Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve body, a hardened insert, a sealing insert, and a carrier. The hardened insert is cylindrical and comprises a primary sealing surface. The sealing insert is cylindrical and comprises an initial sealing surface. The carrier has an inside surface. The hardened insert and the sealing insert are coupled to the carrier. In a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and in an open configuration, the valve body is separated from the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to allow fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: Examples of a removal tool for a two-piece guide bushing are provided. A specific example comprises a handle, a cap coupled to the handle, the cap comprising arced slots; and a raised boss coupled to the cap, the raised boss configured to fit over the stem guide of a two-piece guide bushing. The guide bushing removal tool may be coupled to a two-piece guide bushing and the guide bushing removal tool may be configured such that rotation of the handle releases the guide bushing center of the two-piece guide bushing.

Abstract: A pump fluid end comprising: a reciprocating element disposed within a reciprocating element bore and having an outer surface; a reciprocating element packing positioned within the reciprocating element bore; and optionally a sleeve positioned within the reciprocating element bore and having an inner surface proximate the outer surface of the reciprocating element, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve is coated with a multi-layer surface coating comprising a plurality of layers including: a first layer in contact with the at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve; and a second layer disposed over at least a portion of the first layer; and wherein at least one of the plurality of layers has a different visual appearance and/or material composition than another of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A system and method for installing replacement plungers in plunger pumps used in the hydrocarbon industry. The system includes an elongated, cylindrical plunger body with an elongated circular tube disposed around the cylindrical plunger body. An end wall having an aperture formed therein encloses one end of the tube with an axially movable plate disposed within the tube adjacent the end wall between the end wall and the first plunger end of the plunger body. A removable cap is mounted to the opposite end of the tube to enclose and secure the plunger body within the tube. The outer diameter of the tube is sized to fit in the plunger bore of a pump. To install the replacement plunger, the cap is removed from the end of the tube and the tube is inserted into the plunger bore until the tube abuts packing within the tube. Once positioned, an axial force is applied to the movable plate in order to urge the plunger body from the tube and into engagement with the packing.

Abstract: A high-pressure plunger pump used in the hydrocarbon industry injects pressurized lubricating fluid to the low-pressure side of a packing assembly during a suction stroke of a pump plunger in order to activate seals within the packing assembly thereby minimizing migration of working fluid along the pump plunger during the suction stroke. The system includes a pump manifold having an elongated bore in which a plunger reciprocates. A packing assembly is disposed around the plunger and includes V-shaped seals having a low-pressure end and a high-pressure end. A high-pressure lubricating fluid pump fluidly communicates with the packing assembly low-pressure end to injects pressurized lubricating fluid to the low-pressure end during a suction stroke. The pressure of the injected lubricating fluid during the suction stroke is selected to be equal to or greater than the pressure of a working fluid in the main pump housing.

Abstract: A pump fluid end comprising: a reciprocating element disposed at least partially within a reciprocating element bore of the pump fluid end; a discharge valve assembly; a suction valve assembly coupled with a front end of the reciprocating element; and a suction valve stop, wherein the suction valve stop is positioned within the reciprocating element bore such that the suction valve stop contacts and applies a closing force to the suction valve assembly when the suction valve assembly is stuck open at the end of a discharge stroke of the reciprocating element.

Abstract: A pump fluid end comprising: a reciprocating element disposed within a reciprocating element bore and having an outer surface; a reciprocating element packing positioned within the reciprocating element bore; and optionally a sleeve positioned within the reciprocating element bore and having an inner surface proximate the outer surface of the reciprocating element, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve is coated with a multi-layer surface coating comprising a plurality of layers including: a first layer in contact with the at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve; and a second layer disposed over at least a portion of the first layer; and wherein at least one of the plurality of layers has a different visual appearance and/or material composition than another of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A hose for a reciprocating pump, the hose comprising: a first end and a second end separated by a length (L) along a centerline of the hose, wherein the first end reciprocates with a reciprocating element of the reciprocating pump during operation of the reciprocating pump; an inner surface and an outer surface separated by a thickness; and a variable bend radius wherein a bend radius of a first section of the hose is different from a bend radius of at least one second section of the hose, such that, during operation of the reciprocating pump, a stress on the first end of the hose, the second end of the hose, or both the first end of the hose and the second end of the hose is reduced relative to that of a hose that does not contain the variable bend radius.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve seat, a valve body, a valve spring, and a valve guide, wherein the valve seat and/or a valve seat housing in which the valve seat is seated comprises a plurality of grooves; wherein the valve body comprises a first side comprising a valve seat contact surface, and a second side comprising a coupler actuating feature; and wherein the valve guide comprises a coupler, and a plurality of wings, wherein the valve guide comprises a valve guide end distal the coupler, wherein, when the valve guide is coupled to the valve body via the coupler, the valve guide end distal the coupler extends a greater radial distance from the central axis of the valve body than the plurality of wings, and wherein the valve guide can be coupled to or decoupled from the valve body via the coupler by actuating the coupler actuating feature.

Abstract: A pump fluid end comprising a discharge valve assembly comprising a discharge valve seat and a discharge valve body, a suction valve assembly comprising a suction valve seat and a suction valve body, and a reciprocating element, wherein an inside diameter of the discharge valve seat is greater than an outside diameter of the suction valve body, the suction valve seat, the reciprocating element, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A valve seat comprising a primary retention component to retain the valve seat in a valve seat housing upon seating of the valve seat in the valve seat housing, and a secondary retention component to at least temporarily retain the valve seat in the valve seat housing during seating of the valve seat in the valve seat housing, whereafter the valve seat is primarily retained in the valve seat housing via the primary retention component.

Abstract: A clamp comprising a first contact surface perpendicular to a central axis of the clamp and a second contact surface tapered relative to a central axis of the clamp, whereby the clamp allows for concentric or non-concentric mating between a first component and a second component such that, when rigidly held together by the clamp such that the first contact surface of the clamp contacts a portion of the first component and the second contact surface of the clamp contacts a portion of the second component, a central axis of the first component is parallel to or coincident with a central axis of the second component.

Abstract: A packing assembly for a pump fluid end comprising: a packing screw; a packing carrier; and a packing, wherein the packing screw, the packing carrier, and the packing are each cylindrical with a width measured along a central axis thereof that is less than a minimum spacing distance of a pump comprising the pump fluid end and a pump power end, wherein the pump fluid end comprises a reciprocating element bore in which a reciprocating element can be reciprocated via the pump power end via connection of the reciprocating element to a reciprocating element adapter coupled with a pushrod and crankshaft of the pump power end, wherein the minimum spacing distance is an axial distance measured along the central axis between a back of the pump fluid end and a front end of the reciprocating element adapter when the crankshaft of the pump power end is at top dead center.

Abstract: A pump comprising a pump fluid end having a reciprocating element bore; a reciprocating element having a front end opposite a fluid intake end and comprising a peripheral wall defining a hollow cylindrical body; a movable manifold comprising a reciprocating element end fluidly connected with the fluid intake end of the reciprocating element, whereby the reciprocating element end of the movable manifold moves in a same axial direction as the reciprocating element during reciprocation of the reciprocating element within the pump fluid end, and a fluid intake end configured for fluid coupling with a stationary fluid manifold such that fluid can be introduced into the movable manifold via the stationary fluid manifold and the fluid intake end of the movable manifold; and a power end operatively connected to the reciprocating element and operable to reciprocate the reciprocating element in the pump fluid end.

Abstract: A reciprocating element includes a cylindrical body having a front end opposite a tail end, and a central axis. The tail end of the cylindrical body is configured to be operatively connected to a pump power end that reciprocates the reciprocating element along a path within a bore of a pump fluid end during operation of a pump. The front end of the cylindrical body includes one or more tool engagement features positioned about an outer circumference of the front end of the cylindrical body of the reciprocating element and adapted to engage a corresponding one or more reciprocating element engagement features of a reciprocating element end of a tool. The reciprocating element can be rotated, pulled, and/or pushed via the tool relative to the central axis of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A hose assembly for a pump comprising a pressurized hose, wherein the pressurized hose is exposed to pressure during at least a part of the operation of the pump, and a leak detection system comprising an outer hose concentrically positioned about at least a portion of the pressurized hose such that an annular chamber exists between the pressurized hose and the outer hose, whereby a leak of the pressurized hose can be detected by monitoring the hose assembly and/or a leak sensor associated therewith.

Abstract: Examples of a two-piece guide bushing apparatus are provided. A specific example comprises a guide bushing base comprising flanges which extend into the interior of the guide bushing base, and a guide bushing center comprising a spring clip. The guide bushing center is coupled to the guide bushing base and configured to be removable from the guide bushing base.

Abstract: Examples of a removal tool for a two-piece guide bushing are provided. A specific example comprises a handle, a cap coupled to the handle, the cap comprising arced slots; and a raised boss coupled to the cap, the raised boss configured to fit over the stem guide of a two-piece guide bushing. The guide bushing removal tool may be coupled to a two-piece guide bushing and the guide bushing removal tool may be configured such that rotation of the handle releases the guide bushing center of the two-piece guide bushing.

Abstract: A pump has a pump fluid end and a manifold that is detachable from the fluid end. A device is attachable to the pump, and has a manifold support beam portion adapted to affix to the pump fluid end at a location adjacent a manifold mating surface of the pump fluid end and extend outward from the pump fluid end. A support is provided on the manifold support beam portion that, when the manifold support beam portion is affixed to the fluid end of the pump, engages the manifold detached from the fluid end and supports the weight of the manifold.

Abstract: A pump has a pump fluid end and a manifold that is detachable from the fluid end. A device is attachable to the pump, and has a manifold support beam portion adapted to affix to the pump fluid end at a location adjacent a manifold mating surface of the pump fluid end and extend outward from the pump fluid end. A support is provided on the manifold support beam portion that, when the manifold support beam portion is affixed to the fluid end of the pump, engages the manifold detached from the fluid end and supports the weight of the manifold.