PUMP FOR USE IN A HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAID PUMP

Abstract

A pump for use in a hydraulic fracturing system, wherein the pump includes a tapered packing sleeve comprising a tapered segment adjacent to a pump insertion side, a pilot and sealing segment adjacent and contiguous to the tapered segment, and a union segment adjacent and contiguous to the pilot and sealing segment and adjacent to a pump extraction side. Methods for installing, removing, and replacing the sleeve are also disclosed.

Description

FLUID END PUMP WITH EASY-MAINTENANCE REPLACEABLE PACKING SLEEVE BACKGROUND

[0001] Replaceable packing sleeves help extend the life of a hydraulic fracturing pump's (frac pump's) fluid end by allowing a worn packing bore surface to be replaced. The packing bore surface wears due to the reciprocating motion of the plunger in the fluid end acting on the packing, which, in turn, acts on the packing bore. When the packing bore surface is worn, the pump loses its fluid seal and the fluid end must be replaced, or a replaceable packing sleeve must be used. When the packing sleeve is worn, it can be replaced at a lower cost than replacing the much more expensive fluid end. This is in addition to having to replace other parts in the fluid end, which includes replacing the packing stack. Some replaceable packing sleeves are press-fit into the fluid end bore.However, press fitting is complicated and often requires multiple people to operate a system that may include, for example, a heavy hydraulic jack with a hydraulic power unit to push or pull the sleeve, connected high-pressure hoses, and jaw fittings on the hydraulic jack to install and remove the packing sleeve. Using high pressures (e.g., up to 10,000 psi) to operate the system requires safety precautions to mitigate the danger to personnel associated with the use of high pressures. As such, installing and removing replaceable packing sleeves is costly and time-consuming to implement.

[0002] Accordingly, there is a continuing need to develop simpler replaceable packing sleeve configurations with easier installation and replacement procedures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0003] Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0004] Figure 1 illustrates an overview of an example pump for a hydraulic fracturing system for a well in which any form of pump may be used. 238943 1998401 of 17 realization of the replaceable packing sleeve of the disclosure;

[0005] Figure 2A presents a cross-sectional view of an example replaceable conical packing sleeve of the disclosure, such as the packing sleeve depicted in Figure 1;

[0006] Figure 2B presents a detailed cross-sectional view of portions of the conical segment and the pilot and sealing segment as presented in Figure 2B;

[0007] Figure 3 presents a detailed cross-sectional view of portions of the conical segment, the pilot and sealing segment, and the union segment of the example packing sleeve, and portions of the pump body defining the liquid inlet port as presented in Figure 1;

[0008] Figure 4 presents a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of an example pilot and sealing segment of the example packing sleeve and portions of the pump body defining the liquid inlet port as presented in Figure 1;

[0009] Figure 5 presents a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary joint segment of the exemplary packing sleeve and portions of the pump body defining the liquid inlet port as presented in Figure 1; and

[0010] Figures 6A and 6B present a flow diagram of a method of operating a pump for use in a hydraulic fracturing system including installing and replacing any embodiment of the packing sleeve as disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Disclosed herein is a novel replaceable packing sleeve structure and associated installation and replacement method. The replaceable packing sleeve reduces the burden of packing sleeve maintenance by eliminating the need for heavy and expensive tools (e.g., hydraulic jack and associated equipment), simplifies the packing sleeve installation and replacement process, and dispenses with the need for high pressure for press fitting, which mitigates inherent safety issues associated with installation or replacement, as disclosed herein below.

[0012] In the drawings and descriptions that follow, similar parts are indicated 238943 1998401 of 17 generally used throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawn figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of this disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or somewhat schematically, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown for the sake of clarity and conciseness. Specific embodiments are described in detail and shown in the drawings, with the understanding that they serve as examples and do not limit the disclosure to only the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, it is fully recognized that the various teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce the desired results.

[0013] Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms such as fit, connect, couple, join, or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not intended to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements, but also to include indirect interaction between the elements described. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms including and comprising are used non-exclusively and should therefore be construed to mean including, but not limited to. Furthermore, any reference to first, second, etc. does not specify a preferred order of method or importance, unless otherwise indicated, but is intended to designate separate elements.The various features mentioned above, as well as others described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those of average skill in the art with the aid of this disclosure upon reading the detailed description of the embodiments below and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates an overview of an example pump 100 (e.g., a fluid end 102 of a fracturing pump) for a hydraulic fracturing system associated with a well in which any embodiment of the replaceable packing sleeve 105 of the disclosure may be implemented.

[0015] As will be known to a person of average skill, the pump 100 may include a pump body 110, a portion 110a of which defines a liquid inlet port 115 and an opening 120 in which the liquid sleeve is placed. 238943 1998401 of 17 packing 105 and a packing stack 125 (the stack including, for example, a slip ring 130, a sealing element 132, and lubrication passages 134). One of average skill in the art would understand how a reciprocating plunger 136 would be positioned in the fluid orifice opening 120 and moved back and forth through the fluid inlet orifice 115, the packing stack 125, and the surrounding packing sleeve 105 by a powered device (e.g., a powered crankshaft, not shown) to pump fluids into and out of a wellbore.

[0016] One embodiment of the disclosure is a replaceable packing sleeve for use in a hydraulic fracturing pump as part of a hydraulic fracturing system.

[0017] Figure 2A presents a cross-sectional view of an exemplary replaceable tapered packing sleeve 105 (sleeve) of the disclosure, such as the sleeve depicted in Figure 1, and Figure 2B presents a detailed cross-sectional view of portions of the tapered segment and the pilot and sealing segment as presented in Figure 2B. Figure 3 presents a detailed cross-sectional view of portions of the tapered segment, the pilot and sealing segment, and the union segment of the sleeve, and portions of the pump body defining the liquid inlet port as presented in Figure 1. Figure 4 presents a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary pilot and sealing segment of the sleeve and portions of the pump body defining the liquid inlet port as presented in Figure 1.Figure 5 presents a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of an example joint segment of the sleeve and portions of the pump body defining the liquid inlet port as presented in Figure 1.

[0018] With continued reference to Figures 1-5, embodiments of the packing sleeve 105 include a tapered segment 200, a pilot and sealing segment 220, and a mating segment 240. The tapered segment 200 is adjacent a pump insert side 205 of the packing sleeve (e.g., within 5 cm in some embodiments), wherein the tapered segment includes a tapered outer surface 210 mateable with a flared inner surface 300 (Figure 3) at an opening 120 of a fluid inlet port 115 of the pump 100. The pilot and sealing segment 220 is adjacent and contiguous with the 238943 1998401 of 17 tapered segment 200, wherein the pilot and sealing segment includes a first guide outer surface 225 defined by a first diameter 227 that is larger than a larger diameter (e.g., diameter 230) of the tapered segment 200, and a second guide outer surface 232 defined by a second diameter 235 that is larger than the first diameter 227, wherein the first and second guide outer surfaces are contactable with an inner receiving surface 310 of the fluid inlet port. The mating segment 240 is adjacent and contiguous with the pilot and sealing segment 220 and adjacent to a pump removal side 242 of the packing sleeve, wherein the mating segment has a threaded outer surface 245 mateable with a threaded inner mating surface 320 of the fluid inlet port 115.The threaded external surface helps reduce the amount of human force required for sleeve installation, retention, and removal.

[0019] The term "adjacent to," as used herein, refers to the tapered segment 200, the pilot and sealing segment 220, and the mating segment 240, all of which are a single, solid, monolithic piece of metal that has been molded, machined, welded, or otherwise formed to form the complete packing sleeve 105.

[0020] The terms engageable, contactable, or joinable as used herein mean that when the packing sleeve is placed in or removed from the fluid inlet port, all or substantially all (e.g., at least 90%, 95%, or 99% in various embodiments) of the surface area of ​​the tapered outer surface 210 may contact the flared inner surface 300. For example, all or substantially all of the first and second guide outer surfaces 225, 232 may contact the inner receiving surface 310 of the fluid inlet port 115, and all or substantially all of the threaded outer surface 245 may contact the threaded inner mating surface 320 of the fluid inlet port.In some embodiments, once the packing sleeve is placed in the fluid inlet port, there may be a small clearance between the surfaces 210, 300 that is maintained by sealing O-rings, as disclosed hereinafter, such that the surfaces 210, 310 do not touch each other.

[0021] The term conical outer surface 210, as used herein, means that, for any two locations along the surface (e.g., location 210a, 210b), the diameter 230 at the farther location (e.g., 238943 1998401 of 17 example, 210b) of the insertion end 205 is larger than the diameter 230 at the location closest (e.g., 210a) to the insertion end 205.

[0022] In some embodiments, it is desirable for the sleeve to be structured to decrease a frictional force holding the replaceable packing sleeve 105 in the fluid inlet port 115 so that the sleeve may be easily installed or removed from the fluid end 102 with little force (e.g., by a single human operator) and to reduce stress on the sleeve.To facilitate such adjustment, a length 250 of the conical outer surface, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis 251 of the packing sleeve 105, extends from a first external O-ring groove 265, located between the pump insert side 205 and the conical segment 200 to the pilot and sealing segment 220, and may have a value in a range of 50 to 95 percent (e.g., 50 to 60, 60 to 70, 70 to 80, 80 to 90 percent, and any combination thereof in various embodiments) of an overall length 252 of the conical packing sleeve 105 along the longitudinal axis 251. For example, in an embodiment where the overall length 252 of the sleeve in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 251 is equal to 0.2 m, then the length 250 of the outer surface conic 210 can have a value that varies from 0.1 to 0.19 m.

[0023] In some embodiments, it is desirable that a frictional force holding the replaceable packing sleeve 105 in the fluid inlet port 115 be such that the sleeve can be easily removed from the port 115 with little force. For some such embodiments, an external angle 255 of the tapered outer surface 210 and an internal angle 325 of the flared inner surface 300, relative to a longitudinal axis 251 of the packing sleeve, may be substantially equal to each other, e.g., a same angle value within ±1 degree, and both the external angle 255 and the internal angle 325 are greater than, up to 1 degree greater than, and, in some embodiments, greater than 1 degree to 5 degrees greater than, a friction angle between the tapered outer surface and the flared inner surface, whereby the tapered outer surface 210 and the flared inner surface 300 do not block each other.That is, the conical outer surface 210 and the flared inner surface 300 are inclined such that there is no locking taper angle.

[0024] In other embodiments, a frictional force that keeps the 238943 1998401 of 17 packing sleeve 105 in the fluid inlet port 115, with the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210, may be such that the sleeve is locked in the fluid inlet port 115. For some such embodiments, the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 of the flared internal surface 300, with respect to a longitudinal axis 251 of the packing sleeve, may be substantially equal to each other and both the external angle 255 and the internal angle 325 are less than, for example, up to 5 degrees less than, a friction angle between the tapered external surface and the flared internal surface to thereby lock the tapered external surface 210 and the flared internal surface 300 together by the frictional force between these surfaces 210, 300.

[0025] The term angle of friction (Θ), as used herein, refers to the theoretical angle, the mathematical function arc tangent, when applied to the coefficient of friction between the conical outer surface 210 of the sleeve and the inner surface 300 of the fluid inlet port 115. The result of evaluating the arc tangent (coefficient of friction) is the angle of friction Θ. When the angle 255 between the conical outer surface 210 and the external angle 255 of the conical outer surface 210 with respect to the central axis 251 are greater than the angle of friction Θ, then there will be insufficient frictional force to keep the two surfaces 210, 300 together and the surfaces will slide relative to each other.

[0026] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that when the angle 255 is less than the angle of friction (Θ), this is sometimes referred to as the locking taper angle. For example, as noted above, when the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 of the flared internal surface 300 are substantially equal to each other and are both less than the angle of friction, then when these two surfaces 210, 300 are engaged with each other, they will be held together by the frictional force between these two surfaces, e.g., sometimes referred to as the locking taper angle.

[0027] For example, embodiments are considered where the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces 210, 300 is such that the angle of friction (Θ) is equal to about 2 degrees, 5 degrees, 7 degrees, 10 or 15 degrees. In some such embodiments, the external angle 255 of the conical external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 of the flared internal surface 300 may be substantially equal to the angle of friction (Θ). 238943 1998401 of 17 equal to each other (e.g., within ± 1 degree) and equal to or less than a value of 2, 5, 7, 10, or 15 degrees, respectively, to thereby provide a locking taper angle. In some such embodiments, the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 may be less than and within about 10% (± 1%) of the friction angle (Θ) (e.g., angles 255, 325 both equal to 1.8, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 13.5 degrees, respectively) to provide a locking taper angle that advantageously may still be unlocked with a small, but manageable, force (e.g., a single human operator).

[0028] One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that when the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 of the flared internal surface 300 are greater than the friction angle Θ, then there will be insufficient frictional force to hold the two surfaces 210, 300 together and the surfaces will slide relative to each other because there is not enough friction to provide a locking taper angle. As noted above, some such embodiments of the sleeve 105 may have a tapered external surface 210 and an external angle 255 that do not provide a locking taper.In some such embodiments, components of a packing stack that seats on a second inner diameter 277 of the sleeve and the outer surface 245 of the threaded attachment segment 240 of the sleeve 105 may assist in retaining the sleeve 105 in the fluid inlet port 115, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0029] Consider, for example, the same example above where the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces 210, 300 is such that the angle of friction (Θ) is equal to about 2 degrees, 5 degrees, 7 degrees, 10 or 15 degrees. In some such embodiments, the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 of the flared internal surface 300 may be greater than a value of 2, 5, 7, 10, or 15 degrees, respectively, for example, to facilitate easy removal and replacement of the sleeve 105 from the fluid inlet port 115. In some such embodiments, the external angle 255 of the tapered external surface 210 and the internal angle 325 may be less than and within about 10% (±1%) of the friction angle (Θ) (e.g., angles 255, 325 both equal to 2.2, 5.5, 7.7, 11, 16.5 degrees, respectively) to provide some friction support. 238943 1998401 of 17 friction between surfaces 210, 300, to facilitate easier installation, removal and replacement of sleeve 105 in fluid inlet port 115, but not enough friction to provide a locking taper between surfaces 210, 300.

[0030] In some embodiments, to facilitate easy installation, removal, and replacement of the sleeve 105 in the fluid inlet port 115, the pump insert side 205 of the sleeve 105 includes a tapered tip surface 260, wherein the tapered tip surface forms an angle 330 greater than 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis 251 of the sleeve 105. In some embodiments, to facilitate providing a liquid seal, the tapered outer surface 210 may include a first O-ring groove 262 sized to receive a first O-ring 331 therein, wherein the first O-ring groove 262 is located between the tapered tip surface 260 and is adjacent to the tapered tip surface 260 (e.g., within 1 to 10 percent of the overall length 252 of the sleeve, or within 0.01 to 0.1 m from the tip surface 260 in some embodiments).As discussed further below, in some embodiments, the larger outer diameter 263 of the first O-ring groove, e.g., the larger outer diameter 263 of the groove sidewall 262a, may be smaller than a second inner diameter of the packing sleeve (e.g., the second diameter 277).

[0031] In some embodiments, the first outer guide surface 225 of the pilot and seal segment 220 includes a second O-ring groove 265 sized to receive a second O-ring 332 therein, and the second outer guide surface 232 of the pilot and seal segment 220 includes a third O-ring groove 268 sized to receive a third O-ring 334 therein. In some embodiments, the second diameter 235 of the second outer guide surface 232 is greater than or equal to an outer diameter of the second O-ring 332 when installed in the second O-ring groove 265.

[0032] In some embodiments, the pilot and sealing segment 220 further includes a lubrication supply port 270 located between the first and second guide surfaces 225, 232. In some such embodiments, the pilot and sealing segment 220 further includes a relief surface 272 located between the second O-ring groove 265 and the lubrication supply port 270, in 238943 1998401 of 17 where the relief surface is defined by an outer diameter 274 that is larger (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10% larger in various embodiments) than the first diameter 227 of the first guide outer surface 225. The relief surface diameter 274 helps reduce the presence of metal burrs that can sometimes damage O-rings or sleeve seals.

[0033] In some embodiments, the packing sleeve 105 has a first inner diameter 275 sized to allow a pump plunger 136 to reciprocate and a second inner diameter 277 that is larger than the first inner diameter and is sized so that a pump packing stack 125 sits thereon.

[0034] In some such embodiments, to help hold the packing sleeve 105 in place in the inlet opening 115, the larger outer diameter 263 of the first O-ring groove 262 (e.g., groove sidewall 262a) may be smaller (e.g., 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 percent smaller in some embodiments) than the second inner diameter 277. In such embodiments, a discharge pressure acting on the diameter 263 may apply a force to push the sleeve outward; however, the discharge pressure acting on the diameter 277 may apply another force to hold the sleeve in place. Because the diameter 277 is larger than the diameter 263, the net effect is that there is more force holding the sleeve in place than there is force attempting to push the sleeve outward.

[0035] In some embodiments, the mating segment 240 of the packing sleeve 105 further includes openings 280, each of the openings 280 being dimensioned to mate with a nut 140 connected to a packing screw 145, the packing screw including a lip 150 having holes 155 therein, the holes being dimensioned to fit a portion of a fastening tool 160 therein. The packing screw facilitates applying a final torque necessary to retain the sleeve in the fluid inlet port.In some such embodiments, for example, the clamping tool is a metal bar (e.g., 0.25 to 1 m in length) to facilitate a single human user to rotate the packing screw by providing additional torque to rotationally transfer the sleeve into or out of the fluid inlet port as further disclosed below. 238943 1998401 of 17

[0036] Any embodiment of the sleeve may include a corrosion prevention coating 285 (e.g., a CrN coating, by a physical vapor deposition method known to those of ordinary skill in the art) covering all or a portion of the sleeve surface (e.g., any or all of surfaces 210, 225, 232, and 245). Because the disclosed sleeve does not utilize or require a press fit, there is a much lower risk of such a coating becoming detached during installation, removal, or replacement of the sleeve.

[0037] Another embodiment of the disclosure is a method of operating a pump for use in a hydraulic fracturing system.

[0038] With continued reference to Figures 1-5, Figures 6A and 6B present a flow diagram of a method 600 for operating a pump including installing (step 605), removing (step 660), and replacing (step 690) any embodiment of the packing sleeve 105 as disclosed herein.

[0040] Embodiments of method 600 may include removing (step 650) the packing sleeve 105 from the pump, including: rotatably separating (step 660) the threaded outer surface 245 of the mating segment 240 of the packing sleeve 105 from the threaded inner mating surface 320 of the fluid inlet port 115 such that the packing sleeve moves toward the opening 120; pulling (step 670) the packing sleeve further toward the opening such that a first guide outer surface 225 and a second guide outer surface 232 of a pilot and sealing segment 220 of the packing sleeve 105 lose contact with the inner receiving surface 310 of the fluid inlet port;and extracting (step 680) the pump insert side 205 of the packing sleeve 105 out of the opening 120 of a fluid inlet port 115 of the pump, which includes disengaging (step 682) the tapered outer surface 210 of the tapered segment 200 of the packing sleeve 105 with the flared inner surface 300 of the fluid inlet port.;

[0040] In some such embodiments, rotary transferring (step 630) the tapered packing sleeve 205 to the opening 120 may further include attaching (step 632) a packing screw 145 to the pump removal side 242 of the packing sleeve including engaging a packing screw nut 140 with an opening 280 in the packing sleeve attachment segment, tightening (step 633) the packing screw 145 to the pump removal side 242 of the packing sleeve, and tightening (step 634) the packing screw 145 to the pump removal side 242 of the packing sleeve. 238943 1998401 of 17 634) a portion of a clamping tool 160 into the holes 155 located in an edge 150 of the packing screw and then driving (step 636) the clamping tool to perform the rotary transfer (step 630).

[0041] Some such embodiments may further include inserting (step 640) a packing stack 125 into a pump removal side 242 of the packing sleeve such that the packing stack seats in a second bore 282 of the packing sleeve, wherein the packing sleeve 105 has a first bore 284 with a first inner diameter 275 sized to allow a pump plunger 136 to reciprocate and the second bore 282 has a second inner diameter 277 that is larger than the first inner diameter 275.

[0042] Some embodiments of the method may include removing (step 650) the packing sleeve 105 from the pump, including: rotatably separating (step 660) the threaded outer surface 245 of the mating segment 240 of the packing sleeve 105 from the threaded inner mating surface 320 of the fluid inlet port 115, such that the packing sleeve moves toward the opening 120;pulling (step 670) the packing sleeve further toward the opening such that a first guide outer surface 225 and a second guide outer surface 232 of a pilot and sealing segment 220 of the packing sleeve 105 lose contact with the inner receiving surface 310 of the fluid inlet port 115 and withdrawing (step 680) the pump insert side 205 of the packing sleeve 105 out of the opening 120 of a fluid inlet port 115 of the pump, including disengaging (step 682) the tapered outer surface 210 of the tapered segment 200 of the packing sleeve 105 with the flared inner surface 300 of the fluid inlet port.;

[0043] In some such embodiments, the rotary separation (step 660) may further include joining (step 682) a packing screw 145 to the pump removal side 242 of the packing sleeve including coupling a packing screw nut 140 with an opening 280 in the attachment segment of the packing sleeve, fitting (step 684) a portion of a clamping tool 160 into holes 155 located in an edge 150 of the packing screw, and then driving (step 686) the clamping tool to perform the rotary separation (step 660).

[0044] In some such embodiments, for example, after extracting 238943 1998401 of 17 (step 650) the packing sleeve 105 from the pump, replacing the packing sleeve (step 690) with a replacement packing sleeve includes installing (step 605) the replacement packing sleeve 105 into the pump.

[0045] Disclosure statements.

[0046] Statement 1. A pump for use in a hydraulic fracturing system, wherein the pump comprises a tapered packing sleeve, including: a tapered segment adjacent a pump insert side of the packing sleeve, wherein the tapered segment includes a tapered outer surface engageable with a flared inner surface in an opening of a fluid inlet port of the pump; a pilot and sealing segment adjacent and contiguous with the tapered segment, wherein the pilot and sealing segment includes a first guide outer surface defined by a first diameter that is larger than a larger diameter of the tapered segment, and a second guide outer surface defined by a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the first and second guide outer surfaces are contactable with an inner receiving surface of the fluid inlet port;and a joint segment adjacent and contiguous to the pilot and sealing segment and adjacent to a pump withdrawal side of the packing sleeve, wherein the joint segment has a threaded outer surface engageable with a threaded inner joining surface of the fluid inlet port.;

[0047] Statement 2. A length of the conical outer surface, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the packing sleeve, extends from a first outer O-ring groove located between the pump insert side and the conical segment to the pilot and sealing segment, and has a value in a range of at least 30 to at most 60 percent of a total length of the conical packing sleeve along the longitudinal axis.

[0048] Statement 3. An external angle of the conical external surface and an internal angle of the flared internal surface, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the packing sleeve, are substantially equal to each other and both the external angle and the internal angle are greater, up to 1 degree, than a friction angle between the conical external surface and the flared internal surface, so that the conical external surface and the flared internal surface do not block each other.

[0049] Statement 4. The external angle of the conical external surface and an angle 238943 1998401 of 17 internal of the flared inner surface, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the packing sleeve, are substantially equal to each other and both the external angle and the internal angle are greater than 1 degree to 5 degrees greater than an angle of friction between the conical external surface and the flared inner surface, whereby the conical external surface and the flared inner surface do not block each other.

[0050] Statement 5. An external angle of the conical external surface and an internal angle of the flared internal surface, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the packing sleeve, are substantially equal to each other and both the external angle and the internal angle are smaller than a friction angle between the conical external surface and the flared internal surface to thereby lock the conical external surface and the flared internal surface to each other by a friction force between the surfaces.

[0051] Statement 6. The external angle and the internal angle are within 5 percent of the angle of friction.

[0052] Statement 7. The pump insert side includes a conical tip surface, wherein the conical tip surface forms an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the packing sleeve.

[0053] Statement 8. The conical outer surface includes a first O-ring groove sized to receive a first O-ring therein, wherein the first O-ring groove is adjacent to the conical tip surface.

[0054] Statement 9. The first outer guide surface of the pilot and sealing segment includes a second O-ring groove sized to receive a second O-ring therein, and the second outer guide surface of the pilot and sealing segment includes a third O-ring groove sized to receive a third O-ring therein.

[0055] Statement 10. The pilot and sealing segment further includes a lubrication supply port located between the first and second guide surfaces.

[0056] Statement 11. The pilot and sealing segment further includes a relief surface located between the second O-ring groove and the lubrication supply port, wherein the relief surface is defined by a diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the first external guide surface.

[0057] Statement 12. The packing sleeve has a first inner diameter 238943 1998401 of 17 sized to allow a pump plunger to reciprocate and a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter and is sized so that a pump packing stack sits thereon.

[0058] Statement 13. The pump insert side includes a first O-ring groove sized to accommodate a first O-ring therein, wherein the first O-ring groove is located between the tapered tip surface and within the tapered outer surface, and wherein a larger outer diameter of the first O-ring groove is smaller than the second inner diameter.

[0059] Statement 14. The packing sleeve attachment segment further includes openings, each of the openings being dimensioned to engage a nut connected to a packing screw, the packing screw including a lip having holes therein, the holes being dimensioned to fit a portion of a fastening tool therein.

[0060] Statement 15. A method of operating a pump for use in a hydraulic fracturing system, comprising: installing a tapered packing sleeve into the pump, including: inserting a pump insert side of the packing sleeve into an opening of a fluid inlet port of the pump, including mating a tapered outer surface of a tapered segment of the packing sleeve with a flared inner surface of the fluid inlet port;pushing the packing sleeve further into the opening such that a first guide outer surface and a second guide outer surface of a pilot and sealing segment of the packing sleeve contact an inner receiving surface of the fluid inlet port, the first guide outer surface having a first diameter that is larger than a larger diameter of the tapered segment and the second guide outer surface having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; and rotatably transferring the tapered packing sleeve further into the opening such that a threaded outer surface of a mating segment of the packing sleeve engages a threaded inner mating surface of the fluid inlet port.

[0061] Statement 16. The rotary transfer of the conical packing sleeve to the opening further includes joining a packing screw to the pump removal side of the packing sleeve which includes coupling a nut of the packing screw with an opening in the union segment of the packing sleeve, adjusting 238943 1998401 of 17 a portion of a clamping tool into holes located on an edge of the packing screw and then actuating the clamping tool to perform the rotary transfer.

[0062] Statement 17. It further includes inserting a packing stack into a pump removal side of the packing sleeve such that the packing stack seats in a second bore of the packing sleeve, wherein the packing sleeve has a first bore with a first inner diameter sized to allow a pump plunger to reciprocate and the second bore has a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter.

[0063] Statement 18. It further includes: removing the packing sleeve from the pump, including: rotatably separating the threaded external surface of the mating segment of the packing sleeve from the threaded internal mating surface of the fluid inlet port such that the packing sleeve moves toward the opening; pulling the packing sleeve further toward the opening such that a first guide external surface and a second guide external surface of a pilot and sealing segment of the packing sleeve lose contact with the internal receiving surface of the fluid inlet port; and removing the pump insert side of the packing sleeve out of the opening of a fluid inlet port of the pump, including disengaging the tapered external surface of the tapered segment of the packing sleeve from the flared internal surface of the fluid inlet port.

[0064] Statement 19. The rotary separation further includes joining a packing screw to the pump removal side of the packing sleeve including coupling a nut of the packing screw with an opening in the joint segment of the packing sleeve, fitting a portion of a clamping tool into holes located on an edge of the packing screw and then driving the clamping tool to perform the rotary separation.

[0065] Statement 20. After removing the packing sleeve from the pump, replace the packing sleeve with a replacement packing sleeve including installing the replacement packing sleeve into the pump.

[0066] Those in the mid-level trade to whom this application is directed will appreciate that additions, deletions, substitutions, and modifications other than and in addition to the described embodiments may be made. 238943 1998401 of 17 20225952036 CRISTIAN DANIEL BITTEL - 20225952036 Digitally signed by PORTALTRAMITES - INPI Date: 2022.10.14 16:06:59 -03:00 Reason: Digitally signed by the INPI Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina 1998401

Claims

1. A pump for use in a hydraulic fracturing system, wherein the pump is characterized in that it comprises: a conical packing sleeve, including: a conical segment adjacent to a pump insertion side of the packing sleeve, wherein the conical segment includes a conical outer surface that can be engaged with a flared inner surface in an opening of a fluid inlet port of the pump; a pilot and sealing segment adjacent to and contiguous with the conical segment, wherein the pilot and sealing segment includes a first external guide surface defined by a first diameter that is larger than a larger diameter of the conical segment, and a second external guide surface defined by a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the first and second external guide surfaces can come into contact with an internal receiving surface of the fluid inlet port;and a joining segment adjacent to and contiguous with the pilot and sealing segment and adjacent to a pump extraction side of the packing sleeve, wherein the joining segment has an external threaded surface that can be joined to an internal threaded joining surface of the fluid inlet port. 19 Claims follow;