Valve cartridge
A valve cartridge for a fluid end for a well stimulation pump optionally includes: a valve body, a spring engaging the valve body on a first side thereof, and a housing at least partially enclosing the valve body and spring. The housing can define one or more passages therethrough. The housing can define one or more seats adjacent the one or more passages. The one or more seats can be configured to be selectively engaged by the valve body on a second side thereof.
1 . A valve cartridge for a fluid end housing for a well stimulation pump, comprising:
a valve body comprising a first portion, a second portion surrounding a perimeter of the first portion, and a third portion extending from the first portion;
a spring engaging the first portion of the valve body on a first side thereof;
a retainer engaging the spring on an opposing side thereof from the valve body; and
a valve cartridge housing defining a first passage, having a first diameter, through a first end of the valve cartridge housing, a second passage, having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, axially aligned with the first passage through a second end of the valve cartridge housing, and a chamber between the first passage and the second passage,
wherein the first portion of the valve body, the second portion of the valve body, and the spring are positioned within the chamber,
wherein the valve cartridge housing is a single piece component that defines a seat at a transition between the first passage and the chamber,
wherein the seat is configured to be selectively engaged by the first portion of the valve body on a second side thereof in a closed position of the valve body against the seat,
wherein the third portion extends from the first portion into the first passage, and
wherein the retainer is positioned within and coupled to the valve cartridge housing against a shoulder defined at a transition between the second passage and the chamber.
2 . The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the seat is an interior portion of the valve cartridge housing.
3 . The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the third portion of the valve body comprises a plurality of legs configured to guide the valve body in the passage.
4 . The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a groove is defined in the seat of the valve cartridge housing, and
wherein the second portion of the valve body is to meet with the groove in a closed position of the valve body against the seat.
5 . The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the valve cartridge is configured to be installed in the fluid end housing in either a suction valve location or a discharge valve location.
6 . A valve cartridge for a fluid end housing for a well stimulation pump, comprising:
a valve body comprising a first portion, a second portion surrounding a perimeter of the first portion, and a third portion extending from the first portion;
a spring engaging the valve body on a first side;
a retainer engaging the spring on an opposing side thereof from the valve body; and
a valve cartridge housing defining a first passage, having a first diameter, through a first end of the valve cartridge housing, a second passage, having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, axially aligned with the first passage through a second end of the valve cartridge housing, and a chamber between the first passage and the second passage,
wherein the first portion of the valve body, the second portion of the valve body, and the spring are positioned within the chamber,
wherein the valve cartridge housing defines a seat, at a transition between the first passage and the chamber, that is configured to be selectively engaged by the valve body on a second side thereof in a closed position of the valve body against the seat,
wherein the retainer is positioned within and coupled to the valve cartridge housing against a shoulder defined at a transition between the second passage and the chamber, and
wherein the valve cartridge is a unitary apparatus that is configured to be installable into the fluid end housing or removable from the fluid end housing as a single unit.
7 . The valve cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the valve cartridge housing is a single piece component.
8 . The valve cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the seat is an interior portion of the valve cartridge housing.
9 . The valve cartridge of claim 6 , wherein the third portion extends from the first portion into the passage.
10 . The valve cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the third portion of the valve body comprises a plurality of legs configured to guide the valve body in the passage.
11 . The valve cartridge of claim 6 , wherein a groove is defined in the seat of the valve cartridge housing, and
wherein the second portion of the valve body is to meet with the groove in a closed position of the valve body against the seat.
12 . A method of servicing a valve cartridge for a fluid end housing for a well stimulation pump, comprising:
providing the valve cartridge as a unitary apparatus coupled to the fluid end housing, the valve cartridge having a valve cartridge housing, a valve body comprising a first portion, a second portion surrounding a perimeter of the first portion, and a third portion extending from the first portion, a spring, and a retainer engaging the spring, the valve cartridge housing defining a first passage, having a first diameter, through a first end of the valve cartridge housing, a second passage, having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, axially aligned with the first passage through a second end of the valve cartridge housing, and a chamber between the first passage and the second passage, wherein the first portion of the valve body, the second portion of the valve body, and the spring are positioned within the chamber, wherein the valve cartridge housing is a single piece component that defines a seat at a transition between the first passage and the chamber, wherein the seat is configured to be selectively engaged by the valve body in a closed position of the valve body against the seat, and wherein the retainer is positioned within and coupled to the valve cartridge housing against a shoulder defined at a transition between the second passage and the chamber; and
removing the valve cartridge as single unit from the fluid end housing without disassembling the valve cartridge housing, the valve body, the spring, and the retainer.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the valve cartridge housing is a single piece component.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the seat is an interior portion of the valve cartridge housing.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the third portion extends from the first portion into the passage, and
wherein the third portion of the valve body comprises a plurality of legs configured to guide the valve body in the passage.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein a groove is defined in the seat of the valve cartridge housing, and
wherein the second portion of the valve body is to meet with the groove in a closed position of the valve body against the seat.