Fluid end with non-circular bores and closures for the same

Abstract

A closure element for a fluid end of a reciprocating pump is installable within a segment of a casing of the fluid end to substantially close the segment. The closure element includes a main body that extends from an interior surface to an exterior surface, and at least a portion of the main body has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. A fluid end for the closure element may include a plurality of segments and at least a portion of at least one segment of the plurality of segments may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape configured to receive and secure a closure element with a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

1 . A closure element for a fluid end of a reciprocating pump, the closure element being installable within a segment of a casing of the fluid end to substantially close the segment, the closure element comprising:
 a main body that extends from an interior surface to an exterior surface, wherein at least a portion of the main body has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.   
     
     
         2 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape is an extended ovular shape. 
     
     
         3 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises:
 a seating section proximate the interior surface; and   a closure section proximate the exterior surface.   
     
     
         4 . The closure element of  claim 3 , wherein the seating section extends radially beyond the closure section. 
     
     
         5 . The closure element of  claim 4 , wherein the seating section has a first non-circular cross-sectional shape and the closure section has a second non-circular cross-sectional shape that is smaller than the first non-circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         6 . The closure element of  claim 4 , wherein only one of the seating section and the closure section includes the non-circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . The closure element of  claim 4 , wherein the seating section defines a non-circular shoulder between the seating section and the closure section. 
     
     
         8 . The closure element of  claim 7 , wherein the closure section defines a seal channel adjacent or proximate to the non-circular shoulder. 
     
     
         9 . The closure element of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 one or more pressure relief conduits configured to allow fluid to bypass the seating section of the main body and flow to the closure section of the main body.   
     
     
         10 . The closure element of  claim 9 , wherein the non-circular cross-sectional shape is an extended ovular shape and the one or more pressure relief conduits are aligned with one or more straight portions of the extended ovular shape. 
     
     
         11 . The closure element of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more installation elements extending away from the exterior surface so that that the one or more installation elements are accessible from an exterior of the segment of the casing of the fluid end when the closure element is installed within the segment.   
     
     
         12 . A closure assembly formed with the closure element of  claim 1 , the closure assembly further comprising:
 a retaining assembly that is coupleable to the exterior surface of the closure element.   
     
     
         13 . The closure assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the retaining assembly is configured to be disposed entirely within the segment of the casing of the fluid end when the closure element is installed within the segment of the casing of the fluid end to substantially close the segment. 
     
     
         14 . The closure assembly of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the retaining assembly is configured to be disposed at least partially exteriorly of the casing of the fluid end when the closure element is installed within the segment of the casing of the fluid end to substantially close the segment. 
     
     
         15 . A closure assembly for a fluid end of a reciprocating pump, at least a portion of the closure assembly being installable within a segment of a casing of the fluid end to substantially close the segment, the closure assembly comprising:
 a closure element that extends from an interior surface to an exterior surface, wherein at least a portion of the closure element has a non-circular cross-sectional shape;   a retaining element that is coupleable to the exterior surface of the closure element; and   a seal assembly that is positionable between the closure element and the retaining element, proximate the closure element, wherein coupling the retaining element to the closure element retains the seal assembly therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The closure assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the closure element has a first surface hardness, the retaining element has a second surface hardness, and the first surface hardness is different than the second surface hardness. 
     
     
         17 . The closure assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the seal assembly comprises a seal and a single seal carrier, the seal being proximate the closure element and the single seal carrier being positioned between the seal and the retaining element. 
     
     
         18 . The closure assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining element is part of a retaining assembly that further comprises:
 a crossbar configured to span the segment proximate an exterior end of the segment; and   an extended coupler, wherein an upstream end of the extended coupler is configured to be coupled to the retaining element and a downstream end of the extended coupler is configured to be secured to the crossbar.   
     
     
         19 . The closure assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining element comprises one or more installation elements extending away from an exterior surface of the retaining element so that that the one or more installation elements are accessible from an exterior of the segment of the casing of the fluid end when the closure element is installed within the segment. 
     
     
         20 . The closure assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining element is part of a retaining assembly that further comprises:
 a retainer disposed exteriorly of the casing of the fluid end and defining one or more seats on which the closure element, a portion of the retaining assembly, or both the closure element and the portion of the retaining assembly may sit.