Fluid end

Abstract

A fluid end for a high-pressure pump including a metallic block having a front, back, top, bottom, and opposed sides. The block has a horizontal, plunger passage extending from the front to the back thereof. A horizontal, outlet passage extends from one of the opposed sides of the block to the other with the outlet passage being positioned beneath, and at right angles to, the plunger passage. A suction passage extends vertically downward from the top of the block and intersects the plunger passage to define a pumping chamber at the point of intersection. A discharge passage extends vertically downward from the pumping chamber to the bottom of the block. The discharge passage is located adjacent to the outlet passage. A connector passage extends from the discharge passage to the outlet passage so as to place the discharge passage and outlet passage in fluid communication. A reciprocating plunger assembly is located the end of the plunger passage adjacent the back of the block. A plug is located in the end of the plunger passage adjacent the front of the block. A suction valve is located in the suction passage. A discharge valve is located in the discharge passage. A fluid supply manifold is pivotally secured to the top of the block and is in fluid communication with the suction passage.

1 . A body for a fluid end, comprising:
 a metallic block having a front, back, top, bottom, and opposed sides and, also, including:
 a horizontal, plunger passage extending from the front to the back of said block; 
 a horizontal, outlet passage extending from one of said opposed sides to the other, said outlet passage being positioned beneath, and being oriented at right angles to, said plunger passage; 
 a suction passage extending vertically downward from the top of said block and intersecting said plunger passage to define a pumping chamber at the point of intersection; 
 a discharge passage extending vertically downward from said pumping chamber to the bottom of said block, and said discharge passage being located adjacent to said outlet passage; and, 
 a connector passage extending from said discharge passage to said outlet passage so as to place said discharge passage and outlet passage in fluid communication with one another. 
   
     
     
         2 . The body according to  claim 1  wherein said suction passage has a suction valve seat deck located therein, and wherein said discharge passage has a discharge valve located therein, and wherein the top surfaces of said suction valve seat deck and said discharge valve seat deck are horizontal. 
     
     
         3 . The body according to  claim 1  wherein said plunger passage, said suction passage, and said discharge passage are helically threaded contiguous to their respective points of intersection with the front, back, top and bottom of said block. 
     
     
         4 . A fluid end, comprising:
 a body being a metallic block having a front, back, top, bottom, and opposed sides and, also, including:
 a horizontal, plunger passage extending from the front to the back of said block; 
 a horizontal, outlet passage extending from one of said opposed sides to the other, said outlet passage being positioned beneath, and being oriented at right angles to, said plunger passage; 
 a suction passage extending vertically downward from the top of said block and intersecting said plunger passage to define a pumping chamber at the point of intersection; 
 a discharge passage extending vertically downward from said pumping chamber to the bottom of said block, and said discharge passage being located adjacent to said outlet passage; and, 
 a connector passage extending from said discharge passage to said outlet passage so as to place said discharge passage and outlet passage in fluid communication with one another; 
   a reciprocating plunger assembly being located the end of said plunger passage adjacent the back of said block;   a plug being located in the end of said plunger passage adjacent the front of said block;   a suction valve being located in said suction passage;   a discharge valve being located in said discharge passage; and,   a fluid supply manifold being pivotally secured to the top of said block and being in fluid communication with said suction passage.   
     
     
         5 . The fluid end according to  claim 4  wherein said suction passage has a suction valve seat deck located therein for retaining said suction valve, and wherein said discharge passage has a discharge valve located therein for retaining said discharge valve, and wherein the top surfaces of said suction valve seat deck and said discharge valve seat deck are horizontal. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid end according to  claim 4  further comprising a Victaulic coupling body for releasably connecting said fluid supply manifold to said suction valve and a rubber seal positioned within said coupling body for preventing fluid leaks. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid end according to  claim 4  wherein said plunger passage has a helically threaded portion being contiguous to the front of said block and wherein said plunger passage includes a plug deck adjacent to said helically threaded portion, and wherein said plug further includes:
 an access pin including:
 a rod portion that is sized to slide snugly past said plug deck into said plunger passage, said rod portion being provided with a concavity therein for receiving said plunger assembly when said plunger assembly is reciprocated in said plunger passage; and, 
 a peripheral flange portion being located at the front of said rod portion and being adapted to abut said plug deck; 
 
 a retaining nut being in selective contact with said access pin for holding said access pin within said plunger passage, said retaining nut including:
 an externally, helically threaded body being screwed into said helically threaded portion; and, 
 a hexagonal stem projecting outwardly from said helically threaded body for permitting said retaining nut to be turned by a wrench. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . A fluid end, comprising:
 a body having a front, back, top, bottom, and opposed sides, said body being provided with a plurality of passages for the passage of fluid through said body;   a reciprocating plunger assembly being located in said body for pressurizing fluid in said passages;   a suction valve being located in one of said passages for maintaining a one-way flow of fluid to said plunger assembly; and,   a discharge valve being located in another one of said passages for maintaining a one-way flow of fluid away from said plunger assembly, and said discharge valve being nearer to the bottom of said body than said suction valve.