Fluid end
A fluid end comprising a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section is releasably attached to a connect plate. Each connect plate is attached to a power source using a plurality of stay rods. Each fluid end section comprises a housing in fluid communication with a pair of intake manifolds and a discharge conduit. A fluid routing plug is installed within each housing and is configured to route fluid throughout the housing. A plunger is installed within stuffing box attached to each housing. A number of features, including the location of seals within bore walls and carbide inserts within valve guides, aid in reducing or transferring wear.
1. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing, comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
a first surface; and
a second surface;
in which the first and the second surfaces are joined by an outer intermediate surface;
a first bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first bore interconnecting the first and second surfaces;
a discharge bore interconnecting the first bore with the outer intermediate surface;
an upper intake bore interconnecting the first bore with the outer intermediate surface;
a lower intake bore interconnecting the first bore with the outer intermediate surface;
a stuffing box secured to the second surface of the housing by a plurality of fasteners; in which the stuffing box comprises a first portion having a first outer diameter and a second portion having a second outer diameter, in which the second outer diameter is larger than the first outer diameter, in which the first portion is situated within the first bore; and
a fluid routing plug positioned within the first bore;
in which the first bore is configured to receive at least a portion of a reciprocating plunger.
2. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the housing is a single integrally formed piece.
3. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the upper and lower intake bores are collinear.
4. The fluid end section of claim 1 , further comprising a retainer connected to the stuffing box by the plurality of fasteners.
5. The fluid end section of claim 1 , further comprising a plunger packing situated within the stuffing box.
6. The fluid end section of claim 1 , further comprising:
a suction valve positioned within the first bore; and
a discharge valve positioned within the first bore.
7. A fluid end, comprising:
a plurality of the fluid end sections of claim 1 positioned in side-by-side relationship.
8. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis and opposed first and second surfaces joined by an outer intermediate surface;
a longitudinal bore formed within the housing along the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal bore interconnecting the first and second surfaces;
an intake bore formed within the housing and interconnecting the longitudinal bore and the outer intermediate surface;
a stuffing box engaging the second surface of the housing;
a retainer engaging the stuffing box; and
a plurality of threaded fasteners securing both the stuffing box and retainer to the housing;
in which the plurality of threaded fasteners extend through both the stuffing box and retainer.
9. The fluid end section of claim 8 , in which the retainer has a threaded central passage formed therein, the fluid end section further comprising:
a plunger packing installed within the stuffing box; and
a packing nut threaded into the threaded central passage of the retainer and engaging the plunger packing.
10. The fluid end section of claim 8 , further comprising:
a fluid routing plug situated within the longitudinal bore, the fluid routing plug comprising a first surface and a second surface;
a suction valve situated within the longitudinal bore and engaging the first surface of the fluid routing plug; and
a discharge valve situated within the longitudinal bore and engaging the second surface of the fluid routing plug.
11. The fluid end section of claim 8 , in which the longitudinal bore is configured to receive at least a portion of a plunger.
12. The fluid end section of claim 8 , in which the stuffing box comprises a first portion having an outer diameter, D 1 , joined to a second portion having an outer diameter, D 2 ; in which D 1 is smaller than D 2 ; and in which the first portion is positioned within the housing.
13. The fluid end section of claim 8 , in which the housing is a single integrally formed piece.
14. A fluid end, comprising:
a plurality of the fluid end sections of claim 8 positioned in side-by-side relationship.
15. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing, comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
a first surface; and
a second surface;
in which the first and the second surfaces are joined by an outer intermediate surface;
a first bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the first bore interconnecting the first and second surfaces;
a discharge bore interconnecting the first bore with the outer intermediate surface;
an upper intake bore interconnecting the first bore with the outer intermediate surface;
a lower intake bore interconnecting the first bore with the outer intermediate surface;
a stuffing box secured to the second surface of the housing by a plurality of fasteners;
a fluid routing plug positioned within the first bore;
a retainer connected to the stuffing box by the plurality of fasteners; in which the retainer has a threaded central passage formed therein; and
a packing nut threaded into the threaded central passage of the retainer;
in which the first bore is configured to receive at least a portion of a reciprocating plunger.