Patents Assigned to Kerr Machine Co.
  • Patent number: 12631166
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Mark S. Nowell
  • Patent number: 12624684
    Abstract: A fluid end made of a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section is made of a housing having a discharge bore and an intake bore formed therein. A fluid routing plug is installed within each housing and is configured to route fluid throughout the housing and between the discharge and intake bores. The fluid routing plug carries seals that engage sealing surfaces formed within the 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 within each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Mark S. Nowell
  • Patent number: 12612904
    Abstract: A fluid end having a reciprocating plunger installed within. The plunger may have a bore formed therein, and a valve assembly attached to one end of the plunger. The valve assembly may engage a valve seat situated within the plunger. The plunger may contain a sleeve which engages part of the valve assembly. The fluid end may be connected to an inlet manifold which is situated above the fluid end. The inlet manifold may be situated on a power end. The fluid end may be made of a static section and a plurality of dynamic sections threaded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Christopher Todd Barnett, Guy J. Lapointe, Brandon Scott Ayres, John Keith, Nicholas Son, Mark S. Nowell, Micheal Cole Thomas
  • Patent number: 12607185
    Abstract: A high-pressure hydraulic fracturing pump. The pump is in-line in orientation, with a static section having a high-pressure discharge chamber and a dynamic section having a dynamic internal bore threaded to the static section. A fluid routing plug is disposed within a bore which includes the dynamic internal bore. The pump is designed for ease of access and for reducing wear. Large, external threads on the dynamic section pair with internal threads on the static section to reduce wear associated with repeated pressurization of hydraulic fracturing fluid found within the pump. Seals and wear rings are found at a nose of the dynamic section to further prevent wear and damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Christopher Todd Barnett, John Keith, Nicholas Son
  • Patent number: 12595881
    Abstract: A lubricating system configured to provide a lubricating oil from a lubricant reservoir to a fluid end by use of a pump. The lubricating system has a plurality of check valves that each have an elastomeric insert. The lubricating system also has at least one pressure relief valve that is configured to re-rout lubricant to the lubricant reservoir when needed to stabilize pressure within the system. The lubricating system uses a pump drive controller and at least one sensor to selectively turn the pump on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Guy J. Lapointe, Brandon Scott Ayres
  • Patent number: 12590575
    Abstract: A high pressure pump. The pump comprises a fluid end assembly supported on a power end assembly. The power end assembly is modular and held together by a first set of stay rods. The fluid end assembly comprises a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section comprises a housing made of multiple-piece construction. One or more pieces of the housing are configured to having a second set of stay rods attached thereto. The second set of stay rods interconnect the fluid end assembly and a power end assembly and are vertically offset from the first set of stay rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: John Keith, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son
  • Patent number: 12590581
    Abstract: A high-pressure hydraulic fracturing pump. The pump is in-line in orientation, with a static section having a high-pressure discharge chamber and a dynamic section having a dynamic internal bore threaded to the static section. A fluid routing plug is disposed within a bore which includes the dynamic internal bore. The pump is designed for ease of access and for reducing wear. Large, external threads on the dynamic section pair with internal threads on the static section to reduce wear associated with repeated pressurization of hydraulic fracturing fluid found within the pump. Seals and wear rings are found at a nose of the dynamic section to further prevent wear and damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Christopher Todd Barnett, John Keith, Nicholas Son
  • Patent number: 12584481
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Mark S. Nowell, Kelcy Jake Foster, Christopher Todd Barnett, Brandon Scott Ayres, Michael Eugene May, Guy J. Lapointe, Micheal Cole Thomas
  • Patent number: 12565889
    Abstract: A fluid end section having a clamping system. The clamping system has a primary clamp formed of a number of sections, which, disposed in end-to-end arrangement, form an annular ring. The primary clamp has an angled surface at each of two rims, which interact with complementary surfaces on flanges that form two separate components of the fluid end section. Each of the two separate components have a bore, which when aligned by placement of the clamp, are in alignment with one another. The clamp has an externally-disposed compression ring, which may either be essentially the width of the primary clamp, or may have one or more flexible rods which interact with grooves on the primary clamp. In either case, the compression ring holds the primary clamp in place, therefore joining the components of the fluid end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Nicholas Son, John Keith
  • Patent number: 12560154
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2025
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Mark S. Nowell, Guy J. Lapointe, Michael Eugene May
  • Patent number: 12560156
    Abstract: A fluid end assembly comprising a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section comprises a housing having a bore formed therein for housing a reciprocating plunger. Fluid is prevented from leaking around the plunger by a packing seal assembly. The packing seal assembly comprises one and only one packing seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2025
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Todd Barnett, Micheal Cole Thomas, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son, John Keith
  • Patent number: 12546308
    Abstract: A fluid end is formed from a first body attached to a separate second body. Each body includes an external surface. When the bodies are attached, their respective external surfaces are in flush engagement. A plurality of bores are formed in the second body that are alignable with a plurality of corresponding bores formed in the first body. The fluid end may be used with seals disposed within recesses within each bore to seal against corresponding sealing surfaces. Further, retaining closures may be bolted to the fluid end bodies, such that the closures have a threadless connection to the fluid end bodies. Various combinations of such components may be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Mark S. Nowell, Kelcy Jake Foster, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett
  • Patent number: 12535143
    Abstract: A fluid end assembly comprising a housing having multiple conduits formed therein. A tubular sleeve is installed within one of the conduits and is configured to house a plurality of packing seals. A seal is installed within a groove formed in the walls of the housing surrounding the tubular sleeve such that the seal engages an outer surface of the tubular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Mark S. Nowell, Kelcy Jake Foster, Michael Eugene May, Brandon Scott Ayres, Christopher Todd Barnett, Micheal Cole Thomas, Guy J. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 12529427
    Abstract: A valve configured to seal against a valve seat. The valve and valve seat are configured to be installed within a fluid end. A recess is formed within the valve for receiving a seal. A shape of the recess and a shape of the valve are designed to reduce wear to the seal during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Kelcy Jake Foster
  • Patent number: 12523205
    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 throughout the fluid end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Nicholas Son, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, John Keith
  • Patent number: 12516594
    Abstract: A fluid end assembly made of a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section comprises a plurality of individual components joined together in a row. Two sets of fasteners are used to secure various components of each fluid end section together. When the fluid end section is assembled, a first set of fasteners is in a spaced relationship with and faces a second set of fasteners. At least one component making up the multi-piece fluid end section is configured to have a plurality of stay rods attached thereto. The stay rods interconnect the fluid end assembly and a power end assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Nicholas Son, John Keith
  • Patent number: 12486840
    Abstract: A system for cooling plungers which operate in high pressure pumps. The system uses a plunger having a blind bore formed therein. The blind bore may receive a number of different objects, some of which are fixed to the plunger. A heat exchanger may be installed within the blind bore. The heat exchanger may have internal passages or openings which allow for the circulation of fluid within the blind bore, thus cooling the plunger. The heat exchanger may be formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the material used to form the plunger. This allows the heat exchanger to cool the plunger more effectively than if the plunger were solid or filled with an empty air space. The heat exchanger may be sealed within the bore of the plunger, or exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2025
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Kelcy Jake Foster, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Guy J. Lapointe, Brandon Scott Ayres
  • Patent number: 12473910
    Abstract: A fluid end made of a housing and a plunger reciprocating therein. The plunger has a hollow bore formed therein, and a valve assembly situated on one end of the plunger. The plunger may have a sleeve situated within the bore that aids in the installation of the valve assembly. The plunger may have a second bore extending perpendicularly from the hollow bore. The first bore may be connected to an attachment piece which connects to a conduit. The conduit may then be connected to a manifold which is configured to provide a fluid to the plunger's bore. The housing may be made of a static section and a plurality of dynamic sections. The dynamic sections may thread into the housing. The static section may be made of two pieces to aid with installation of a dynamic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2025
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Christopher Todd Barnett, Micheal Cole Thomas, John Keith, Nicholas Son
  • Patent number: 12473897
    Abstract: A fluid end for use with a power end. The fluid end comprises a plurality of fluid end sections positioned adjacent one another. Each section includes a single horizontally positioned bore. A plunger is installed within the bore and includes a fluid passageway. Low-pressure fluid enters the bore through the plunger and high-pressure fluid exits the fluid end through an outlet valve installed within the bore. The intake of low-pressure fluid within the fluid end section is regulated by an inlet valve installed within the plunger. Low-pressure fluid enters the plunger through an inlet component attached to both the plunger and an inlet manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Mark S. Nowell, Kelcy Jake Foster, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Guy J. Lapointe, Brandon Scott Ayres
  • Patent number: 12473898
    Abstract: A linear drive assembly configured for use within a power end assembly. The linear drive assembly is configured to interconnect a crankshaft and a pony rod and comprises a crosshead assembly attached to a connecting rod assembly. In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the connecting rod assembly is configured to attach to opposite sides of the crosshead assembly so that no portion of the connecting rod assembly is disposed within an interior of a crosshead included in the crosshead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Kerr Machine Co.
    Inventors: Kelcy Jake Foster, Micheal Cole Thomas, Christopher Todd Barnett, Nicholas Son, John Keith, Guy J. Lapointe