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: 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 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: 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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: 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: 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.