Abstract: A modular stabilizer is provided for a reciprocating pump. The modular stabilizer includes at least one fluid dampening module incorporating a dampening material and forming a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the first fluid flow path defined between the entry ports of the suction manifold. The second fluid flow path is an alternate fluid flow path branching from the first fluid flow path.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump for a hydraulic fracking operation includes a plunger mechanically connected to a crankshaft for pumping a fluid through a cylinder, the cylinder having fluid ports for ingress and egress of fluid. An ingress valve is disposed at the ingress port, and a first actuator is coupled to the ingress valve and configured to actuate the ingress valve to be displaced between an enlarged open position to permit fluid flow through the ingress port and a closed position to prohibit fluid flow through the ingress port. An egress valve is disposed at the egress port, and a second actuator is coupled to the egress valve configured to actuate the egress valve to be displaced between an enlarged open position to permit fluid flow through the egress port and a closed position to prohibit fluid flow through the egress port.

Abstract: A valve seat for a valve assembly for a high-pressure fluid pump is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a valve body, and a valve seat fabricated of a first material. The valve seat has a generally a tubular body having an annular collar having an outer diameter surface extending beyond the outer diameter surface of the tubular body, and an annular insert fabricated of a second material more durable than the first material and affixed to form an inner diameter surface of the collar, the insert forming an annular sealing surface against which the valve body abuts when in a closed position. The insert forms an annular ledge edge at its inner diameter surface that is offset from the inner diameter surface of the tubular body to form an annular chamfered edge.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a piece of hydraulic fracturing equipment such as a positive displacement pump. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect conditions of the hydraulic fracturing pump and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to analyze data received from the plurality of sensors. The processor is also configured to predict faults in the hydraulic fracturing pump based on the data analysis. The system also includes a communication interface that is configured for transmitting predicted fault data to one or more devices.

Abstract: A valve member for an inlet or outlet valve assembly of a reciprocating pump assembly includes a valve body and a seal member. The valve body comprises a first body surface and a second body surface that extend circumferentially about the valve body. The valve body defines a body axis and an annular cavity. The seal member is positioned at least partially within the annular cavity of the valve body such that an outer seal portion of the seal member extends between the first body surface and the second body surface of the valve body. The outer seal portion of the seal member comprises a first seal surface and a second seal surface. The first body surface, the first seal surface, and the second seal surface extend at different angles relative to the body axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, to a wear-resistant hydraulic fracturing pump valve for use in a valve housing, the wear-resistant hydraulic fracturing pump valve comprising: (a) a valve head extending radially from a central axis, the valve head comprising: (i) a first bottom surface comprising a metal and positioned closest to a base of the valve head, wherein the first bottom surface is configured to form a metal seal with a top surface of a valve seat; and (ii) a first annular groove positioned directly adjacent and above the first bottom surface; and (b) a first wear-resistant pump valve gasket configured to mount inside the first annular groove and to form a valve gasket seal with the top surface of the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve member for an inlet or outlet valve assembly of a reciprocating pump assembly includes a valve body and a seal member. The valve body comprises a first body surface and a second body surface that extend circumferentially about the valve body. The valve body defines a body axis and an annular cavity. The seal member is positioned at least partially within the annular cavity of the valve body such that an outer seal portion of the seal member extends between the first body surface and the second body surface of the valve body. The outer seal portion of the seal member comprises a first seal surface and a second seal surface. The first body surface, the first seal surface, and the second seal surface extend at different angles relative to the body axis.

Abstract: A method for reducing pulsation effects associated with the compressor nozzle of a positive displacement compressor system. A pulsation absorber, having a design like that of a side branch absorber, is installed on the cylinder valve cap or on the cylinder nozzle. The acoustic dimensions and placement of the pulsation absorber are designed to reduce the amplitude of the pulsations associated with the peak resonant frequency of the compressor nozzle response.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing pulsation in lateral piping associated with a gas compressor system. A tunable side branch absorber (TSBA) is installed on the lateral piping. A pulsation sensor is placed in the lateral piping, to measure pulsation within the piping. The sensor output signals are delivered to a controller, which controls actuators that change the acoustic dimensions of the SBA.

Abstract: A method of improving scavenging operation of a two-stroke internal combustion engine. The exhaust pressure of the engine is analyzed to determine if there is a pulsation frequency. Acoustic modeling is used to design an absorber. An appropriately designed side branch absorber may be attached to the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A method for reducing pulsation effects associated with the compressor nozzle of a positive displacement compressor system. A pulsation absorber, having a design like that of a side branch absorber, is installed on the cylinder valve cap or on the cylinder nozzle. The acoustic dimensions and placement of the pulsation absorber are designed to reduce the amplitude of the pulsations associated with the peak resonant frequency of the compressor nozzle response.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine that drives a reciprocating compressor, such as the large compressors used for natural gas transmission. A controller receives data from the compressor representing operation conditions, such as load step, suction pressure, and discharge pressure. The controller then calculates engine control parameters, such as air intake and spark timing, based on the compressor data to optimize engine performance and emissions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a reciprocating member of a reciprocating piston compressor is presented. The apparatus and method provide a means for measuring parameters of the reciprocating member, such as road load or cross-head temperature and the like, and wirelessly transmitting the data to a receiver. A mobile assembly is attached to a reciprocating member of the compressor, the mobile assembly having a sensor assembly, a wireless transmitter and a power generation assembly. The sensor assembly measures a parameter of the reciprocating member and generates a representative sensor signal. The wireless transmitter wirelessly transmits a corresponding data signal to a stationary assembly mounted nearby. The power assembly powers the transmitter and sensor assembly. The measured data is used, in conjunction with other measurements, such as a crankshaft encoder, to calculate the work performed by the compressor, the power used by the compressor and other information.

Abstract: A method of balancing combustion among cylinders of an internal combustion engine. For each cylinder, a normalized peak firing pressure is calculated as the ratio of its peak firing pressure to its combustion pressure. Each cylinder's normalized peak firing pressure is compared to a target value for normalized peak firing pressure. The fuel flow is adjusted to any cylinder whose normalized peak firing pressure is not substantially equal to the target value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a reciprocating member of a reciprocating piston compressor is presented. The apparatus and method provide a means for measuring parameters of the reciprocating member, such as road load or cross-head temperature and the like, and wirelessly transmitting the data to a receiver. A mobile assembly is attached to a reciprocating member of the compressor, the mobile assembly having a sensor assembly, a wireless transmitter and a power generation assembly. The sensor assembly measures a parameter of the reciprocating member and generates a representative sensor signal. The wireless transmitter wirelessly transmits a corresponding data signal to a stationary assembly mounted nearby. The power assembly powers the transmitter and sensor assembly. The measured data is used, in conjunction with other measurements, such as a crankshaft encoder, to calculate the work performed by the compressor, the power used by the compressor and other information.

Abstract: A crosslinked water-based gel, for example a gel plug in an underground rock formation or a pipeline, is broken by an enzyme and a substrate which is capable of being converted by the enzyme into an organic acid which breaks down the gel. The enzyme is allowed to catalyze the conversion of the substrate into the acid to cause the breakdown of the gel.

Abstract: A high frequency oscillatory ventilator for infants and adults using feedback control to maintain either the desired tidal volume or pressure delivered to the subject. The inspiratory to expiratory time ratio of the ventilator is variable. The ventilator corrects the measured pressure for arbitrarily-sized endotracheal tubes and calculates the actual pressure or tidal volume delivered to the subject. The ventilator also separates the source of the tidal volume oscillations from the patient circuit with a flexible membrane or diaphragm, allowing transmission of oscillating tidal volumes while blocking mean airway pressures. The patient circuit is flexible, but fabricated from low-compliance material to minimize the loss of tidal volume. The ventilator uses feedback control of the exhaust flow to maintain mean airway pressure in the presence of an independently controlled bias flow.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method detects and specifies valve and ring leaks in reciprocating compressors of the type used in natural gas transmission networks. The system employs a method comprising the following steps. The cylinder pressure is measured as a function of cylinder volume to obtain a measured PV card. A predictive model then calculates a predicted PV card for the subject compressor cylinder without including effects of simulated leaks. The predicted PV card is them compared to the measured PV card. The nature and character of the differences between the measured and predicted PV cards indicates whether a leak in the subject compressor cylinder is a suction valve leak, a discharge valve leak, or a piston ring leak. The predictive model is then iterated with simulations of the indicated leak included until the resulting predicted PV card matches the actual measured PV card for the compressor cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming piston rings are disclosed. A split piston ring made by conventional processes is locally heated along its inside surface for a short distance either side of the split. This causes a short length of the ring on either side of the split to curl into a slight inward protrosion due to internal yielding of the restrained heated area and subsequent tensioning during cooling. The inwardly curved configuration prevents catching of the ring's ends on gas ports of ported cylinder engines.