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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to pumps having pumping chamber pressure responsive fluid distributors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is difficult to economically produce hydrocarbons from low permeability reservoir rocks. Oil and gas production rates are often boosted by hydraulic fracturing, a technique that increases rock permeability by opening channels through which hydrocarbons can flow to recovery wells. During hydraulic fracturing, a fluid is pumped into a reservoir rock under high pressure where it cracks or fractures the rock. Proppants are carried in suspension by the pumped fluid into the fractures. When the pressure is released, the fractures close on the proppants leaving open channels for hydrocarbons to flow.[0003]Specialized pumps are used to deliver fracture fluids at sufficiently high rates and pressures to complete a hydraulic fracturing procedure or “frac job.” These pumps are usually provided with fluid ends having both ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]In light of the problems associated with the known fluid ends associated with high-pressure pumps, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a fluid end of great strength, durability, and fatigue resistance. This fluid end features a body made from a single piece of metal with internal flow passages that intersect one another at right angles. One passage within the body contains a reciprocating plunger assembly that pressurizes fluids and others retain valves that control the flow of fluids past the plunger assembly. Since the body does not have joints between subparts, it is not susceptible to corrosion, fluid leaks, and fatigue wear along such joints.

[0006]It is another object of the invention to provide a fluid end of the type described with a suction valve positioned above a discharge valve so that fluid flow through the fluid end is generally downward. The hydrostatic head of the pumped fluid in the fluid end minimizes the likelihood of cavitation as the plunger reciprocates and causes the fluid end to operate with little vibration. Further, positioning the discharge valve in a subordinate location permits the pump to be cleared of fluid with a few strokes of the plunger and avoids the risk of cracking the body of the fluid end should the pumped fluid freeze in cold weather.

[0009]It is an object of the invention to provide improved features and arrangements thereof in a fluid end for the purposes described which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and fully dependable in use.

Problems solved by technology

It is difficult to economically produce hydrocarbons from low permeability reservoir rocks.

It is the connections between the parts and the supporting features for the valves that tend to weaken a fluid end, limiting its pressure rating, and making it susceptible to cracking under high, cyclical stresses.

Thus, fluid ends sometimes fail prematurely.

The resulting, Y-type fluid ends are costly to make, however.

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