Abstract: A seal cartridge assembly for installing the elements of a mechanical sealing arrangement in a rotodynamic pump provides, as part of the seal cartridge, a shaft sleeve that supports certain of the non-rotating elements of the sealing arrangement, and facilitates placement of the sealing elements by providing shearable pin elements.

Abstract: Improvements in the operation and maintenance of non-clogging pumps are provided which increase pump efficiencies through improved impeller design and vacuum assembly design, and which increase seal lubrication efficiencies through improved seal lubricant reservoir system design.

Abstract: A check valve of the flapper type structured for use in a self-primer pump is structured for attachment to the pump casing in a manner that facilitates servicing of the check valve, and includes securement means that are positioned external to the casing and a flapper that is located through an opening of the casing in a manner that enables the servicing of the valve without dropping the flapper or the hardware into the interior of the pump.

Abstract: A check valve of the flapper type structured for use in a self-primer pump is structured for attachment to the pump casing in a manner that facilitates servicing of the check valve, and includes securement means that are positioned external to the casing and a flapper that is located through an opening of the casing in a manner that enables the servicing of the valve without dropping the flapper or the hardware into the interior of the pump.

Abstract: A cutting ring element for a centrifugal pump of the chopper type comprises a ring-like structure having at least one cutting member positioned along the ring-like structure and extending outwardly therefrom. The cutting ring element is structured to be positioned adjacent the drive side of an impeller having cutting structures associated with the drive side of the impeller which interact with the cutting ring element to chop and reduce the size of entrained solids in a pumped fluid, or slurry, to prevent such solids from infiltrating behind the impeller.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: A pump impeller for use in industrial pumps of the centrifugal type is disclosed in which the vanes of the pump impeller are particularly configured to maintain pumping efficiency as the vane wears over continuous use or operation of the pump. The impeller vane is configured to continuously present an aggressive cutting surface at the leading edge of the vane even though the vane may become degraded and worn through continuous use.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the chopper type is disclosed which is structured with a chopper plate and impeller that are configured with an open eye or “hubless” arrangement such that processing of solids through the pump does not result in clogging of solids at or near the center of the impeller, thereby producing a dead zone. Because the configuration of the chopper pump of the present invention avoids the development of a central dead zone or clogging of solids, and provides for flow of solids and fluid through the eye of the impeller, pump efficiencies are markedly improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allocating the resources of an organization in order to optimize the effects of that allocation on the quality of the organization, where the quality is viewed from a customer's perspective. The method includes the steps of acquiring the information required to construct a model of the organization's primary processes as viewed from the perspective of a customer. This information includes customer specific information such as customer inputs to the organization, customer outputs from the organization, and performance measures used by a customer to assess the quality of the outputs of the organization. Organization specific information such as the functional departments or units of the organization, and the inputs and outputs of each unit is also acquired.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allocating the resources of an organization. The method includes the steps of acquiring the information required to construct a model of the organization's primary processes as viewed from the perspective of a customer. This information includes customer specific information such as customer inputs to the organization, customer outputs from the organization, and performance measures used by a customer to assess the quality of the outputs of the organization. Organization specific information such as the functional departments or units of the organization, and the inputs and outputs of each unit is also acquired. A model of the organization identifying the primary macro processes which a customer perceives to occur within the organization when that organization responds to a customer initiated input by producing a desired output is then constructed.

Abstract: An insert is provided for attachment to the inlet or nose of a pitot tube to withstand the wear and damage imposed on the inlet of the pitot tube by high velocity and high pressure fluid moving through the rotary casing and into the pitot tube. The insert reduces the amount of damage normally done to the pitot tube under normal operating conditions thereby extending the life of the pitot tube. When worn or damaged, only the insert needs to be replaced rather than the entire pitot tube as is done in conventional systems. The insert permits the machining of the insert to meet the specifications of a particular application, thereby providing the ability to control pump performance over a wider range of operational conditions.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the pitot tube type is structured with axially stabilizing elements which assist in stabilizing the pitot tube assembly of the pump during high pressure operating conditions. The axially stabilizing elements include at least one seat member positionable to register against the discharge tube of the pitot tube assembly to keep the discharge tube in axial alignment and in a selected tension. The pitot pump may also include a pressure relief channel positioned to accommodate increased pressures which may arise from an o-ring failure in the sealing mechanism of the discharge assembly. The axially stabilizing elements reduce the occurrence of fretting and galling resulting from axial forces exerted on the pitot tube assembly and facilitate simplified construction and assembly of the inlet manifold to a discharge assembly or manifold. The cost of constructing and maintaining the centrifugal pump is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus having particular utility in a submersible electric motor utilized in subterranean wells comprises a tubular housing assembly securable in upwardly projecting, sealed relationship to the motor housing. An extension of the motor shaft projects upwardly through the tubular housing to drive a pump or other subterranean well tool. The upper end of the extension shaft is exposed to well fluids and a first shaft seal is mounted in a seal mounting chamber defined in the upper end of the tubular housing assemblage. Below the seal mounting chamber, the tubular housing assemblage defines a diaphragm chamber. A conduit is provided between the lower portions of the seal mounting chamber and the lower portions of the diaphragm chamber.