PACKING CARTRIDGES AND PRESSURE-DAMPENING AND VOC-ABSORBING ELEMENTS FOR PLUNGER-TYPE PUMPS

• US 20070273105A1
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Odessa M.S. Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Odessa M.S. Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Stanton, Eddie, Strickalnd, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/530,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20070273105A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 277/500
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/164 Stoffing boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/18 with stuffing-boxes for elastic or plastic packings

Abstract

A package cartridge is provided for use in the maintenance of a packing bore for a plunger-type pump. According to one aspect, a packing cartridge includes: a generally-cylindrical sleeve adapted to be at least partially positioned in the packing bore, a first abutment ring positioned in the sleeve, and a second abutment ring positioned in the sleeve and co-axially spaced apart from the first abutment ring. Telescoping structures are operatively positioned between the first abutment ring and the second abutment ring. According to another aspect, a structure forming a circumferential pressure-ring groove is provided. A pressure ring is positioned in the pressure-ring groove, the pressure ring having at least one smaller external dimension than an internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove, whereby at least one clearance is provided between the pressure-ring groove and the pressure ring. According to yet another aspect, a bio-filter element is provided with the packing cartridge to reduce volatile organic compound (“VOC”) emissions from a pump used for pumping hydrocarbon materials such as oil or gas. According to still yet another aspect, a method of controlling emissions from a pump for pumping hydrocarbons is provided, including the steps of enclosing the power end of the pump and positioned a VOC absorbing material within the enclosure. These aspects can be advantageously practiced together.

Claims

1. A packing cartridge for use in a packing bore of a plunger-type pump, wherein the packing bore has a generally cylindrical interior wall and a seat, the packing cartridge comprising:

a. a generally-cylindrical sleeve having an outer cylindrical profile adapted to be at least partially positioned in the packing bore;

b. a first abutment ring positioned in the sleeve;

c. a second abutment ring positioned in the sleeve and co-axially spaced apart from the first abutment ring;

d. telescoping structures operatively positioned between the first abutment ring and the second abutment ring to allow for squeezing of the first abutment ring and the second abutment ring co-axially closer to one another; and

e. a retaining ring operatively positioned between the telescoping structures to retain the telescoping structures together;

f. a structure forming a circumferential pressure-ring groove; and

g. a pressure ring positioned in the pressure-ring groove, the pressure ring having at least one smaller external dimension than an internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove, whereby at least one clearance is provided between the pressure-ring groove and the pressure ring.

19. The packing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the pressure ring has a slightly smaller internal diameter than the outside diameter of a plunger, which provides a tight interference fit of the pressure ring on the plunger.

24. The packing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the external dimension of the pressure ring and the internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove is at least 0.01 inch.

25. The packing cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the pressure ring has a smaller outer diameter than an internal diameter of the pressure-ring groove.

26. The packing cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the pressure ring has a smaller width than a width of the pressure-ring groove.

28. The packing cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the pressure ring is at least partially formed of a plastic.

29. The packing cartridge according to claim 28, wherein the plastic is a fluorocarbon.

30. The packing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the structure forming the pressure-ring retaining groove is a portion of the first abutment ring or the second abutment ring.

2-18. -18. (canceled)

20-23. -23. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

31-98. -98. (canceled)

99. A packing cartridge for use in a packing bore of a plunger-type pump, wherein the packing bore has a generally cylindrical interior wall and a seat, the packing cartridge comprising:

a. a sleeve adapted to be at least partially inserted into the packing bore;

b. a structure forming a circumferential pressure-ring groove; and

c. a pressure ring positioned in the pressure-ring groove, the pressure ring having at least one smaller external dimension than an internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove, whereby at least one clearance is provided between the pressure-ring groove and the pressure ring.

100. The packing cartridge according to claim 99, wherein the pressure ring has a slightly smaller internal diameter than the outside diameter of a plunger, which provides a tight interference fit of the pressure ring on the plunger.

101. The packing cartridge according to claim 100, wherein the pressure ring has an inwardly facing surface with a low coefficient of friction.

102. The packing cartridge according to claim 100, wherein the pressure ring has a relatively thin wall thickness to allow for expansion of the pressure ring over the diameter of the plunger.

103. The packing cartridge according to claim 99, wherein a sealing ring is positioned adjacent the clearance between the pressure-ring groove and the pressure ring to reduce seepage around the clearance.

104. The packing cartridge according to claim 99, wherein the difference between the external dimension of the pressure ring and the internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove is at least sufficient for forming a small fluid reservoir.

111. The packing cartridge according to claim 99, further comprising:

a. a first abutment ring positioned in the sleeve;

b. a second abutment ring positioned in the sleeve and co-axially spaced apart from the first abutment ring;

c. a means for telescoping operatively positioned between the first abutment ring and the second abutment ring to allow for squeezing of the first abutment ring and the second abutment ring co-axially closer to one another; and

d. a means for axially retaining the means for telescoping together.

114. The packing cartridge according to claim 99, wherein the structure forming the pressure-ring retaining groove is a portion of the sleeve.

105. The packing cartridge according to claim 105, wherein the difference between the external dimension of the pressure ring and the internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove is at least 0.01 inch.

106. The packing cartridge according to claim 105, wherein the pressure ring has a smaller outer diameter than an internal diameter of the pressure-ring groove.

107. The packing cartridge according to claim 105, wherein the pressure ring has a smaller width than a width of the pressure-ring groove.

108. The packing cartridge according to claim 105, wherein the pressure ring has both a smaller outer diameter than an internal diameter of the pressure groove and a smaller width than a width of the pressuring-ring groove.

109. The packing cartridge according to claim 105, wherein the pressure ring is at least partially formed of a plastic.

110. The packing cartridge according to claim 109, wherein the plastic is a fluorocarbon.

112. The packing cartridge according to claim 110, wherein the structure forming the pressure-ring retaining groove is a portion of the first abutment ring or the second abutment ring.

113. The packing cartridge according to claim 110, wherein the structure forming the pressure-ring retaining groove is a housing ring adapted to be positioned between the first and second abutment rings.

115-122. -122. (canceled)

123. A packing element for use in a packing bore of a plunger-type pump, wherein the packing bore has a generally cylindrical interior wall and a seat, the packing element comprising:

a. a housing forming a circumferential pressure-ring groove; and

b. a pressure ring positioned in the pressure-ring groove, the pressure ring having at least one smaller external dimension than an internal dimension of the pressure-ring groove, whereby at least one clearance is provided between the pressure-ring groove and the pressure ring.

124. The packing cartridge according to claim 123, wherein the pressure ring has a slightly smaller internal diameter than the outside diameter of a plunger, which provides a tight interference fit of the pressure ring on the plunger.

125. The packing cartridge according to claim 124, wherein the pressure ring has an inwardly facing surface with a low coefficient of friction.

126-132. -132. (canceled)