US 12,378,957 B2
Fluid end plug with bore clearance
Mark S. Nowell, Ardmore, OK (US); Kelcy Jake Foster, Ardmore, OK (US); and Christopher Todd Barnett, Stratford, OK (US)
Assigned to Kerr Machine Co., Sulphur, OK (US)
Filed by Kerr Machine Co., Sulphur, OK (US)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/865,488.
Application 17/865,488 is a division of application No. 16/422,446, filed on May 24, 2019, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/676,656, filed on May 25, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0349399 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. F04B 53/22 (2006.01); F04B 47/00 (2006.01); F04B 53/16 (2006.01); E21B 43/26 (2006.01); F04B 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC F04B 53/22 (2013.01) [F04B 47/00 (2013.01); F04B 53/16 (2013.01); E21B 43/2607 (2020.05); F04B 15/02 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid end, comprising:
a body having an external surface;
a first bore extending through the body and terminating at openings formed in the external surface;
a second bore extending through the body and intersecting the first bore, the second bore terminating at openings formed in the external surface;
an intake valve assembly disposed within the second bore, the intake valve assembly comprising a valve body and a valve seat;
a valve retainer disposed within the second bore and situated opposite the valve body from the valve seat, the valve retainer configured to limit movement of the valve body;
a suction plug disposed within the first bore and defining a center axis; the suction plug comprising:
a plug body joined to the flange section, the plug body comprising:
a first section having a first diameter;
a second section having a second diameter;
a third section having a third diameter; and
a protrusion extending from the third section, the protrusion having a fourth diameter;
in which the seal is in contact with and surrounds the outer surface of the suction plug at the second section of the plug body;
in which the second section is positioned intermediate the first and third sections;
in which the second diameter is greater than both the first and third diameters;
in which both the first and third diameters are greater than the fourth diameter;
in which the suction plug is symmetric about the center axis; and
in which the suction plug is in a spaced-relationship with the valve retainer;
a discharge plug disposed within the second bore;
a plunger disposed within the first bore and axially aligned with the suction plug;
an annular groove formed in a wall surrounding the first bore; and
a seal disposed in the annular groove and abutting an outer surface of the suction plug;
in which the valve retainer is situated intermediate the intake valve assembly and the discharge plug;
in which a region is defined by a length of the first bore along which the suction plug and first bore are concentric about the center axis;
in which the suction plug further comprises:
a flange section disposed entirely outside of the region, at least a portion of the flange section engaging the body; and
in which the suction plug and first bore are not in contact for a first portion of the region, in which the first portion of the region is located between the seal and the external surface.