Fluid end assembly
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.
1. A fluid end assembly, comprising:
a housing having an external surface and an internal chamber;
a first conduit formed in the housing and having first and second sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
a second conduit formed in the housing, intersecting the first conduit and having third and fourth sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface; in which no threads are formed in any portion of the housing that surrounds and faces the third section;
a component installed within the third section, in which the component has opposed rear and front surfaces joined by inner and outer intermediate surfaces, in which no threads are formed in the inner and outer intermediate surfaces;
a plurality of packing seals installed within the component;
a retainer having opposed rear and front surfaces and defining a central opening, in which the front surface of the retainer abuts the rear surface of the component;
a fastening system installed within the retainer and the housing and configured to releasably hold the retainer against the component; and
a packing nut installed within the central opening of the retainer and configured to releasably hold the plurality of packing seals within the component.
2. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , in which the component has a cylindrical rear portion joined to a cylindrical front portion, in which an outer diameter of the rear portion is larger than an outer diameter of the front portion.
3. The fluid end assembly of claim 2 , in which an inner diameter of the rear portion is larger than an inner diameter of the front portion.
4. The fluid end assembly of claim 2 , in which the plurality of packing seals are installed through the rear surface of the component and are positioned within the rear portion of the component.
5. The fluid end assembly of claim 4 , in which no packing seals are installed within the front portion of the component.
6. The fluid end of claim 4 in which an internal seat is formed within the rear portion of the component, in which the plurality of packing seals are part of a plunger packing, and in which the plunger packing abuts the internal seat.
7. The fluid end assembly of claim 2 , in which a plurality of passages are formed in the rear portion, in which each passage interconnects the rear surface of the component and a base of the rear portion.
8. The fluid end assembly of claim 7 , in which a plurality of passages are formed in the retainer, in which each passage interconnects the rear and front surfaces of the retainer; and in which the plurality of passages formed in the retainer are aligned with the plurality of passages formed in the rear portion of the component.
9. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an annular groove formed in the housing such that the groove surrounds the component; and
a seal positioned within the groove, in which at least a portion of the seal engages with the component.
10. The fluid end of claim 1 , in which the component has a cylindrical rear portion joined to a cylindrical front portion, in which an outer diameter of the rear portion is larger than an outer diameter of the front portion, and further comprising:
an annular groove formed in the housing such that the groove surrounds the front portion; and
a seal positioned within the groove, in which at least a portion of the seal engages with the front portion.
11. The fluid end assembly of claim 10 , in which the annular groove is characterized by two side walls joined by a base.
12. The fluid end assembly of claim 11 , in which a width of the base is equal to at least one-third of a length of the front portion.
13. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , in which the fastening system comprises:
a plurality of threaded studs; and
a plurality of nuts.
14. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , in which the fastening system comprises:
a plurality of socket-headed screws.
15. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , in which the component is characterized as a tubular sleeve.
16. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , in which the component is characterized as a stuffing box.
17. The fluid end assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a suction plug installed within the fourth section.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
a component configured for installation within a horizontal bore formed in a fluid end housing, the component comprising:
a first portion joined to a second portion; in which the second portion has a greater diameter than the first portion; in which a length of the second portion is at least two times greater than a length of the first portion; in which the first and second portions define a central passage configured to receive a reciprocating plunger and an exterior surface extending between front and rear surfaces of the component; and in which no threads are formed in the central passage or the exterior surface; and
a plurality of passages formed in the second portion and surrounding the central passage; in which the plurality of passages are parallel to the central passage; and
in which the second portion of the component is configured to house a plurality of packing seals configured to receive the reciprocating plunger.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , in which the first portion is joined to the second portion at a right angle.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , in which the component is configured to be secured within the horizontal bore by a plurality of fasteners that extend through the plurality of passages and into the fluid end housing.
21. A fluid end assembly, comprising:
a housing having an external surface and an internal chamber;
a first conduit formed in the housing and having first and second sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
a second conduit formed in the housing, intersecting the first conduit and having third and fourth sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface; in which no threads are formed in a wall of the housing surrounding the third section;
a component installed within the third section, in which the component has opposed rear and front surfaces joined by inner and outer intermediate surfaces, in which no threads are formed in the inner and outer intermediate surfaces;
a plurality of packing seals installed within the component;
a retainer having opposed rear and front surfaces, in which the front surface of the retainer abuts the rear surface of the component; and
a fastening system installed within the retainer and the housing and configured to releasably hold the retainer against the component, in which the fastening system comprises a plurality of socket-headed screws.
22. A fluid end assembly, comprising:
a housing having an external surface and an internal chamber;
a first conduit formed in the housing and having first and second sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
a second conduit formed in the housing, intersecting the first conduit and having third and fourth sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface; in which no threads are formed in a wall of the housing surrounding the third section;
a component installed within the third section, in which the component has opposed rear and front surfaces joined by inner and outer intermediate surfaces, in which no threads are formed in the inner and outer intermediate surfaces; in which the component has a cylindrical rear portion joined to a cylindrical front portion, and in which an outer diameter of the rear portion is larger than an outer diameter of the front portion;
a plurality of packing seals installed within the component, in which the plurality of packing seals are installed through the rear surface of the component and are positioned within the rear portion of the component, in which an internal seat is formed within the rear portion of the component, in which the plurality of packing seals are part of a plunger packing, and in which the plunger packing abuts the internal seat;
a retainer having opposed rear and front surfaces, in which the front surface of the retainer abuts the rear surface of the component; and
a fastening system installed within the retainer and the housing and configured to releasably hold the retainer against the component.