Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump within a housing. The pump has a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The end connected to the crosshead is secured to the crosshead by a bushing located within the crosshead that allows the connecting rod end to pivot during operation. The bushing extends more than 180 degrees, retaining the connecting rod with the crosshead without the need for a wrist pin. The end secured by the bushing can be retained within the bushing by a lock plate, and retainers without the need for a wrist pin.

Abstract: A tool for replacing a valve seat of a reciprocating pump has a puller shaft connected to a puller head having at least two spring-biased dogs. An operator inserts the puller head into a valve bore and through a valve seat, the dogs retracting as the puller head moves through the valve seat, then snapping back outward. A hydraulic cylinder engages the puller shaft to exert a force on the puller shaft causing the dogs to dislodge the seat. The operator then places a replacement valve seat on a shoulder in the valve bore. The operator attaches an installing head to an installing shaft and inserts the installing head into the valve bore into contact with the replacement valve seat. The hydraulic cylinder applies a force in an opposite direction on the installing shaft to push the replacement valve seat into installed engagement.

Abstract: A plunger installation tool that exerts a force on a plunger for a reciprocating pump to install the plunger into a pump cylinder opening. Maintenance of the pump typically includes repacking of the packing that surrounds the plunger and revalving of the pump's inlet and outlet valve. To allow repacking or revalving, the pump is disassembled and the plunger is removed. The plunger installation tool threads onto the pump cylinder opening to provide a reaction point for a threaded rod that is driven at one end by a driver and engages the plunger at an opposite end during installation to push the plunger into the cylinder opening without the use of hammers by personnel.

Abstract: This invention relates to valve assemblies having a valve seat body having an axial bore therethrough; wherein the valve seat body has an inclined seat surface located on an upper end of the seat body. The valve assemblies further include a valve member having a valve body such that the valve body is positioned within the axial bore of the valve seat body. A seal is disposed between the seat surface of the seat body and an annular seal surface of the valve member such that the seal prevents contact between the seat surface of the seat body and the valve member.

Abstract: A hydraulic plunger installation tool that exerts a hydraulic force on a plunger for a reciprocating pump to install the plunger into a pump cylinder opening. Maintenance of the pump typically includes repacking of the packing that surrounds the plunger and revalving of the pump's inlet and outlet valve. To allow repacking or revalving, the pump is disassembled and the plunger is removed. The hydraulic plunger installation tool is located at the pump cylinder on an upward facing nest with legs that provide a reaction point for a hydraulically actuated piston rod that is driven at one end by a hydraulic piston and engages the plunger at an opposite end during installation to push the plunger into the cylinder opening without the use of hammers by personnel.

Abstract: A carrier that holds a plunger for a reciprocating pump during maintenance. Maintenance of the pump typically includes repacking of the packing that surrounds the plunger and revalving of the pump's inlet and outlet valve. To allow repacking or revalving, the pump is disassembled and the plunger is removed. The carrier mates with the pump to hold and support weight of the plunger during disassembly, allowing one person to perform pump revalving and repacking.

Abstract: A frame for supporting a pressure relief valve located within a frac line connected to high pressure pumps on frac trucks. A metallic base is formed from rectangular tubing in the shape of a box. Saddles on the base support a tee on the lower portion of the relief valve. Brace links are connected at one end to the corners of the metallic base and swivel about clevises to allow access to the pressure relief valve. The other end of the brace links connect to clevises on a flange when assembled. The flange is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the relief valve to stabilize the assembly. Lifting loops on the flange allow the frame to be lifted during assembly.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump has a driven crankshaft and a connecting rod having an aft end rotatably mounted to the crankshaft. The pump has a stationarily mounted crosshead case in which a crosshead assembly strokes. The crosshead assembly has first and second crosshead members. A retainer pivotally joins the forward end of the connecting rod to the first crosshead member. The second crosshead member has a partially cylindrical recess containing a bushing. The forward end of the connecting rod is in pivotal engagement with the bushing. The second crosshead member is releasably secured to the first crosshead member to allow removal of the second crosshead member and the bushing from the crosshead case without detaching the forward end of the connecting rod from the first crosshead member.

Abstract: A valve has a body having a rotatable valve element. A drive mechanism has a drive input member and a drive output member that are coupled to the valve element for rotating the valve element. A shear member is operatively located within the drive mechanism between the drive input member and the drive output member for shearing in the event the force to rotate the valve element is excessive. The valve has indicia indicating open and closed positions for the valve element. An indicator is mounted to output drive member to properly align with the indicia regardless whether the shear member has sheared or not.

Abstract: A check valve assembly has a body having a central cavity intersected by upstream and downstream flow passages. A seat is secured by a threaded engagement in the upstream flow passage. An access bore intersects the cavity and has a support shoulder formed in it. A holder is supported on the support shoulder. A flapper is pivotally secured to the holder and located in the cavity for movement between an open position and a closed position blocking flow through the seat. A straight edge portion in the access bore engages a straight edge portion of the holder to prevent rotation of the holder. A fastener extends through a hole in the support shoulder into engagement with the seat to prevent rotation of the seat.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly having a pump within a housing. The pump having a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The connecting rod is fabricated from multiple pieces, with the body of the connecting rod fabricated out of light weight aluminum and the end connected to the crosshead fabricated out of steel. The steel end of the connecting rod can withstand the stress at the crosshead. The lighter weight of the connecting rod lightens the weight of the pump and its transportation is easier and less costly.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly having a crankshaft rotatable by an attached motor and coupled by a connecting rod to a crosshead member. On a side opposite the connection to the connecting rod, the crosshead member connects to a plunger. The plunger is coaxially disposed in a cylinder provided in a cylinder block. Rotating the crankshaft reciprocates the crosshead member and attached plunger. In an embodiment the crosshead member includes an outer shell and a core portion within the shell formed from a material different from the shell material.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump within a housing. The pump has a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The end connected to the crosshead is secured to the crosshead by a bushing located within the crosshead that allows the connecting rod end to pivot during operation. The bushing extends more than 180 degrees, retaining the connecting rod with the crosshead without the need for a wrist pin. The end secured by the bushing can be retained within the bushing by a lock plate, and retainers without the need for a wrist pin.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly having a block body, a cylinder chamber in the block body, a plunger reciprocatingly disposed in the block body, an opening in the block body adjacent the cylinder chamber, and a cover plate in the opening. Threads on the outer periphery of the cover plate engage threads formed within the opening. The threaded outer periphery of the cover plate extends into the cylinder chamber and past the threaded portion of the opening so that the load on the cover plate transfers from fully formed threads on the cover plate to threads formed on the opening.

Abstract: A pressure relief system for a reciprocating pumping system that deintensifies pressure from the pumping system and controls relief operation with the deintensified pressure. The relief system includes a relief valve connected to the pumping system and a control system that selectively opens the relief valve when an overpressure is sensed in the pumping system. To keep the relief valve in a closed position, the control system maintains a backpressure on the relief valve using the deintensified pressure. A dump valve in the control system selectively vents the backpressure so the relief valve can open. A charging system can be used for charging the control system and for reseating the relief valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and dispensing balls into a flow stream. The apparatus has an outer housing with a smooth cylindrical inner surface, and an inner housing, removably mounted within the outer housing. The inner housing has a hollow cylindrical body extending longitudinally between a lower guide plate and an upper guide band. A plurality of longitudinal slots are located in and extend the length of the cylindrical body and through the lower guide plate. The width of the slots is greater than the diameter of the balls. The apparatus also has a shaft with a smooth cylindrical outer surface, coaxially, rotatably, and removably mounted in the inner housing. The distance between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the outer housing is greater than the diameter of the balls.

Abstract: A retaining system for securing a closure at an installed position within a bore. The bore being in a portion of a housing and having screw threads along at least a portion thereof. The closure having an internally threaded hold extending therein. The closure in the installed position closes the bore. The retaining system comprising a retaining cover for obstructing removal of the closure from the bore. The retaining cover being receivable in the bore in a position generally adjacent the closure. The retaining cover having external threads interengageable with the screw threads of the bore such that the cover is rotatable relative to the housing in a tightening direction for movement of the cover into the bore toward the closure and rotatable in an opposite, loosening direction for movement of the cover out from the bore away from the closure. The cover having a central axis of rotation.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly includes a power frame that houses a crankshaft. The crankshaft is mechanically connected to a large gear or bull gear on each end that is in mechanical engagement with a small gear or pinion bearing. A bearing housing is integrally formed as part of the power frame with an increased width and a constant inner diameter. A pinion bearing assembly, comprising an inner race, an outer race, and spherical bearings is placed around the shaft of the pinion bearing. The pinion is installed in the reciprocating pump assembly such that the bearing assembly rests on the bearing housing, which is integrally formed as part of the power frame. The bearing assembly is free to float in the bearing housing and provides for some lateral movement of the shaft and bearing assembly during operation of the reciprocating pump assembly.