Abstract: A frame for supporting a pressure relief valve located within a frac line connected to high pressure pumps on frac trucks. A metallic base is formed from rectangular tubing in the shape of a box. Saddles on the base support a tee on the lower portion of the relief valve. Brace links are connected at one end to the corners of the metallic base and swivel about clevises to allow access to the pressure relief valve. The other end of the brace links connect to clevises on a flange when assembled. The flange is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the relief valve to stabilize the assembly. Lifting loops on the flange allow the frame to be lifted during assembly.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump within a housing. The pump has a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The end connected to the crosshead is secured to the crosshead by a bushing located within the crosshead that allows the connecting rod end to pivot during operation. The bushing extends more than 180 degrees, retaining the connecting rod with the crosshead without the need for a wrist pin. The end secured by the bushing can be retained within the bushing by a lock plate, and retainers without the need for a wrist pin.

Abstract: A frame for supporting a pressure relief valve located within a frac line connected to high pressure pumps on frac trucks. A metallic base is formed from rectangular tubing in the shape of a box. Saddles on the base support a tee on the lower portion of the relief valve. Brace links are connected at one end to the corners of the metallic base and swivel about clevises to allow access to the pressure relief valve. The other end of the brace links connect to clevises on a flange when assembled. The flange is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the relief valve to stabilize the assembly. Lifting loops on the flange allow the frame to be lifted during assembly.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump has a driven crankshaft and a connecting rod having an aft end rotatably mounted to the crankshaft. The pump has a stationarily mounted crosshead case in which a crosshead assembly strokes. The crosshead assembly has first and second crosshead members. A retainer pivotally joins the forward end of the connecting rod to the first crosshead member. The second crosshead member has a partially cylindrical recess containing a bushing. The forward end of the connecting rod is in pivotal engagement with the bushing. The second crosshead member is releasably secured to the first crosshead member to allow removal of the second crosshead member and the bushing from the crosshead case without detaching the forward end of the connecting rod from the first crosshead member.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly having a pump within a housing. The pump having a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The connecting rod is fabricated from multiple pieces, with the body of the connecting rod fabricated out of light weight aluminum and the end connected to the crosshead fabricated out of steel. The steel end of the connecting rod can withstand the stress at the crosshead. The lighter weight of the connecting rod lightens the weight of the pump and its transportation is easier and less costly.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly having a crankshaft rotatable by an attached motor and coupled by a connecting rod to a crosshead member. On a side opposite the connection to the connecting rod, the crosshead member connects to a plunger. The plunger is coaxially disposed in a cylinder provided in a cylinder block. Rotating the crankshaft reciprocates the crosshead member and attached plunger. In an embodiment the crosshead member includes an outer shell and a core portion within the shell formed from a material different from the shell material.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump within a housing. The pump has a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The end connected to the crosshead is secured to the crosshead by a bushing located within the crosshead that allows the connecting rod end to pivot during operation. The bushing extends more than 180 degrees, retaining the connecting rod with the crosshead without the need for a wrist pin. The end secured by the bushing can be retained within the bushing by a lock plate, and retainers without the need for a wrist pin.

Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for a reciprocating pump includes a block body having a piston chamber that receives a piston of the reciprocating pump. The cylinder block assembly has an outlet valve assembly positioned within the block body that is positioned in fluid communication with the piston chamber. An outlet valve retainer retains the outlet valve relative to the piston chamber. The cylinder block assembly includes an inlet valve assembly extending through a side of the block body to the piston chamber. An inlet valve retainer also retains the inlet valve assembly relative to the piston chamber. A discharge passage extends from the outlet valve assembly to another side of the block body. A portion of the discharge passage extends between the inlet valve assembly and the inlet valve retainer.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump housing with a crankshaft. A plunger is connected to the crankshaft for pumping a fluid through a cylinder. The cylinder has a fluid inlet port and an opening that provides access to the cylinder. A suction cover is mounted in the opening and has a hub that is coaxial with an axis of the suction cover. A suction valve stop is mounted adjacent one of the fluid ports and has a spring retainer. A column extends from the spring retainer, and a bushing is mounted to the spring retainer for engaging and being retained by the hub of the suction cover. The suction cover guides the suction valve stop in operation and, when the suction cover is removed from the opening, the suction valve stop is removable.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly includes piston rod that is movable and reciprocates in order to pump a fluid. The piston rod has a piston portion at an end that stokes within a piston chamber. The pump assembly also includes a piston rod sleeve that houses the piston rod. The piston rod sleeve does not reciprocate with the piston rod. Thus, the piston rod sleeve remains stationary. The piston rod sleeve defines and annulus between the piston rod and the piston rod sleeve. The pump assembly has a fluid line that leads into the annulus. The fluid line delivers coolant to the annulus. The pump assembly also includes a flow passage. The flow passage has an inlet in fluid communication with the annulus for receiving the coolant. The passage also has an outlet in fluid communication with the piston chamber for delivering the coolant.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump housing with a crankshaft. A plunger is connected to the crankshaft for pumping a fluid through a cylinder. The cylinder has a fluid inlet port and an opening that provides access to the cylinder. A suction cover is mounted in the opening and has a hub that is coaxial with an axis of the suction cover. A suction valve stop is mounted adjacent one of the fluid ports and has a spring retainer. A column extends from the spring retainer, and a bushing is mounted to the spring retainer for engaging and being retained by the hub of the suction cover. The suction cover guides the suction valve stop in operation and, when the suction cover is removed from the opening, the suction valve stop is removable.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve has a housing fluidly connected to a pressurized system line carrying a system fluid. The housing carries a moveable piston and a valve member that both move between closed and open positions. The piston defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the housing. A pressurized fluid is supplied to the upper chamber to bias the piston toward the closed position. After the relief valve opens from excessive system pressure, the pressurized fluid is injected into the lower chamber to delay the return of the piston to the closed position. Initially, the fluid in the lower chamber flows through a check valve while the piston returns to the closed position. Then the fluid vent in the lower chamber vents from the lower chamber as the piston and valve member approach the closed position.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve has a housing fluidly connected to a pressurized system line carrying a system fluid. The housing carries a moveable piston and a valve member that both move between closed and open positions. The piston defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the housing. A pressurized fluid is supplied to the upper chamber to bias the piston toward the closed position. After the relief valve opens from excessive system pressure, the pressurized fluid is injected into the lower chamber to delay the return of the piston to the closed position. Initially, the fluid in the lower chamber flows through a check valve while the piston returns to the closed position. Then the fluid vent in the lower chamber vents from the lower chamber as the piston and valve member approach the closed position.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly includes piston rod that is movable and reciprocates in order to pump a fluid. The piston rod has a piston portion at an end that stokes within a piston chamber. The pump assembly also includes a piston rod sleeve that houses the piston rod. The piston rod sleeve does not reciprocate with the piston rod. Thus, the piston rod sleeve remains stationary. The piston rod sleeve defines and annulus between the piston rod and the piston rod sleeve. The pump assembly has a fluid line that leads into the annulus. The fluid line delivers coolant to the annulus. The pump assembly also includes a flow passage. The flow passage has an inlet in fluid communication with the annulus for receiving the coolant. The passage also has an outlet in fluid communication with the piston chamber for delivering the coolant.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for pumping a fluid through a reciprocating pump. Several motors are responsible for operating the pump assembly. Each of the motors has a drive shaft. The motor drive shafts are connected to a series of drive gears. The drive gears are operably connected to a single driven gear for rotating the driven gear. The single driven gear connects with the pump assembly and drives the reciprocating pump in order to force fluid through the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for a reciprocating pump includes a block body having a piston chamber that receives a piston of the reciprocating pump. The cylinder block assembly has an outlet valve assembly positioned within the block body that is positioned in fluid communication with the piston chamber. An outlet valve retainer retains the outlet valve relative to the piston chamber. The cylinder block assembly includes an inlet valve assembly extending through a side of the block body to the piston chamber. An inlet valve retainer also retains the inlet valve assembly relative to the piston chamber. A discharge passage extends from the outlet valve assembly to another side of the block body. A portion of the discharge passage extends between the inlet valve assembly and the inlet valve retainer.