# US 12,181,066 B2 · Seat pocket insert > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,066 B2 - Document ID: US12181066B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/603,290 - Filed: 2020-04-14 - Published: 2022-07-14 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-15 - Assignees: FMC Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: FMC Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Gareth Boyd; Bruno Freitas; Christopher Adams-Hernandez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181066B2 ## CPC - F16K 3/0236: {the packing being of a non-resilient material, e.g. ceramic, metal} - E21B 34/02: in well heads - F16K 3/0272: {permitting easy assembly or disassembly} - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A seat pocket insert for a valve block may include an insert body extending, in an axial length, between a first end surface and a second end surface. Additionally, the second end surface may have a profile configured to sealingly engage with a seat of a valve. Further, a bore may be provided axially extending through the first end surface to the second end surface of the insert body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: disposing a first seat in a flow bore of a valve block; inserting a first seat pocket insert into an outlet or an inlet of the flow bore, wherein the first seat pocket insert comprises; an insert body extending, in an axial length, between a first end surface and a second end surface, the insert body comprising: an inner diameter defining a bore extending axially through the insert body along the axial length of the insert body; an axial protrusion, comprising: the second end surface at an end of the axial protrusion, and a protrusion inner surface defining a protrusion inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the bore; and a seat pocket having a profile defined by the protrusion inner surface and a protrusion shoulder surface; aligning the first end surface to be flush with an outer surface of the valve block; and using a pressure from a valve to sealingly engage the first seat against the profile of the seat pocket and abut the second end surface of the axial protrusion against a shoulder of the first seat. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising coaxially aligning a bore of the first seat and the bore of the first seat pocket insert with a first seal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising inserting a second seat and a second seat pocket insert into the outlet or the inlet of the flow bore opposite the first seat pocket insert, and sealingly engaging the second seat against a second pocket seat profile of the second seat pocket insert via the pressure from the valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising coupling a connection surface of the first seat pocket insert to a first connection surface of the valve block and coupling a connection surface of the second seat pocket insert to a second connection surface of the valve block. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising locking the first seat pocket insert in the valve block with a first flange coupled to the valve block and locking the second seat pocket insert in the valve block with a second flange coupled to the valve block. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the coupling of the first seat pocket insert and the second seat pocket insert comprises applying torque to at least one torque connection in a surface of the first seat pocket insert and the second seat pocket insert. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising coaxially aligning a bore of the second seat pocket insert and the bore of the second seat with a second seal. ### Claim 8 An assembly comprising: a seat pocket insert for a valve block and a valve seat, the seat pocket insert comprising: an insert body extending, in an axial length, between a first end surface and a second end surface, the insert body comprising: an inner diameter defining a bore extending axially through the insert body along the axial length of the insert body; an axial protrusion, comprising: the second end surface at an end of the axial protrusion, and a protrusion inner surface defining a protrusion inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the bore; and a seat pocket having a profile defined by the protrusion inner surface and a protrusion shoulder surface; wherein the first end surface is flush with an outer surface of the valve block, wherein the second end surface sealingly engages with the valve seat, and wherein the protrusion shoulder surface abuts a shoulder of the valve seat. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The seat pocket insert of claim 8, wherein the insert body comprises a first portion proximate the first end surface and a second portion proximate the second end surface, the first end surface being opposite the second end surface, and the first portion comprising a connection surface on an outer surface of the insert body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The seat pocket insert of claim 9, wherein an outer diameter of the first portion is larger than an outer diameter of the second portion to form an outer load shoulder of the insert body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The seat pocket insert of claim 9, further comprising a metal-to-metal seal disposed on the second portion and between the insert body and the valve block. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The seat pocket insert of claim 8, wherein the first end surface comprises at least a torque connection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The seat pocket insert of claim 8, further comprising a connection surface provided on an outer surface of the insert body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The seat pocket insert of claim 8, wherein the insert body is a single piece. ### Claim 15 A valve block, comprising: a body having one or more flow bores; at least one seat having a bore, the at least one seat being disposed within the one or more flow bores; and at least one seat pocket insert inserted to an outlet or an inlet of the one or more flow bores, wherein each of the at least one seat pocket insert comprises: an insert body extending, in an axial length, between a first end surface and a second end surface, the insert body comprising: an inner diameter defining a bore extending axially through the insert body along the axial length of the insert body; an axial protrusion, comprising: the second end surface at an end of the axial protrusion, and a protrusion inner surface defining a protrusion inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the bore; and a seat pocket having a profile defined by the protrusion inner surface and a protrusion shoulder surface; wherein the protrusion shoulder surface abuts a shoulder of the at least one seat; wherein the second end surface sealingly engages with the at least one seat, and wherein the first end surface is flush with an outer surface of the valve block. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The valve block of claim 15, further comprising a flange coupled to the body configured to lock the at least one seat pocket insert within the outlet or the inlet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The valve block of claim 16, wherein the at least one seat pocket insert comprises a connection surface provided on an outer surface of the insert body, wherein the connection surface of the at least one seat pocket insert is coupled to a connection surface of the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The valve block of claim 17, wherein the connection surface of the body is an inner surface of a cavity at the outlet or the inlet of the one or more flow bores, and wherein the connection surface of the at least one seat pocket insert and the connection surface of the body are threaded. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The valve block of claim 15, further comprising a valve disposed in a chamber of the body and wherein a body of the valve abuts against the at least one seat. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The valve block of claim 15, wherein the one or more flow bores, the bore of the at least one seat, and the bore of the at least one seat pocket insert are coaxial. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The valve block of claim 20, further comprising a seal disposed between the at least one seat pocket insert and the at least one seat. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The valve block of claim 15, wherein a first seat pocket insert of the at least one seat pocket insert is inserted in the outlet of the one or more flow bores and a second seat pocket insert of the at least one seat pocket insert is inserted in the inlet of the one or more flow bores. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The valve block of claim 22, wherein a first seat of the at least one seat is between the first seat pocket insert and a body of a valve, and a second seat of the at least one seat is between the second seat pocket insert and the body of the valve. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The valve block of claim 15, further comprising an anti-rotation device disposed between the at least one seat pocket insert and the body of the valve block.