Patent Publication Number: US-10774828-B1

Title: Composite valve seat system and method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to pump systems, and in particular to valve seats in pump systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pumping systems may be used in a variety of applications, especially industrial applications where pumping systems are used to elevate a working fluid pressure. One such application is hydraulic fracturing systems, which high pressure pumps are used to increase a fluid pressure of a working fluid (e.g., fracturing fluid, slurry, etc.) for injection into an underground formation. The working fluid may include particulates, which are injected into fissures of the formation. When the fluid is removed from the formation, the particulates remain and “prop” open the fissures, facilitating flow of oil and gas. In many applications, reciprocating pumps are used where a fluid is introduced into a fluid end inlet passage and out through an outlet passage. A valve assembly reciprocates within the pump and contacts valve seats at the inlet and outlet passages. Due to the particulates and corrosive nature of the working fluid, the valve seats may become eroded or otherwise damaged, which my prevent sealing of the inlet and outlet passages. 
     SUMMARY 
     Applicants recognized the problems noted above herein and conceived and developed embodiments of systems and methods, according to the present disclosure, for valve seats in pump systems. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments a valve assembly for a fracturing pump includes a valve seat having a bore extending therethrough, the valve seat including a strike face at a top region opposite a bottom region, at least a portion of the strike face formed by an insert positioned within a groove formed in the valve body. The valve assembly also includes a bore liner arranged within the bore, at least a portion of an axial length of the bore liner covering at least a portion of the ceramic to form a barrier between the insert and the bore. The valve assembly further includes a valve member positioned to reciprocate within the bore, the valve member moving between an open position and a closed position, wherein at least a portion of the valve member engages at least a portion of the strike face in the closed position. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a valve seat for use in a fracturing pump includes a first body, including at least a portion of a bore and having a first diameter. The valve seat also includes a second body, coupled to the first body. The second body includes a tapered portion having a downward slope from a second diameter to an axis, a groove formed in the tapered portion, the groove extending from at least a second portion of the bore radially outward toward the second diameter, and an insert, positioned within the groove, the insert having a sloped region substantially conforming to the downward slope of the tapered portion. The valve seat also includes a bore liner extending through the bore along at least a portion of both the first body and the second body, the bore liner positioned to overlap at least a portion of the insert. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method for forming a valve seat includes receiving a valve seat, the valve seat including a first body and a second body coupled together, the first body having a larger diameter than the second body, the second body including a tapered portion. The method also includes forming a groove in the tapered portion, the groove extending radially outward from the bore. The method further includes positioning an insert within the groove. The method also includes securing the insert within the groove. The method includes positioning a bore liner along at least a portion of the bore, the bore liner arranged to overlap at least a portion of the insert. The method further includes securing the bore liner to at least one of the bore or the insert. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pump assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a valve assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a valve seat, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a valve assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a tapered portion of a valve seat, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a valve assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a valve seat, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for forming a valve seat, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of embodiments and accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, or “other embodiments” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “front”, “back”, or other terms regarding orientation or direction are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations or directions. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve seat at least partially formed of a ceramic material on at least a portion of a strike face. Moreover, the valve seat may include an inner flow bore including a wear resistant metallic or polymeric material. In various embodiments, the wear resistant metallic or polymeric material may be fixed to the inner flow bore by bonding, press fitting, sintering, or a combination thereof. The valve seat may include a first and second body, the first body having an outer diameter configured to be inserted into a fluid passageway of a fracturing pump, such as a reciprocating pump. The second body extends radially from the first body, and may be considered integral to the first body in embodiments, and has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the first body. The second body is at least partially formed of a ceramic material. In various embodiments, the second body includes an insert comprising a ceramic material, which may be fixed to the second body by bonding, press fitting, sintering, or a combination thereof. 
     In various embodiments, systems and methods for forming a valve seat used in positive displacement reciprocating pumps and hydraulic fracturing service designed to pump sand water acid slurry are described. The valve seat is designed to have a wear resistant valve strike face and inner flow bore to extend a service life of the valve seat before replacement or repair. Embodiments may provide significant extension of services lives of the valve seat compared to conventional case-hardened alloy steel valve seats. Prior art valve seats have issues with the strike face wearing down and the inner flow bore eroding or becoming gouged due to the up and down action of the valve wing guided portion. Prior art valve seats including a ceramic insert on the strike face do not have a liner system to prevent contact damage with valve guide legs or erosive damage from fluid flow. In embodiments, the valve strike face is partially formed of ceramic material, such as cemented tungsten carbide or similar, to increase wear resistance of the strike face of the valve seat. Moreover, the inner flow bore of the valve seat is formed of an inner layer of wear resistant metallic or polymer material to prevent flow accelerated erosion of the valve seat flow bore and prevent gouging from up and down motion of the valve which has wing guided feet. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pump assembly  100 , which may also be referred to as a reciprocating pump assembly and/or a reciprocating pump. The pump assembly  100  may be utilized during hydraulic fracturing operations, among other operations, where a working fluid (e.g., fracturing fluid, slurry, etc.) is introduced into the pump and energy is added to the working fluid to increase a pressure of the working fluid. Fracturing fluid, by way of example only, may include corrosives and also particulates, such as sand or ceramics, which are utilized during fracturing operations. These corrosives and particulates cause erosion within the pump assembly  100 , which may undesirably affect fracturing operations and lead to down times to replace various components. Additionally, the fracturing fluids may include corrosive acids and the like, which may wear down components of the pump assembly  100 . 
     It should be appreciated that various components of the pump assembly  100  have been removed for clarity with the following discussion. For example, a power end has been removed in favor of focusing on the illustrated fluid end  102  of the pump assembly  100 . The power end may include a crankshaft that is driven by an engine or motor to facilitate operations. The fluid  102  includes a fluid end block  104  that may house one or more components discussed herein. A plunger rod  106  is driven (e.g., via the crankshaft) to reciprocate within the fluid end block  104  along a plunger axis  108 . The plunger rod  106  is positioned within a bore  110  extending through at least a portion of the fluid end block  104 . The illustrated bore  110  is arranged along the plunger axis  108  (e.g., first axis) and intersects a pressure chamber  112 , which is arranged along a pressure chamber axis  114  (e.g., second axis), which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the plunger axis  108 . It should be appreciated that the pump assembly  100  may include multiple plunger rod and pressure chamber arrangements, which may be referred to as a plunger throw. For example, the pump assembly  100  may be a triplex pump, quadplex pump, quintuplex pump, and the like. 
     The illustrated fluid end block  104  includes an inlet passage  116  and an outlet passage  118 , which are generally coaxial and arranged along the pressure chamber axis  114 . In other words, the inlet and outlet passages  116 ,  118  are axially aligned with respect to one another and/or the pressure chamber  112 . In various embodiments, fluid enters the pressure chamber  112  via the inlet passage  116 , for example on an up stroke of the plunger rod  106 , and is driven out of the pressure chamber  112  via the outlet passage  118 , for example on a down stroke of the plunger rod  106 . 
     Respective valve assemblies  120 ,  122  are arranged within the inlet passage  116  and the outlet passage  118 . These valve assemblies  120 ,  122  are spring loaded in the illustrated embodiment, but it should be appreciated that such an arrangement is for illustrative purposes only. In operation, a differential pressure may drive movement of the valve assemblies. For example, as the plunger rod  106  is on the upstroke, pressure at the inlet passage  116  may overcome the spring force of the valve assembly  120 , thereby driving fluid into the pressure chamber  112 . However, on the down stroke, the valve assembly  120  may be driven to a closed position, while the spring force of the valve assembly  122  is overcome, thereby enabling the fluid to exit via the outlet passage  118 . 
     As will be described in detail below, the valve assemblies  120 ,  122  may include a valve seat face, which may include a strike face. The strike face may contact a sealing face of a valve member as the valve member transitions between an open position and a closed position. Due to the nature of the working fluid (e.g., corrosive and filled with particulates), wear may develop along the strike face, thereby reducing its sealing effectiveness. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic cut away view of an embodiment of a valve assembly  200 , such as the valve assemblies  120 ,  122 , which may be utilized with a pump assembly. The illustrated valve assembly  200  includes a valve seat  202  and a valve member  204 . In operation, the valve member  204  reciprocates along a valve axis  206 , which may correspond to the pressure chamber axis  114 , such that the valve member  204  moves into and out of contact with the valve seat  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, particulates  208  have accumulated along the valve seat  202 , for example at a strike face  210  (e.g., contact face). Repeated contact from the valve member  204  may drive the particulates  208  into the strike face  210 , causing scarring or other damage. Additionally, corrosive fluids may contact other portions of the valve seat  202 , in addition to the strike face  210 . Damage to the valve seat  202  may cause the sealing capability of the valve assembly  200  to degrade, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the pump assembly. 
     In various embodiments, guide legs  212  of the valve member  204  may also lead to damage to various portions of the valve seat  202 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the guide legs  212  extend a bore  214  of the valve member  204 . Due to the presence of the corrosive fluid and/or the particulates, damage may occur along the bore  214 , such as scarring. As a result, the pump assembly may be taken out of service for repairs, which may be expensive and also contribute to non-productive time at the well site. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and methods for forming improved valve seats, which may be part of valve assemblies. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a valve seat  300 . The illustrated valve seat  300  may be utilized with a pumping assembly and provide a contact area to engage a valve member in a valve assembly. The illustrated valve seat  300  includes an inner bore  302  that extends from a top region  304  to a bottom region  306 . As noted, the recitations of “top” and “bottom” are for illustrative purposes with respect to the disclosed embodiment, but are not intended to limit the disclosure. For example, the “top” may be installed at a vertically lower position than the “bottom.” 
     In various embodiments, the valve seat  300  includes a first body  308  and a second body  310 . The first and second bodies  308 ,  310  may be integrally formed as a unitary component corresponding to the body portion of the valve seat  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first body  308  includes a first outer diameter  312  and the second body  310  includes a second outer diameter  314 . As illustrated, the first outer diameter  312  is less than the second outer diameter  314 . It should be appreciated that the first outer diameter  312  is being measured from a radially outward region and not from a seal groove  316  formed in the first body  308 . A transition  318  between the first and second body  308 ,  310  includes a notched region  320 . The notched region  320  may be utilized to engage a shoulder formed along a portion of a pressure chamber to secure the valve seat  300  into position. It should be appreciated that the notched region  320  is shown for illustrated purposes only, and that in other embodiments a taper, a bend, or any other transition may be included in place of or in addition to the notched region  320 . 
     The second body  310  includes a strike face  322  extending along a tapered portion  324  of the second body  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tapered portion  324  has a downward slope from the second outer diameter  314  to a valve seat axis  326 . The tapered portion  324  may be described as being constrained to the second body  310 , in that the second body  310  may include the region having the second outer diameter  314 . In other words, the second body  310  may be defined, in certain embodiments, as the portion of the valve seat  300  extending a first axial distance  328 , as opposed to the first body  308  that extends the second axial distance  330  and includes the first outer diameter  312 . 
     The illustrated tapered portion  324  extends circumferentially about the valve seat axis  326  and is arranged at a first angle  332 . It should be appreciated that the first angle  332  may be any reasonable angle and may be particularly selected based on operating conditions. For example, the first angle  332  may be approximately 40 degrees. However, the first angle  332  may be approximately 15 degrees, approximately 20 degrees, approximately 25 degrees, approximately 30 degrees, approximately 35 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, approximately 50 degrees, approximately 55 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, approximately 65 degrees, or any other reasonable angle. Moreover, the first angle  332  may be between approximately 15 degrees and 25 degrees, between approximately 25 degrees and 35 degrees, between approximately 35 degrees and 45 degrees, between approximately 45 degrees and 5 degrees, or any other reasonable range. 
     The strike face  322  forms at least a portion of the tapered portion  324 . In various embodiments, the strike face  322  may be considered to cover substantially all of the tapered portion  324 . However, in other embodiments, the strike face  322  may be defined as including a portion of the tapered portion  324  that corresponds to a contact region with a valve member  204 . This contact region may vary based on the configuration of the valve member. In the illustrated embodiment, an insert  334  is installed along the tapered portion  324  and forms at least a portion of the strike face  322 . As noted above, the insert  334  may be a ceramic or high strength material that is positioned to engage the valve member  204  when the valve member  204  is brought into engagement with the valve seat  300 . 
     The illustrated insert  334  includes a sloped region  336  that is substantially equal to the tapered portion  324 , thereby forming a smooth sloping surface along the valve seat  300 . It should be appreciated that the sloped region  336  may be arranged at a different angle  338  than the angle  332 . For example, the sloped region  336  may be positioned at a steeper angle or shallower angle, thereby providing additional options for adjustment due to expected operating conditions. The insert  334  extends circumferentially about the tapered portion  324  and is positioned within a groove  340  that extends radially outward from the bore  302 . In other words, an inner portion of the grove  340  may be formed, at least in part, by the bore  302  and an outer portion of the groove  340  may be formed, at least in part, by the second body  310 . The groove  340  includes a radial distance  342 , which forms a groove diameter  344  that is less than the first outer diameter  312 . However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the groove diameter  344  may be equal to the first outer diameter  312  or greater than the first outer diameter  312 . In the illustrated embodiment, the groove  340  does not extend to a shoulder  346  of the second body  310 . The shoulder  346  may be utilized to secure the valve seat  300  within the pump assembly. As noted above, while the shoulder  346  is illustrated as a substantially squared-off or straight shoulder, it should be appreciated that other arrangements (e.g., sloped, curved, etc.) may be provided and may be based, at least in part, on the transition  318 . 
     In various embodiments, the insert  334  includes an insert width  348 , which may be substantially equal to the radial distance  342 , and as a result, the insert  334  may not extend into the bore  302 . However, in embodiments, the insert  334  may extend into the bore, for example, when the insert width  348  is greater than the radial distance  342 . The illustrated insert  334  further includes a first height  350  and a second height  352 , the first height  350  being less than the second height  352 , and being connected via a contact surface  354  forming at least a portion of the sloped region  336 . In operation, the valve member will contact at least a portion of the contact surface  354 . However, because the insert  334  is formed from a hard material, such as ceramic, damage will take longer to accumulate, thereby increasing the life of the valve seat  300 . 
     As shown, both a first end  356 , having the first height  350 , and a second end  358 , having the second height  352 , are substantially parallel to the valve seat axis  326 . In other words, the illustrated ends  356 ,  358  are substantially straight with respect to the bore  302 . However, it should be appreciated that such an arrangement is for illustrative purposes only. For example, the first or send ends  356 ,  358  may be sloped. Additionally, the insert  334  is illustrated with a curved end  360  at the second end  358 . Again, the curvature is for illustrative purposes and may be an angle or the like, however, it should be appreciated that the curvature may facilitate transmission of forces. 
     Inclusion of the insert  334  enables improved longevity of the valve seat  300  because the region(s) in contact with the valve member may be formed from stronger and/or harder materials, which may be less susceptible to wear. However, improving the longevity of the strike face  322  may be insufficient if the bore  302  experiences significant damage. In other words, the valve seat  300  may be replaced and/or repaired due to damage at any region, not just the strike face  322 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure include a bore liner  362  extending through at least a portion of the bore  302 . The illustrated bore liner  362  protects the bore  302  from damage, for example, from the guide legs  212 . For example, the bore liner  362  may be formed from a high strength material, such as a wear resistant metallic alloy, or from a polymer material. The illustrated bore liner  362  has a thickness  364 , which may slightly reduce a bore diameter  366 . It should be appreciated that the bore diameter  366  and/or the thickness  364  may be particularly selected such that a liner inner diameter  368  is substantially equal to a prior art bore diameter. 
     The illustrated bore liner  362  extends for an axial length  370  and covers at least a portion of the insert  334 . That is, at least a portion of the first insert height  350  is overlapped by at least a portion of the axial length  370 . It should be appreciated that, in various embodiments, the entirety of the first insert height  350  may be covered by at least a portion of the axial length  370 . However, in other embodiments, less than the entire first insert height  350  may be covered. As a result, the bore liner  362  forms at barrier or separation between the insert  334  and the bore  302 . In embodiments, installation of the bore liner  362  prior to the insert  334  may facilitate locating and placement of the insert  334 . In order words, the insert  334 , in embodiments, does not form a portion of the bore  302 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a valve assembly  400  including the valve seat  300  having the insert  334  and the bore liner  362 . In the illustrated embodiment, the valve member  204  is positioned within the bore  302  and is arranged to reciprocate between an open position (illustrated) and a closed position (not illustrated). In the closed position, the valve member  204  contacts the strike face  322  of the valve seat  300 , for example, at the insert  334 . Because the insert  334  is formed from a strong, wear resistant material, repeated contact may have a reduced impact and lead to a longer life for the valve seat  300 . Moreover, as noted above, reciprocation may cause contact between the guide legs  212  and the bore liner  362 . However, due to the strength of the bore liner  362 , wear along the bore  302  is reduced, which also improves the life of the valve seat  300 . 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a portion of the second body  310  including the insert  334  arranged within the groove  340 . The illustrated groove  340  includes a curved portion that receives the curved end  360  of the insert  334 . The insert  334  also includes a second curved end  500  at the first end  346 . As a result, there is a gap  502  between the curved end  500  and the bore liner  362 . The gap  502  may facilitate expansion of the materials, for example, due to pressure and temperature. 
     As previously noted, at least a portion of the bore liner  362  may overlap at least a portion of the insert  334 . In the illustrated embodiment, the entire first insert height  350  is covered by the bore liner  362 . It should be appreciated, as noted above, that the bore liner  362  may not overlap the entire insert  334 . However, in various embodiments, at least a portion of the bore liner  362  overlaps at least a portion of the insert  334  to form a barrier between the insert  334  and the bore  302 . 
     The bore liner  362  includes a sloped top  504 , arranged at an angle  506 , that substantially conforms to the insert angle  338 . It should be appreciated that the sloped top  504  may be omitted in other embodiments. That is, the top may be substantially planar. The illustrated portion of the tapered portion  324  is substantially constant. In other words, the angles  332 ,  338 ,  506  are substantially equal, thereby forming a smooth transition along the tapered portion  324 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a valve assembly  600  including the valve seat  300  having the insert  334  and the bore liner  362 . The illustrated embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  in that the bore liner  362  includes guides  602  for the guide legs  212 . For example, the guides  602  include a recessed portion  604  extending into the liner thickness  364  to receive the legs  212 . As a result, rotation of the valve member may be reduced or eliminated due to the fixed location within the guides  602 . In various embodiments, the material within the guides  602  may also be different from the material of the remainder of the bore liner  362 , due to the concentration of the guide leg movement. For example, the material within the guides  602  may be formed from a high strength or resilient material, which may have increased costs, compared to other portions of the bore line  362 . The illustrated guides  602  may extend for the entire axial length  370  of the bore liner  362  or along only a portion of the bore liner  362 . As a result, the bore  302  may be protected from wear due to the reciprocating movement of the valve member  204 . 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a portion of the second body  310  including the insert  334  arranged within the groove  340 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bore liner  362  extends to cover the first insert height  350 . Moreover, the insert  334  includes a slot  700  for receiving an extension  702  of the bore liner  362 . As shown, the extension  702  is positioned within the slot  700  and is arranged at an angle  704 , which substantially conforms to the insert angle  338 , thereby forming the smooth sloped profile of the tapered portion  324 . It should be appreciated that, in various embodiments, an extension length  706  may be particularly selected. For example, the extension  702  may be designed to extend onto the strike face  322  such that the extension  702  is contacted by the valve member  204 . However, in other embodiments, the extension  702  may be positioned such that it does not extend to the strike face  322 . Moreover, the extension  702  may not be a continuous, circumferential piece, but rather, there may be gaps between a plurality of extensions  702 , such that the extensions  702  extend outward like petals or fingers. In various embodiments, the extension  702  may facilitate securing the bore liner  362  to the bore  302  and/or the insert  334 . As will be described, the bore liner  362  can be press fit, bonded, or metallurgically fused to the valve seat. 
     As noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward incorporating harder and/or stronger materials into valve seats in order to improve effective life. For example, traditional valve seats may be formed by an alloy steel. Repeated contact with a valve member, which may lead to wear and erosion, especially when utilized with environments with corrosive fluids and/or particulates in the fluid. Embodiments of the present disclosure incorporate high strength materials, such as ceramic materials, resistant steels, or polymers, into the valve seats at areas where contact is made with the valve member. These materials may be incorporated in a variety of ways, such as bonding, press fitting, sintering, or a combination thereof. As a result, a majority of the valve seat may be formed from cheaper materials, such as alloy steels, with more expensive materials being focused at the areas of contact. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method  800  for forming a valve seat. It should be appreciated that the method may include additional or fewer steps. Additionally, the steps may be performed in a different order or in parallel. This example begins with providing a valve seat  802 . For example, the valve seat may be a forged or machined part that is manufactured to one or more specifications, such as specifications for a particular pump. A groove is then formed in the vale seat  804 . The groove may be formed to receive the insert, as described above. It should be appreciated that the valve seat may be provided with the groove. For example, in embodiments where the valve seat is cast, the groove may be part of the casting. The insert is then arranged within the groove  806  and secured to the valve seat  808 . For example, the groove may be particularly formed to receive the insert (e.g., matching dimensions). Securing the insert may include a variety of different manufacturing processes such as press fitting, bonding, or metallurgically fusing the insert to the valve seat. As a result, the valve seat may include an improved strike face. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be directed toward providing strengthening and protection to the valve bore. For example, a bore liner may be installed within the bore of the valve seat  810 . In embodiments, the bore liner is substantially cylindrical, like the bore. Moreover, the bore liner may be sized to engage the bore. For example, the bore liner may have an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the bore. Thereafter, the bore liner may be secured to the valve bore  812 . As noted above, the bore liner may be press fit, bonded, or metallurgically fused to the bore. Additionally, in embodiments, the bore liner may be mechanically coupled to the insert. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a valve seat having protective surfaces arranged along the bore and the strike face. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the disclosed embodiments is illustrative and explanatory of the embodiments of the disclosure. Various changes in the details of the illustrated embodiments can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.