Modular gland arrangements for a fluid end assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12385397-B2
Application number	US-202418679866-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2024
Priority date	Aug 25, 2016
Publication date	Aug 12, 2025
Grant date	Aug 12, 2025

Abstract

A closure element for a fluid end assembly that has two or more recessed grooves formed in its outer surface. The grooves are axially offset. A seal is placed in one and only one of the grooves. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other grooves. Instead of a series of axially offset grooves in a single closure element, a kit may be formed from two or more otherwise identical closure elements, each with a single recessed groove at a different axial position. Another closure element has a series of ledge-like surfaces defining spaces within which a seal may be received. One outer surface surrounds one or more of the other surfaces. A seal is placed in one and only one of the spaces. As wear occurs, the seal is relocated to one of the other spaces.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid end kit, comprising:
a housing having an external surface, an internal chamber, and at least two conduits independently interconnecting the external surface and the internal chamber, each conduit comprising a longitudinal axis;
a first plug configured to be closely received within a selected one of the conduits and configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit, the first plug comprising:
a body, comprising:
an axis that is configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis; and
one and only one circumferential recess formed therein; and

a second plug configured to be closely received within the same selected one of the conduits as the first plug and configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit, the second plug comprising:
a body, comprising:
an axis that is configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis; and
one and only one circumferential recess formed therein;

in which the respective recesses would be axially offset if the first and second plugs were superimposed.

2. The fluid end kit of claim 1 , in which each circumferential recess comprises two sidewalls joined by a base.

3. The fluid end kit of claim 1 , in which each conduit is configured to receive the first and second plugs singly, but not jointly.

4. The fluid end kit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third plug configured to be closely received within the same selected one of the conduits as the first and second plugs and configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit, the third plug comprising:
a body, comprising:
an axis that is configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis; and
one and only one circumferential recess formed therein;

in which the recess would be axially offset from the recesses of the first and second plugs if the first, second, and third plugs were superimposed; and
at least one annular seal configured to be received in the circumferential recess formed in the first, second, or third plug.

5. The fluid end kit of claim 1 , further comprising at least one annular seal configured to be received in the circumferential recesses formed in the first or second plug.

6. A method of using the fluid end kit of claim 1 , in which the first plug has an annular seal situated within its groove, and in which the assembled first plug and seal have been installed in a selected conduit of housing to form an operative fluid end, the method comprising:
replacing the first plug with the second plug in the selected conduit, the second plug having an annular seal within its groove.

7. The method of claim 6 , in which the annular seal installed within the first plug is the same annular seal installed within the second plug.

8. A fluid end assembly, comprising:
a fluid end body having at least two conduits, each conduit comprising a longitudinal axis;
a closure element installed within a selected one of the conduits, the closure element comprising:
a body having an axis configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis and at least two axially spaced and circumferential steps formed therein, each step configured for receiving an annular seal; and

an annular seal positioned within one and only one of the steps formed in the body;
in which the annular seal is configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit.

9. The fluid end assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a retaining nut threaded into the fluid end body, the retaining nut configured to secure the closure element within the selected conduit.

10. The fluid end assembly of claim 8 , in which the closure element is characterized as a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve configured to receive at least a portion of a reciprocating plunger.

11. A method of using the fluid end assembly of claim 8 , the method comprising:
operating the fluid end with the closure element carrying the annular seal, the seal being installed on a first step of the closure element; and
during a break in operation of the fluid end, servicing the closure element such that a second annular seal carried by the closure element is installed on a second and different step.

12. The method of claim 11 , in which the seal installed on the second step of the closure element is different from the seal installed on the first step of the closure element.

13. An assembly, comprising:
a fluid end, comprising:
a housing, comprising:
an external surface;
an internal chamber; and
at least two independent conduits, each conduit having a longitudinal axis and interconnecting the external surface and the internal chamber; and

a replacement part kit, comprising:
a first plug configured to be closely received within a selected one of the conduits and configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit, the first plug comprising:
a body having an axis configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis of the selected conduit and one and only one circumferential recess formed therein; and

a second plug configured to be closely received within the same selected one of the conduits and configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit, the second plug comprising:
a body having an axis configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis of the selected conduit and one and only one circumferential recess formed therein;

in which the bodies of the plugs are identically shaped and sized apart from the recesses, with the recesses of the respective plugs being axially offset but otherwise identical.

14. The assembly of claim 13 , in which the fluid end further comprises:
a retaining nut configured to thread into the housing and hold a selected plug within a selected conduit.

15. The assembly of claim 13 , in which each circumferential recess comprises two sidewalls joined by a base.

16. The assembly of claim 13 , in which each conduit is configured to receive the first and second plugs singly, but not jointly.

17. The assembly of claim 13 , in which the replacement part kit further comprises:
a third plug configured to be received within the same selected one of the conduits and configured to block the flow of fluid within such conduit, the third plug comprising a body having an axis configured to be colinear with the longitudinal axis of the selected conduit and one and only one circumferential recess formed therein.

18. A method of using the assembly of claim 13 , in which the first plug has an annular seal situated within its groove, and in which the assembled first plug and seal have been installed in a selected conduit of the housing to form an operative fluid end, the method comprising:
replacing the first plug with the second plug in the selected conduit, the second plug having a second annular seal within its groove.

Assignees

• Kerr Machine Co

Inventors

• Foster Kelcy Jake

Classifications

• E21B43/2607

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title

• F16K5/0271

  between housing and plug · CPC title

• F16K3/243

  Packings (F16K3/246 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F04B53/22

  Arrangements for enabling ready assembly or disassembly · CPC title

• F16K5/0492

  Easy mounting or dismounting means · CPC title