Abstract: A pulsation dampener includes a body having an internal cavity and an opening providing fluid communication between the internal cavity and a fluid flow external to the body. A flexible diaphragm fitted with the diaphragm radial compression ring is held within the internal cavity, allowing for improved seal ability and enhanced service life of the diaphragm at allowing at least some fluid from the external fluid flow to enter the internal cavity through the opening based on a pressure of the external fluid flow, the flexible diaphragm or elements in contact with the fluid from the external fluid flow that has entered the internal cavity.

Abstract: To inhibit damage to or failure of the bladder within a bladder-type pulsation dampener, an internal passage of a bladder saver device carrying pumped fluid from the pulsation bleed plate mounted within the internal passage and movable between a first position in which the pulsated fluid flow is unencumbered by the bleed plate and a second position in which the pulsated fluid flow is restricted by the bleed plate.

Abstract: Top repairable gas-charged pulsation dampener designs include one or both of a threaded cover for bladder replacement and a standardized bladder with a double convex, anti-extrusion bladder button. The threaded cover, which speeds up bladder replacement over bolt-on covers, preferably has a two-piece construction to reduce torsion on the bladder neck. The bladder design, which includes a double convex, anti-extrusion bladder button, facilitates use of the same bladder design in both top repairable and bottom repairable gas-charged pulsation dampeners.

Abstract: An annular tube (or other shape) of elastomeric cellular material comprising elastomeric closed cells having gas infused therein is supported by structures protruding from the bottom surface of a suction stabilizer's head and/or by structures within the interior volume of the annular body of the suction stabilizer, preferably with spacing between the outer diameter of the annular tube of the cellular material and the inner walls of the suction stabilizer body. The gas-infused closed cell material may thus be employed in new suction stabilizer or pulsation dampener or to retrofit existing suction stabilizers or pulsation dampeners designed for a gas-filled bladder.

Abstract: A pulsation and acoustic energy reduction dampener for installation within well piping between a standpipe and a swivel includes a body formed from a union connection sub providing a threaded male connection at one end of the body and welded to a union connection nut providing a threaded female connection at the other end, each for connection to the well piping. A flow restriction orifice assembly is secured by welding or gluing within the union connection sub and includes a replaceable wear component such as an annular ceramic insert with a tapered or cylindrical interior through-hole.

Abstract: An annular tube (or other shape) of elastomeric cellular material comprising elastomeric closed cells having gas infused therein is supported by structures protruding from the bottom surface of a suction stabilizer's head and/or by structures within the interior volume of the annular body of the suction stabilizer, preferably with spacing between the outer diameter of the annular tube of the cellular material and the inner walls of the suction stabilizer body. The gas-infused closed cell material may thus be employed in new suction stabilizer or pulsation dampener or to retrofit existing suction stabilizers or pulsation dampeners designed for a gas-filled bladder.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system including at least a housing for a charge-free pulsation dampener of a type utilizing elastomeric compression material, but without the compression material therein, includes a system pulsation dampener. The fluid delivery system includes a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump, a manifold, a pulsation dampener, and piping. The fluid reservoir stores a fluid used for a drilling procedure. The fluid pump pumps the fluid from the fluid reservoir through the fluid delivery system. The manifold is located downstream from the fluid pump, and receives and combines fluids from the at least one fluid pump. The pulsation dampener receives the combined fluid from the manifold, and dampens residual pulsations from the manifold. The piping receives fluid output from the pulsation dampener, and transfers the fluid received from the pulsation dampener further downstream.

Abstract: A multi-pump pump system includes at least two pumps and a system pulsation dampener sized and configured to reduce a magnitude of pressure pulsations within a combined flow output by the at least two pumps, together with at least one mini-dampener coupled between the outlet of one of the pumps and header pipe(s) carrying flow from one of the pumps into the system pulsation dampener, the at least one mini-dampener sized and configured to reduce the magnitude of pressure pulsations over the system pulsation dampener alone. Optionally, a mini-dampener may be coupled between each pump and the system pulsation dampener. A single header pipe may carry combined flow from the at least two pumps into the system pulsation dampener, or separate header pipes may carry individual flows from the pumps into the system pulsation dampener.

Abstract: A nested gas charged cartridge for insertion in a cylinder to reduce pulsations in a fluid pumping system includes a first gas cartridge and a second gas cartridge, and optionally a third gas cartridge. Each of the first, second, and third gas cartridges independently and cumulatively reduce pulsations entering the cylinder. A diameter of the third gas cartridge is less than a diameter of the second gas cartridge, which both are less than a diameter of a first gas cartridge.

Abstract: A gas charged cartridge for use with a cylinder to form a pulsation control dampener is provided. The cylinder receives a fluid for the pulsation control dampener. The gas charged cylinder can include a head, a plug, an elastomer composite, and a perforated retaining sleeve. The head is located on a first end of the gas charged cartridge. The plug is located on a second end of the gas charged cartridge. The elastomer composite connects the head to the plug. The perforated retaining sleeve is affixed to the plug surrounding the elastomer composite.

Abstract: A gas charged cartridge for use with a cylinder to form a pulsation control dampener is provided. The cylinder receives a fluid for the pulsation control dampener. The gas charged cylinder can include a head, a plug, an elastomer composite, and a perforated retaining sleeve. The head is located on a first end of the gas charged cartridge. The plug is located on a second end of the gas charged cartridge. The elastomer composite connects the head to the plug. The perforated retaining sleeve is affixed to the plug surrounding the elastomer composite.

Abstract: A replacement tube for a manifold is provided. The replacement tube includes a closed cell foam and a reinforcement strip. The closed cell foam is formed in a cylindrical tube and flexible to absorb pressure pulsations in a chamber of a suction manifold or in another device. The reinforcement strip is fixed along a length of the closed cell foam to support the closed cell foam from flexing and collapsing along the length of the closed cell foam.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener system is provided. The pulsation dampener system includes a pump that pumps fluid through the pulsation dampener system. A pulsation dampener is located downstream from the pump and dampens pulsations within the fluid. A pressure sensor is located downstream from the pump and detects a pump pressure of the fluid at the pulsation dampener. A wye pipe located downstream of the pulsation dampener and the pressure sensor that diverts the fluid into two or more flow paths. From the wye, a first flow path increases pump pressure of the fluid and a second flow path allows the fluid to flow unrestricted. Piping receives the fluid from the first flow path and the second flow path and discharges the fluid further downstream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for a hybrid pulsation dampener. The hybrid pulsation dampener includes an inlet, a flow-through reactive dampener, a gas charged pulsation dampener, and an outlet. The inlet receives a fluid. The flow-through reactive dampener dampens the received fluid. The gas charged pulsation dampener further dampens the dampened fluid as the received fluid flows through the flow-through reactive dampener. The outlet discharges the further dampened fluid.

Abstract: A pulsation control device coupling a reciprocating pump with either suction or discharge piping and having a generally spherical or cylindrical interior chamber includes a curved baffle with a pressure drop device (e.g., a choke) separating the interior chamber into two volumes and forcing fluid flow through the pressure drop device. The effective fluid passage provided by the pressure drop device is smaller than the fluid passage for one or both of the inlet to and/or the outlet from the interior chamber. Fluid entering the pulsation control device reacts with fluid contained within the volume thereof on both sides of the baffle. The baffle attenuates pressure pulses within fluid passing through the interior chamber in response to operation of the reciprocating pump. The pressure drop device dampens high frequency pulsation magnitudes of pressure pulses within fluid passing through the interior chamber in response to operation of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: A pulsation control device is constructed at least partially of a composite carbon (and/or other fibers)/epoxy exostructure having an oblong cylindrical or spheroidal shape, optionally with metallic portions or reinforcements, together with a non-metallic polymer non-load sharing liner. A pressure drop tube preferably extends from an opening through an exterior wall of the body into an interior space within the body.

Abstract: Different inner diameter internal or external pressure drop tubes or orifice plate openings producing different discharge pressure pulse amplitudes are employed in a pump pulsation control reactive discharge dampener. Either both pressure drop tubes/orifice plates may be mounted concurrently on or in the dampener, connected to different discharge pipes used selectively by the operator depending upon the piston or plunger size being employed, or the pressure drop tubes/orifice plates may be interchangeable.

Abstract: Performance parameters for a reciprocating pump including pulsation energy, temperature energy, solids, Miller number and chemical energy and the like are monitored and employed to at least periodically compute a total energy number over the operating life of the pump. The current computed value is compared to a predictive failure value empirically determined for the respective pump design, to determine when failure is likely to be imminent. Scheduling of maintenance with other pumping operations and objective rating of competing designs is possible based on the total energy number.