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.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure flow device 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 multi-piece fluid end that can be produced with fewer raw materials and at a lower cost. In one embodiment, a fluid end is formed from a first body attached to a separate second body. Their respective external surfaces may be engaged flushly, partially, or via one or more spacer elements. In some embodiments, the body pieces are flangeless to reduce stress on the fluid end. The second body may have a plurality of bores that are alignable with a plurality of corresponding bores formed in the first body. The second body may be connected to a power end using a plurality of stay rods. In other implementations, more than two body pieces may be utilized.

Abstract: A high pressure flow device 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 high pressure swivel joint used in pipe assemblies transferring high pressure fluid. The swivel joint comprises a first pipe section and a sleeve-like second pipe section. The first pipe section is inserted into the second pipe section and the sections are relatively rotatable. A wear ring is positioned within a recess formed in the inner wall of the first pipe section. A second wear ring is positioned within a recess formed in the inner wall of the second pipe section.

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 valve for use in a fluid end. The valve has a solid body with a sealing surface. The valve may move into a position wherein the valve when contacts a valve seat. When in contact, the sealing surfaces prevent flow of fluid through the valve. The sealing surface has three regions. The outer region has an elastomeric seal insert disposed on the surface. The inner region has a shock absorbing insert disposed on the surface. Intermediate these inserts is a metallic surface for metal-to-metal sealing with the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve seat. The valve seat is used in a fluid end of a fracturing pump. The external surface of the valve seat has a tapered portion that retains the valve seat in the fluid end. The external surface also has a portion that is substantially cylindrical. A hardened insert is integrated into a strike face of the valve seat. The tapered portion is at a first end of the valve seat and the tapered portion is at a second end of the valve seat. The second end of the valve seat may be formed such that its exterior surface does not contact the fluid end.

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: 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 plug valve having an improved sealing assembly. The valve has a body, and a bore formed in the body. The bore is configured to receive a plug and an insert. Recesses are formed in the valve in the internally disposed surface of the bore for placement of seals, which interact with an externally disposed sealing surface of the insert. The plug and insert have complementary surfaces that prevent fluid from passing through the annulus between the plug and insert.

Abstract: A check valve with a flapper for directing high pressure abrasive fluid away from its sealing face. The check valve has a flapper which opens when fluid travels from an inlet to an outlet. The flapper closes when fluid flow stops or reverses by sealing a flat sealing face to a seal formed in a shoulder face of the valve. A surface feature protrudes from near the flat sealing face and forms a slanted face opposed to the direction of flow through the valve. This slanted face interfaces with fluid flow to more easily open the valve and directs flow away from the sealing face to reduce wear.

Abstract: A replaceable sleeve disposed in a flow passage of a plug valve. The sleeve may be press fit or threaded into an annular recess formed in the flow passage. The sleeve may include a groove disposed about a site where the flow passage intersects the internal chamber. The sleeve may be replaced when worn without replacing the entire valve body.

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 high pressure swivel joint used in pipe assemblies transferring high pressure fluid. The swivel joint comprises a first pipe section and a sleeve-like second pipe section. The first pipe section is inserted into the second pipe section and the sections are relatively rotatable. A radial seal is seated in a groove formed in either the outer circumference of the first pipe section, or the inner circumference of the second pipe section. The groove is axially spaced from the location where the two pipe sections abut. Alternatively, a groove may be formed in both the outer circumference of the first pipe section and the inner circumference of the second pipe sections, the grooves both being axially spaced from the location where the two pipe sections abut. A radial seal may be inserted in both grooves and a wear ring positioned between the seals.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for operating a machine tool having a selectively movable turret and a tool mounted to the turret. A cover is configured to be removably secured to the turret and sized so that the cover encloses the tool when the cover is secured to the turret. Turret control logic includes computer instructions stored in a computer memory and executable by a computer processor to limit movement of the turret when the cover is secured to the turret.

Abstract: Apparatus and method contemplating a high pressure flow device 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 workpiece supporting assembly, having a body member with an internal workpiece channel and a plurality of body openings communicating with the internal workpiece channel, supports a workpiece within the workpiece channel so that end portions of the workpiece extend from the body openings. The body member has a plurality of arbors, each arbor having a longitudinal axis that is coincident with a datum axis of one of the extending workpiece portions. A turning machine grips one arbor at a time and rotates the body member about the selected longitudinal axis for machining the extended workpiece portion.