Fracturing pump arrangement using a plunger with an internal fluid passage

Abstract

A fluid end for use with a power end. The fluid end comprises a plurality of fluid end sections positioned adjacent one another. Each section includes a single horizontally positioned bore. A plunger is installed within the bore and includes a fluid passageway. Low-pressure fluid enters the bore through the plunger and high-pressure fluid exits the fluid end through an outlet valve installed within the bore. The intake of low-pressure fluid within the fluid end section is regulated by an inlet valve installed within the plunger. Low-pressure fluid enters the plunger through an inlet component attached to both the plunger and an inlet manifold.

1 . A valve assembly, comprising:
 a hardened insert coupled with a reciprocating element; and   a valve body coupled with a valve insert;   in which, in a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts a primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the valve insert contacts an initial sealing surface of the reciprocating element to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and, in an open configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body does not contact the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the valve insert does not contact the initial sealing surface of the reciprocating element to allow fluid flow through the valve assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , in which the primary sealing surface and the initial sealing surface comprise disparate materials. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , in which the valve body, the primary sealing surface, the initial sealing surface, or a combination thereof is frusto-conical or frusto-spherical in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , in which the sealing surface is provided by a front surface of the reciprocating element. 
     
     
         5 . A pump fluid end, comprising:
 a reciprocating element at least partially within a reciprocating element bore of the pump fluid end, wherein the reciprocating element bore extends into the pump fluid end from an end of the pump fluid end and has a central axis;   a suction valve assembly; and   a discharge valve assembly;   in which the suction valve assembly, the discharge assembly, or both comprise a valve assembly comprising a hardened insert coupled with the reciprocating element, and a valve comprising a valve body coupled with a valve insert, wherein, in a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts a primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the valve insert contacts an initial sealing surface of the reciprocating element to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and, in an open configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body does not contact the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the valve insert does not contact the initial sealing surface of the reciprocating element to allow fluid through the valve assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The pump fluid end of  claim 5 , wherein the pump fluid end is a concentric bore pump fluid end, wherein the suction valve assembly comprises the valve assembly comprising the hardened insert coupled with the reciprocating element, and the valve comprising the valve body coupled with the valve insert, wherein the hardened insert is coupled with a front end of the reciprocating element about an inside surface thereof, and wherein the initial sealing surface is provided by a front surface of the reciprocating element. 
     
     
         7 . The pump fluid end of  claim 6 , in which a material of the reciprocating element is disparate from a material of the hardened insert. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid end, comprising:
 a fluid end body;   a reciprocating plunger situated at least partially within the fluid end body, the reciprocating plunger comprising:
 a first surface defining a recessed cavity; 
 a second surface opposed from the first surface; 
 an outer intermediate surface bound between the first and second surfaces; 
 an inner intermediate surface bound between the first and second surfaces; and 
 a bore formed therein and interconnecting the first and second surfaces; 
   a hardened insert installed within the recessed cavity, the hardened insert comprising:
 a tapered sealing surface; and 
 a central opening that is concentric with the bore; and 
   a valve assembly, comprising:
 a valve body having a valve sealing surface configured to mate with the tapered sealing surface. 
   
     
     
         9 . The fluid end of  claim 8 , in which the valve assembly is an intake valve assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid end of  claim 8 , in which the valve body comprises a cutout; and in which the valve assembly further comprises a seal situated within the cutout, wherein the seal is configured to mate with the first surface of the reciprocating plunger. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid end of  claim 8 , in which the valve assembly is characterized as a first valve assembly, the fluid end further comprising:
 a second valve assembly situated at least partially within the fluid end body.   
     
     
         12 . The fluid end of  claim 11 , in which the first valve assembly is an intake valve assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid end of  claim 11 , in which the second valve assembly is a discharge valve assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A pump assembly, comprising:
 the fluid end of  claim 8 ;   a plurality of stay rods; and   a power end assembly attached to the fluid end by the plurality of stay rods.   
     
     
         15 . The pump assembly of  claim 14 , in which the fluid end is offset from the power end assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid end of  claim 8 , in which the reciprocating plunger further comprises:
 an annular shoulder formed at the base of the recessed cavity;   in which the annular shoulder engages the hardened insert.   
     
     
         17 . The fluid end of  claim 16 , in which the annular shoulder defines a plurality of slots formed therein; in which the plurality of slots are in fluid communication with the bore. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid end of  claim 17 , in which the plurality of slots are diametrically opposed to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid end of  claim 16 , in which the annular shoulder comprises a plurality of holes formed therein. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid end of  claim 19 , in which the reciprocating plunger further comprises a plurality of pins situated within the plurality of holes in a one-to-one relationship.