Controlling suction valves of a fluid pump
A suction valve control system of a fluid pump, that is configured to discharge fluid during a plurality of discharge cycles, may include a plurality of suction valves for respective cylinders of a fluid end of the fluid pump. The plurality of suction valves may be configured to close during the plurality of discharge cycles in accordance with a normal operation of the plurality of suction valves. The suction valve control system may include a controller configured to cause, responsive to a deactivating event for a cylinder of the respective cylinders, a suction valve of the cylinder to be maintained in an open position throughout one or more discharge cycles of the plurality of discharge cycles, while at least one other suction valve of the plurality of suction valves has the normal operation during the one or more discharge cycles.
1 . A suction valve control system of a fluid pump that is configured to discharge fluid during a plurality of discharge cycles, the suction valve control system comprising:
a plurality of suction valves for respective cylinders of a fluid end of the fluid pump, the plurality of suction valves configured to close during the plurality of discharge cycles in accordance with a normal operation of the plurality of suction valves; and
a controller configured to:
monitor, using a sensor of the fluid pump, measurements of an operating parameter relating to the fluid pump;
detect, based on monitoring the measurements of the operating parameter, that the measurements of the operating parameter exhibit a signature or an anomaly indicative of a defect;
correlate, based on the measurements of the operating parameter, the defect to a cylinder of the respective cylinders using a timing wheel or a phase marker; and
cause a suction valve of the cylinder to be maintained in an open position throughout one or more discharge cycles of the plurality of discharge cycles, while at least one other suction valve of the plurality of suction valves has the normal operation during the one or more discharge cycles.
2 . The suction valve control system of claim 1 , wherein the open position of the suction valve corresponds to an opening of the suction valve during a plurality of suction cycles of the fluid pump.
3 . The suction valve control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
cause, during one or more prior discharge cycles of the plurality of discharge cycles prior to the deactivating event, the suction valve not to be maintained in the open position during any portion of the one or more prior discharge cycles.
4 . The suction valve control system of claim 1 , wherein the open position is a full open position that corresponds to a maximum flow area of the suction valve.
5 . The suction valve control system of claim 1 , further comprising a valve control component configured to control actuation of the suction valve.
6 . The suction valve control system of claim 5 , wherein the controller, to cause the suction valve to be maintained in the open position, is configured to:
cause the valve control component to maintain the suction valve in the open position.
7 . The suction valve control system of claim 6 , wherein the controller, to cause the valve control component to maintain the suction valve in the open position, is configured to:
cause actuation of the valve control component to an extended position to hold open the suction valve.
8 . The suction valve control system of claim 1 , wherein the signature or the anomaly indicative of the defect comprises at least one of:
pulses in discharge pressure of the fluid pump,
spikes in vibration of the fluid pump, or
speed changes of a crankshaft of the fluid pump.
9 . A method, comprising:
monitoring, by a controller and using a sensor, measurements of an operating parameter relating to a fluid pump,
the fluid pump configured to discharge fluid during a plurality of discharge cycles,
the fluid pump having a plurality of suction valves for respective cylinders of a fluid end of the fluid pump, and
the plurality of suction valves configured to close during the plurality of discharge cycles in accordance with a normal operation of the plurality of suction valves;
detecting, by the controller and based on monitoring the measurements of the operating parameter, that the measurements of the operating parameter exhibit a signature or an anomaly indicative of a defect;
correlating, by the controller and based on the measurements of the operating parameter, the defect to a cylinder of the respective cylinders using a timing wheel or a phase marker; and
causing, by the controller, a suction valve of the cylinder to be maintained in an open position throughout one or more discharge cycles of the plurality of discharge cycles, while at least one other suction valve of the plurality of suction valves has the normal operation during the one or more discharge cycles.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the suction valve is to be maintained in the open position throughout the one or more discharge cycles to cause termination of discharge flow from the cylinder.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the operating parameter is at least one of a discharge pressure, a packing pressure, a packing temperature, a crankshaft speed, or a vibration level.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the component is the suction valve, a discharge valve of the cylinder, or a packing of the cylinder.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein causing the suction valve to be maintained in the open position comprises:
causing a valve control component to maintain the suction valve in the open position.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein causing the valve control component to maintain the suction valve in the open position comprises:
causing actuation of the valve control component to an extended position to hold open the suction valve.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the signature or the anomaly indicative of the defect comprises at least one of:
pulses in discharge pressure of the fluid pump,
spikes in vibration of the fluid pump, or
speed changes of a crankshaft of the fluid pump.
16 . A fluid pump system, comprising:
a fluid pump configured to discharge fluid during a plurality of discharge cycles, comprising:
a fluid end having a plurality of suction valves for respective cylinders of the fluid end, the plurality of suction valves configured to close during the plurality of discharge cycles in accordance with a normal operation of the plurality of suction valves; and
a controller configured to:
monitor, using a sensor of the fluid pump, measurements of an operating parameter relating to the fluid pump;
detect, based on monitoring the measurements of the operating parameter, that the measurements of the operating parameter exhibit a signature or an anomaly indicative of a defect;
correlate, based on the measurements of the operating parameter, the defect to a cylinder of the respective cylinders using a timing wheel or a phase marker; and
cause termination of discharge flow from the cylinder during one or more discharge cycles of the plurality of discharge cycles, while discharge flow from at least one other cylinder of the respective cylinders is maintained during the one or more discharge cycles.
17 . The fluid pump system of claim 16 , wherein the controller, to cause termination of discharge flow from the cylinder, is configured to:
cause a suction valve of the cylinder to be maintained in an open position throughout the one or more discharge cycles.
18 . The fluid pump system of claim 17 , further comprising a valve control component configured to control actuation of the suction valve,
wherein the controller, to cause the suction valve to be maintained in the open position, is configured to:
cause the valve control component to maintain the suction valve in the open position.
19 . The fluid pump system of claim 18 , wherein the controller, to cause the valve control component to maintain the suction valve in the open position, is configured to:
cause actuation of the valve control component to an extended position to hold open the suction valve.
20 . The fluid pump system of claim 16 , further comprising a prime mover for the fluid pump,
wherein the controller is configured to cause termination of discharge flow from the cylinder while the prime mover is in a non-stationary state.