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: The present disclosure provides methods for preparing an extruded product from a solid billet. The methods can include providing an as-cast billet for extrusion; applying a simultaneous rotational shear and axial extrusion force to the as-cast billet to plasticize the as-cast billet; and extruding the plasticized as-cast billet with an extrusion die to form an extruded product. Methods for preparing extruded products from billets can also include: providing a billet for extrusion; while maintaining a majority of the billet below 100° C., applying a simultaneous rotational shear and axial extrusion force to one end of the billet to plasticize the one end of the billet; and extruding the plasticized one end of the billet with an extrusion die to form an extruded product.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing shear-assisted extrusion processes for forming extrusions of a desired composition from a feedstock material are provided. The processes can use a device having a scroll face having an inner diameter portion bounded by an outer diameter portion, and a member extending from the inner diameter portion beyond a surface of the outer diameter portion. Extrusion feedstocks and extrusion processes are provided for forming extrusions of a desired composition from a feedstock. The processes can include providing a feedstock having at least two different materials and engaging the materials with one another within a feedstock container. Methods for preparing metal sheets are provided that can include preparing a metal tube via shear assisted processing and extrusion; opening the metal tube to form a sheet having a first thickness; and rolling the sheet to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

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.

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.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical module sensor. An example optical module sensor may include an optical radiation-emitting device, a reference, an optical radiation receiver positioned, an electromagnetic interference shield, and a housing cap. The housing cap may include a barrier wall positioned such that the housing cap defines a transmission cavity and a receiving cavity. The optical radiation-emitting device and the reference sensor may be positioned within the transmission cavity and the optical radiation receiver may be positioned within the receiving cavity. The housing cap may include an attenuation wall positioned between the reference sensor and the optical radiation receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for pitch determination. An example method includes obtaining an image depicting a structure, the image being captured via a user device positioned proximate to the structure. The image is segmented to identify, at least, a roof facet of the structure. An eave vector and a rake vector which are associated with the roof facet are determined. A normal vector of the roof facet is calculated based on the eave vector and the rake vector, and compared to a vector indicating a vertical direction such as gravity. The angle made out by the normal and a gravity vector may be utilized to calculate the pitch of the roof facet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for pitch determination. An example method includes obtaining an image depicting a structure, the image being captured via a user device positioned proximate to the structure. The image is segmented to identify, at least, a roof facet of the structure. An eave vector and a rake vector which are associated with the roof facet are determined. A normal vector of the roof facet is calculated based on the eave vector and the rake vector, and compared to a vector indicating a vertical direction such as gravity. The angle made out by the normal and a gravity vector may be utilized to calculate the pitch of the roof facet.

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 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.

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 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.

Abstract: A shear-assisted extrusion process and related apparatus can include establishing shear-assisted extrusion to form a first extrudate, suspending such extrusion, and re-starting extrusion with the same material or initiating extrusion of a different material or different billet of the same material to form a second extrudate, without requiring disassembly of extrusion apparatus or clearing of an extrusion die tool. A resulting combined extrudate can include a fused region joining the first extrudate and the second extrudate. Such processing does not require (nor generally involve) melting of feedstock materials and can be performed even if cooling occurs of the die tool and associated billet material between suspension of extrusion and re-start or initiation of subsequent extrusion. In this manner, downtime can be reduced or minimized, or extrusions can be formed having different material properties along their axial extent, as illustrative examples.

Abstract: An improved debris catcher and choke system for receiving a pressurized fluid stream from wellbore operations where a controller can selectively place a plurality of debris catchers in debris catching or flushing modes, and the cleaned fluids from one of the debris catchers can be used to flush one of the other debris catchers. One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for utilizing debris catchers and choke valves.

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: Systems and methods are provided for pitch determination. An example method includes obtaining an image depicting a structure, the image being captured via a user device positioned proximate to the structure. The image is segmented to identify, at least, a roof facet of the structure. An eave vector and a rake vector which are associated with the roof facet are determined. A normal vector of the roof facet is calculated based on the eave vector and the rake vector, and compared to a vector indicating a vertical direction such as gravity. The angle made out by the normal and a gravity vector may be utilized to calculate the pitch of the roof facet.

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 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.

Abstract: A system for performing shear-assisted extrusion can include a front fixed endstock and a rear fixed endstock. The system can include a front movable headstock and a rear movable headstock. The system can include a die tool connected to the front fixed endstock. The die tool can include a face configured to engage and plasticize a face of feedstock material. The die tool can define an opening to receive plasticized feedstock material therethrough. The system can include a front spindle supported by the front movable headstock. The front spindle can be rotatable to rotate the feedstock material with respect to the front movable headstock. The system can include a rear spindle connected to the rear movable headstock, the rear spindle rotatable with respect to the rear movable headstock and the die tool.

Abstract: A shear-assisted extrusion process and related apparatus can include establishing a rotational shearing force and an axial extrusion force at an interface where a face of a die tool engages with a face of a portion of billet or other feedstock material, and extruding the portion of feedstock material through an opening of the die tool in response to establishing the rotational shearing force and the axial extrusion force. The die tool can be rotated at a different rate than the feedstock material prior to extrusion of the feedstock material through the opening of the die tool. A number of configurations can be used to provide the rotational shearing force and/or the axial extrusion force, as described herein.