Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a well casing and a method for its use. The apparatus includes: a coupling having first and second ends, the first end constructed and arranged for connection to a drill stem of a drilling rig having vertical and rotational motion and means for pumping liquid therethrough to the coupling, the coupling having a central passageway therethrough connected to the means for pumping liquid; a drill collar tube having first and second ends, the first end of the drill collar tube connected to the second end of the coupling, the drill collar tube having a central passageway therethrough connected to the central passageway of the coupling, an outer surface, a plurality of nozzles disposed between the central passageway and the outer surface, and closure means for closing the second end of the drill collar tube; and a plurality of brushes disposed generally perpendicularly to the outer surface of the drill collar tube.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal pump having an integral pump/orifice plate located at either the pump discharge nozzle or suction nozzle for improved fluid flow measurements through the pump casing, and a process for measuring fluid flow through such a centrifugal pump casing is disclosed wherein the static pressure of a fluid being pumped by the pump is measured at a first point in the inlet or outlet area of the pump and at a second point removed along the nozzle, the pressures are compared to a pre-determined flow constant of the casing.

Abstract: A pump assembly for conventionally driven centrifugal pumps having a rolling element comprised of product lubricated ceramic or hybrid anti-friction bearings. The ceramic bearings are comprised of ceramic balls and ceramic races, whereas the hybrid bearings are comprised of ceramic balls with races made of another material. The ability of these bearings to perform well with poor lubrication allows the fluid that is being pumped to be used to lubricate and cool the bearings. An alternate embodiment comprises a double suction pump with the same durability and cost saving advantages.

Abstract: A volute pump having a suction volute, a discharge volute and an impeller. The volute pump further comprises a wearing ring seated between the interior walls of the suction volute and the impeller. The wearing ring has an accurate extended portion which extends into the passage of the suction volute to prevent flow separation caused by dead zones in the suction passage.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for a submersible motor assembly of a submersible pump assembly comprising first and second bearing members or plates and first and second bearing holders contained within a housing. Each bearing plate is in the form of a disk having a bearing surface, and the first and second bearing plates are disposed between the first and second bearing holders with the bearing surfaces in face-to-face contact. The first bearing holder is in the form of a thrust bearing holder, and the second bearing holder is in the form of a gimbal plate. The first bearing plate is adapted to rotate with a rotor shaft of the submersible pump assembly and to impose a thrust load on the second plate, and the second bearing plate is adapted to remain stationary relative to the rotating first bearing plate. Grooves are defined by one or both of the bearing surfaces to allow fluid from a fluid supply to enter between the bearing surfaces to create a fluid film to lubricate and cool the bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A high pressure centrifugal slurry pump in which the impellers and their associated diffusers are formed of hard chrome iron. A liquid-tight high pressure containment shell surrounds the impellers and diffusers and is radially spaced from them. The resulting space between the array of impellers and diffusers and the containment shell is in fluid communication with the interiors of the impellers and diffusers, preferably through a channel located between the last diffuser of the pump and the end wall at the high pressure end of the pumping chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type adapted to pump high consistency fiber suspensions includes impeller vanes having portions which are immediately adjacent the fiber suspension in the interior of a vessel from which the suspension is to be pumped. The pump additionally includes a sideplate which is mounted directly to the vessel containing the fiber suspension so as to permit the impeller of the pump-to be brought in close proximity to the fiber suspension in the vessel. The sideplate additionally includes elongated portions that extend along the outer contour of the vanes of the impeller to determine the directions from which fiber suspension enters the impeller of the pump.

Abstract: A switch for a liquid level control is activated by a switch actuator with a magnetic portion when the magnetic portion is drawn to a magnetic actuator brought into proximity with the switch actuator when a particular liquid level has been reached. The magnetic actuator and switch are in isolated portions of a unitary housing and may be submersed without detrimental effect to the operation of the level control switch.

Abstract: An interlocking labyrinth sealing assembly for sealing about a rotary shaft. The assembly includes a stator element having a forward extending lip which forms a radially inward extending groove and a rotor element which has a flange which extends outwardly about the lip and includes a downwardly depending rim which extends into the groove to place and maintain the rotor in a desired position relative to the stator so that a labyrinth seal is established between the rotor and stator. The lip of the stator also includes a sloped guiding surface to outwardly deflect the flange of the rotor so that the rim may be positioned within the groove.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type adapted to pump high consistency fiber suspensions includes impeller vanes having portions which are immediately adjacent the fiber suspension in the interior of a vessel from which the suspension is to be pumped. The pump additionally includes a sideplate which is mounted directly to the vessel containing the fiber suspension so as to permit the impeller of the pump to be brought in close proximity to the fiber suspension in the vessel. The sideplate additionally includes elongated portions that extend along the outer contour of the vanes of the impeller to determine the directions from which fiber suspension enters the impeller of the pump.

Abstract: A method for attachment to an overhead crane for removing the bearing assembly from a vertical centrifugal pump system without removing the motor. The apparatus includes a rigid C-shaped frame which is attached by a pulley to an overhead crane and also includes a pivotal attachment on the opposite end of the frame which is removably connected to the bearing assembly. Intermediate and vertically aligned with the ends of the frame is a horizontal displacement control member which is removably connected to the bearing assembly at a point vertically above the pivotal attachment. Horizontal displacement of the horizontal displacement control member will cause a rotating of the bearing assembly about the pivotal attachment allowing clearance and lateral removal of the bearing assembly from the vertical pump system.

Abstract: An assembly for releasably connecting the machine draw rod to a chuck draw rod both of which rotate about an axis, the assembly including a female member having a first end operatively attached to the machine draw rod member and defining a receptacle, the receptacle having at least one locking recess. A male member has a first end operatively attached to the chuck draw rod and includes an insertion portion opposite the first end which is adapted to be inserted into the receptacle. The insertion portion defines at least one detent opening. The male member includes at least one detent ball positioned within one detent opening and which is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position with respect to the locking recess when the insertion portion is inserted into the receptacle. The male member also includes a plunger for moving the detent balls from the unlocked position into the locked position when the plunger is in a forward position.

Abstract: A sealing assembly to seal about a rotary shaft of a vertical pump assembly, the pump assembly including an impeller rotating within a cavity to pressurize a fluid entering the cavity, the sealing assembly including a pump housing and a gas filled enclosed chamber formed within said housing and in communication with the cavity. A liquid filled chamber in communication with the gas filled chamber prevents the escape of gas from the gas filled chamber when the fluid enters the gas filled chamber. A rotary seal inhibits the flow of liquid from the liquid filled chamber into the environment surrounding the housing. The flow of fluid into the gas filled chamber compresses the gas within the gas filled chamber to form a buffer zone to prevent contact between the fluid and the rotary seal.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal for a fluid handling apparatus for pumping fibrous slurries, the fluid handling apparatus comprising an impeller mounted on a rotating shaft disposed in a pump housing, the shaft extending through an aperture extending from the pump housing into an impeller casing forming part of the pump housing. Prime mover means rotate the shaft. A slurry of a dispersed fibrous material in a fluid is disposed in the impeller casing, and a repeller chamber is formed in the pump housing in proximity to the aperture and in communication with the impeller casing. A repeller attached for rotation with the shaft extends into the repeller chamber to force a portion of the fluid in the impeller casing to move in a vortex in a direction away from the aperture. The invention includes means associated with the repeller to apply shear forces to the fluid vortex, and create circulatory flow within the vortex to maintain the dispersion of the fibrous material in the slurry.

Abstract: A flow directing device is provided for a fluid filled seal chamber for a centrifugal fluid pump, wherein the pump includes a seal chamber housing, a rotary shaft extending through the housing, an impeller mounted on one end of the shaft, and a rotary seal mounted about the shaft. The rotary shaft and housing define the seal chamber opening toward the impeller. A plurality of angled vanes radially depend about a circumferential portion of the seal chamber to direct the flow of fluid in the seal chamber along the rotary shaft to remove suspended solids from the rotary seal when the vanes extend in one direction, and to remove vapor bubbles from adjacent the rotary seal when the vanes extend in another direction and are coupled with a bulkhead flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to an overhead crane for removing the bearing assembly from a vertical centrifugal pump system without removing the motor. The apparatus includes a rigid C-shaped frame which is attached by a pulley to an overhead crane and also includes a pivotal attachment on the opposite end of the frame which is removably connected to the bearing assembly. Intermediate and vertically aligned with the ends of the frame is a horizontal displacement control member which is removably connected to the bearing assembly at a point vertically above the pivotal attachment. Horizontal displacement of the horizontal displacement control member will cause a rotating of the bearing assembly about the pivotal attachment allowing clearance and lateral removal of the bearing assembly from the vertical pump system.

Abstract: An improved pump casing and process for measuring fluid flow through a centrifugal pump casing is disclosed wherein the static pressure of a fluid being pumped by said pump is measured at a first point in the pump discharge inlet area of the pump adjacent the flow arm of the pump and at a second point removed along the nozzle, the pressures are compared to a pre-determined flow constant of the casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump particularly adapted for pumping fibrous suspensions from within a reservoir, wherein the pump includes a rotor arranged wholly within the reservoir for cooperation with the bottom wall thereof to effect fluidization of suspension and discharge of the fluidized suspension from the reservoir for passage through the pump, wherein an entrained gas, such as air, is withdrawn from the pump by means of a unique pump-out mechanism disposed rearwardly of a shroud of an impeller of the pump and including pump-out vanes and a repeller shroud cooperating with the impeller shroud and pump-out vanes to define radially opening flow paths, wherein flow openings extend across the impeller shroud for flow communication with the radially opening flow paths. The mechanism may also include repeller vanes carried by the repeller shroud to extend rearwardly of pump-out vanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump of the type adapted for use in pumping multiple phase liquids, i.e. liquids having entrained gas and liquids having both entrained gas and solids. The pump includes means for effecting an initial separation of gas from the liquid, as by centrifugal action, and a final separation by means of a unique pump-out mechanism disposed rearwardly of a shroud of an impeller of the pump and including pump-out vanes and a repeller shroud cooperating with the impeller shroud and pump-out vanes to define radially opening flow paths, wherein flow openings extend across the impeller shroud for flow communication with the radially opening flow paths. The mechanism may also include repeller vanes carried by the repeller shroud to extend rearwardly of pump-out vanes.

Abstract: An improved low specific speed pump is disclosed, which provides for greater consistency of pump operating efficiencies obtainable by pumps of any given group of like size pumps. In the present pump, the internal dimensions of the pump chamber and discharge passage are enlarged to provide for a reduction in flow velocities therewithin compared to a conventional pump of a given design flow capacity and a controlled size restrictor is arranged adjacent the pump discharge in order to reduce the resultant increase in flow capacity to such given design value.