Abstract
A plunger pump fluid end assembly design in which the suction valve and seat is aligned with the plunger and the fluid end housing is constructed with multiple modules. Modules are held in a rigid assembly by staybolts that connect to the power end of the plunger pump. Said staybolts pass though bores in the central fluid module and the suction seat module and bound by a conventional threaded nut. Packing box modules are bound to the central fluid module by bolts that also pass through separate bores in the same central module. A suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer within the plunger bore of the assembly shields the intersection of the plunger bore and the discharge bore from destructive erosion damage.
Claims
1. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing comprising: a central fluid module; a plurality of packing box modules; a plurality of suction seat modules; and a plurality of plungers; wherein the number of suction seat modules is equal to the number of plunger packing box modules and is also equal to the number of plungers; wherein said central fluid module comprises a plurality of central fluid chambers and the number of said central fluid chambers equals the number of said plungers; wherein each of said central fluid chambers comprises a plunger bore and a discharge bore; wherein a centerline axes of a bore of each of said plurality of suction seat modules and a bore of a packing box module are colinear with a centerline axes of said plunger bore in each of said plurality of central fluid chambers; wherein a centerline axis of the said discharge bore is perpendicular to the centerline axes of said suction seat and said plunger bore; wherein the central fluid module is secured to a power end and said suction seat modules by stayrods that pass through stayrod bores in said central fluid module; wherein said packing box modules are secured to said central fluid module by a plurality of packing box bolts and said packing block bolts pass through packing box bolt bores in said central fluid module; and wherein a discharge port of said discharge bore passes between two of each of said stayrod and packing box bolt bores without piercing either of said stayrod or packing box bolt bores.
2. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing of claim 1, wherein a width of said discharge port, measured perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerline axis of the plunger bore and the centerline axis of the discharge bore, is smaller in width than a port each of the plurality of suction seat modules.
3. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing of claim 1, wherein a width of said discharge port, measured perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerline axis of the plunger bore and the centerline axis of the discharge bore, is 50% or less of the width of a width of a port in each of the plurality of suction seat modules.
4. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing of claim 1, wherein a width of said discharge port, measured perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerline axis of the plunger bore and the centerline axis of the discharge bore, is less than a width of a discharge manifold in said central fluid module.
5. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing of claim 1, wherein a width of said discharge port, measured perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerline axis of the plunger bore and the centerline axis of the discharge bore, is less than 20% of a distance between the centerlines of adjacent said plunger bores.
6. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing of claim 1, wherein said discharge port is oblong in cross section at an intersection of the plunger bore and the discharge bore and a long axis of said oblong section is parallel with the centerline axis of said plunger bores.
7. A plunger pump fluid end modular housing of claim 1, wherein a minimum wall thickness between said discharge port and said stayrod bores is equal to or greater than 50% of a width of said discharge port, wherein said width is measured perpendicular to a plane formed by said centerline axis of the plunger bore and said centerline axis of the discharge bore.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a typical prior art plunger pump fluid end showing its connection to a power end by stay rods.
(2) FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a conventional prior art Triplex plunger pump fluid end housing.
(3) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional schematic view of suction, plunger, access and discharge bores of a conventional prior art plunger pump housing intersecting at right angles and showing areas of elevated stress and the Bore Intersection Pitch.
(4) FIG. 3B schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled B-B in FIG. 3A.
(5) FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional schematic view of suction, plunger and discharge bores of a prior art Y-block plunger pump housing intersecting at obtuse angles showing areas of elevated stress and the Bore Intersection Pitch.
(6) FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional schematic view similar to that in FIG. 4A, including internal plunger pump components of a prior art Y-block fluid end.
(7) FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cross-section of a prior art right-angular plunger pump with valves, plunger, and a suction valve spring retainer showing the flow around the suction valve and the turn of the fluid into the plunger bore.
(8) FIG. 6A schematically illustrates a three dimensional cross-section of one cylinder of a prior art right-angular plunger pump.
(9) FIG. 6B schematically illustrates the enlarged sectional view labeled B-B in FIG. 6A highlighting the convergence of the stress at the intersection bores.
(10) FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an inline fluid end of the prior art of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/330,213.
(11) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross-section of the fluid end assembly of the present invention showing its connection to a power end by stay rods.
(12) FIG. 9 illustrates an orthogonal exterior view of the fluid end assembly of the present invention.
(13) FIG. 10A illustrates a top external view of the fluid end assembly of the present invention.
(14) FIG. 10B schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled B-B in FIG. 10A including detailed cross sections of the components of the assembly.
(15) FIG. 11 illustrates an orthogonal cross sectional view of the modular housing of the present invention; excluding interior components of the fluid end assembly.
(16) FIG. 12A schematically illustrates cross section of the fluid end housing of the present invention.
(17) FIG. 12B schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled B-B in FIG. 12A.
(18) FIG. 12C schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled B-B in FIG. 12A.
(19) FIG. 13A schematically illustrates an orthogonal view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer of the fluid end assembly of this invention.
(20) FIG. 13B schematically illustrates an end view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer of FIG. 13A.
(21) FIG. 13C schematically illustrates a top view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer of FIG. 13A.
(22) FIG. 13D schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled D-D in FIG. 13C.
(23) FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the fluid end assembly of the present invention.
(24) FIG. 15A schematically illustrates a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the modular housing of the present invention.
(25) FIG. 15B schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled B-B in FIG. 15A.
(26) FIG. 15C schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled C-C in FIG. 15A.
(27) FIG. 16A schematically illustrates an orthogonal view of an of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer of an alternate embodiment of the fluid end assembly of this invention.
(28) FIG. 16B schematically illustrates an end view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer of FIG. 16A.
(29) FIG. 16C schematically illustrates a top view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer of FIG. 16A.
(30) FIG. 16D schematically illustrates the sectional view labeled D-D in FIG. 16C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(31) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of the fluid end assembly 100 of the present invention showing its connection to a power end by multiple stay rods 6. As opposed to the fluid end housing of the prior art as illustrated in FIG. 1, fluid end assembly 100 of the present invention is configured with the suction manifold 5 mounted in a position on the fluid end housing opposite the power end of the pump. The primary component of the fluid end assembly 100 of the present invention is modular housing 101 which is connected to the power end by multiple stayrods 6 and stayrod retaining nuts 7.
(32) FIG. 9 and FIG. 10A schematically illustrates an orthogonal and top view respectively of the exterior of the fluid end assembly 100. Fluid end assembly 100 comprises modular housing 101, suction manifold 5, and various internal components. The modular housing 101 includes one central fluid module 2 and multiple packing box modules 3, suction seat modules 1, stayrods 6, stayrod retaining nuts 7, packing box module retaining bolts 8, and internal seals 9 (illustrated in FIG. 10B.) The number of packing box modules 3 and the number of suction seat modules 1 correspond to the number of plungers 400 in the fluid end assembly 100. The fluid end assembly 100 illustrated in FIG. 9 is constructed with five (5) plungers 400 including the center most plunger 410 and immediately adjacent plungers 510 and 610 located to either side. Plungers 410, 510, and 610 are defined by plunger centerlines 419, 519, and 619, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 10A. Modular housing 101 is attached to the pump power end by multiple stayrods 6. Stayrods 6 with the aid of the stayrod retaining nuts 7 bind and secure the suction seat modules 1 to the central fluid module 2. Typically there are four (4) stayrods 6 per plunger 400 in the fluid end assembly 100. Packing box module retaining bolts 8 bind and secure the plunger boxes 3 to the central fluid module 2. Typically there are four (4) packing box module retaining bolts 8 per plunger box module 3 in the modular housing 101.
(33) FIG. 10B schematically illustrates a cross-section of the fluid end assembly 100 of the present invention showing modular housing 101 and the major internal components of the assembly 100. Modular housing 101 includes central fluid module 2, suction seat module 1, packing box module 3, stayrods 6, stayrod hex nuts 7, packing box module retaining bolts 8, and seals 9. Modular housing components comprises multiple internal bores 10, 20, 30 and 40. Central fluid module 2 comprises multiple fluid chambers 4, with one fluid chamber 4 for each plunger 400 in the pump. Each fluid chamber 4 consists of a discharge bore 20 and a plunger bore 40. Suction bore 10 with centerline 19 is wholly located within the suction seat module 1. Plunger packing bore 30 with centerline 39 is wholly located within packing box module 3. The centerlines 39 and 19 of the packing bore 30 and the suction seat module bore 10 respectively are substantially collinear with the centerline 49 of the plunger bore 40. The centerline 29 of the discharge bore 20 is substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerlines 419, 519, and 619 of plungers 410, 510, and 610 respectively. Plunger centerline 419 is substantially collinear with plunger bore centerline 49.
(34) The suction bore 10, located wholly within the suction seat module 1 and opposite to the packing bore 30, holds the suction seat 112. Discharge bore 20 connects with discharge manifold 50, which connects with multiple adjacent discharge bores and exhausts pumped fluid externally from the modular housing 101. Discharge bore 20 contains a discharge seat 212, discharge valve 214, discharge valve spring 215, discharge cover 216, and discharge cover retainer 217. Major internal components of the assembly 100 arranged in the packing bore 30 of packing box module 3 include plunger packing 361, and the plunger packing gland nut 351. Plunger bore 40 holds the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440, suction valve 114, suction valve spring 115, suction valve guide 458 and suction valve spring retainer 456. Suction valve guide 458 and suction valve spring retainer 456 are integral to the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. Plunger 410 reciprocates back and forth within the sleeve section 442 of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440, packing box module bore 30, packing 361, and packing gland nut 351.
(35) FIG. 11 is an orthogonal cross sectional view the modular housing 101 of FIG. 9 where the cross section plane is defined by the plunger bore centerline 49 and the discharge bore centerline 29.
(36) FIG. 12A is an illustrated planar view of the cross section of FIG. 11 featuring the modular housing 101 comprising the suction bore 10, discharge bore 20, packing bore 30, plunger bore 40, and discharge manifold bore 50. Various internal components of the modular housing 100 shown in FIGS. 8 and 10B are not illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12A, 12B, and 12C. Suction bore 10 as illustrated in FIG. 12A comprises a tapered suction seat bore 12 that captures suction seat 112. Immediately adjacent to the suction seat area 12 is suction port 11 that connects the suction seat 112 and suction valve 114 with the suction manifold 5 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Tapered suction seat bore 12 is separated from suction port 11 by suction seat taper shoulder 18 to which the bottom of suction seat 112 contacts. Internal diameter 15 of suction seat taper shoulder 18 is coincidental with internal diameter 15 of suction port 11.
(37) Discharge bore 20 of the central fluid module 2 comprises a tapered discharge seat bore 22 that captures the discharge seat 212 as shown in FIG. 10B. Immediately adjacent to the tapered discharge seat bore 22 is frusto-conical transition volume 23 and discharge port 21 that connect the discharge seat 212 and discharge valve 214 with plunger bore 40 at the bore intersection 42. Discharge bore 20 of central fluid module 2 also contains a discharge cover bore 26 and discharge cover retainer bore 27 that mate with discharge cover 216 and discharge cover retainer 217, respectively. Discharge valve bore 24 allows fluid passage from discharge seat 212 around discharge valve 214 and into discharge manifold 50.
(38) Tapered discharge seat bore 22 is separated from frusto-conical transition volume 23 by discharge seat taper shoulder 28 to which the bottom of discharge seat 212 contacts. Internal diameter 25 of suction seat taper shoulder 28 is coincidental with major internal diameter 25 of frusto-conical transition volume 23.
(39) Packing box module bore 30 comprises a packing bore 32 for holding plunger packing 361 and a plunger packing gland nut bore 35 for positioning of the plunger packing gland nut 351, as illustrated in FIG. 10B. Packing bore 32 is separated from the plunger bore 40 by a transition bore 38 which connects the packing box module bore 30 with plunger bore 40. Centerlines 39, 19, and 49 of packing bore 30, suction bore 10, and plunger bore 40 respectively are substantially collinear.
(40) Each fluid chamber 4 of central fluid module 2 consists of a discharge bore 20 and a plunger bore 40. Plunger bore 40 mates concentrically with suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, spacer port 441, located within sleeve section 442 of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440, connects plunger bore 40 with discharge port 21. Multiple seals 9 close and seal internal pump pressure within each fluid chamber 4 from the exterior of modular housing 101. Substantially identical seals 9 seal between central fluid module 2 and multiple suction seat modules 1 and again between central fluid module 2 and multiple packing box modules 3.
(41) As further illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12A, stayrod 6 connects central fluid module 2 with multiple seat carriers 1. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, shanks 61 of stayrods 6 passes through bores 60 in central fluid module 2. Alignment between central fluid module 2 and seat carriers 1 is maintained by the concentric fit between shanks 61 of stayrods 6 and bores 60 in central fluid module 2. Face 37 of packing box module 3 abuts face 47 of central fluid module 2 and face 16 of seat carrier 1 abuts face 46 of central fluid module 2. Face 67 of stayrod 6 abuts face 47 of central fluid module 2 and face 77 of hex nut 7 abuts face 17 of seat carrier 1. Torque applied to hex nut 7 forces central fluid module 2 and seat carrier 1 into binding contact creating a rigid modular housing 101. Similarly, shanks 81 of packing box module retaining bolts 8 pass through bores 80 of central fluid module 2 to bind and secure the packing box module 3 to central fluid module 2. Alignment of packing box module 3 to central fluid module 2 is achieved by concentric fit between bores 80 in central fluid module 2 with shanks 81 of packing box module retaining bolts 8.
(42) FIG. 12B schematically illustrates Section B-B of FIG. 12A; FIG. 12C schematically illustrates Section C-C of FIG. 12A. FIG. 12B illustrates the relationship of width W-DP of the discharge port 21 to the width of the plunger spacing W-PS. In the present invention, the width W-DP is measured perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerlines 49 and 29 of the plunger bore 40 and discharge bore 20, respectively. The pressure within the plunger bore 40 and the discharge port 21 is cyclic due to the varying pressures of near zero pressure on the suction stroke of the plunger 410 and maximum pump pressure on the discharge stroke. As opposed to static loads, cyclic pressure loads result in fatigue that requires thicker wall thickness to prevent failure. For pumps with four (4) stayrods 6 per plunger, the wall thickness WT, between the stayrod bores 60 and the discharge port 21 is limited. To establish an adequate safety factor on a pump with four (4) stayrods 6 per plunger, the minimum wall thickness WT must be greater than 50% of the width W-DP of the discharge port 21 measured perpendicular to a plane defined by the plunger bore 40 centerline 49 and the discharge bore 20 centerline 29. Alternately this relationship is mathematically expressed as: WT50%-W-DP. Similarly the width of the discharge port W-DP is limited to approximately 20% of the plunger spacing W-PS. Alternately this relationship is mathematically expressed as: W-DP20% W-PS.
(43) FIG. 12B also illustrates the relationship between the diameter D-SP of the suction port 11, the diameter D-DM of the discharge manifold 50, and the width W-DP of the discharge port 21. The width W-DP of the discharge port 21 is substantially half the diameter D-SP of the suction port 11. Alternately, this relationship is mathematically expressed as: W-DP=50% D-SP. The width W-DP of the discharge port 21 is equal or less than the diameter D-DM of the discharge manifold 50. Alternately this relationship is mathematically expressed as: W-DPD-DM.
(44) As shown in FIG. 10B, discharge port 21 connects with frusto-conical volume 23 to accommodate the flow through the valve seat 212 at the major diameter 25 at the top of the frusto-conical volume 23. The reduced diameter at the bottom of the discharge port 21 ensures that bore intersection 42 with plunger bore 40 occurs with a very low bore intersection pitch as opposed to the bore intersections of conventional fluid end housings as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A, which have slopes diverging significantly (warped) in three-dimensional space. The greater the warpage of the bore intersection, the greater the Bore Intersection Pitch and the greater the concentration of stresses at the bore intersections of the plunger bore with the suction or discharge bores in fluid end housings of the prior art. The stresses at the intersecting plunger and discharge bores of the present invention are significantly reduced over the stresses at the intersecting bores of the prior art.
(45) FIG. 12C also illustrates the relationship the relationship between the width W-DP of the discharge port 21 and the width of the plunger spacing W-PS from the view of section C-C as defined in FIG. 12A. To establish an adequate safety factor on a pump with four (4) stayrods 6 per plunger, the width W-DP of the discharge port 21 measured perpendicular to a plane defined by the plunger bore 40 centerline 49 and the discharge bore 20 centerline 29 is limited to approximately 20% of the plunger spacing W-PS. Alternately this relationship is mathematically expressed as:
W-DP20% W-PS.
(46) FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D schematically illustrate the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 13A illustrates orthogonal view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 13B schematically illustrates an end view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 13C schematically illustrates a top view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 13D schematically illustrates the section view labeled D-D of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 of FIG. 13C. Suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 is constructed with a sleeve shaped section 442, a suction valve spring retainer 456 and a suction valve guide 458. Sleeve section 442 is substantially tubular in shape with centerline 459.
(47) Sleeve section 442 of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 has a substantially cylindrically inside surface 444. The diameter of cylindrical inner surface 444 is slightly greater than diameter of plunger 410 to allow plunger 410 to reciprocate freely within sleeve section 442 of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. Substantially cylindrical exterior surface 443 of sleeve section 442 of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 mates with plunger bore 40 of central section 2 of modular housing 101.
(48) Sleeve section 442 has a port 441 that aligns with port 21 in central section 2 of modular housing 101. The spring retainer section 456 is configured to position and retain the suction valve spring 115. Spring retainer section 456 connects with sleeve section 442 via multiple webs 452. Multiple ports 451 allow passage of pumped fluid from the suction valve 114 to the interior of sleeve section 442 of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. Valve guide 458 guides suction valve 114 between the open and closed position against seat 112. Face 447, distal from valve guide 458, shoulders against face 37 of packing box module 3 of modular housing 101. Bevel 448 at the intersection of port 441 with inside cylindrical surface 444 reduces fluid turbulence as pumped fluid exits plunger bore 40 into discharge port 21. Centerline 449 of port 441 aligns with discharge bore 20 centerline 29 of central fluid module 2. The area of port 441 is equal or slightly smaller than the area of bore intersection 42 of port 21 in central fluid module 2.
(49) FIG. 14 schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment cross-section of the fluid end assembly 100 of the present invention showing modular housing 101 and the major internal components of the assembly 100 including a modular housing 101. Compared to fluid end assembly 100 of FIGS. 8, 9, 10A and 10B the only difference in fluid end assembly 100 is the discharge port 21 and frusto-conical volume 23 of central fluid module 2 of fluid end housing 101. In addition, there is a change to discharge port 441 of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 of fluid end assembly 100. No other components of fluid end assembly 100 are altered in design or function from the components of fluid end assembly 100.
(50) FIG. 15A schematically illustrates a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the central fluid module 2 of the modular housing 101 of the present invention. Central fluid module 2 features multiple fluid chambers 4, with one fluid chamber 4 for each plunger 400 in the pump. Each fluid chamber 4 consists of a discharge bore 20 and a plunger bore 40. Central fluid module 2 differs only from central fluid module 2 of FIGS. 12A, B, and C in the design of the discharge port 21 that connects plunger bore 40 with the discharge bore 20 and the discharge valve and seat 214 and 212, respectively. All other areas of central fluid module 2 are identical with similar areas of central fluid module 2 as shown in FIGS. 12A, B, and C. In this embodiment, discharge port 21 is oblong in cross section, as shown in FIG. 15C, and connects with frusto-conical volume 23. Volume 23 is identical to frusto-conical volume 23 of fluid end housing 2, except that the intersection of volumes 23 and 21 is altered from the intersection of volumes 23 and 21. In addition, intersection 42 that connects discharge port 21 with plunger bore 40 is elongated as shown in FIG. 15C as opposed to circular at the intersection of discharge port 21 plunger bore 40 of central fluid module 2.
(51) FIG. 15B schematically illustrates Section B-B of FIG. 15A. FIG. 15C schematically illustrates Section C-C of FIG. 15A. FIG. 15B illustrates that the width W-DP of the discharge port 21 is unchanged from width W-DP of discharge port 21 in FIG. 12B, unchanged despite the change in the shape of discharge port 21 and frusto-conical volume 23. In this embodiment, this width is measured perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerlines 49 and 29 of the plunger bore 40 and discharge bore 20 respectively. Therefore, the minimum wall thickness WT between the discharge port 21 and the stayrod bores 60 is also unchanged from FIG. 12B. The mathematical relationships, WT50% W-DP and W-DP20% W-PS, are unchanged and the strength of this section of the central fluid module 2 is unchanged as compared to the strength of central fluid module 2. The major benefit of the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C is that the flow area of the discharge port 21 is increased without effecting the strength of the central fluid module 2.
(52) Also illustrated in FIG. 15B is the unchanged relationship between the diameter D-SP of the suction port 11, the diameter D-DM of the discharge manifold 50, and the width W-DP of the discharge port 21. The width W-DP of the discharge port 21 is approximately half the diameter D-SP of the suction port 11 and can be mathematically expressed as: W-DP=50% D-SP. The width W-DP of the discharge port 21 is equal to or less than the diameter D-DM of the discharge manifold 50; mathematically expressed as: W-DPD-DM.
(53) FIG. 15C illustrates the oblong section of discharge port 21 where the short axis 45 of the oblong shaped discharge port 21 is perpendicular to a plane formed by the centerlines 49 and 29 of the plunger bore 40 and discharge bore 20 respectively. FIG. 15C also illustrates the unchanged relationship between the width W-DP of the discharge port 21 to the width of the plunger spacing W-PS from the view of section C-C as defined in FIG. 15A.
(54) FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D schematically illustrate the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 a component of fluid end assembly 100. FIG. 16A illustrates orthogonal view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 16B schematically illustrates an end view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 16C schematically illustrates a top view of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. FIG. 16D schematically illustrates the section view labeled D-D of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 of FIG. 16C. Suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 is constructed with a sleeve shaped section 442, a suction valve spring retainer 456, and a suction valve guide 458. Sleeve section 442 is substantially tubular in shape with centerline 459. The diameter of cylindrical inner surface 444 of sleeve section 442 is slightly greater than diameter of plunger 410 to allow plunger 410 to reciprocate freely within sleeve section 442 of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440. Substantially all of the cylindrical exterior surface 443 of sleeve section 442 of the suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 mates with plunger bore 40 of central section 2 of fluid end housing 101.
(55) Sleeve section 442 of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 has a port 441 that aligns with port 21 in central section 2 of modular housing 101. Centerline 449 of port 441 aligns with discharge bore 20 centerline 29 of central fluid module 2. Valve guide 458, spring retainer section 456, face 447, multiple webs 452, and multiple ports 451 of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 are unchanged from similar sections of suction valve spring retainer/plunger spacer 440 illustrated in FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D. Port 441 is substantially oblong in shape to coincide with oblong shape of discharge port 21 of central section 2; long axis of oblong port 441 is parallel to centerline axis 459 of central section 442. The area of port 441 is equal or slightly smaller than the area of bore intersection 42 of port 21 in central fluid module 2.
