Valve assembly for downhole pump of reciprocating pump system

A valve assembly for a downhole pump, the assembly comprising:

• a housing disposed on the pump, the housing having first and second ends and defining a flow passage therethrough, the flow passage defining a surface between the first and second ends;
• and
• an insert disposed in the housing, the insert having third and fourth ends allowing for flow therethrough, the third end defining a ball stop, the fourth end having a ball passage, at least one of the third and fourth ends engaging the surface of the housing, at least a portion of the insert metallurgically affixed to the flow passage,
• wherein the insert defines a circumferential groove thereabout and comprises a charge of metallic material in the circumferential groove for the metallurgical affixation to the flow passage.

A valve assembly for a downhole pump, the assembly comprising:

• a housing disposed on the pump, the housing having first and second ends and defining a flow passage therethrough, the flow passage defining a surface between the first and second ends;
• and
• an insert disposed in the housing, the insert having third and fourth ends allowing for flow therethrough, the third end defining a ball stop, the fourth end having a ball passage, at least one of the third and fourth ends engaging the surface of the housing, at least a portion of the insert metallurgically affixed to the flow passage,
• wherein the flow passage defines an annular groove therein, the insert having a charge of metallic material disposed thereon and positioned adjacent the annular groove for the metallurgical affixation.

A method of assembling a valve assembly of a downhole pump for a reciprocating pump system, the method comprising:

• inserting an insert in a flow passage of a housing, the housing having first and second ends and defining the flow passage therethrough, the flow passage defining a surface between the first and second ends, the insert having third and fourth ends allowing for flow therethrough, the third end defining a ball stop, the fourth end having a ball passage;
• setting one of the third and fourth ends of the insert against the surface in the flow passage;
• and
• securing the insert in the housing by soldering with a soldering material between at least a portion of the insert and the flow passage to metallurgically affix between at least the portion of the insert and the flow passage.

A method of assembling a valve assembly of a downhole pump for a reciprocating pump system, the method comprising:

• inserting an insert in a flow passage of a housing, the housing having first and second ends and defining the flow passage therethrough, the flow passage defining a surface between the first and second ends, the insert having third and fourth ends allowing for flow therethrough, the third end defining a ball stop, the fourth end having a ball passage;
• engaging one of the third and fourth ends of the insert against the surface in the flow passage;
• and
• securing the insert in the housing by metallurgically affixing between at least a portion of the other of the third and fourth ends of the insert and the flow passage.