US 12,345,332 B2
Self-locking plug
Kyle Matthew Ellisor, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Vulcan Industrial Holdings, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Vulcan Industrial Holdings, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/540,973.
Application 18/540,973 is a continuation of application No. 17/405,321, filed on Aug. 18, 2021, granted, now 11,846,356.
Prior Publication US 2024/0117882 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16J 13/02 (2006.01); F04B 39/14 (2006.01); F04B 53/22 (2006.01); F16J 13/08 (2006.01); F16J 13/10 (2006.01); F16J 13/12 (2006.01)
CPC F16J 13/02 (2013.01) [F04B 39/14 (2013.01); F04B 53/22 (2013.01); F16J 13/08 (2013.01); F16J 13/10 (2013.01); F16J 13/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid end comprising:
a plunger positioned to reciprocate within a first bore;
one or more additional bores; and
one or more plug assemblies associated with the one or more additional bores, each of the one or more plug assemblies comprising:
a plug body positioned within the one or more additional bores, the plug body including a first tapered profile and a second tapered profile, and
a lock ring having at least portions thereof positioned within the one or more additional bores, the lock ring including a first lock ring tapered profile and a second lock ring tapered profile, and the lock ring positioned such that the first tapered profile of the plug body engages the first lock ring tapered profile and the second tapered profile of the plug body engages the second lock ring tapered profile, thereby to drive the lock ring radially outward responsive to an axial force applied to the plug body.