Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for replacing seats utilizing spring loaded J-shaped hooks on a puller shaft that may be compressed to pass through the seat and expand back to original form to engage the seat from below for pulling upward and removal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority is claimed from provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/854,852 filed on May 2, 2013, and incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to an apparatus and system for removing seats. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved puller that utilizes spring loaded J-shaped hooks for removing various seats, valve seats, pump liners and so forth from oilfield fracturing pumps, mud pumps, nitrogen pumps, and other equipment found in the oil and gas industry as well as other equipment utilizing same. It is also understood the current invention may be utilized in any other pump type that utilizes replaceable open face seats. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Due to the nature of seats in general, it is often extremely difficult to remove the seat after it is installed. There are many prior art devices for pulling pump valve seats and liners, but most of them are complex and expensive. If a valve seat puller is complex, it consumes time in the removal of the valve seat which translates into money lost during the down time. It is not unusual for the down time in removing a valve seat with prior art devices to run 8-20 hours. 
     It is understood that in various piston type reciprocating pumps there are valves which open and close in order to direct the flow. The valve mates to a replaceable seat in order to create a seal, stopping the fluid which is being pumped, moving in the direction it is being forced. Over time with the opening and closing of the valves against seat creates wear causing the valves not to seal. The common term used for worn seats is “washed”. At this time, the seats must be replaced with new ones. 
     Valve seats in most pumps are generally slightly tapered, with or without an o-ring, for sealing the seat to the pump head. They are typically held in place by the taper, in that they are pressed into place. When a seat is replaced, it is removed with a puller. There are several different types of pullers used which include a two half puller that spreads out to the inside dimension of the seat by threading the puller shaft inside it, opening the two outer halves far enough to catch the bottom of the seat. This is typically done by two people where one lowers the puller shaft down through the seat, while another person reaches the two half parts of the puller through an open port in the head. The person with the threaded shaft then attempts to thread the puller shaft into the expandable halves. A hydraulic jack, such as hollow shaft jack, is then generally utilized to pull the shaft. 
     Another commonly used puller is a flat plate that hinges on the bottom of the puller body. It is tipped vertically and then inserted through the seat where gravity causes the flat plate to fall horizontally, thus catching the bottom of the seat and pulled with the same hydraulic jack. These types of pullers fail regularly in that they will not withstand very high pulling pressures. The normal practice at this point, when the pullers have failed, is to call a welder to cut the seat out of the pump with an acetylene torch. This naturally exposes the head of the pump to be “nicked” or cut into with the torch that can cause the head to have to be removed and taken to be repaired. 
     Another example of a prior art valve seat puller is U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,139 issued to Touchet on Nov. 9, 1976. This device utilizes J-shaped hooks wherein the hooks are essentially individual pieces that work in cooperation and are hinged at the top portion to allow the hooks to spread out and engage the valve seat when in position. These J-shaped hooks are not spring loaded and therefore require a mechanical means to spread the hooks out to engage the seat. More specifically and quoting the issued patent, one embodiment of the pipe pulling apparatus  10  comprises a plurality of J-shaped hooks  24  having a J-shaped end or head  26  and a transverse T-shaped other end  25 . The hooks  24  are pivotally supported by its T-shaped end  25  in radial slots  33  of support block or plate  22 . In another embodiment, the J-shaped hooks are supported in slots  61  in support block  54  by a transverse T-shaped head portion  57 , with the opposite end having a J-shaped head  59  for engaging the lower rim of valve seat  52  when pivoting. 
     This prior art device has several inherent problems due to the configuration of the individual J-shaped hooks and need for the hooks to pivot by a mechanical means. Needless to say any obstruction in the pivot movement would prevent the J-shaped hook from rotating out for extending and thus would not allow for the hook to catch the valve seat. Dirt and debris in the field associated with the use of pumps is more common than not and frequently inhibited the hook from pivoting as needed. Also of note, rust would frequently inhibit the pivot movement requiring cleaning and lubricating of the part to keep it from binding. 
     Furthermore, sometime the hook would be stuck in the extended position because the pivot problem. This would mean that the J-shaped hook would not pass through the valve seat opening and often would cause further damage when hitting the valve seat. It is not uncommon for the stuck out J-shaped hook to further push down the seat, damage, it and so forth making it even more difficult to remove. 
     Still furthermore, the prior art device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,139 essentially utilizes a threaded shaft to spread the J-shaped hooks as well as to extract the seat once engaged by use of rotational force for lifting. Current valve seats are typically seated in a tighter fashion making the torque required to rotational lift extremely high which leads to failures, stripping of threads, and damage to motors needed to provide the rotational movement. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a valve seat puller and or extractor that provides a spring function to spread the j-shaped hooks to engage the seat when desired and eliminate the need for a mechanical system to engage the hooks. It is also desirable to provide a puller that may be utilized with a hydraulic jack to pull the seat up and out without the need for rotational lifting. 
     Present day drilling operations are extremely expensive, and an effort to increase the overall efficiency of the drilling operation while minimizing expense requires the essentially continuous operation of the drilling rig. Thus, it is imperative that downtime be minimized. The above discussed limitations in the prior art is not exhaustive. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus, method and system to remove valve seats, pump liners, and so forth easily and quickly. The current invention provides an inexpensive, time saving, more reliable apparatus and system where the prior art fails. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pullers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved apparatus and system which is easier to utilize and more time efficient. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved seat puller apparatus and system for replacing seals which has all the advantages of the prior art devices and none or fewer of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and improved assembly that utilizes spring loaded J-shaped hook made from a metal that provides sufficient strength for forces required to pull out the seat, pump liner and so forth, flexible enough to bend as needed to enter the seat, and yet still rigid enough to return to its natural state for repeated use. The invention may be utilized for removing various seats, valve seats, pump liners and so forth from oilfield fracturing pumps, mud pumps, nitrogen pumps, and other equipment found in oil and gas industry as well as other equipment utilizing same. It is also understood the current invention may be utilized in any other pump type that utilizes replaceable open face seats. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing and or pulling seats, pump liners, and so forth which may be easily and efficiently utilized. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth, which is of a durable and reliable construction and may be utilized with multiple types of applications in the oil and gas field as well as other applications. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth which is generally susceptible to a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible to low prices of sale to the consuming industry, thereby making such tool economically available to those in the field. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth which provides all of the advantages of the prior art, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth that does not require a conventional spring assembly and has fewer moving parts than prior art devices. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth that may allow for one individual to operate, may be operated with no one having to reach inside a pump head, and generally reduces the risk of injury. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth which increases the speed of the replacement operation regarding changing out of associated parts. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, system and method for removing seats, pump liners, and so forth that provides a robust device capable of extreme and numerous uses and may generally withstand much greater amounts of pressure than existing pullers known in the art. 
     These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, AND APPENDICES 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings, and appendices. 
         FIG. 1  is generally a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally showing a partially exploded perspective view of spring catch  20 , bottom nose  30 , puller shaft  40 , and sleeve  50  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 2  is generally a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally showing a cutaway side view as utilized in a pump and generally depicting spring catch  20  bottom  220  and or segment(s)  260  distal end(s)  270  passing through valve seat  90  after compression of spring catch  20  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 3  is generally a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally showing a perspective view of spring catch  20 , bottom nose  30 , puller shaft  40 , and sleeve  50  wherein spring catch  20  is generally in an upward position sleeve  50  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 4  is generally a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally showing a perspective view of spring catch  20 , bottom nose  30 , puller shaft  40 , and sleeve  50  wherein spring catch  20  is generally in a downward position relative to sleeve  50  and bottom  220  of spring catch  20  in communication with bottom nose  30  recessed lip portion  280  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  in compression as it passes through valve seat  90  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  after it has passed completely through valve seat  90  with spring catch  20  no longer in compression in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  after it has passed completely through valve seat  90  with spring catch  20  no longer in compression and in communication with valve seat  90  as jack  200  is lifting to remove valve seat  90  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 5D  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  after it has passed completely through valve seat  90  with spring catch  20  no longer in compression and in communication with valve seat  90  after jack  200  has lifted and removed seat  90  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is generally a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally showing a bottom view where in spring catch  20  is in compression and passing through valve seat  90  while bending into smaller circumference  165  in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is generally a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the invention generally showing a bottom view where spring catch  20  is no longer in compression and returned to original circumference  175  thus allowing J-shaped hooks  160  to engage the lower rim  110  of valve seat  90  for pulling upward and out in accordance with the current invention. 
         FIG. 7  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  after it has passed completely through valve seat  90  with spring catch  20  no longer in compression and in communication with valve seat  90  after jack  200  has lifted and removed valve seat  90  in accordance with the current invention. This depiction is essentially a larger image of  FIG. 5D . 
         FIG. 8  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  after it has passed completely through valve seat  90  with spring catch  20  no longer in compression in accordance with the current invention. This depiction is essentially a larger image of  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 9  is generally a preferred embodiment of the invention depicting spring sleeve  20  after it has passed completely through valve seat  90  with spring catch  20  no longer in compression and in communication with valve seat  90  as jack  200  is lifting to remove valve seat  90  in accordance with the current invention. This depiction is essentially a larger image of  FIG. 5C . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the illustrations, drawings, and pictures, reference character  10  generally designates a new and improved puller device, assembly, system and method of using same constructed in accordance with the present invention. Invention  10  is generally used in oil and gas well operations but may be utilized in other applications. The current invention should not be considered limited to just seat, valve seat, pump liners, and so forth removal. 
     Now Referring to the illustration and more in particular to  FIG. 1 , invention  10  may include spring catch  20 , bottom nose  30 , puller shaft  40 , and sleeve  50  generally positioned axially as depicted in the illustrations as will be discussed further below. 
     Again referring to the drawings in general and more specifically to  FIG. 2 , invention  10  may generally be utilized with a pump assembly  60 . A portion of the invention  10  is generally depicted being inserted into opening  70  of a pump or pump head  80  for engaging stuck valve seat  90 . Valve seat  90  comprises an outer diameter or ring  100  having a lower rim or bottom face  110  and an inner diameter or ring  120 . The inner diameter  120  has an aperture  130 . Valve seat  90  may also include a top face or portion  140  having an angled surface  150 . 
     Spring catch  20  may be generally cylindrical and made from a metal alloy that allows for flexing and or bending, durable for the force required and also rigid enough to return to its original shape after flexing or bending. A preferred construction may be made from American Iron and Steel Institute , also known as AISI, 8620 alloy steel that is a hardenable chromium, molybdenum, nickel low alloy steel often used for carburizing to develop a case-hardened part. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Its chemical properties may be: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Carbon 
                 0.18-0.23 
               
               
                   
                 Chromium 
                 0.4-0.6 
               
               
                   
                 Manganese 
                 0.7-0.9 
               
               
                   
                 Molybdenum 
                 0.15-0.25 
               
               
                   
                 Nickel 
                 0.4-0.7 
               
               
                   
                 Phosphorus 
                 0.035 max 
               
               
                   
                 Silicon 
                 0.15-0.35 
               
               
                   
                 Sulphur 
                 0.04 max 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Its physical properties may be: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Density (lb/cu. in.) 
                 0.283 
               
               
                   
                 Specific Gravity 
                 7.8 
               
               
                   
                 Specific Heat (Btu/lb/Deg F- 
                 0.1 
               
               
                   
                 [32-212 Deg F]) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Melting Point (Deg F) 
                 2600 
               
               
                   
                 Thermal Conductivity 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Mean Coeff Thermal Expansion 
                 6.6 
               
               
                   
                 Modulus of Elasticity Tension 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Spring catch  20  is generally formed of J-shaped hooks  160  that allow for flexing and or bending. A preferred embodiment is of a one piece construction having twelve (12) J-shaped hooks  160  although more or less J-shaped hooks  160  may be utilized. The spacing between the J-shaped hooks  160  generally allows for the circumference to be made smaller when the J-shaped hooks  160  are compressed such as but not limited to bending into a smaller circumference  165 . The spring quality of the design allows for the J-shaped hooks  160  to return to the original spacing when not compressed such as but not limited to going back to the original circumference  175 . Puller shaft  40  may generally be threaded and utilized to hold spring catch  20  and sleeve  50 . It may be rotated for the desired lifting and lowered from above by hydraulic means, mechanical means, and combinations thereof. Invention  10  contemplates utilization with a hydraulic jack puller shaft  40  may be made of steel known in the industry and have threading known in the industry. Puller shaft  40  may generally comprise a top or top portion  170  that may attach to a nut  180  for holding puller shaft  40  in a relatively fixed position in opening  70  of pump head  80  while allowing the puller shaft  40  to move up and down as desired. The movement may be accomplished through hydraulic, mechanical and combinations thereof as known in the art. Bottom or bottom portion  190  of puller shaft  40  may generally be utilized to removably hold bottom nose  30 . 
     Bottom nose  30  may be made from steel and or other materials known in the art. Bottom nose  30  may generally be removably threaded onto and axially aligned with puller shaft  40  bottom portion  190 . It is understood that numerous types of removable connections to puller shaft  40  are contemplated. 
     Sleeve  50  may also be constructed from steel and other materials known in the art. It is contemplated that sleeve  50  is generally fixed axially on puller shaft  40  and generally holds spring catch  20  and allows spring catch  20  to move up and down, relative to puller shaft  40 , while being trapped at the top of spring catch  20  inside sleeve  50 . Generally this configuration provides a “floating” spring catch  20  inside sleeve  50 . It is also contemplated that invention  10  may not utilize sleeve  50 , sleeve  50  may be incorporated into spring catch  20 , sleeve  50  may be generally non-movably fixed to spring catch  20 , combinations thereof, and so forth. Sleeve  50  may generally look like a cup and or cap fixed and or removably fixed on puller shaft  40  with threads, welds, and so forth. 
     Now again refereeing to the illustrations and more in particular to  FIGS. 3  through  FIGS. 9 , generally, the puller shaft  40  is inserted in through the valve seat  90  from the top of the pump head  80  by inserting the puller shaft  40  bottom nose  30  down hole or opening  70  until bottom nose  30  passes valve seat  90  and sleeve  50  contacts top of valve seat  90  bringing puller shaft  40  essentially to a stop. Sleeve  50  may also generally function as a general guide for passing spring catch  20  through the pump assembly  60  as well as an indicator when the puller shaft  40  has descended far enough into the pump assembly  60  to engage valve seat  90 . 
     It is then contemplated that a hollow shaft hydraulic jack  200  is put onto the puller shaft  40  and secured by nut  180 . At this point, the valve seat  90  is pulled by the hydraulic jack  200  upward. It is contemplated that invention  10  will allow for a generally vertical removal of valve seat  90  without the need for a rotational force as the prior art devices. It is also contemplated that puller shaft  40  may not be threaded. It is still further contemplated that top or top portion  170  of puller shaft  40  may be formed and or adapted to attach and or communicate with a hydraulic jack  200  as known in the prior art. 
     The improved design of invention  10  generally pushes steel spring catch  20  through valve seat  90  and then springs back once passing the bottom face  110  of valve seat  90 . J-shaped hooks  160  are essentially forced into bending into a smaller circumference  165  as the downward force on spring catch  20  contacts with the angle of surface  150  of valve seat  90 . After the J-shaped hooks  160  clear the bottom face  110  of valve seat  90 , they are allowed to spring back and or unbend to the original circumference  175  thus allowing the J-shaped hooks  160  to engage the lower rim  110  of valve seat  90  for pulling upward and out. 
     The bottom nose  30  of invention  10  is pulled up inside of the spring catch  20 , causing the spring catch  20  to be held rigid and not allowing it to close. Thus creating a near solid ring of steel at bottom  190  of the puller shaft  40  just below bottom face  110  of valve seat  90 . The yield strength of this ring may be greater than that of the hydraulic jacks  200  currently being used to pull valve seats  90 . 
     Once the seat is removed from the pump, the bottom nose  30  of the invention  10  may then be removed by simply loosening it from the puller shaft  40  by hand. Steel spring catch  20  is then slid off of puller shaft  40 , and then valve seat  90  may be slid off. Steel spring catch  20  may then be placed back on puller shaft  40  and bottom nose  30  may then be threaded back until it stops turning. Current invention  10  generally requires no tools to be assembled or disassembled. 
     Spring catch  20  may generally be a one piece hollow cylindrical construction having a top  210 , a bottom  220 , a length  230 , and wall  240 . Top  210  is generally a solid ring whereas wall  240  has split(s) and or slit(s)  250  for forming protrusion(s) and or segment(s)  260  along wall  240 . It is contemplated that spring catch  20  may be hollow and have an aperture and or opening through length  230  with an open ended top  210  and bottom  220 . It is also understood that top  210  may not be open and have a solid portion not depicted. 
     A J-shaped hook or hooks  160  is generally formed from segments  260  wherein the distal end(s)  270  has a J-shaped end(s). It is also understood that distal end(s)  270  may look more like an L-shape and the term J-shaped should not be considered to limit the invention to such. Generally top  210  is formed not to flex and or compress but remain essentially rigid. Slits(s)  250  allow segment(s)  260  to change the circumference of bottom  220  from un-flexed and or non compressed spring catch  20  of original circumference  175  to a flexed and or compressed smaller circumference  165 . Generally, compression and or flexion occur when segment(s)  260  bend inward. It is contemplated top  210  does not bend nor bottom  220 . Distal end(s)  270  are contemplated to also stay generally rigid. 
     It is further contemplated bottom nose  30  may include a recessed lip portion  280  wherein after engagement of valve seat  90  by spring catch  20 , distal end(s)  270  of J-shaped hook or hooks  160  are generally trapped against bottom nose  30  after spring catch  20  slides into position for extraction. It is contemplated that this may generally add structural support to bottom  220  of spring catch  20  as well as keep spring catch  20  in original circumference  175  during the removal process. 
     Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, names, titles, headings and general division of the aforementioned are provided for convenience and should, therefore, not be considered limiting.