CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Evidence
`
`Non-limiting. To the extent the preamble of claim 1 is found to be limiting,
`all rights to identify any such structure as limited in the reference are
`reserved.
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 17A (annotated). The red vertical line shows a first conduit extending
`into (the housing), and the red horizontal line shows a second conduit
`extending into (the housing) that intersects the first conduit:
`
`U.S. Patent No.
`10,591,070
`Claim 1.
`[1 preamble]
`A method of
`manufacturing the
`fluid end assembly,
`comprising:
`
`[1a]
`providing a housing
`having a first conduit
`extending
`therethrough and a
`second conduit
`extending
`therethrough that
`intersects the first
`conduit;
`
`
`
`
`8:1-5:
`FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a right-angular plunger pump housing
`with an offset access bore, including suction and discharge valves, an
`access bore plug similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, and a
`tapered cartridge packing assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 12A
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated)
`
`[1b]
`forming an endless
`groove in the housing
`such that the groove
`surrounds the second
`conduit;
`
`Page 1 of 22
`
`
`
`Evidence
`
`Non-limiting. To the extent the preamble of claim 1 is found to be limiting,
`all rights to identify any such structure as limited in the reference are
`reserved.
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 17A (annotated). The red vertical line shows a first conduit extending
`into (the housing), and the red horizontal line shows a second conduit
`extending into (the housing) that intersects the first conduit:
`
`U.S. Patent No.
`10,591,070
`Claim 1.
`[1 preamble]
`A method of
`manufacturing the
`fluid end assembly,
`comprising:
`
`[1a]
`providing a housing
`having a first conduit
`extending
`therethrough and a
`second conduit
`extending
`therethrough that
`intersects the first
`conduit;
`
`
`
`
`8:1-5:
`FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a right-angular plunger pump housing
`with an offset access bore, including suction and discharge valves, an
`access bore plug similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, and a
`tapered cartridge packing assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 12A
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated)
`
`[1b]
`forming an endless
`groove in the housing
`such that the groove
`surrounds the second
`conduit;
`
`Page 1 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`
`Fig. 13 (annotated, overlaying Fig. 12B onto Fig. 13 per 10:66-11:2)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7:45-55:
`FIG. 12B schematically illustrates a portion of a plunger pump housing and
`a tapered packing cartridge and gland nut assembly in which the right
`cylindrical outer surface portion shown in FIG. 12A has been replaced by a
`continuation of the conically tapered outer surface, and the circumferential
`seal groove and its seal have been moved from the right cylindrical outer
`surface as shown in FIG. 12A to the inner surface of the portion of the
`pump housing into which the tapered packing cartridge and gland nut
`assembly is inserted.
`
`10:66-11:2:
`
`Page 2 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Other aspects of the present invention are schematically illustrated in
`FIGS. 12A-12E, which show cross-sections of various tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies installed in plunger pump housings 47,
`48, 49 and 50.
`
`12:44-58:
`In addition to assembly 60, other embodiments of tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies of the present invention also provide for
`easy removal of a plunger as above. For example, tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assembly 60' (shown in partial cross-section in FIG.
`12B) is similar to assembly 60 but differs in that the substantially coaxial
`right cylindrical outer surface 80 has been replaced by a proximal
`extension of conically tapered substantially coaxial outer surface 63, the
`extended conically tapered surface being labeled 63'. Additionally,
`assembly 60' does not include circumferential seal groove 66 with its
`elastomeric seal 67. Instead, assembly 60' is intended for use in a pump
`housing 49 that matches the conical taper of assembly 60' and that
`comprises an elastomeric seal 67" within an inner circumferential seal
`groove 66".
`
`15:11-16:
`Note that the sealing function of elastomeric seal 67' may be replaced by a
`similar function achieved with one or more circumferential seal grooves,
`with corresponding elastomeric seal(s), that may alternatively lie in pump
`housing 50 instead of on the outer surface of cartridge packing housing 62'.
`
`See Claim [1b].
`
`[1c]
`positioning a seal
`within the groove;
`
`Page 3 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated)
`
`[1d]
`installing a tubular
`sleeve within the
`second conduit such
`that at least a portion
`of the sleeve engages
`with the seal;
`
`
`
`
`15:11-16:
`Note that the sealing function of elastomeric seal 67' may be replaced by a
`similar function achieved with one or more circumferential seal grooves,
`with corresponding elastomeric seal(s), that may alternatively lie in pump
`housing 50 instead of on the outer surface of cartridge packing housing 62'.
`
`12:44-58:
`In addition to assembly 60, other embodiments of tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies of the present invention also provide for
`easy removal of a plunger as above. For example, tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assembly 60' (shown in partial cross-section in FIG.
`12B) is similar to assembly 60 but differs in that the substantially coaxial
`right cylindrical outer surface 80 has been replaced by a proximal
`extension of conically tapered substantially coaxial outer surface 63, the
`extended conically tapered surface being labeled 63'. Additionally,
`assembly 60' does not include circumferential seal groove 66 with its
`elastomeric seal 67. Instead, assembly 60' is intended for use in a pump
`housing 49 that matches the conical taper of assembly 60' and that
`comprises an elastomeric seal 67" within an inner circumferential seal
`groove 66".
`
`Fig. 12A (annotated)
`
`Page 4 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`
`
`
`10:66-11:2:
`Other aspects of the present invention are schematically illustrated in
`FIGS. 12A-12E, which show cross-sections of various tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies installed in plunger pump housings 47,
`48, 49 and 50.
`
`11:11-23:
`Packing cartridge housing 62, as shown in partial cross section in FIG.
`12A, has a length between distal end 64 and proximal end 74, and a
`substantially right cylindrical inner surface 78 having a first diameter. A
`right cylindrical outer surface 80 is substantially coaxial with inner surface
`78 and extends distally from proximal end 74 for a portion of said cartridge
`housing length. And a conically tapered substantially coaxial outer surface
`63 extends distally from said distal extent of said right cylindrical outer
`surface 80 to distal end 64. Outer surface 63 tapers distally from right
`cylindrical outer surface 80 toward the longitudinal axis of assembly 60,
`which is colinear with the third centerline of pump housing 50.
`
`
`Page 5 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`[1e]
`installing a plurality
`of packing seals
`within the sleeve; and
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated)
`
`
`Fig. 12A (annotated)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`12:6-13:
`Note that an anti-extrusion ring, a packing compression ring, and/or a
`bearing ring may be absent in certain preferred embodiments, and that
`packing ring 98 may comprise one or more coaxial component rings
`arranged longitudinally (that is, stacked like washers). As an example of a
`preferred embodiment, two such component rings of packing ring 98 are
`schematically illustrated in FIG. 12A.
`
`13:11-24:
`Note that packing ring 98 may comprise a single segment or may
`preferably comprise two or more adjacent packing ring segments that fit
`together in a (commonly used) chevron configuration (see, for example,
`
`Page 6 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,815, incorporated herein by reference). The chevron
`configuration facilitates tightening of packing ring 98 over a plunger as
`packing ring 98 is longitudinally compressed. Note, however, that the
`chevron packing rings of the 815 patent have a tapered outside diameter to
`fit inside a correspondingly tapered stuffing box (see FIG. 2 of the 815
`patent). In contrast, packing ring 98 of the present invention does not have
`such a tapered outside diameter, since it is located within the Substantially
`coaxial cylindrical recess of a packing cartridge housing.
`
`
`Page 7 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`[1f]
`installing a
`reciprocating plunger
`at least partially
`within the sleeve and
`the plurality of
`packing seals.
`
`See, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 13 (annotated: overlaying Fig. 12B onto Fig. 13 per 10:66-11:2, with
`reciprocating plunger (green) at least partially within the packing cartridge
`housing (yellow) and set packing component rings (blue))
`
`
`
`
`9:49-52:
`This envelope is represented as closely approximating the surface of the
`plunger as shown in FIG. 13 because the plunger is shown at the distal end
`of its normal cyclic travel into pump housing 50. The slight spacing
`between the envelope and inner surface 35 of suction valve spring retainer
`mounting bracket 34 and inner surface 36 of suction valve spring retainer
`support arm 33 respectively ensures that during its normal reciprocating
`motion in plunger pump housing 50, the plunger will not interfere with
`(i.e., contact) either suction valve spring retainer mounting bracket 34 or
`suction valve spring retainer support arm 33.
`
`13:52-56:
`FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a right-angular plunger pump housing
`with . . . a tapered cartridge packing assembly.
`
`
`See Claim 1.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`
`Claim 2. The method
`of claim 1, further
`comprising:
`
`Page 8 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`forming the groove
`such that it has a pair
`of parallel side walls
`joined by a base.
`
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated)
`
`
`
`
`Claim 3. The method
`of claim 1, further
`comprising:
`forming the groove
`such that it opens
`towards a centerline
`of the second
`conduit.
`
`
`
`
`See Claim [1b].
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 9 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`See Claim 1.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 13 (annotated); see also Fig. 1 (labeling the annotated component
`“Discharge Cover”).
`
`Claim 4. The method
`of claim 1, further
`comprising:
`installing a plug into
`the first conduit in
`which the plug is
`sized to fully block
`fluid flow within the
`first conduit.
`
`
`
`
`
`See Claim 1.
`
`
`Claim 5. The method
`of claim 1 in which
`the endless groove is
`characterized as the
`first groove, further
`comprising
`
`Page 10 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Fig. 5 (annotated)
`
`forming a second
`endless groove in the
`housing such that the
`groove surrounds the
`first conduit.
`
`
`Fig. 13 (annotated)
`
`
`10:66-11:2:
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 11 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Other aspects of the present invention are schematically illustrated in
`FIGS. 12A-12E, which show cross-sections of various tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies installed in plunger pump housings 47,
`48, 49 and 50.
`
`12:44-58:
`In addition to assembly 60, other embodiments of tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies of the present invention also provide for
`easy removal of a plunger as above. For example, tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assembly 60' (shown in partial cross-section in FIG.
`12B) is similar to assembly 60 but differs in that the substantially coaxial
`right cylindrical outer surface 80 has been replaced by a proximal
`extension of conically tapered substantially coaxial outer surface 63, the
`extended conically tapered surface being labeled 63'. Additionally,
`assembly 60' does not include circumferential seal groove 66 with its
`elastomeric seal 67. Instead, assembly 60' is intended for use in a pump
`housing 49 that matches the conical taper of assembly 60' and that
`comprises an elastomeric seal 67" within an inner circumferential seal
`groove 66".
`
`
`See Claim [1 Preamble].
`
`See Claim [1a].
`
`See Claim [1b].
`
`See Claim [1c].
`
`
`Claim 6.
`[6 preamble]
`A fluid end assembly,
`comprising:
`[6a]
`a housing having a
`first conduit
`extending
`therethrough, and a
`second conduit
`extending
`therethrough that
`intersects the first
`conduit;
`[6b]
`an endless groove
`formed in the
`housing such that the
`groove surrounds the
`second conduit;
`[6c]
`a seal positioned
`within the groove;
`
`Page 12 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`[6d]
`a tubular sleeve
`installed within the
`second conduit such
`that at least a portion
`of the sleeve engages
`with the seal;
`[6e]
`a plurality of packing
`seals disposed within
`the sleeve; and
`[6f]
`a reciprocating
`plunger disposed at
`least partially within
`the sleeve and the
`plurality of packing
`seals.
`
`Claim 7. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6, further
`comprising:
`a closure element
`installed within the
`first conduit.
`
`Claim 8. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 7 in which the
`closure element is a
`plug sized to fully
`block fluid flow
`within the first
`conduit.
`
`
`See Claim [1d].
`
`See Claim [1e].
`
`See Claim [1f].
`
`
`See Claims 4, 6.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`See Claims 4, 7.
`
`
`
`Page 13 of 22
`
`
`
`Claim 9. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`first conduit is
`orthogonal to the
`second conduit.
`
`
`Claim 10. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`groove is
`characterized by a
`pair of parallel side
`walls joined by a
`base.
`
`Claim 11. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 10 in which the
`seal engages the side
`walls and the base of
`the groove.
`
`Claim 12. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`groove opens towards
`a centerline of the
`second conduit.
`
`Claim 13. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which at
`least a portion of the
`housing is configured
`to contain a fluid
`having a pressure of
`at least 8,000 pounds
`per square inch.
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`See Claims [1a], 6.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`8:1-5:
`FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a right-angular plunger pump housing
`with an offset access bore, including suction and discharge valves, an
`access bore plug similar to that shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, and a
`tapered cartridge packing assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 12A.
`
`
`See Claims 2, 6.
`
`
`See Claims [1c], 10.
`
`
`See Claims 3, 6.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 14 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Claim 14. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`plunger is configured
`to engage with an
`engine having a
`power output of at
`least 2,250
`horsepower.
`
`Claim 15. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`endless groove is
`characterized as the
`first groove, and
`further comprising:
`a second endless
`groove formed in the
`housing such that the
`second groove
`surrounds the first
`conduit.
`
`Claim 16. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 15 in which the
`seal is characterized
`as the first seal, and
`further comprising:
`a second seal
`positioned with the
`second groove.
`
`
`
`
`
`See Claim 6.
`
`See Claim 5.
`
`
`See Claim 15.
`
`See Claim 5.
`
`
`
`Page 15 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Claim 17. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6, further
`comprising:
`a valve positioned
`with the first conduit.
`
`See Claim 6.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 1 (annotated)
`
`
`Fig. 13 (annotated)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 16 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`See Claim 6
`
`Claim 18. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`second conduit has a
`first and second
`section, and in which
`the endless groove is
`characterized as the
`first groove and is
`formed in the first
`section of the second
`conduit, and further
`comprising:
`
`Page 17 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`See, e.g.:
`
` A
`
` POSITA would have understood that the annotated red circles in Fig. 5
`shows annular channels in the housing such that the channel surrounds the
`first conduit, as well as that there is the seal positioned within the channel.
`Without a seal positioned in the channel, there is no way to prevent leakage
`of high pressure fluid across the annular interface. Additionally, a POSITA
`would have understood that the annular channels in the plug of the first and
`second conduits shown in the second annotation of Fig. 13 could be
`replaced with annular channels in the housing at those same locations.
`
`Fig. 5 (annotated)
`
`a second endless
`groove formed in the
`housing such that the
`second groove
`surrounds the second
`section of the second
`conduit.
`
`
`Fig. 13 (annotated)
`
`
`
`Page 18 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`
`
`
`10:66-11:2:
`Other aspects of the present invention are schematically illustrated in
`FIGS. 12A-12E, which show cross-sections of various tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies installed in plunger pump housings 47,
`48, 49 and 50.
`
`12:44-58:
`In addition to assembly 60, other embodiments of tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assemblies of the present invention also provide for
`easy removal of a plunger as above. For example, tapered cartridge
`packing and gland nut assembly 60' (shown in partial cross-section in FIG.
`12B) is similar to assembly 60 but differs in that the substantially coaxial
`right cylindrical outer surface 80 has been replaced by a proximal
`extension of conically tapered substantially coaxial outer surface 63, the
`extended conically tapered surface being labeled 63'. Additionally,
`assembly 60' does not include circumferential seal groove 66 with its
`elastomeric seal 67. Instead, assembly 60' is intended for use in a pump
`housing 49 that matches the conical taper of assembly 60' and that
`comprises an elastomeric seal 67" within an inner circumferential seal
`groove 66".
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 19 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Claim 19. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 18 in which the
`seal is characterized
`as the first seal, and
`further comprising:
`a second seal
`positioned within the
`second groove.
`
`Claim 20. A system,
`comprising:
`the fluid end
`assembly of claim 6;
`and
`a fluid having a
`pressure of at least
`8,000 pounds per
`square inch within at
`least a portion of the
`internal chamber.
`
`Claim 21. A system,
`comprising:
`the fluid end
`assembly of claim 6;
`and
`an engine engaged
`with the plunger and
`having a power
`output of at least
`2,250 horsepower.
`
`
`See Claim 18.
`
`See Claim 18.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 20 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`See Claim 6.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated, showing a packing cartridge housing (yellow) with an
`inner surface (green) and an opposed outer surface (red), in which two
`“component rings” (blue) are engaged with the inner surface of the packing
`cartridge housing (yellow))
`
`Claim 22. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`sleeve has an inner
`surface and an
`opposed outer
`surface, in which the
`plurality of packing
`seals are engaged
`with the inner surface
`of the sleeve.
`
`
`Claim 23. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 22 in which the
`seal is engaged with
`the outer surface of
`the sleeve.
`
`
`See Claim 22.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated, showing elastomeric seal 67'' engaged with the outer
`surface (red) of the packing cartridge housing (yellow))
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 21 of 22
`
`
`
`CLAIM CHART: U.S. 7,186,097
`
`Claim 24. The fluid
`end assembly of
`claim 6 in which the
`sleeve is of single
`piece construction.
`
`See Claim 6.
`
`See also, e.g.:
`
`Fig. 12B (annotated)
`
`
`
`
`11:11-23:
`Packing cartridge housing 62, as shown in partial cross section in FIG.
`12A, has a length between distal end 64 and proximal end 74, and a
`substantially right cylindrical inner surface 78 having a first diameter. A
`right cylindrical outer surface 80 is substantially coaxial with inner surface
`78 and extends distally from proximal end 74 for a portion of said cartridge
`housing length. And a conically tapered substantially coaxial outer surface
`63 extends distally from said distal extent of said right cylindrical outer
`surface 80 to distal end 64. Outer surface 63 tapers distally from right
`cylindrical outer surface 80 toward the longitudinal axis of assembly 60,
`which is colinear with the third centerline of pump housing 50.
`
`
`
`
`Page 22 of 22
`
`
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