PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR DELIVERY OF FRACTURE FLUID

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 63/564,757 filed Mar. 13, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to a fracturing pump for pumping fluids under high pressure, such as during a wellbore fracturing operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hydraulic fracturing is a well-stimulation technique in which a high-pressure fluid is injected downhole to fracture a subterranean rock. More particularly, hydraulic fracturing involves injecting a high-pressure fluid into a wellbore to create cracks in the rock through which hydrocarbons (e.g., natural gas, petroleum, etc.) may flow into the wellbore more freely. The injected fluid is pressurized by a pump at the surface. The pump is typically a reciprocating pump that includes a power end and a fluid end. The power end converts rotational energy/motion into reciprocating energy/motion.

Fluid pumps, such as well-service pumps (WSP), are used to develop the pressures necessary to complete the fracturing operation. These pumps include a power end and a fluid end and can pump fluid at higher pressures than a mud pump. A portion of a well-service pump according to the prior art is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, 2, and 3A-3C. In this example, the well service pump is a quintuplex well service pump, although triplex well service pumps are also used. The pump has a pass-through power end 41 and a fluid end 40. The power end 41 has a crosshead assembly 45. A gear reducer 44 on one side of the pump connects a drive (not shown) to the pass-through power end 41 to drive the pump.

The pass-through power end 41 includes a plurality of stay rods 43. The stay rods 43 are threaded into the power end 41 and connect the fluid end 40 to the power end 41. A crank shaft is contained within a plurality of bearing housings 53 in the power end 41 to reciprocate plungers 35 in the fluid end 40.

As shown in particular in FIG. 2, the pass-through power end 41 has a plurality of bearing housings 53. The bearing housings 53 have connections 55a-b. Stay rods 43 are inserted into crosshead holes 85 and thread into the threaded connections 55a-b. Meanwhile, on the other side, the fluid end 40 has a plurality of stay rod holes 56. The stay rods 43 fit into the stay rod holes 56, and the fluid end 40 is secured to the stay rods 43 with nuts 42.

A conventional crank 54 is concentrically located within the bearing housings 53. A rod is connected to a bearing journal of the conventional crank 54, and the opposing end of the rod is connected to a crosshead 86. A pony rod 48 is fixedly attached to the crosshead 86, and a plunger 35 is clamped to the crosshead 86 with a conventional clamp 46.

When the conventional crank 54 rotates, the crosshead 86 reciprocates back and forth within the crosshead assembly 45. The plunger 35 reciprocates back and forth into the plunger bore 36.

As the plunger 35 moves towards the power end 41, fluid is sucked up into the fluid end 40 via a suction manifold 28. When the plunger 35 moves into the plunger bore 36, the fluid is displaced out of the high-pressure outlet 24 under high pressure. The direction of stress 50a-b along the stay rods 43 is applied when the plunger 35 reciprocates into the plunger bore 36 in the direction of the plunger force 49.

As a side note, when replacing the plunger 35, the sand cap 47 is removed, and the conventional clamp 46 is removed. In turn, the plunger 35 is removed from the plunger bore 36 from the side of the sand cap 47.

Now referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, a standard fluid end assembly 91 according to the prior art is shown in more detail. The assembly 91 has a standard crosshead housing 70. A plurality of stay rods 73a-b are threaded to the crosshead housing 70 via threaded connections 72a-b.

A standard fluid end 68 is mounted to the plurality of standard stay rods 73a-b via stay rod holes 75a-b located on the fluid end's webbing 71. A nut 69a-b is threaded to the end of the standard stay rod 73a-b to lock the standard fluid end 68 in place.

The standard fluid end assembly 91 has a plurality of crossheads (not shown) within the standard crosshead housing 70. Each crosshead has a pony rod 33 fixedly attached to the crosshead, and the pony rod 33 has a plunger 35 at the opposing end of the pony rod 33. The pony rod 33 and the plunger 35 are held together with a conventional pony plunger clamp 46.

During operation, the crosshead reciprocates back and forth and in turn the plunger 35 reciprocates back and forth within the packing bore 76. Reciprocation of the plunger 35 displaces fluid out of the high-pressure outlet 93. The operation puts tremendous force on the plurality of standard stay rods 73a-b as shown by the force 77a-b along the stay rods 73a-b.

As a side note, a plurality of standard sand caps 92 are threaded into the back of the standard fluid end 68 to seal the packing bore 76. The standard sand caps 92 are removed and the conventional pony plunger clamps 46 are removed so that the plunger 35 can slide out the back of the standard fluid end 68.

As can be seen in the arrangements of the prior art, the stay rods are exposed to cyclical forces during the conversion from rotational energy/motion of the crank shaft. The cyclical forces generate areas of high stress in the power end and the fluid end. For example, the continued loading of welds on the power end leads to cracking proximate to weld lines and the bearing housings of the power end. Moreover, the forces on the stay rods due to the reciprocating energy/motion of the plungers 35, which displace fluid within the fluid end, can lead to shearing of the stay rods over time and can cause the threads of the stay rods to strip at its connections to the power end and the fluid end. These failures end the useful life of the power end and the fluid end of the pump.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved power end configuration of a pump that is more resistant to cracks and offers a longer useful life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a pump assembly according to the prior art.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the prior art pump assembly.

FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the back of the prior art pump assembly.

FIG. 1D illustrates a side view of the prior art pump assembly showing the direction of force.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the prior art pump assembly.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a fluid end assembled to a power end according to the prior art.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the fluid end and the power end according to the prior art.

FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of the fluid end and the power end according to the prior art, showing the direction of force along the stay rods.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a pump assembly according to the present disclosure, viewed from one side of a gear box.

FIG. 4B illustrates another perspective view of the disclosed pump assembly, viewed from an opposite side of the gear box.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an upper brace for the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a fluid end side of the disclosed assembly having a frame for a fluid end.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a power end side of the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the upper brace fixedly attached to the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of bearing housings on the power end side of the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a complete base unit before assembly of additional components.

FIG. 11A illustrates a front perspective view of the fluid end for the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 11B illustrates a back perspective view of the fluid end for the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 12A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 12B illustrates a cross-sectional side view thereof, showing the direction of force.

FIG. 13A illustrates a side view of another pump assembly according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13B illustrates a plan view of the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 13C illustrates a perspective view of the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 14A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an extended clamp, which can be used for the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 14B illustrates a perspective view of the extended clamp.

FIG. 14C illustrates a side view of the extended clamp.

FIG. 15A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a standard clamp, which can be used for the disclosed assembly.

FIG. 15B illustrates a perspective view of the standard clamp.

FIG. 15C illustrates a side view of the standard clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The subject matter of the present disclosure focuses on a pump assembly used for fracking, treatment, stimulation, or other high pressure fluid operation. High pressure in terms of such operations can be defined as being up to 22500 psi, with a range of about 2000 to 22500 psi. The particular pressures employed for a fracturing operation depend on the formation being fractured. Should the power end assembly be used for non-fracturing purposes, the particular pressures employed depend on what materials are being processed and for what purpose.

Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. Furthermore, as it is used in the claims or specification, the term “or” is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases, i.e., “A or B” is intended to be synonymous with “at least one of A and B,” unless otherwise expressly specified herein.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a pump assembly 79 according to the present disclosure in an assembled state. In particular, FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the pump assembly 79, viewed from one side of a gear reducer 3, and FIG. 4B illustrates another perspective view of the pump assembly 79, viewed from an opposite side of the gear reducer 3.

The pump assembly 79, which can be a well-service pump (WSP), can be used to develop the pressures necessary to complete a fracturing operation. In this example, the pump assembly 79 is a quintuplex well service pump, although triplex well service pumps are also used. The pump assembly 79 has a power end side 1, a crosshead assembly 32, and a fluid end side 2. The gear reducer 3 on one side of the pump assembly 79 connects a drive (not shown) to the power end side 1 to drive the pump assembly 79.

The power end side 1 is disposed at one end of a base, a skid, or a platform 4, and the fluid end side 2 is disposed on an opposite end of platform 4. The pump end side 1 has a power end 81 integrated into the platform 4. Meanwhile, the fluid end side 2 holds a fluid end 5 that is removably located in a frame or housing 80 integrated at the fluid end side 2 of the platform 4. An upper brace 6 is bolted in place between the power end 81 and the fluid end 5. For example, the upper brace 6 shown in FIG. 5 has bolt holes 7a-c to bolt in place to the disclosed pump assembly 79.

Now referring to FIG. 6, which illustrates a perspective view of the frame or housing 80 integrated into the platform 4 for the disclosed pump assembly 79. As noted above, the frame or housing 80 holds a removable fluid end (5: FIG. 4A) on the platform 4. The frame 80 is fixedly attached to the platform 4 to locate and constrain the fluid end (5) in place. In particular, the bottom of the fluid end (5) is supported by bottom supports 9a and 9b. When the fluid end (5) is lowered into the frame 80, the fluid end (5) is guided into final position via a front side, wall, or wedge 10 and side walls or wedges 11 of the frame 80.

When assembled on the disclosed pump assembly 79, the fluid end (5) is firmly constrained from moving away from the power end side 1. The back of the fluid end (5) is firmly pressed up against the fluid end backing plate or back wall 8. Bolts (not shown) can thread into the back of the fluid end (5) through the backing plate's bolt holes 13.

Now referring to the perspective views of FIGS. 7 and 8, the power end side 1 of the platform 4 has an upper brace support or shelf 14 fixedly attached to the power end side 1. The upper brace support 14 has bolt holes 16 to attach to the upper brace 6 using support bolts 17, as shown in FIG. 8.

On the fluid end side 2 as shown in FIG. 8, the upper brace 6 is fixedly attached to the frame 80 on the platform 4 and to the fluid end 5. The upper brace 6 is located in place via support bolts 18a-b threaded through the upper backing plate bolt holes 12 and into the top and back of the fluid end 5.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a perspective view of the platform 4 and bearing housings 19, 20a-d, 21 of the power end side 1 is illustrated. The power end side 1 of the platform 4 has a gearbox bearing housing 19 fixedly attached to one side and has an end bearing housing 21 attached to the opposing side. The bearing housings 20a-d are fixedly attached to the platform 4 between the gearbox bearing housing 19 and the end bearing housing 21.

Now referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view shows all components of the disclosed pump assembly 79 that are fixedly attached to one another to form an integrated base unit. The integrated base unit includes the platform 4, the power end 81, and the frame 80. The power end 81 is supported in place toward a first end of the platform 4, and the frame 80 is supported on a second end of the platform 4. The fluid end (5), brace (6), internal components of the power end 81, and other components are not assembled on the base unit shown in FIG. 10. As noted, the frame 80 is configured to hold the fluid end (5) longitudinally and laterally on the platform 4.

Now referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, the fluid end 5 is shown assembled and ready to be lowered into frame (80). FIG. 11A illustrates a front perspective view of the fluid end 50, and FIG. 11B illustrates a back perspective view of the fluid end 50.

The front of the fluid end 5 has packing nuts 26a-e, which are threaded into a corresponding packing bore. Threadedly attached to the bottom of the fluid end 4 is a suction manifold 28 for receiving fluid. Meanwhile, a high-pressure outlet 24 is located on both sides of the fluid end 5. For maintenance of internal valves (not shown) within the fluid end 5, sand cap 22a-d and a gage nut 23 can be removed.

Once the fluid end 5 is lowered into the frame (80) as noted above with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6, the fluid end back 27 can be fixedly attached to the backing plate (8) with bolts (83a-c). The fluid end 5 has two brace slots 25a-b so a top plate (82) of the upper brace (6) can sit flat across the top of the fluid end 5.

Now referring to FIG. 12A, a cross-sectional side view of the disclosed pump assembly 79 illustrates the fluid end 5 installed in the frame 80 on the pump assembly 79, which has the integrated power end 81. A crank 29 is concentrically located within the gearbox bearing housing 19, the bearing housings 20a-d, and the end bearing housing 21 of the power end side 1. A rod 30 is attached to a crank bearing journal 84 at one end and is attached to a crosshead 31 at the other end.

During operation, an electric motor, an internal combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine, or other prime mover (not shown) drives the disclosed pump assembly 79 by the gear reducer (3). When the crank 29 rotates, the crosshead 31 reciprocates back and forth within a crosshead housing 32. A pony rod 33 is fixedly attached to the crosshead 31, and an extended clamp 34 is clamped to the end of the pony rod 33 and a plunger 35. During operation, the plunger 35 reciprocates back and forth between suction and power strokes within a plunger bore 36 of the fluid end 5.

Withdrawal of the plunger 35 during a suction stroke pulls fluid into the fluid end 40 through an input valve (not shown) in communication with an inlet 28. Subsequently pushed during the power stroke, the plunger 35 then forces the fluid under pressure out through an output valve (not shown) in communication with an outlet 24 on the fluid end 40. In this way, the fluid end 40 uses the reciprocating plungers 35 to displace the fluid to produce high pressures. The valves (not shown) control the fluid flow from the suction inlet 28 to the high-pressure discharge outlet 24.

Referring now to FIG. 12B, the cross-sectional side view of the disclosed pump assembly 79 shows the directions of various forces. When the plunger 35 reciprocates into the packing bore 36, as shown in an inward direction 37, the direction of forces 38a-b is constrained by the platform 4, the frame 80, and the upper brace 6. The direction of forces 38ab results in a direction of stress 39a-b.

Another pump assembly 79 of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 13A-13C. In particular, FIG. 13A illustrates a side view of the pump assembly 79. Meanwhile, FIG. 13B illustrates a plan view thereof, and FIG. 13C illustrates a perspective view thereof. Similar reference numerals are used for comparable components of the previous configurations.

Turning now to additional features of the disclosed assembly, discussion focuses on the clamps used to connect the pony rods (33) to the plungers (35). Because the fluid end (5) is held in the frame (80) on the platform (4) which has the assembled power end 81 disposed in place, the clamp is preferably an extended clamp that allows for service and removal of components. Referring now to FIGS. 14A-14C, an extended clamp 87 is illustrated. As noted, the extended clamp assembly 87 connects a pony rod 33 to a plunger 35. The extended clamp 87 is removable and provides a clearance between the ends of the pony rod 33 and the plunger 35. The clearance permits the plunger 35 to be removed from a packing bore in the fluid end.

The extended clamp 87 has an upper clamp half 60 and a lower clamp half 61. The upper clamp half 60 and lower clamp half 61 are placed over the pony rod's end 88 and the plunger's end 89. The extended clamp 87 is bolted together by threading clamp bolts 62a-d into bolt holes 59a-d. The pony rod's end 88 and the plunger's end 89 are wedged against a solid spacing 58.

As noted above, the power end (81) has crosshead housings being spaced apart from the fluid end (5) to allow the plungers 35 to be removed from packing bores on the fluid end (5) towards the power end (81) so the fluid end (5) can be serviced. When the extended clamp 87 is removed, the clearance left by the removed spacing 58 will allow the plunger 35 to be removed from a packing bore in the fluid end (5).

The extended clamp 87 is different from a conventional pony plunger clamp. Although the disclosed assembly preferably uses extended clamps 87 such as noted above, other clamp assemblies, including a convention pony plunger clamp can be used. Referring now to FIGS. 15A-15C, for example, a conventional pony plunger clamp has an upper member 65 and a lower member 66 that are placed over the pony rod's end 88 and the plunger's end 89. Clamp bolts 67a-b are threaded into the bolt holes. The matting faces 63 of the ends 88, 89 may be typically wedged together, but they may not be welded if used in the pump assembly of the present disclosure.

Configurations of the present disclosure can be embodied by the following Clauses, which include:

Clause 1. An assembly is disclosed for high-pressure pumping, such as pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid. The assembly comprises:

• • a platform (4);
  • a power end (81) being supported in place to the platform (4), the power end (81) having a plurality of pony rods (33), the pony rods (33) being configured to reciprocate relative to a front face of the power end (81);
  • a frame (80) disposed on the platform (4);
  • a fluid end (5) being removably supported in place in the frame (80), the fluid end (5) having a plurality of plungers (35) being configured to connect to the pony rods (33) and being configured to reciprocate relative to a front side of the fluid end (5) in response to the reciprocation of the pony rods (33); and
  • a brace (6) disposed above the platform (4) between the power end (81) and the fluid end (5), the brace (6) having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being engaged with the power end (81), the second portion being at least removably engaged with the fluid end (5), whereby the fluid end is removable from the frame.

Clause 2. An assembly is disclosed for use with a fluid end (5) of a pump, such as a high-pressure pump used in pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid. The fluid end (5) has a plurality of plungers (35) being configured to reciprocate relative to a side of the fluid end (5). The assembly comprises:

• • a platform (4);
  • a frame (80) integrated on the platform (4), the frame (80) being configured to removably hold the fluid end (5) on the platform (4);
  • a power end (81) integrated on the second end of the platform (4), the power end (81) having a plurality of pony rods (33), the pony rods (33) being configured to connect to the plungers (35) and being configured to reciprocate the plungers (35); and
  • a brace (6) disposed above the platform (4) between the power end (81) and the fluid end (5), the brace (6) having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being engaged with the power end (81), the second portion being at removably engaged with the fluid end (5), whereby the fluid end is removable from the frame.

Clause 3. 20. An assembly is disclosed for use with a fluid end (5) for high pressure pumping. The fluid end (5) has a plurality of plungers (35) being configured to reciprocate relative to a front side of the fluid end (5). The assembly comprises:

• • a power end (81) having a plurality of pony rods (33), the pony rods (33) being configured to connect to the plungers (35) and being configured to reciprocate the plungers (35);
  • a platform (4) extending from the front face of the power end (81);
  • a frame (80) integrated on the platform (4), the frame (80) being configured to removably hold the fluid end (5) on the platform (4); and
  • a brace (6) disposed above the platform (4) between the power end (81) and the fluid end (5), the brace (6) having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being engaged with the power end (81), the second portion being at least removably engaged with the fluid end (5), whereby the fluid end (5) is removable from the frame (80).

Clause 4. The assembly of Clause 1, 2 or 3, wherein the platform (4) comprises a plurality of slats arranged parallel to one another between the first and second ends.

Clause 5. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the power end (81) comprises:

• • a plurality of bearing housings (19, 20a-d, 21) fixedly attached to the platform (4);
  • a plurality of crank assemblies disposed in the bearing housings (19, 20a-d, 21); and
  • a plurality of crossheads (31) connecting the crank assemblies to the pony rods (33).

Clause 6. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the power end (81) comprises a shelf (14) affixed to the side of the power end (81).

Clause 7. The assembly of Clause 6, wherein:

• • the first portion of the brace (6) is affixed to the shelf (14); and/or
  • the first portion of the brace (6) comprises a shoulder engaged with a lip defined on the shelf (14), the lip facing the first side of the power end (81), the shoulder engaged with the lip restricting longitudinal separation between the brace (6) and the power end (81); and/or
  • the first portion of the brace (6) comprises an edge configured to engage the side of the power end (81), the edge engaged with the side restricting longitudinal movement of the brace (6) toward the power end (81).

Clause 8. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the frame (80) comprises a plurality of walls including:

• • a front wall (10) configured to retain a front of the fluid end (5);
  • side walls (11) configured to retain sides of the fluid end (5); and
  • a back wall (8) configured to retain a back of the fluid end (5).

Clause 9. The assembly of Clause 8, wherein the frame (80) comprises a plurality of corner uprights (9c) affixed to the platform (4) and supporting the walls.

Clause 10. The assembly of Clause 8 or 9, wherein the side walls (11) have wedges (11) configured to center the fluid end (5) in the frame (80).

Clause 11. The assembly of Clause 8, 9 or 10, wherein the front wall (10) has a wedge (10) configured to center the fluid end (5) toward the back of the frame (80).

Clause 12. The assembly of any one of Clauses 8 to 11, wherein the back wall (8) affixes to the back of the fluid end (5).

Clause 13. The assembly of any one of Clauses 8 to 12, wherein the second portion of the brace (6) affixes to the back wall (8) of the frame (80) and affixes to the back of the fluid end (5).

Clause 14. The assembly of any one of Clauses 8 to 13, wherein the frame (80) comprises base supports (9a-9b) disposed on the platform (4) and supporting the fluid end (5) above the platform (4) to accommodate a suction manifold (28) on the fluid end (5).

Clause 15. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the second portion of the brace (6) defines at least one rib having an edge, the edge being configured to engage in an end of at least one slot (25a-b) defined in the fluid end (5), the edge engaged with the end of the slot (25a-b) configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the fluid end (5) toward the power end (81).

Clause 16. The assembly of Clause 15, wherein the at least one rib has sides, the sides of the at least one rib being configured engage in sidewalls of the at least one slot (25a-b) defined in defined in the fluid end (5), the sides engaged with the sidewalls of the at least one slot (25a-b) configured to restrict lateral movement of the fluid end (5).

Clause 17. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the first portion of the brace (6) comprises a first plate configured to affix to the power end (81); wherein the second portion of the brace (6) comprises a second plate configured to affix to the fluid end (5); and wherein the brace (6) comprises a plurality of longitudinal supports affixed between the first and second plates.

Clause 18. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the second portion of the brace (6) comprises a plate (82) configured to affix to a top of the fluid end (5).

Clause 19. The assembly of Clause 18, wherein the plate (82) defines a plurality of openings to accommodate sand caps and a gage nut on the fluid end (5).

Clause 20. The assembly of any preceding Clause, comprising extended clamps (34) connecting the pony rods (33) to the plungers (35), the extended clamps (34) being removable and providing a clearance between the ends of the pony rods (33) and the plungers (35), the clearance permitting the plungers (35) to be removed from packing bores on the first fluid end (5).

Clause 21. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the power end (81) comprises crosshead housings being spaced apart from the fluid end (5) so as to allow the plungers (35) to be removed from packing bores on the fluid end (5) towards the power end (81) so the fluid end (5) is serviceable.

Clause 22. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the platform (4), the frame (80), and the brace (6) constrain a force of the plunger (35) when reciprocating into a packing bore on the fluid end (5) and prevent the fluid end (5) from moving away from the power end (81).

Clause 23. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the fluid end (5) having a solid back, the fluid end (5) being constrained from moving in a perpendicular axis to a crank away from a cross-head housing of the power end (81), the solid back of the fluid end (5) fixedly attached to the back wall of the frame (80).

Clause 24. The assembly of any preceding Clause, wherein the brace (6) is removably attached to the power end (81) and the fluid end (5); and wherein the fluid is removable from the frame (80).

Clause 25. The assembly of any preceding Clause, comprising:

• • bearing housings (19, 20a-d, 21) fixedly attached to a platform (4), the bearing housing having a crank assembly located at one end of the platform (4), the platform (4) having a frame (80) fixedly at the opposite end of the platform (4), the frame (80) configured to support a fluid end (5);
  • rods being attached to crank rod bearings on one end and being attached to cross heads on an opposing end, the crosshead having a pony rod (33) fixedly attached, the pony rod (33) having a plunger clamped thereto with an extended clamp (34);
  • the extended clamp (34) being removable so a clearance allows the plunger (35) to be removed from a packing bore of the fluid towards the power end (81);
  • the crosshead housing being spaced apart from the fluid end (5) to allow the plunger to be removed from the packing bore towards the power end (81) so as to service the fluid end (5);
  • in response to the force of the plunger (35) when reciprocating into the packing bore, the platform (4), the frame (80), and the brace (6) confine the fluid end (5) from moving away from the bearing housing without the use of conventional stay rods; and
  • the fluid end (5) having a solid back, the fluid end (5) being constrained from moving in a perpendicular axis to the crank away from the crosshead housing, the solid back of the fluid end (5) fixedly attached to the fluid end (5) backing plate.

Clause 26. The assembly of any preceding Clause, comprising:

• • an upper removable brace (6) fixedly attached to a bearing housing and aligned parallel to a fluid end (5);
  • the upper removable brace (6) being fixedly attached to the fluid end (5) and a backing plate of the frame (80) for the fluid end (5); and
  • both the upper removable brace (6) and the frame (80) constrain the force of the plungers (35) moving into packing bores of the fluid end (5).

Clause 27. A power end (81) connected to a fluid end (5) without the use of conventional stay rods, the fluid end (5) positioned within a boxed frame (80).

Clause 28. A boxed frame (80) and a removable upper brace (6) so as to service and remove a fluid end (5) from a pump assembly.

Clause 29. A boxed frame (80) and a removable upper brace (6) so as to service and remove the crosshead housing and rods from a pump assembly.

Clause 30. A crank case being sealed so as to contain a lubricant being part of a box frame (80).

Clause 31. A crank case having an access cover that is sealed so rod caps can be removed when the access cover is removed.

The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter.