Abstract: A stem-guided valve for use inside of a fluid end. The valve body is installed in a conduit that traverses the fluid end housing. A removable guide element is installed within a bore formed in the valve body. A static component that is interposed within the conduit includes an elongate projecting stem. As the stem reciprocates axially with the guide element, the valve is caused to move between open and closed positions. In its closed position, the valve body engages a valve seat that surrounds the conduit. A plurality of perforations are formed in the walls of the guide element, the perforations allow fluid to drain from the guide element during operation.

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: 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 plug valve having a modular construction. The valve has a solid, single-piece body with two opposed openings interrupted by an internal chamber. The chamber houses a rotatable plug which selectively restricts or allows flow from one of the two openings to the other. Inserts partially surround the plug and have openings that corresponds to openings in the valve body and the plug. A seat with an end surface corresponding to each insert extends partially within each opening. A bolted-on flange extends from each side of the valve and has an internally placed sleeve which defines the flow path through the valve. The sleeve may seal against the seat at one of its ends. A non-planar groove may be formed in the end surface of each seat to seal the opening against each insert.

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 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 fluid end having as 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, each kit comprising 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 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: 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 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.

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 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 with an internal bellows can be used in high pressure environments. The bellows is disposed within a plunger bore, and has an interior isolated from a working chamber of the fluid end. An end of a plunger is received in the interior of the bellows. The bellows contains an incompressible fluid at a constant volume. As the plunger extends into the interior of the bellows, the fluid it contains is displaced. Such fluid displacement causes the bellows to extend. As the plunger is retracted, the fluid replaces the volume formerly displaced by the plunger, and causes the bellows to accordion to a retracted position.

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: 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 valve for use in a fluid end. The valve has a solid body with a sealing surface. The valve may move into position where the valve contacts a valve seat. When in contact, the valve and valve seat prevent flow through the valve. The valve and valve seat each have hardened inserts in their respective strike faces. The insert in the valve is less hard than the insert in the valve seat. Both are typically made of a ceramic material, such as tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A closure for a fluid end having a middle sealing section which engages a seal. The sealing section either has a larger outer diameter than adjacent sections or contacts a bore with a smaller inner diameter than adjacent sections. In either case, the clearance formed on either side of the sealing section reduces friction and allows the closure to be rocked back and forth to insert and remove the closure from the fluid end bore.

Abstract: A plug valve having a modular construction. The valve has a solid, single-piece body with two opposed openings interrupted by an internal chamber. The chamber houses a rotatable plug which selectively restricts or allows flow from one of the two openings to the other. Inserts partially surround the plug and have openings that corresponds to openings in the valve body and the plug. A seat with an end surface corresponding to each insert extends partially within each opening. A bolted-on flange extends from each side of the valve and has an internally placed sleeve which defines the flow path through the valve. The sleeve may seal against the seat at one of its ends. A non-planar groove may be formed in the end surface of each seat to seal the opening against each insert.

Abstract: A stem-guided valve for use inside of a fluid end. The valve body is installed in a conduit that traverses the fluid end housing. A removable guide element is installed within a bore formed in the valve body. A static component that is interposed within the conduit includes an elongate projecting stem. As the stem reciprocates axially with the guide element, the valve is caused to move between open and closed positions. In its closed position, the valve body engages a valve seat that surrounds the conduit. A plurality of perforations are formed in the walls of the guide element, the perforations allow fluid to drain from the guide element during operation.