U.S. patent application number 14/547005 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for frack pump fluid end with integrated hydraulic valve seat release.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMERIFRAC LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Steven K. Deel, Randal S. Newman. Invention is credited to Steven K. Deel, Randal S. Newman.
Application Number | 20150260177 14/547005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53180079 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150260177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deel; Steven K. ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
FRACK PUMP FLUID END WITH INTEGRATED HYDRAULIC VALVE SEAT
RELEASE
Abstract
A hydraulic valve seat release system for a fluid end of a high
pressure pump, comprised of method and apparatus for releasing a
valve seat having a tapered outer diameter for sealingly mating
when installed in the tapered interior of a fluid end suction or
discharge bore via interference fit. The fluid end module of the
invention includes internal high pressure porting between an
exterior surface of the fluid end module and the interior surface
of the bore, whereby high pressure fluid may be applied to the
tapered surface of the bore and into a fluid channel around the
circumference of the tapered outer diameter of the valve seat. The
high pressure fluid compresses the outer diameter of the valve seat
and expands the interior diameter of the bore in order to disrupt
the interference fit between the valve seat and the bore thereby
releasing the valve seat.
Inventors: |
Deel; Steven K.; (Cypress,
TX) ; Newman; Randal S.; (Katy, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deel; Steven K.
Newman; Randal S. |
Cypress
Katy |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AMERIFRAC LLC
Brookshire
TX
|
Family ID: |
53180079 |
Appl. No.: |
14/547005 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61906017 |
Nov 19, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/333 ;
29/890.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 37/12 20130101;
F04B 47/00 20130101; F04B 39/10 20130101; Y10T 29/49405 20150115;
F04B 53/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04B 39/10 20060101
F04B039/10 |
Claims
1. A hydraulic valve seat release system for a fluid end of a high
pressure pump, comprising: a fluid end block defining, at least one
of a suction bore and a discharge bore; a pressure port fluidly
communicating between an exterior surface of the block and the at
least one bore, the bore having a tapered interior surface; and a
valve seat having a tapered outer diameter that, in use, sealably
mates with the inter or surface of the bore; wherein the valve seat
and the bore when mated define an annular conduit being in pressure
communication with the pressure port and fluidly sealed from the
bore.
2. The hydraulic valve seat release system of claim I wherein the
annular conduit is defined at least in part by the interior surface
of the bore.
3. The hydraulic valve seat release system of claim 2, wherein the
annular conduit is further defined at least in part by the outer
diameter of the valve seat.
4. The hydraulic, valve seat release system of claim 12, wherein
the annular conduit is defined at least in part by the outer
diameter of the valve seat.
5. The hydraulic valve seat release system of claim 1, further
comprising at least one sealing element sealing the annular conduit
from the bore.
6. The hydraulic valve seat release system of claim 5, wherein the
sealing element comprises means for sealing the fluid conduit from
the bore.
7. The hydraulic valve seat release system of claim 6, wherein the
means for sealing comprises an elastomeric O-ring.
8. The hydraulic valve seat release system of claim 5, wherein the
sealing element comprising an elastomeric O-ring.
9. A method for releasing a valve seat in the fluid end block of a
high pressure pump, comprising: sealably mating the valve seat
within at least one of a suction bore and a discharge bore;
applying a high pressure fluid through a pressure port extending
from the external surface of the fluid end block to an annular
conduit defined by at least one of the interior surface of the bore
and the valve seat when the interior surface and the valves seat
are mated; and releasing the valve seat by constricting the valve
seat or expanding the bore by means of the fluid.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the annular conduit is defined
by the interior surface of the bore.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the annular conduit is further
defined by the valve seat.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the annular conduit is defined
by the valve seat.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein sealably mating the valve seat
with at least one of the suction bore and the discharge bore
includes disposing at least one sealing element to fluidly seal the
annular conduit from the bore.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sealing element comprises
an elastomeric O-ring.
15. A method for the manufacture of a hydraulic valve release
system for a fluid end of a high pressure pump, comprising: forging
a fluid end block; machining at least one of a suction bore and a
discharge bore within the block, the at least one bore having a
tapered interior surface; machining a high pressure port
communicating between an exterior surface of the block and the
bore; forging or casting a valve seat having a tapered outer
diameter for sealably mating with the bore; and forming a
circumferential annular conduit within at least one of the bore
interior surface and the valve seat outer diameter wherein the
valve seat and the bore when mated define an annular conduit being
in pressure communication with the pressure port.
16. A hydraulic valve seat for a fluid end block of a high pressure
pump, comprising; the valve seat having a tapered outer diameter
and a circumferential annular conduit within the outer diameter,
the valve seat structured so that in use the valve seat sealably
mates with a tapered interior surface of at least one of a suction
bore and a discharge bore, the at least one bore defined within a
fluid end block; and wherein the valve seat and the bore when mated
define an annular conduit being in pressure communication with a
pressure port communicating between an exterior surface of the
block and the interior surface of the bore.
17. The hydraulic valve seat of claim 16, wherein the valve seat
defines the annular conduit in conjunction with the interior
surface of the bore.
18. The hydraulic valve seat of claim 16, wherein the valve seat
defines the annular conduit to the exclusion of the interior
surface of the bore.
19. The hydraulic valve seat of claim 16, wherein the valve seat
includes at least one channel in which a sealing element may be
disposed.
20. A method for the manufacture of a hydraulic valve seat for a
fluid end of a high pressure pump, comprising: forming the valve
seat having a tapered outer diameter for sealably mating with a
tapered interior surface of at least one of a suction bore and a
discharge bore, the at least one bore defined within a fluid end
block; and forming a circumferential annular conduit within the
valve seat outer diameter wherein the valve seat and the bore when
mated define an annular conduit being in pressure communication
with a pressure port communicating between an exterior surface of
the block and the interior surface of the bore.
Description
CROSS-REVERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The earlier effective filing date of U.S. Application Ser.
No. 61/906,017, entitled "Frack Pump Fluid End with Integrated
Hydraulic Valve Seat Release", filed Nov. 19, 2013, in the name of
the inventors Steven K. Deel and Randal S. Newman. This application
is also hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set
forth verbatim herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field
[0004] The presently disclosed technique relates to fluid ends for
high pressure pumps used in oil and gas field, production, such as
well servicing and hydraulic, fracturing operations, and more
particularly to a valve seat release system and method of use with
such fluid ends.
[0005] 2. Discussion a Related Art
[0006] This section of this document introduces information about
and/or from the art that may provide context for or be related to
the subject matter described herein and/or claimed below. It
provides background information to facilitate a better
understanding of the various aspects of the subject matter
disclosed and claimed below. This is a discussion of "related" art.
That such art is related in no way implies that it is also "prior"
art. The related art may or may not be prior art. This discussion
is therefore to be read in this light, and not as admissions of
prior art.
[0007] The majority of high pressure pumps used in the oilfield for
well service and hydraulic fracturing utilize replaceable valve
seats. These valve seats have a tapered outside diameter (OD) and
are installed into tapered bores machined into the fluid end
module. When installed the design of the tapered bores creates an
interference fit between the valve seat and the module. This
interference fit creates a fluid tight seal in order to prevent
leakage between the valve seat and module.
[0008] As a result of this interference fit, removal of the valve
seat for replacement is often difficult and at times requires
specialized tools. Historically an external hydraulic cylinder and
puller rod assembly has been used to pull the valve seat free of
the tapered interference fit in the module. It is not uncommon to
see forces of 20-30 tons required to remove tapered valve seats
from the fluid end module and standard valve puller designs are
capable of 170 tons of pull.
[0009] In addition to the concerns noted above when using external
valve seat pullers, the design of some fluid ends do not allow the
use of external puller assemblies. Fluid end configurations such as
the "Y" block have intersecting bores offset by 120.degree. as
opposed to valves and seats being inline or stacked vertically. In
this configuration the discharge valve seats can be removed, with
an external valve seat puller, however the suction valve seats are
not accessible. In this case, workers typically use a steel bar and
sledgehammer to knock the valves out from the lower suction
bore.
[0010] Furthermore, some fluid end designs such as the "Y" block
noted above require the user to remove the suction manifold in
order to gain access to the bore below the valve seat resulting in
increased time requirements for maintenance. Use of conventional
valve seat pullers requires time to install, use, and remove which
can be a time consuming task.
[0011] The presently disclosed technique is directed to resolving,
or at least reducing, one or all of the problems mentioned above.
Even if solutions are available to the art to address these issues,
the art is always receptive to improvements or alternative means,
methods and configurations. Thus, there exists a need for technique
such as that disclosed herein.
SUMMARY
[0012] In a first aspect, a hydraulic valve seat release system for
a fluid end of a high pressure pump, comprises: a fluid end block
defining at least one of a suction bore and a discharge bore; a
pressure port communicating between an exterior surface of the
block and the at least one bore, the bore having a tapered interior
surface; a valve seat having a tapered outer diameter and
structured that in use sealably mating with the interior surface of
the bore; and wherein the valve seat and the bore when mated define
an annular conduit being in pressure communication with the
pressure port,
[0013] In a second aspect, a method for releasing a valve seat of a
high pressure pump comprises: sealably mating the valve seat within
at least one of a suction bore and a discharge bore, the at least
one bore being defined within a fluid end block and having a
pressure port communicating between an exterior surface of the
block and the bore, the bore having a tapered interior surface, the
valve seat having a tapered outer diameter, and the valve seat and
the bore when mated defining an annular conduit being in pressure
communication with the pressure port; attaching a high pressure
fluid source to the pressure port on the exterior surface of the
block; applying a high pressure fluid from the source through the
pressure port to the annular conduit; and releasing the valve seat
by at least one of constricting the valve seat or expanding the
bore by means of the fluid.
[0014] In a third aspect, a method for the manufacture of a
hydraulic valve release system for a fluid end of a high pressure
pump comprises: forging a fluid end block; machining at least one
of a suction bore and a discharge bore within the block, the at
least one bore having a tapered interior surface; machining a high
pressure port communicating between an exterior surface of the
block and the bore; forging or casting a valve seat having a
tapered outer diameter for sealably mating with the bore; and
forming, a circumferential annular conduit within at least one of
the bore interior surface and the valve seat outer diameter wherein
the valve seat and the bore when mated define an annular conduit
being in pressure communication with the pressure port,
[0015] In a fourth aspect, a hydraulic valve seat for a fluid end
of a high pressure pump comprises: the valve seat having a tapered
outer diameter and a circumferential annular conduit within the
outer diameter, the valve seat structured that in use sealably
mating with a tapered interior surface of at least one of a suction
bore and a discharge bore, the at least one bore defined within a
fluid end block; and wherein the valve seat and the bore when mated
define an annular conduit being in pressure communication with a
pressure port communicating between an exterior surface of the
block and the interior surface of the bore.
[0016] In a fifth aspect, a method for the manufacture of a
hydraulic valve seat for a fluid end of a high pressure pump
comprises: forging or casting the valve seat having a tapered outer
diameter for sealably mating with a tapered interior surface of at
least one of a suction bore and a discharge bore, the at least one
bore defined within a fluid end block: and forming a
circumferential annular conduit within the valve seat outer
diameter wherein the valve seat and the bore when mated define an
annular conduit being in pressure communication with a pressure
port communicating between an exterior surface of the block and the
interior surface of the bore.
[0017] The above presents a summary of the presently disclosed
subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects thereof. The summary is not an exhaustive overview, nor is
it intended to identify key or critical elements to delineate the
scope of the subject matter claimed below. Its sole purpose is to
present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The subject matter disclosed and claimed below may be
understood by reference to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals identify like elements, and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B are a partially sectioned views of a
conventional Y-block fluid end of a high pressure pump.
[0020] FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B depict a quintuple valve-over-valve fluid
end block of a high pressure pump according to an embodiment of the
presently disclosed technique.
[0021] FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B are cross sectional views of a
valve-over-valve fluid end block according to an embodiment of FIG.
2 taken along line A-A therein, and a detailed view of the suction
bore of FIG. 3A, respectively.
[0022] FIG. 4A-FIG. 4B are side views of a valve seat assembly
according to another embodiment and a cross sectional view of a
valve seat and valve according to the embodiment
[0023] FIG. 4A taken along line B-B therein, respectively.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view of a quintuple Y-block fluid end of a
high pressure pump according to another embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a Y-block fluid end
according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 taken along line C-C
therein.
[0026] FIG. 7A-FIG. 7B are side views of a valve seat according to
another embodiment a cross sectional view of a valve seat according
to an embodiment of FIG. 7A taken along line D-D therein,
respectively.
[0027] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, the drawings illustrate specific embodiments
herein described in detail by way of example. It should be
understood, however, that the description herein of specific
embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the
particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is
to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Illustrative embodiments of the subject matter claimed below
will now be disclosed. In the interest of clarity, not all features
of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It
will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual
embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made
to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and
time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0029] In order to address the limitations created with the use of
external valve seat pullers, the presently disclosed technique
includes fluid end modules with internal porting whereby high
pressure hydraulic fluid and or grease can be applied to the
tapered bore of the fluid end. When applied, this pressure
compresses the valve seat and expands the fluid end bore, thereby
freeing the valve seat from the tight interference fit.
[0030] This design includes, in some embodiments, valve seats with
O-ring grooves machined on the tapered OD as well as a annular
conduit machined in between the O-ring grooves. In some
embodiments, the grooves may be machined in the wall of the bore.
Elastomeric O-rings are installed in the grooves prior to the valve
seat being installed in the fluid end module. When installed in the
fluid end module, the O-rings create a fluid tight seal. The
tapered contact surfaces of the seat and fluid end bore create and
maintain the interference fit of the seat during operation of the
pump.
[0031] Within the fluid end module, a pressure port is machined
from an outside surface of the module and terminates in the tapered
bore in an area between where the two O-rings are located. The
outside surface of the module may, for example, be machined for a
high pressure autoclave adapter to which a high pressure pump is
connected during removal.
[0032] Removal of the valve seats is performed by attaching a high
pressure pump to the autoclave fitting noted above. As hydraulic
pressure is applied to the port, fluid enters the fluid end, flows
to the valve seat around the relief groove cut between the two
O-rings. As pressure is increased, the valve seat is compressed and
the bore in the fluid end module is expanded. This action breaks
the metal to metal interference seal between the valve seat and
fluid end module. Due to the tapered bore the valve seat can only
move in one direction, upward.
[0033] Due to the high pressures the fluid ends are subjected to,
at times in excess of 20,000 psi, certain considerations should be
considered in the design of the integrated hydraulic valve seat
release ("HVSR"). Such considerations include a pumping media
bypass. in the event of an O-ring failure the system should
withstand pressures generated by the primary pump. In the event of
a crack or fluid washout in the tapered valve seat bore, the system
should withstand the pressure generated by the primary pump. Such
concerns also include the potential failure of O-ring to maintain
pressure from the hydraulic pump when removing the valve seat.
Should this occur, use of a conventional hydraulic valve seat
puller would be useful.
[0034] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates a
conventional Y-block fluid end module 100 of a high pressure pump
and FIG. 1B is an enlargement of the fragment B in FIG. 1A. The
fluid end module 100 includes fluid cylinder 102, plunger 104,
suction bore 110, and discharge bore 112. Valve seats 106, 108 are
installed within the suction bore 110 and discharge bore 112, and
designed with a tapered outer diameter to create an interference
fit with the correspondingly tapered interior wail of the
respective bore 110, 112. The discharge valve seat 108 is fitted
with an O-ring 114 to maintain a fluid seal between the seat 108
and the discharge bore 112. Valve members 115, 118 sit within the
valve seats 105, 108 and are spring biased in closed positions
against the seats 106, 108 by valve springs 120. The top of the
discharge bore 112 is sealed off with a discharge valve cover 122
fitted with an O-ring 124 and secured by way of retainer nut 126.
Within the suction bore 110 the valve member 116 is held in
position by means of suction valve guide 128. retainer 130, pin
132, and pin keeper 134.
[0035] FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B, and FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B illustrate one
particular embodiment in a quintuple valve-over-valve fluid end
module 200 in accordance with the presently disclosed technique.
FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B more particularly illustrate the fluid end module
200 in a top, plan view and an elevational view, respectively. FIG.
3A is a sectioned view along line A-A in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B is an
enlarged view of region B indicated in FIG. 3A. The fluid end
module 200 includes a discharge flange 202, a gauge connection 204,
a discharge flange 206, a retainer nut and cover 208, and a suction
manifold stud and nut 210. The fluid end module also includes a
plurality of hydraulic ports 208 (only one indicated), at least one
for each valve 206.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B, suction bores 300 and
discharge bores 302 are defined within the fluid end block 212, the
interior surface 304, 306 of each bore being tapered for
interference fit with the correspondingly tapered outer diameter of
the valve seat 308, 310. While differences exist between suction
bores and discharge bores, various embodiments operate and function
substantially the same for each bore type, and therefore discussion
in reference to a suction bore shall apply equally as a discussion
to a discharge bore. Any use of bore or bores without distinction
shall also be construed as applying to either a suction bore or
discharge bore.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3B, the valve seat 308 is in its
installed position within the bore 300, a annular conduit 312
around the circumference of the outer diameter of the valve seat
308, aligns with a hydraulic port 210 that provides high pressure
fluid communication between the interior surface 304 of the bore
300 and the exterior surface 314 of the fluid end block 212. A high
pressure fixed coupling 316 is attached to the hydraulic port 210
at the block's exterior surf 314.
[0038] To unseat the valve seat, a high pressure pump or other
source of high pressure fluid (not shown) is attached to the
coupling 316 and fluid is pumped through the port 210 to the
annular conduit 312 of the valve seat 308. The high pressure of the
fluid causes either the outer diameter of the valve seat 308 to
constrict or the interior surface 304 of the bore 300 to expand, or
both, thereby releasing the interference fit between the valve seat
308 and the bore 300 to allow removal of the valve seat 308.
[0039] In order to remove and replace the valve seats, whether from
a fluid end configured as valve-over-valve or a Y-block, one
particular sequence of steps comprises first removing the discharge
cover, followed by the valve spring and discharge valve. A high
pressure fluid source is then attached to the high pressure fixed
coupling and high pressure fluid is introduced into the annular
conduit via the hydraulic port. The increased pressure acts to
compress the circumference of the valve seat and/or expand the
diameter of the interior surface of the bore thereby interrupting
the interference fit between the valve seat and the bore. Once
released, or dislodged, the valve seat may be removed.
[0040] Once the discharge valve has been removed, the suction bore
can be accessed. One particular sequence for removal of the valve
seat from the suction bore comprises first removing the suction
valve pin, retainer, guide and spring. A high pressure fluid source
can then he attached to the high pressure fixed coupling of the
suction bore's hydraulic port and the valve seat released by high
fluid pressure as discussed above for the discharge bore's valve
seat.
[0041] In FIG. 3B, the outer diameter of the valve seat 308 is
further installed with two O-rings 318, 320: an upper O-ring 318
above the annular conduit 312 and a lower O-ring 320 below the
annular conduit 312. The O-rings 318, 320 provide a fluid-tight
seal sufficient to keep the high pressure fluid introduced through
the hydraulic port 210 from leaking into the bore 300 until the
interference fit is sufficiently released to allow removal of the
valve seat 308, 310.
[0042] Alternative embodiments of the presently disclosed technique
may also be realized. For example, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate
one particular embodiment of a double O-ring valve assembly 400.
FIG. 4A is an elevational view and FIG. 4B is a sectioned view
along line B-B in FIG. 4A. The valve assembly includes a valve
member 402 seated on the valve seat 404. The valve seat 404
includes tapered outer diameter 406 into which a annular conduit
408 is formed and upper and lower O-rings 410, 412 are fitted. The
interior surface of the bore (not shown) is finished smoothly.
Thus, the annular conduit and the O-rings may be place on either
the interior surface of the bore as in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B or on
the valve seat as in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. Note also that there may
be embodiments wherein the annular conduit is formed on either the
interior surf of the bore or on the valve seat and the O-rings are
place on the other of those two locations.
[0043] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate another particular embodiment
500 of the hydraulic valve seat release system in a fluid end
Y-block module. FIG. 5 is an elevational view and FIG. 6 is a
sectioned view along line C-C in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, like
parts to the embodiment of FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B and FIG. 3A-FIG. 3B bear
like numbers. Note how readily the technique may be adapted to
different configurations of the fluid end module.
[0044] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B illustrate modification of a
conventional single O-ring valve seat 700 in accordance with the
presently disclosed technique. FIG. 7A is an elevational view of
the valve seat 700 and FIG. 7B is a sectioned view along the line
D-D in FIG. 7A. The valve seat is modified by machining of an
annular conduit 702 into the tapered exterior surface 704 of the
valve seat in a position below the existing O-ring channel 706, and
further adding a lower O-ring channel 708 below the annular conduit
702. Those ordinarily skilled in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure will be able to readily implement such a modification
with existing knowledge and tooling.
[0045] In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the annular conduit
surrounding the circumference of the valve seat is formed by a
fluid channel in the tapered interior surface of the bore, rather
than the valve seat itself having a fluid channel. In this
embodiment, a circumferential annular conduit is defined in
combination by the interior surface of the bore and valve seat when
sealingly mated with the annular conduit being in fluid
communication with the hydraulic port,
[0046] Those in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will
appreciate that the sealing elements other than O-rings might be
used in various alternative embodiments. Thus, the O-rings
disclosed herein are, by way of example and illustration, just one
means for sealing by which the disclosed sealing function may be
implemented. Indeed, some embodiments may not even need to use
separate sealing elements where appropriate levels of sealing can
he achieved without them.
[0047] Similarly, the placement of the annular conduit and any
sealing elements, where used, is not material so long as they
provide a fluid-tight seal sufficient to keep the high pressure
fluid introduced through the hydraulic port from leaking into the
bore until the interference fit is sufficiently released to allow
removal of the valve seat. Thus, various embodiments might use a
conventional valve seat with a groove cut in the block; or, a valve
seat with a groove therein and block, with a groove therein; or, a
valve seat with a groove but no sealing element on either the block
or seat; or a block with to groove therein and no sealing element
on block or seat; or those embodiments disclosed herein. These, and
still other variations, are all within the scope of the subject
matter claimed below.
[0048] Valve seats in accordance with the presently disclosed
technique may be manufactured from forgings or castings. Such
forgings and castings are well known in the art and any suitable
forging or casting technique known to the art may be used
Accordingly, so as to avoid obscuring that which is otherwise
disclosed and claimed herein, further discussion of such techniques
shall be omitted. The annular conduit may be formed in the valve
seat by the castings, or by machining. Any portion of the annular
conduit formed in the interior surface of the bore may be formed by
machining, and hydraulic ports may be machined into the forged
fluid end block.
[0049] The presently disclosed technique therefore includes method
and apparatus for releasing a valve seat from a suction bore or a
discharge bore of a high pressure pump fluid end. A valve seat
having a tapered outer diameter for sealingly mating with the
tapered interior diameter of a fluid end bore via interference fit.
The fluid end module includes internal high pressure porting
between an exterior surface of the fluid end module and the
interior surface of the bore, whereby high pressure fluid may be
applied to the tapered surface of the bore and into a fluid channel
around the circumference of the tapered outer diameter of the valve
seat. The high pressure fluid compresses the outer diameter of the
valve seat and expands the interior diameter of the bore in order
to disrupt the interference tit between the valve, seat and the
bore, thus releasing, the valve seat. The valve seats are, in some
embodiments, installed with two O-rings one above and one below the
valve seat fluid channel--providing a fluid tight seal.
[0050] This concludes the detailed description. The particular
embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention
may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners
apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the
teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the
details of construction or design herein shown, other than as
described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the
particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified
and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit
of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as
set forth in the claims below.
* * * * *