Abstract: A fluid routing plug for use with a fluid end section. The fluid end section being one of a plurality of fluid end sections making up a fluid end side of a high pressure pump. The fluid routing plug is installed within a horizontal bore formed in a fluid end section and is configured to route fluid between an intake and discharge bore. The fluid routing plug comprises a plurality of first and second fluid passages. The first and second passages do not intersect and are offset from one another. The first fluid passages are configured to direct fluid delivered to the horizontal bore from intake bores towards a reciprocating plunger. The second fluid passages are configured to direct fluid pressurized by the plunger towards a discharge bore.

Abstract: A power end assembly includes a crankshaft section, a crosshead section, and a connector section coupled together by one, two, or more sets of stay rods. The power end may include one or more support plates that are coupled to the crankshaft section and/or crosshead section. The crosshead section includes a plurality of individual crosshead frames. The connector section may include a plurality of individual connector plates or may be a unitary connector plate. The power end is configured to be coupled to a fluid end assembly by coupling the fluid end assembly to the connector plates.

Abstract: A fluid end comprising a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section is releasably attached to a connect plate. Each connect plate is attached to a power source using a plurality of stay rods. Each fluid end section comprises a housing in fluid communication with a pair of intake manifolds and a discharge conduit. A fluid routing plug is installed within each housing and is configured to route fluid throughout the housing. A plunger is installed within stuffing box attached to each housing. A number of features, including the location of seals within bore walls and carbide inserts within valve guides, aid in reducing or transferring wear.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure fluid end assembly having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.

Abstract: A valve seat. The valve seat is used in a fluid end of a fracturing pump. The external surface of the valve seat has a tapered portion that retains the valve seat in the fluid end. The external surface also has a portion that is substantially cylindrical. A hardened insert is integrated into a strike face of the valve seat. The tapered portion is at a first end of the valve seat and the tapered portion is at a second end of the valve seat. The second end of the valve seat may be formed such that its exterior surface does not contact the fluid end.

Abstract: A fluid end having as fluid flow bores sealed without threading a retaining nut into the walls of each bore. The fluid ends may be assembled using a plurality of different kits, each kit comprising a fluid end body, a component, a retainer element, and a fastening system. The retainer element holds the component within each of the bores formed in the fluid end body and the fastening system secures the retainer element to the body. The fastening system comprises a plurality of externally threaded studs, washers and nuts in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the fastening system comprises a plurality of screws.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for a frame that is configured to rotate a workpiece around an axis of rotation. The apparatus has a measurement device, and a known fixture that is supported by the frame. A processor is configured to execute stored computer instructions to initially-calibrate the measurement device to the axis of rotation, to employ the initially-calibrated measurement device to obtain an initial-calibration value of the known fixture, to store the initial-calibration value in a digital memory, to subsequently use the initially-calibrated measuring device to obtain an in-process automatic recalibration (IPAR) value of the known fixture, and to compare the IPAR value to the initial-calibration value to calculate a compensation value indicating positional error of the apparatus.

Abstract: A flangeless fluid end comprising a fluid end body releasably attached to a connect plate. The connect plate is attached to a power source using stay rods. The flow bores of the fluid end are sealed without threading a retainer nut into the walls of each bore. Instead, the flow bores are sealed by bolting a retainer to the fluid end body. Plungers to drive fluid through the fluid end body are installed within removable stuffing box sleeves. These sleeves are maintained within the plunger bores by the bolted retainers. A number of features, including the location of seals within bore walls and carbide inserts within valve structures, aid in reducing or transferring wear.

Abstract: A stem-guided valve for use inside of a fluid end. The valve body is installed in a conduit that traverses the fluid end housing. A removable guide element is installed within a bore formed in the valve body. A static component that is interposed within the conduit includes an elongate projecting stem. As the stem reciprocates axially with the guide element, the valve is caused to move between open and closed positions. In its closed position, the valve body engages a valve seat that surrounds the conduit. A plurality of perforations are formed in the walls of the guide element, the perforations allow fluid to drain from the guide element during operation.

Abstract: A closure element for a fluid end assembly that has two or more recessed grooves formed in its outer surface. The grooves are axially offset. A seal is placed in one and only one of the grooves. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other grooves. Instead of a series of axially offset grooves in a single closure element, a kit may be formed from two or more otherwise identical closure elements, each with a single recessed groove at a different axial position. Another closure element has a series of ledge-like surfaces defining spaces within which a seal may be received. One outer surface surrounds one or more of the other surfaces. A seal is placed in one and only one of the spaces. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other spaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure fluid end assembly having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure fluid end assembly having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.

Abstract: A fluid end having its fluid flow bores sealed without threading a retaining nut into the walls of each bore. The fluid ends may be assembled using a plurality of different kits that each comprise a fluid end body, a component, a retainer element, and a fastening system. The retainer element holds the component within each of the bores formed in the fluid end body and the fastening system secures the retainer element to the body. The fastening system comprises a plurality of externally threaded studs, washers and nuts in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the fastening system comprises a plurality of screws.

Abstract: A fluid end with an internal bellows can be used in high pressure environments. The bellows is disposed within a plunger bore, and has an interior isolated from a working chamber of the fluid end. An end of a plunger is received in the interior of the bellows. The bellows contains an incompressible fluid at a constant volume. As the plunger extends into the interior of the bellows, the fluid it contains is displaced. Such fluid displacement causes the bellows to extend. As the plunger is retracted, the fluid replaces the volume formerly displaced by the plunger, and causes the bellows to accordion to a retracted position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure fluid end assembly having a body defining a body bore and defining a recess in the body intersecting the body bore. A closure is joined to the body and forms a sealing surface. A seal is mounted to the body in the recess and configured to extend from the recess beyond the body bore to seal against the sealing surface formed by the closure.

Abstract: Insert elements that may be positioned within a high pressure plug valve. The elements have two or more recessed grooves formed around the fluid opening of the elements. The grooves are spaced from one another. A seal is placed in one and only one of the grooves. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other grooves. Instead of a series of spaced grooves in a single insert element, a kit may be formed from two or more otherwise identical insert elements, each with a single recessed groove at a different position around the fluid opening.

Abstract: A closure element for a fluid end assembly that has two or more recessed grooves formed in its outer surface. The grooves are axially offset. A seal is placed in one and only one of the grooves. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other grooves. Instead of a series of axially offset grooves in a single closure element, a kit may be formed from two or more otherwise identical closure elements, each with a single recessed groove at a different axial position. Another closure element has a series of ledge-like surfaces defining spaces within which a seal may be received. One outer surface surrounds one or more of the other surfaces. A seal is placed in one and only one of the spaces. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other spaces.