tubes for discharging fluid and entrained particulates to said pump; and a resilient liner disposed in said chamber and formed of one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and polymer which includes plural gas filled closed cells within the structure of said liner, said liner being responsive to pressure changes of fluid flowing through said manifold to stabilize velocities of fluid flow in said chamber and said tubes and minimize acceleration induced pressure variations, wherein said liner is delimited by opposed edges defining a slot whereby said liner may be inserted in and removed from said manifold member by removing a member closing at least one end of said manifold member.