A fluid end adapted to form part of a reciprocating pump capable of delivering fluid at relatively high pressures in excess of 5000 psi, comprising in combination;
- a stuffing box including a plunger bore and a cylindrical plunger mounted for reciprocation therein,
- a fluid cylinder block including a first cylindrical passage extending through said block from a first side thereof to a second side thereof and including a first cylindrical valve chamber therein, said fluid cylinder block adapted to be mounted on said stuffing box so that said first passage is in line with said plunger bore, the diameter of said first passage being substantially no greater than the diameter of said plunger bore,
- a first manifold block mounted against said second side of said fluid cylinder block and including a fluid passage in fluid communication with said first passage,
- first valve means having a reduced diameter portion slidably received in said first cylindrical valve chamber and an enlarged diameter portion captured between said first manifold and said second side of said fluid cylinder block to control the flow of fluid through said first passage from said second side of said fluid cylinder block,
- seal means for sealing the flow of fluid about said first valve means and said first valve chamber, and between said stuffing box, fluid cylinder block and first manifold block at a point external of said first passage, the enlarged diameter disposed external of said first passage to permit visual detection of fuel leakage of said seal means and minimize damage to the area within said fluid cylinder block subjected to fluid erosion due to the force of said fluid under pressure by-passing said seal means and said first valve means,
- a second cylindrical passage in said fluid cylinder block extending from an outer wall of said fluid cylinder block and in fluid communication with said first cylindrical passage,
- a second manifold block mounted against said outer wall of said fluid cylinder block and including a second cylindrical valve chamber in fluid communication with said second cylindrical passage,
- second valve means having a reduced diameter portion slidably received in said second cylindrical valve chamber of said second manifold and an enlarged diameter portion captured between said second manifold and said outer wall of said fluid cylinder block to control the flow of fluid through said second manifold block from said second passage, and
- second seal means for sealing the flow of fluid about said second valve means and said second valve chamber, and between said fluid cylinder block and second manifold block at a point external of said second passage, the enlarged diameter portion of said second valve means and said second seal means being disposed external of said second passage to permit visual detection of fuel leakage of said second seal means and minimize damage to the area within said fluid cylinder block subjected to fluid erosion due to the force of said fluid under pressure by-passing said second seal means and said second valve means,
- said first and second valve means each comprising;
- a disc-shaped cylindrical seat element having a central bore therethrough and a seating surface on at least one end and a groove in at least one end surrounding said seating surface which has a cylindrical inner wall having a continuous peripheral undercut tapered angularly upward and outward relative to the groove, the exterior of the seat element having a short cylindrical sidewall and opposed end surfaces defining the enlarged diameter portion of said valve means,
- a generally cylindrical valve element having a seating surface configured to sealably engage said seating surface of said seat element when the valve is in a closed position,
- a hollow cylindrical retainer element having a circumferential flat segmented flange at one end which has a peripherally beaded portion configured to clamp removably on said inner wall surrounding said seating surface and its other end extending outwardly therefrom and substantially surrounding said seating surface, said retainer element having apertures through the sidewall providing flow passageways therethrough and an integral web portion at the extended end, said retainer element defining the reduced diameter portion of said valve means,
- said beaded portion tapered angularly upward and outward at substantially the same angle as the angle of said groove undercut whereby said retainer element may be releasably installed in said groove by pressing it downward until it snaps securely over the inner edge of said groove to fit into said undercut, and
- a coiled spring positioned between the underside of said web portion of said retainer element and said valve element and compressibly engaging said valve element to normally urge said valve element into closed position,
- said first seal means including a seal element positioned on the seating surface end of said first valve means seat element about said seating surface and another seal element positioned on the opposed end,
- said second seal means including a seal element positioned on the seating surface end of said second valve means seat element about said seating surface and another seal element positioned on the opposed end,
- said first valve means positioned with said retainer element slidably received in said first valve chamber at said second end of said fluid cylinder block and the seating surface of said seat element with the seal element positioned thereon sealably engaged between the surface of said seat element the outer surface of said second end and the opposed end with said seal element positioned thereon sealably engaged between the other surface of said seat element and the outer surface of said first manifold, and
- said second valve means positioned with said retainer element slidably received in said second valve chamber in said second manifold at said other end of said fluid cylinder block and the seating surface of said seat element with the seal element positioned thereon sealably engaged between the surface of said seat element the outer surface of said second manifold and the opposed end with said seal element positioned thereon sealably engaged between the other surface of said seat element and the outer surface of said fluid cylinder block.