Abstract: An example system includes a fluid end having a block, a suction bore formed in the block, a suction valve seat disposed within the suction bore, and a suction valve disposed within the suction bore, the suction valve, in a closed position, being configured to contact the suction valve seat to seal the suction bore. The system also includes a rod configured to engage the suction valve, the rod being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the suction valve is in the closed position, and in the second position, engagement of the rod with the suction valve causes the suction valve to be in an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus according to which a power end of a reciprocating pump assembly includes a block having bores formed therethrough, and crossheads disposed in the bores and adapted to reciprocate therein. A lubrication pump is in fluid communication with the bores. The pump is operable to pump lubrication fluid into each of the bores so that the crossheads are lubricated as they reciprocate within their respective bores. In another aspect, a power end includes a crosshead block and a power frame connected thereto, the frame including rib plates and supporting the crosshead block. In yet another aspect, a method includes casting a crosshead block; fabricating rib plates; connecting the rib plates to form a frame; and connecting the cast crosshead block to the frame. In some embodiments, the power ends may be used in oilfield operations such as, for example, the cementing, acidizing, or fracturing of a subterranean wellbore.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a pump body, such as a fluid end housing used in a reciprocating pump, which provides an integral seating or engagement surface (or a valve seat integrated with the pump body) for a valve member. The integral engagement surface removes the need for a separate, replaceable valve seat and can last as long as the service life of the fluid end housing. This saves multiple maintenance services during the service life of the fluid end housing, along with the associated down time, labor costs, and material costs for the new valve seats. The integral engagement surface thus performs as an integral valve seat to the pump body. In some embodiments, the integral engagement surface may be coated, heat-treated, or otherwise modified to increase its wear resistance, such as by including one or more wear-resistant inserts to at least partially contact the valve member.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a frame for a power end, a skid support structure integrally formed at a base of the power end frame to provide proper support and rigidity for the pump power end, where the integral skid support structure has a plurality of struts forming a series of chambers.

Abstract: A universal monitoring system applicable to a variety of hydraulic fracturing equipment includes an accelerometer mounted on a housing of a positive displacement pump and configured to sense a vibration associated with the positive displacement pump on start-up and generate a wake-up signal. A processor is communicatively coupled to the accelerometer and configured to initiate execution upon receiving the wake-up signal. A pressure strain gauge is mounted directly on the pump housing and is configured to sense deformity in the pump housing caused by alternating high and low pressures within the pump housing and generate sensor data. The processor is configured to receive the sensor data from the pressure strain gauge and configured to analyze the sensor data and determine a cycle count value for the positive displacement pump, and there is at least one communication interface coupled to the processor configured to transmit the sensor data and cycle count value to another device.

Abstract: An apparatus according to which a power end of a reciprocating pump assembly includes a block having bores formed therethrough, and crossheads disposed in the bores and adapted to reciprocate therein. A lubrication pump is in fluid communication with the bores. The pump is operable to pump lubrication fluid into each of the bores so that the crossheads are lubricated as they reciprocate within their respective bores. In another aspect, a power end includes a crosshead block and a power frame connected thereto, the frame including rib plates and supporting the crosshead block. In yet another aspect, a method includes casting a crosshead block; fabricating rib plates; connecting the rib plates to form a frame; and connecting the cast crosshead block to the frame. In some embodiments, the power ends may be used in oilfield operations such as, for example, the cementing, acidizing, or fracturing of a subterranean wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus according to which a power end of a reciprocating pump assembly includes a block having bores formed therethrough, and crossheads disposed in the bores and adapted to reciprocate therein. A lubrication pump is in fluid communication with the bores. The pump is operable to pump lubrication fluid into each of the bores so that the crossheads are lubricated as they reciprocate within their respective bores. In another aspect, a power end includes a crosshead block and a power frame connected thereto, the frame including rib plates and supporting the crosshead block. In yet another aspect, a method includes casting a crosshead block; fabricating rib plates; connecting the rib plates to form a frame; and connecting the cast crosshead block to the frame. In some embodiments, the power ends may be used in oilfield operations such as, for example, the cementing, acidizing, or fracturing of a subterranean wellbore.

Abstract: A valve seat includes a generally cylindrical body that defines a bore extending axially therethrough and has an outer surface. An enlarged diameter portion extends axially from the generally cylindrical body and defines a shoulder surface and an annular surface disposed opposite the shoulder surface; the annular surface is configured to form a seal with a displaceable portion of a valve. An annular channel is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body. An annular notch is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body axially between the enlarged diameter portion and the annular channel. The annular notch is configured to increase the radial compressibility of the generally cylindrical body to facilitate hydraulic ejection of the valve seat from the cylinder block. The annular channel is configured to receive a hydraulic fluid to compress radially the generally cylindrical body.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a pump body, such as a fluid end housing used in a reciprocating pump, which provides an integral seating or engagement surface (or a valve seat integrated with the pump body) for a valve member. The integral engagement surface removes the need for a separate, replaceable valve seat and can last as long as the service life of the fluid end housing. This saves multiple maintenance services during the service life of the fluid end housing, along with the associated down time, labor costs, and material costs for the new valve seats. The integral engagement surface thus performs as an integral valve seat to the pump body. In some embodiments, the integral engagement surface may be coated, heat-treated, or otherwise modified to increase its wear resistance, such as by including one or more wear-resistant inserts to at least partially contact the valve member.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a frame for a power end, a skid support structure integrally formed at a base of the power end frame to provide proper support and rigidity for the pump power end, where the integral skid support structure has a plurality of struts forming a series of chambers.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a frame for a power end, a skid support structure integrally formed at a base of the power end frame to provide proper support and rigidity for the pump power end, where the integral skid support structure has a plurality of struts forming a series of chambers.

Abstract: A valve seat includes a generally cylindrical body that defines a bore extending axially therethrough and has an outer surface. An enlarged diameter portion extends axially from the generally cylindrical body and defines a shoulder surface and an annular surface disposed opposite the shoulder surface; the annular surface is configured to form a seal with a displaceable portion of a valve. An annular notch is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body. The annular notch is configured to reduce a contact area between the outer surface and an interface surface of a cylinder block to facilitate hydraulic ejection of the valve seat from the cylinder block. An annular channel is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body and is disposed axially below the annular notch. The annular channel is configured to receive a hydraulic fluid to compress radially the generally cylindrical body.

Abstract: A valve seat includes a generally cylindrical body that defines a bore extending axially therethrough and has an outer surface. An enlarged diameter portion extends axially from the generally cylindrical body and defines a shoulder surface and an annular surface disposed opposite the shoulder surface; the annular surface is configured to form a seal with a displaceable portion of a valve. An annular notch is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body, and it extends a distance from a shoulder surface. The annular notch decouples a stiffness of the enlarged diameter portion to thereby increase a radial compressibility of the generally cylindrical body. An annular channel is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body and is disposed axially below the annular notch. The annular channel is configured to receive a hydraulic fluid to compress radially the generally cylindrical body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a reciprocating pump assembly, including a crosshead and a connecting rod. The crosshead includes a main body having a cylindrical bore formed therethrough and defining a bearing surface, and a window formed through the main body and into the cylindrical bore. The connecting rod includes a small end disposed within the cylindrical bore and a beam portion extending through the window and being connected to the small end. In an exemplary embodiment, a bearing including a tubular body and a cutout is disposed within the cylindrical bore. In another exemplary embodiment, a clamp engages both the main body of the crosshead and the respective opposing end portions of the small end, thus reducing axial displacement of the small end relative to the crosshead.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a frame for a power end, a skid support structure integrally formed at a base of the power end frame to provide proper support and rigidity for the pump power end, where the integral skid support structure has a plurality of struts forming a series of chambers.

Abstract: A universal monitoring system applicable to a variety of hydraulic fracturing equipment includes an accelerometer mounted on a housing of a positive displacement pump and configured to sense a vibration associated with the positive displacement pump on start-up and generate a wake-up signal. A processor is communicatively coupled to the accelerometer and configured to initiate execution upon receiving the wake-up signal. A pressure strain gauge is mounted directly on the pump housing and is configured to sense deformity in the pump housing caused by alternating high and low pressures within the pump housing and generate sensor data. The processor is configured to receive the sensor data from the pressure strain gauge and configured to analyze the sensor data and determine a cycle count value for the positive displacement pump, and there is at least one communication interface coupled to the processor configured to transmit the sensor data and cycle count value to another device.

Abstract: A valve seat for a reciprocating pump includes a generally cylindrical body that defines a bore axially therethrough and has a tapered outer surface. An annular surface is configured to form a seal with a displaceable portion of a valve. An annular channel is disposed circumferentially around the generally cylindrical body, and it has a floor surface that is delimited by an upper wall and a lower wall, where at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall forms a non-perpendicular angle with the floor surface.

Abstract: An apparatus according to which a power end of a reciprocating pump assembly includes a block having bores formed therethrough, and crossheads disposed in the bores and adapted to reciprocate therein. A lubrication pump is in fluid communication with the bores. The pump is operable to pump lubrication fluid into each of the bores so that the crossheads are lubricated as they reciprocate within their respective bores. In another aspect, a power end includes a crosshead block and a power frame connected thereto, the frame including rib plates and supporting the crosshead block. In yet another aspect, a method includes casting a crosshead block; fabricating rib plates; connecting the rib plates to form a frame; and connecting the cast crosshead block to the frame. In some embodiments, the power ends may be used in oilfield operations such as, for example, the cementing, acidizing, or fracturing of a subterranean wellbore.

Abstract: A valve seat includes a generally cylindrical body that defines a bore extending axially therethrough and has an outer surface. An enlarged diameter portion extends axially from the generally cylindrical body and defines a shoulder surface and an annular surface disposed opposite the shoulder surface; the annular surface is configured to form a seal with a displaceable portion of a valve. An annular notch is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body, and it extends a distance from a shoulder surface. The annular notch decouples a stiffness of the enlarged diameter portion to thereby increase a radial compressibility of the generally cylindrical body. An annular channel is formed in the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body and is disposed axially below the annular notch. The annular channel is configured to receive a hydraulic fluid to compress radially the generally cylindrical body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a reciprocating pump assembly, including a crosshead and a connecting rod. The crosshead includes a main body having a cylindrical bore formed therethrough and defining a bearing surface, and a window formed through the main body and into the cylindrical bore. The connecting rod includes a small end disposed within the cylindrical bore and a beam portion extending through the window and being connected to the small end. In an exemplary embodiment, a bearing including a tubular body and a cutout is disposed within the cylindrical bore. In another exemplary embodiment, a clamp engages both the main body of the crosshead and the respective opposing end portions of the small end, thus reducing axial displacement of the small end relative to the crosshead.