Method and apparatus for pressurizing fluids

Abstract

A high-pressure valve assembly having a valve body that defines a preferably cylindrical valve cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a plurality of valve ports; and a fluid pressure intensifier assembly having a plurality of piston-plunger assemblies and utilizing the high-pressure valve assembly to distribute the working fluid. The valve assemblies have a valve rotor rotatably mounted within the valve cavity. In one embodiment, the valve rotor divides the valve cavity into a high-pressure region in communication with the fluid inlet and a low-pressure region in communication with the fluid outlet. As the valve rotor rotates, at least one and preferably three or more valve ports communicate with the power chamber and at least one and preferably three or more valve ports communicate with the discharge chamber. The valve cage has a high-pressure region in communication with the fluid inlet, a low-pressure region in communication with the fluid outlet, and valve ports in communication with the corresponding valve rod holes and the valve port of the valve body. In such second embodiment, the valve rotor has a slanted face in contact with a round end of each valve rod while the opposite end of each valve rod is biased by a spring or a pressurized gas. As the valve rotor rotates, the valve rods slide in an axial direction within the valve rod holes. As the valve rod oscillates, the middle cutout area forms communication with the respective valve port, alternatively with the high-pressure region and the low-pressure region.