Abstract: A modular rotor assembly for a screw pump including a power rotor and an idler rotor having respective first ends adapted to be disposed in a suction side of the screw pump and respective second ends adapted to be disposed in a discharge side of the screw pump, the power rotor including a balance piston adapted to be disposed within a pump housing of the screw pump with a radial clearance between an entire circumference of the balance piston and the pump housing is in a range between 1 micron and 200 microns, wherein the power rotor is provided with a tapered bearing surface configured to define a wedge-shaped, radial gap axially intermediate the power rotor and the idler rotor.

Abstract: A crescent internal gear pump includes a front cover, an end cover, a ring gear and a pinion gear disposed within a gear housing in an eccentric, intermeshing relationship. The housing is disposed intermediate the front cover and the end cover. A crescent is disposed radially intermediate the ring gear and the pinion gear. The crescent partially extends into a correspondingly shaped slot in the end cover. The gear housing, the ring gear, and the pinion gear can have substantially the same thickness. A shim can be disposed intermediate the end cover and the gear housing for establishing a desired clearance therebetween.

Abstract: An intelligent sea water cooling system including a first fluid cooling loop coupled to a first side of a heat exchanger and to a thermal load, a second fluid cooling loop coupled to a second side of the heat exchanger, a pump for circulating fluid through the second fluid cooling loop, and a controller connected to the pump. The controller may monitor a temperature in the first fluid cooling loop and may adjust a speed of the pump to keep the temperature within a preferred operating range. If the speed of the pump is reduced to a predefined minimum pressure pump speed, the controller may start a timer t1 having a predefined duration. If the timer t1 expires and the temperature has not increased relative to when the timer t1 was started, the controller may reduce the speed of the pump below the minimum pressure pump speed.

Abstract: An intelligent sea water cooling system including a first fluid cooling loop coupled to a heat exchanger, a second fluid cooling loop coupled to the heat exchanger and including a fluid pump for circulating fluid through the second fluid cooling loop, and a controller operatively connected to the fluid pump. The controller may be configured to monitor an actual temperature in the first fluid cooling loop and to adjust a speed of the fluid pump based on the monitored temperature in order to achieve a desired temperature in the first fluid cooling loop.

Abstract: A seawater cooling system adapted to mitigate salt crystallization in a seawater cooling loop. The system may include a pump operatively connected to the cooling loop and configured to pump seawater through the cooling loop, a temperature sensor operatively connected to the cooling loop and configured to monitor a temperature of the seawater in the cooling loop, and a controller operatively connected to the temperature sensor and to the pump, the controller configured to issue a warning and to increase a speed of the pump if it is determined that the monitored temperature of the seawater exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing, a drive shaft, a centrifugal pump portion having an impeller, and a gear pump portion having first and second gears. The impeller and one of the first and second gears are mounted to the drive shaft to drive the centrifugal pump portion and the gear pump portion at the same rotational speed. The gear pump can be a crescent internal gear (CIG) pump. The drive shaft can be rotated by a magnetic drive. The drive shaft can include a longitudinal bore in fluid communication with a cavity in the magnetic drive and with a discharge of the centrifugal pump portion to circulate working fluid through the magnetic drive to cool the drive. An impeller can be coupled to an inlet of the centrifugal pump portion.

Abstract: A pump includes a front plate, a gear plate and a rear plate. A drive shaft has a drive gear, an arbor has a driven gear engaged with the drive gear, and first and second bearings are disposed in the gear plate. The first and second bearings receive the drive shaft and the arbor. The rear plate has drain ports adjacent ends of the drive shaft and the arbor. The arbor has an opening such that media that passes between the first bearing and an outer surface of the arbor is directed to the second drain port via the opening. A drain bushing is positioned against the front plate, and includes an opening for the drive shaft. The drain bushing has a chamber and a radial port. When pumped media passes between the first bearing and the drive shaft it is directed to the chamber and out the radial port.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring and controlling a positive displacement pump using readings obtained from a plurality of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be mounted at the suction, discharge and interstage regions of the pump. Signals from the pressure sensors are compared to obtain a ratio that is used to predict whether a cavitation condition exists within the pump. The ratio can be compared to user provided limits to change an operating characteristic of the pump to reduce predicted cavitation. The pump may be stopped, or pump speed changed, when the ratio is less than a predetermined value. In some embodiments, historical information regarding the ratio may be used to obtain standard deviation information which may then be used to predict whether gas bubbles are passing through the pump. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A fluid pump configured to prevent contact between volatile fluids and a ball bearing of the pump while providing the ball bearing with adequate lubrication. The fluid pump includes a pump casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a rotor set disposed within the pump casing for conveying fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The fluid pump further includes a recirculation chamber located adjacent the fluid outlet for collecting leaked fluid. The leaked fluid may be conveyed from the recirculation chamber back to the fluid inlet due to a pressure differential therebetween. The fluid pump may further include first and second seals that surround a drive shaft of the rotor, the first and second fluid seals defining a lubricant chamber therebetween that houses a ball bearing of the pump and that is filled with a continuously circulated, nonvolatile lubricant.

Abstract: A system for monitoring wear of pump casing liners is disclosed. The system may include a wear sensor disposed in proximity to the pump casing liner so that the sensor wears at substantially the same rate as the lining. The wear sensor may include a plurality of circuit loops having different lengths. As the pump casing liner and the sensor wear during use, the plurality of circuit loops are sequentially breached. A control system monitors the signals from the plurality of circuit loops to develop liner wear information. This information is employed to signal a user when one or more predetermined wear thresholds are exceeded.

Abstract: A self-adjusting gear pump is disclosed. The pump may be a crescent internal gear pump, a gerotor pump, or an external gear pump. The pump includes a pump housing, gear housing, first and second gears, a side plate housing with a side plate, a shim and an end plate. The side plate moves between a first position contacting the first and second gears and gear housing, and a second position contacting the end plate. The side plate is spring biased toward the first position. A method is disclosed for match grinding the crescent plate (if used), gear housing and gears as a unit to provide a uniform surface. The side plate housing and side plate are similarly match ground. An assembly method is disclosed which allows the crescent plate to be moved with respect to the gear housing so that clearances between the crescent and the gear teeth are eliminated.

Abstract: An asymmetrical bearing is disclosed for use in a gear pump. The bearing may have first and second opposing faces, and first and second bores in communication with the first and second opposing faces. The first and second bores may be configured to receive first and second shafts of a gear pump. The bearing may have a first flat side surface and a second curved side surface, where the second curved side surface includes first and second curved portions associated with the first and second bores, respectively. The first and second faces and the first flat side surface may also include a plurality of grooves configured to direct a flow of process fluid over the bearing during operation of the pump. Self-aligning features can be provided on one or more sealing elements to ensure desired alignment of the sealing components during assembly. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling a pump are disclosed. The method defines processing targets, derive a first actuator control signal Yc from the processing targets, and derive actual operating parameters. The method may further include the steps of comparing the actual operating parameters to predefined system and pump limits to determine a second actuator control signal Y?c, comparing the actual operating parameters to predefined fluid limits to determine a third actuator control signal Y?c, comparing the actual operating parameters to predefined normal processing limits to determine a fourth actuator control signal Y??c, and comparing the actual operating parameters to at least one predefined abnormal processing limit to determine a fifth actuator control signal Y??c. The method may further include determining which of the actuator control signals is a most conservative actuator control signal, and driving the pump in accordance with the most conservative actuator control signal.

Abstract: A self-adjusting gear pump is disclosed. The pump may be a crescent internal gear pump, a gerotor pump, or an external gear pump. The pump includes a pump housing, gear housing, first and second gears, a side plate housing with a side plate, a shim and an end plate. The side plate moves between a first position contacting the first and second gears and gear housing, and a second position contacting the end plate. The side plate is spring biased toward the first position. A method is disclosed for match grinding the crescent plate (if used), gear housing and gears as a unit to provide a uniform surface. The side plate housing and side plate are similarly match ground. An assembly method is disclosed which allows the crescent plate to be moved with respect to the gear housing so that clearances between the crescent and the gear teeth are eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operation condition of a wide variety of machinery is disclosed. A plurality of sensors, including temperature sensors and vibration sensors, are coupled to a controller. The controller receives input from the sensors and determines whether the temperature and vibration levels are within acceptable ranges with respect to baseline values. If the temperature and vibration levels fall outside the acceptable ranges, then respective visual indicators alert a user of such a condition. Multiple alarm levels are provided. A mounting arrangement is also provided in which a single threaded fastener can be used to attach the monitor to the machinery. The threaded fastener engages a through-wall metal recess in the monitor to efficiently conduct heat and vibration from the machinery to the temperature and vibration sensors within the monitor. The metal recess also serves to protect the monitor from damage during installation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring and controlling a positive displacement pump using readings obtained from a plurality of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be mounted at the suction, discharge and interstage regions of the pump. Signals from the pressure sensors are compared to obtain a ratio that is used to predict whether a cavitation condition exists within the pump. The ratio can be compared to user provided limits to change an operating characteristic of the pump to reduce predicted cavitation. The pump may be stopped, or pump speed changed, when the ratio is less than a predetermined value. In some embodiments, historical information regarding the ratio may be used to obtain standard deviation information which may then be used to predict whether gas bubbles are passing through the pump. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring wear of pump casing liners is disclosed. The system may include a wear sensor disposed in proximity to the pump casing liner so that the sensor wears at substantially the same rate as the lining. The wear sensor may include a plurality of circuit loops having different lengths. As the pump casing liner and the sensor wear during use, the plurality of circuit loops are sequentially breached. A control system monitors the signals from the plurality of circuit loops to develop liner wear information. This information is employed to signal a user when one or more predetermined wear thresholds are exceeded. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A tilt-steering mechanism for a vehicle including a steering shaft, a steering wheel, universal joint interconnecting the steering shaft and the steering wheel wherein rotation of the steering wheel correspondingly rotates the steering shaft, the universal joint including a yoke defining a cavity therein and a shaft having a first end pivotably supported within the cavity in the yoke, and a locking structure for selectively locking the shaft of the universal joint at a predetermined angle to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A universal joint is provided having a generally cup-shaped yolk. The yolk includes a base and a generally cylindrical wall projecting therefrom. The wall partially defines a cavity in the yolk. A shaft extends a longitudinal axis and has a ball on the first end thereof. The ball is receivable within the cavity and the yolk. Mounting structure is provided for pivotably supporting the ball in the cavity of the yolk.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus 10 for inboard-outboard marine drives having an hydraulic steering cylinder 20 mounted horizontally along the transom 16 at an inboard position centered above and across the drive train 17 and tiller 18, and a rigid linkage 22 between and engaging the distal portion 20D of the cylinder rod 20B and the operator end 18A of the tiller, such linkage extending from the cylinder rod downwardly and from there along and below the cylinder. In one preferred embodiment the cylinder is of the balanced type. In another, the horizontal linkage includes a first end 22A connected to the tiller and an upturned end 22B connected to a vertical drag link adapter 24, which is connected to the distal portion of the cylinder rod, thereby accommodating the possible presence of other apparatus. Yet another preferred embodiment includes a bracket assembly 30 including a transom adaptor member 30A2.