Fracturing pump arrangement using a plunger with an internal fluid passage

An apparatus, comprising:

• a fluid end body comprising a plunger bore;
• a plunger configured to reciprocate within the plunger bore, the plunger comprising:
• a first end and an opposed second end;
• a first opening formed on the first end;
• a second opening formed on the second end;
• a fluid bore formed inside the plunger;
• and
• a valve seat installed in the plunger adjacent the second opening;
• a valve assembly, comprising a valve body configured to seal against the valve seat;
• a conduit having opposed first and second ends, the first end attached to the first end of the plunger via an inlet component;
• an inlet manifold connected to the second end of the conduit;
• and
• a sleeve situated stationary within the fluid bore such that the sleeve is separate from the valve assembly;
• in which the inlet manifold and the second end of the inlet conduit are situated above the first end of the conduit and the plunger.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a plunger assembly configured to reciprocate in a plunger bore formed within a fluid end body, the plunger assembly comprising:
• a plunger body having a first end, a second end, and a first bore formed therein;
• a valve seat situated within the plunger body adjacent the first end of the plunger body;
• and
• a valve assembly positioned adjacent the first end of the plunger body, the valve assembly comprising:
• a valve body configured to engage the valve seat;
• a retainer installed within the first bore;
• a stem having a first end connected to the valve body and an opposed second end;
• in which the retainer rotates with the stem and is free to move axially along the stem;
• and
• a spring concentric with the stem and installed within the first bore;
• in which the spring is situated between the retainer and the second end of the stem;
• a spring stop abutting the second end of the stem;
• in which the spring stop is configured to prevent the spring from moving axially past the second end of the stem;
• and
• a retainer pin configured to secure the spring stop to the stem.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a plunger assembly configured to reciprocate in a plunger bore formed within a fluid end body, the plunger assembly comprising:
• a plunger body having a first end, a second end, and a first bore formed therein;
• a valve seat situated within the plunger body adjacent the first end of the plunger body;
• and
• a valve assembly positioned adjacent the first end of the plunger body, the valve assembly comprising:
• a valve body configured to engage the valve seat;
• a retainer installed within the first bore;
• a stem having a first end connected to the valve body and an opposed second end;
• in which the retainer rotates with the stem and is free to move axially along the stem;
• and
• a spring concentric with the stem and installed within the first bore;
• in which the spring is situated between the retainer and the second end of the stem;
• in which the retainer comprises a central passage extending axially along the retainer;
• in which the central passage is sized to receive the stem;
• and
• in which the central passage has a square cross-section and the stem has a square cross-section.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a plunger assembly configured to reciprocate in a plunger bore formed within a fluid end body, the plunger assembly comprising:
• a plunger body having a first end, a second end, and a first bore formed therein;
• a valve seat situated within the plunger body adjacent the first end of the plunger body;
• and
• a valve assembly positioned adjacent the first end of the plunger body, the valve assembly comprising:
• a valve body configured to engage the valve seat;
• a retainer installed within the first bore;
• a stem having a first end connected to the valve body and an opposed second end;
• in which the retainer rotates with the stem and is free to move axially along the stem;
• a spring concentric with the stem and installed within the first bore;
• in which the spring is situated between the retainer and the second end of the stem;
• and
• a sleeve situated stationary within the first bore.