Rotating seat assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a valve seat assembly for a fluid end of a hydraulic fracturing pump. The valve seat assembly includes a valve seat having a substantially cylindrical body defined along an axis. The valve seat has a first seat end and a second seat end with a through bore extending between the first and second seat ends. The cylindrical body has an inner cylinder surface and an exterior cylinder surface with an annular flange formed along the exterior cylinder surface adjacent the first seat end. The through bore expands from a first diameter to a second diameter adjacent the first seat end. The valve seat assembly further includes a leak detection notch formed in the exterior cylinder surface between the annular flange and the second seat end.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A valve seat for a fluid end of a hydraulic fracturing pump, the valve seat comprising:
 a substantially cylindrical body defined along an axis and having a first seat end, a second seat end, an inner cylinder surface, an exterior cylinder surface; and a through bore extending between the first and second seat ends, the through bore expanding from a first diameter to a second diameter adjacent the first seat end;   an annular flange formed along the exterior cylinder surface adjacent the first seat end; and   a leak detection notch formed in the exterior cylinder surface between the annular flange and the second seat end.   
     
     
         2 . The valve seat of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection notch extends fully around the exterior cylinder surface. 
     
     
         3 . The valve seat of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection notch has spaced apart ends and extends only partially around the exterior cylinder surface. 
     
     
         4 . The valve seat of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection notch is elliptical in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The valve seat of  claim 1 , further comprising a helical feature formed along at least a portion of the inner cylinder surface between the first and second seat ends. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid end for a hydraulic fracturing pump, the fluid end comprising:
 a pump housing having a housing bore formed therein, the housing bore defined by a cylindrical inner surface having a first bore end and a second bore end with an annular shoulder formed along the cylindrical inner surface between the first and second bore ends, wherein the housing bore has a first diameter at the first bore end and a second smaller diameter at the second bore end;   an orifice disposed along the cylindrical inner surface between the shoulder and the second end;   a fluid port extending through the pump housing and in fluid communication with the orifice; and   a valve seat defining a substantially cylindrical body having a first seat end, a second seat end, an inner cylinder surface and an exterior cylinder surface, the valve seat including an annular flange formed along the exterior cylinder surface adjacent the first seat end and a leak detection notch formed in the exterior cylinder surface between the annular flange and the second seat end;   wherein the valve seat is disposed in the housing bore so that the leak detection notch is adjacent the orifice and in fluid communication with the fluid port.   
     
     
         7 . The fluid end of  claim 6 , further comprising a fluid sensor in fluid communication with the leak detection notch. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid end of  claim 6 , further comprising a sensor in fluid communication with the leak detection notch, the sensor being a pressure sensor or a flow rate sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A method for operating a hydraulic fracturing pump, the method comprising:
 reciprocating a plunger to draw fluid into a pump;   reciprocating the plunger to drive fluid from the pump;   capturing a fluid flowing along an exterior surface of a valve seat of the pump in a leak detection notch defined in the exterior surface of the valve seat and extending at least partially about the valve seat; and   utilizing a sensor to detect the captured fluid within the leak detection notch of the valve seat.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising evaluating a valve seat working life based on the captured fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising replacing the valve seat once the captured fluid reaches a threshold. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein utilizing the sensor comprises measuring a pressure of the captured fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein utilizing the sensor comprises measuring a flow rate of the captured fluid.