Abstract: A progressing cavity pump system including a rotor and a stator having an inner cavity. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside the inner cavity of the stator such that rotation of the rotor relative to the stator causes material in the inner cavity to be pumped therethrough. The pump system further includes a universal joint directly or indirectly rotationally coupled to the rotor, and a cooling system thermally coupled to the universal joint and configured to cool the universal joint by active heat exchange at a position remote from the universal joint.

Abstract: A progressing cavity pump system including a rotor and a stator having an inner cavity. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside the inner cavity of the stator such that rotation of the rotor relative to the stator causes material in the inner cavity to be pumped therethrough. The pump system further includes a universal joint directly or indirectly rotationally coupled to the rotor, and a cooling system thermally coupled to the universal joint and configured to cool the universal joint by active heat exchange at a position remote from the universal joint.

Abstract: A gear joint with finished surfaces and other enhancements that allows the gear joint to accommodate higher loads. In particular, in one embodiment, the invention is a ball gear system including a ball gear having a spherical surface, a ring gear configured to receive the ball gear therein and be rotationally coupled thereto, and a thrust plate. The thrust plate is configured to be positioned adjacent to the ball gear to take up thrust forces transmitted thereto. The thrust plate has a recess configured to closely receive the spherical surface therein, and the spherical surface has a surface roughness of less than about 10 Ra in microns.

Abstract: A progressing cavity pump system including a feeder assembly including a hopper for receiving material to be pumped therein. The feeder assembly includes an auger housing receiving an auger therein. The auger housing has an underlying portion positioned generally below the hopper and having a radial opening open to the hopper, and an extension portion which is generally radially closed. The extension portion and the underlying portion are of a one-piece, seamless construction. The pump system further includes a progressing cavity pump including a rotor, a stator, an inlet and an outlet. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside the stator such that rotation of the rotor causes material in the pump to be pumped from the inlet toward the outlet, and the inlet is fluidly coupled to the extension portion.

Abstract: A gear joint with finished surfaces and other enhancements that allows the gear joint to accommodate higher loads. In particular, in one embodiment, the invention is a ball gear system including a ball gear having a spherical surface, a ring gear configured to receive the ball gear therein and be rotationally coupled thereto, and a thrust plate. The thrust plate is configured to be positioned adjacent to the ball gear to take up thrust forces transmitted thereto. The thrust plate has a recess configured to closely receive the spherical surface therein, and the spherical surface has a surface roughness of less than about 10 Ra in microns.

Abstract: An apparatus including a pair of substantially parallel shafts. Each shaft has a plurality of axially spaced cutting blades mounted thereon such that each blade forms an oblique angle with respect to a central axis of the associated shaft. Each cutting blade includes a central body having a plurality of teeth radially spaced thereabout. The apparatus further includes a conveying device fluidly coupled to the shafts such that materials cut by the cutting blades are conveyable in a downstream direction by the conveying device.

Abstract: A progressing cavity pump system including a feeder assembly including a hopper for receiving material to be pumped therein. The feeder assembly includes an auger housing receiving an auger therein. The auger housing has an underlying portion positioned generally below the hopper and having a radial opening open to the hopper, and an extension portion which is generally radially closed. The extension portion and the underlying portion are of a one-piece, seamless construction. The pump system further includes a progressing cavity pump including a rotor, a stator, an inlet and an outlet. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside the stator such that rotation of the rotor causes material in the pump to be pumped from the inlet toward the outlet, and the inlet is fluidly coupled to the extension portion.

Abstract: A progressing cavity pump including a rotor and a stator having an inlet and an outlet. The rotor is rotationally disposed inside of the stator such that rotation of the rotor causes fluid in the pump to be pumped from the inlet toward the outlet in a downstream direction. The stator has an inner surface having a first portion made of a first material and a second portion made of a second material, the second portion being located in the downstream direction relative to the first portion.

Abstract: A cutting assembly including a pair of substantially parallel shafts, each shaft having a plurality of axially spaced cutting blades mounted thereon such that each blade forms an oblique angle with respect to a central axis of the associated shaft, wherein each cutting blade includes a central body having a plurality of teeth radially spaced thereabout.