# US 8,465,268 B2 · Compression clamp for a modular fluid end for a multiplex plunger pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,268 B2 - Document ID: US8465268B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/879,066 - Filed: 2010-09-10 - Published: 2012-03-15 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-10 - Assignees: Phoinix Global LLC - Applicants: Winston Kirk Baxter; Scott Allen Reeves - Inventors: Winston Kirk Baxter; Scott Allen Reeves - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465268B2 ## CPC - F16L 41/021: {T- or cross-pieces (F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence)} - E21B 43/25: Methods for stimulating production {(by vibrating earth formations E21B43/003)} - E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations} - F04B 53/16: Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections - Y10T 29/49236: Fluid pump or compressor making - Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling - Y10T 137/85938: Non-valved flow dividers - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A modular fluid end for a multiplex plunger pump, each module machined from a single-piece steel forging with a plunger bore intersected by a linear suction/discharge bore and pumped fluid is discharged straight out through a top of the module into a discharge manifold made up using 1502 frac iron components. A compression clamp applies a crush load to opposed sides of the modules to extend service life. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular fluid end for a multiplex plunger pump, comprising: at least two fluid end modules arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each of the fluid end modules having a cylinder with a plunger bore that receives a plunger, an intake end and a discharge end with a linear suction/discharge bore through the intake end and the discharge end and that intercepts the plunger bore, the discharge end being connected directly to a discharge manifold; and a compression clamp comprising two compression plates and compression clamp fasteners that interconnect the two compression plates wherein the compression clamp is entirely disposed external to the at least two fluid end modules, the compression clamp applying a crush load to opposite sides of respective outermost ones of the at least two fluid end modules. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid end as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compression clamp fasteners do not contact the at least two fluid end modules. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fluid end as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compression clamp comprises four compression clamp fasteners. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The fluid end as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compression clamp fasteners are torqued to a predetermined tension to apply the crush load. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid end as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid end modules further comprise a crush load transfer boss on each side of the cylinder of the respective fluid end modules. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fluid end as claimed in claim 5 wherein the crush load transfer bosses are aligned with the interception of the plunger bore and the suction/discharge bore. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid end as claimed in claim 1 wherein the discharge end comprises a discharge cover nut with a protruding axial neck that has a pin thread to which the discharge manifold is connected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid end as claimed in claim 7 wherein the discharge manifold comprises a 1502 iron fitting connected to each of the fluid end modules, adjacent ones of the 1502 iron fittings being connected together. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fluid end as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of the 1502 iron fittings is a cross fitting having a top port adapted to support the connection of a pressure valve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid end as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a mounting plate forged on an end of the cylinder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fluid end as claimed in claim 10 wherein the mounting plate comprises fluid end module mounting bores. ### Claim 12 A fluid end module for a multiplex plunger pump, comprising: at least two cylinders, each cylinder having a plunger bore and a suction/discharge bore that intercepts the plunger bore at right angles and extends straight through an intake end on one side of each cylinder and a discharge end on the other side of each cylinder; a mounting plate on an inner end of each cylinder; a crush load transfer boss on each cylinder, the respective crush load transfer bosses being aligned with the interception of the plunger bore and the suction/discharge bore; and a compression clamp comprising two compression plates and compression clamp fasteners that interconnect the two compression plates wherein the compression clamp is entirely disposed external to the at least two cylinders, the compression clamp applying a crush load to opposite sides of respective outermost ones of the at least two cylinders. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 12 wherein each cylinder comprises a single-piece steel forging. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 12 wherein the discharge end comprises a box thread that retains a discharge cover nut having a protruding axial neck with a pin thread. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 14 wherein the protruding axial neck of the discharge cover nut supports the connection of a 1502 iron fitting to assemble a discharge manifold for the Multiplex plunger pump. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 14 wherein the discharge cover nut retains a discharge valve stop in the suction/discharge bore above the plunger bore. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a plunger bore cover nut that retains a plunger bore cover in an outer end of the plunger bore. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plunger bore cover retains wings of a suction valve stop in a suction valve groove located in the suction/discharge bore below the plunger bore. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The fluid end module as claimed in claim 12 wherein the compression clamp fasteners do not contact the at least two cylinders.