Patent ID: 8915722

Claim:
A fluid end block useful for providing a plunger-type pump comprising a) a suction bore having an axis and comprising a suction valve chamber; b) a discharge bore having an axis and comprising a discharge valve chamber; c) a plunger bore, wherein at least one of said suction bore and said discharge bore includes a tapered inner wall portion having a length and a continuous taper of any degree in the range of between 2 inches per foot and 2.5 inches per foot; and d) a valve seat having a top and a bottom, disposed within said tapered inner wall, said valve seat having a tapered outer wall, and an overall length, wherein the taper of said tapered outer wall corresponds to the taper of said tapered inner wall sufficiently to enable said seat to reside within said tapered inner wall, the length of said tapered inner wall being greater than the length of said outer wall of said seat, and wherein the entire overall length of said outer wall of said seat resides entirely within said tapered inner wall.