Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a compression cylinder configured to mount to a reciprocating compressor. The compression cylinder includes an intake port and a discharge port. The system also includes a piston assembly disposed within the compression cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston configured to selectively block the intake port upon movement of the piston assembly relative to the compression cylinder.

Abstract: A method of testing a shape-memory alloy (SMA) coupler for use within an oil and gas environment at an operating pressure includes testing a first specimen of an SMA coupler design for the operating pressure according to a first test sequence comprising a first plurality of tests and testing a second specimen of the SMA coupler design for the operating pressure according to a second test sequence comprising a second plurality of tests. The method further includes approving the SMA coupler design for use within an oil and gas application at the operating pressure if the first specimen passes each of the first plurality of tests of the first test sequence and the second specimen passes each of the second plurality of tests of the second test sequence.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor barrel frame comprising a continuous curved wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A housing is formed by the inner surface of the curved wall. A pair cross head shoe supports extend from the outer surface of said curved wall in opposite directions perpendicular to said housing. A plurality of bearing support members are disposed within the housing and supported by the curved wall. The bearing support members are arranged so as to support a crankshaft disposed within the housing. A base flange is connected to the curved wall and is operable to attach to a structure that will support the frame.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a crosshead having a crosshead body, a recess formed in an outer surface of the crosshead body, and a lubricant port extending through the crosshead body from the recess to an aperture of the crosshead, wherein the crosshead is configured to move in a reciprocating motion in a machine.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a modular crankshaft features a connection system between modules that features opposed female receptacles. A pin having opposed beveled ends and hydraulic passages with it is inserted into the opposed receptacles. A pair of seals is disposed on the beveled ends and straddles a hydraulic fluid outlet. The crankshaft wall that defines each receptacle is designed to flex in response to applied hydraulic pressure between the seals on the tapered pin portion. A notch at the base of the receptacle in the crankshaft reduces stress concentration and enables the wall defining the crankshaft receptacle to come back when hydraulic pressure through the pin is removed. The opposed crankshaft receptacles are flanged to allow them to be pulled together over the pin. An interference fit results around the pin after the flanges are mated and the hydraulic pressure is removed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a system including a trochoidal rotary device. The trochoidal rotary device includes a housing comprising an inner surface, a rotor having at least one bearing recess, a shaft eccentrically mounted to the rotor, wherein the shaft and the rotor are integrated with one another, and at least one bearing disposed between the bearing recess of the rotor and the inner surface of the hollow housing, wherein at least one of the inner surface of the hollow housing, the bearing recess of the rotor, and the at least one bearing comprise a bearing interface comprises a surface treatment.

Abstract: An artificial heart with a centrifugal pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial heart includes an impeller disposed in a housing. The impeller is configured to rotate to circulate blood through the housing. The impeller may include a set of blades on a first side of the impeller and a set of vanes on a second side opposite the first. The blades on the first side and the vanes on the second side allow blood circulation from both the first and the second sides of the impeller. The artificial heart may also or instead include a diffuser with adjustable vanes that enable variation in the output characteristics of the artificial heart pump. Various other artificial hearts, pumps, systems, and methods, including control systems and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to prevent the rotation of a shaft in one direction using a device comprising a collar disposed around the shaft, a locking arm with an unlocked position and a locked position, and an actuator capable of moving the locking-arm between the unlocked and locked position. When the locking arm is in the unlocked position, the collar and shaft are allowed to rotate in a first direction. However, when the locking arm is in the locked position, the collar and shaft are prevented from rotating in a second direction. This device can also be used to prevent the reverse rotation of a rotating compressor.

Abstract: As described in detail below, the disclosed embodiments include a rotating compressor valve having stationary front and rear plates (e.g., guards) and a rotating plate configured to rotate relative to the stationary front and rear plates. The stationary front and rear plates and the rotating plate all include a plurality of slots which, when aligned, allow a process fluid (e.g., natural gas) to flow through the rotating compressor valve. In certain embodiments, the slots of the rotating plate include an arc radius that is smaller than an arc radius of the slots of the stationary front and rear plates.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a barrier with magnetic coupling between opposite sides of the barrier. For example, the system may include a first member with a first magnet that translates along with the first member, and a second member having a second magnet that translates along with the second member. The system also may include the barrier completely isolating the first member from the second member, wherein the first magnet magnetically couples with the second magnet through the barrier to impart translational motion from the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A reciprocating compressor is provided. In one embodiment, a reciprocating compressor frame includes a central body and at least two crosshead guides extending from opposite sides of the central body. Additionally, the compressor frame crosshead guide support structures extending outwardly from the central body along a respective crosshead guide. Other embodiments of compression systems, devices, and frames of such systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a piston clamping system including a piston rod comprising a piston rod shoulder and a piston rod nut coupled to the piston rod, wherein the piston rod nut and the piston rod shoulder are configured to axially capture first and second body portions of a piston therebetween.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a composite piston. The composite piston comprises a piston body made of a composite material, wherein the composite material comprises a reinforcing material distributed in a matrix material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a system including a trochoidal rotary device. The trochoidal rotary device includes a housing comprising an inner surface, a rotor having at least one bearing recess, a shaft eccentrically mounted to the rotor, wherein the shaft and the rotor are integrated with one another, and at least one bearing disposed between the bearing recess of the rotor and the inner surface of the hollow housing, wherein at least one of the inner surface of the hollow housing, the bearing recess of the rotor, and the at least one bearing comprise a bearing interface comprises a surface treatment.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a composite crosshead. The composite crosshead comprises a crosshead body made of a first composite material, wherein the first composite material comprises a first reinforcing material distributed in a first matrix material, wherein the composite crosshead is configured to move in a reciprocating motion in a machine.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a crosshead having a crosshead body, a recess formed in an outer surface of the crosshead body, and a lubricant port extending through the crosshead body from the recess to an aperture of the crosshead, wherein the crosshead is configured to move in a reciprocating motion in a machine.

Abstract: An artificial heart with a centrifugal pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial heart includes an impeller disposed in a housing. The impeller is configured to rotate to circulate blood through the housing. The impeller may include a set of blades on a first side of the impeller and a set of vanes on a second side opposite the first. The blades on the first side and the vanes on the second side allow blood circulation from both the first and the second sides of the impeller. The artificial heart may also or instead include a diffuser with adjustable vanes that enable variation in the output characteristics of the artificial heart pump. Various other artificial hearts, pumps, systems, and methods, including control systems and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: As described in detail below, the disclosed embodiments include a rotating compressor valve having stationary front and rear plates (e.g., guards) and a rotating plate configured to rotate relative to the stationary front and rear plates. The stationary front and rear plates and the rotating plate all include a plurality of slots which, when aligned, allow a process fluid (e.g., natural gas) to flow through the rotating compressor valve. In certain embodiments, the slots of the rotating plate include an arc radius that is smaller than an arc radius of the slots of the stationary front and rear plates.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a compression cylinder configured to mount to a reciprocating compressor. The compression cylinder includes an intake port and a discharge port. The system also includes a piston assembly disposed within the compression cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston configured to selectively block the intake port upon movement of the piston assembly relative to the compression cylinder.

Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a compression cylinder configured to mount to a reciprocating compressor. The compression cylinder includes an intake port and a discharge port. The system also includes a piston assembly disposed within the compression cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston, and a flow control member extending from the piston. The flow control member is configured to selectively block the intake port and the discharge port upon movement of the piston assembly relative to the compression cylinder.