Fluid end assembly

An apparatus, comprising:

• a component configured for installation within a horizontal bore formed in a fluid end housing, the component comprising:
• a first portion joined to a second portion;
• in which the second portion has a greater diameter than the first portion;
• in which a length of the second portion is at least two times greater than a length of the first portion;
• in which the first and second portions define a central passage configured to receive a reciprocating plunger and an exterior surface extending between front and rear surfaces of the component;
• and in which no threads are formed in the central passage or the exterior surface;
• and
• a plurality of passages formed in the second portion and surrounding the central passage;
• in which the plurality of passages are parallel to the central passage;
• and
• in which the second portion of the component is configured to house a plurality of packing seals configured to receive the reciprocating plunger.

A fluid end assembly, comprising:

• a housing having an external surface and an internal chamber;
• a first conduit formed in the housing and having first and second sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
• a second conduit formed in the housing, intersecting the first conduit and having third and fourth sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
• in which no threads are formed in a wall of the housing surrounding the third section;
• a component installed within the third section, in which the component has opposed rear and front surfaces joined by inner and outer intermediate surfaces, in which no threads are formed in the inner and outer intermediate surfaces;
• a plurality of packing seals installed within the component;
• a retainer having opposed rear and front surfaces, in which the front surface of the retainer abuts the rear surface of the component;
• and
• a fastening system installed within the retainer and the housing and configured to releasably hold the retainer against the component, in which the fastening system comprises a plurality of socket-headed screws.

A fluid end assembly, comprising:

• a housing having an external surface and an internal chamber;
• a first conduit formed in the housing and having first and second sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
• a second conduit formed in the housing, intersecting the first conduit and having third and fourth sections, each section independently interconnecting the internal chamber and the external surface;
• in which no threads are formed in a wall of the housing surrounding the third section;
• a component installed within the third section, in which the component has opposed rear and front surfaces joined by inner and outer intermediate surfaces, in which no threads are formed in the inner and outer intermediate surfaces;
• in which the component has a cylindrical rear portion joined to a cylindrical front portion, and in which an outer diameter of the rear portion is larger than an outer diameter of the front portion;
• a plurality of packing seals installed within the component, in which the plurality of packing seals are installed through the rear surface of the component and are positioned within the rear portion of the component, in which an internal seat is formed within the rear portion of the component, in which the plurality of packing seals are part of a plunger packing, and in which the plunger packing abuts the internal seat;
• a retainer having opposed rear and front surfaces, in which the front surface of the retainer abuts the rear surface of the component;
• and
• a fastening system installed within the retainer and the housing and configured to releasably hold the retainer against the component.