TURBINE PUMPS
Embodiments of pumps are disclosed along with systems and methods relating thereto. In an embodiment, the pump includes a casing assembly that includes a central axis, an upstream connector that is configured to engage with a first connector on a fluid line, and a downstream connector that is configured to engage with a second connector on the fluid line. In addition, the pump includes an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly. Further, the pump includes a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller. The driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis.
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUNDFluid pumps may include an impeller that is rotated to pressurize a fluid (e.g., a liquid), Typically the impeller is driven by a motor or other suitable driver. In some circumstances, a pump may be used to pressurize fluid that is corrosive, particularly to metallic materials. In such a service, metallic components of the pump that come into contact with the fluid may experience corrosion, thereby decreasing the lifespan thereof.
SUMMARYSome embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump. in an embodiment, the pump includes a casing assembly that includes a central axis, an upstream connector that is configured to engage with a first connector on a fluid line, and a downstream connector that is configured to engage with a second connector on the fluid line. In addition, the pump includes an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly. Further, the pump includes a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller. The driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis.
Other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a system. In an embodiment, the system includes a first pipe section, a second pipe section, and a pump mounted between the first pipe section and the second pipe section. The pump includes a casing assembly including a central axis. In addition, the pump includes an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly. Further, the pump includes a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller. The driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis to pump fluid from the first pipe section to the second pipe section.
Still other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of pumping a fluid through a fluid line. in an embodiment, the method includes (a) mounting a pump between a pair of pipe sections of the fluid line. The pump includes a casing assembly including a central axis, an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly, and a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller. In addition, the method includes (b) rotating the impeller about the central axis with the driver assembly. Further, the method includes (c) flowing a fluid through the pair of pipe sections and the pump during (b).
Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and characteristics intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical characteristics of the disclosed embodiments in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics and features described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes as the disclosed embodiments. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the principles disclosed herein.
For a detailed description of various exemplary embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection of the two devices, or through an indirect connection that is established via other devices, components, nodes, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the given axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the axis. Further, when used herein (including in the claims), the words “about,” “generally,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like mean within a range of plus or minus 10%.
As previously described, pumps may include an impeller that is driven or rotated by a separate driver or motor. Typically, the motor and/or the pump is supported on separate base or foundation (e.g., a concrete pad). Therefore, the location of pumps within a facility is typically determined by the available floor spacing for the motor foundation. As a result, additional lengths or runs of piping (or other conduit) may be called for to fluidly couple the fluid lines to the potentially distally disposed pump. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include pumps (e.g., turbine pumps) including an integrated motor or driver that are configured to be coupled within and along a fluid line or pipe. Thus, through use of the embodiments disclosed herein, a foundation or base for the pump (or the associated motor) is no longer included, and the arrangement of the pumps within a facility is greatly simplified.
Referring to
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Connectors 106, 108 may be any suitable device or structure for coupling with a corresponding connector or device on fluid line 920 or within pump 800 (see e.g.,
A radially extending downstream facing annular shoulder 109 (“shoulder 109”) is disposed within throughbore 104 such that throughbore 104 includes a first or upstream section 104a extending axially from upstream end 102a to shoulder 109 and second or downstream section 104b extending axially form shoulder 109 to downstream end 102b. Downstream section 104b has a larger inner diameter than upstream section 104a.
Referring specifically to
Connectors 126, 128 may similar to connectors 106, 108, previously described for suction casing 102 (see e.g.,
A radially extending annular projection 136 (“projection 136”) is disposed within throughbore 124 so that throughbore 124 includes a first or upstream section 124a extending axially from upstream end 120a to projection 136 and second or downstream section 124b extending axially from projection 136 to downstream end 120b. Projection 136 defines a first or upstream facing annular shoulder 137 and a second or downstream facing annular shoulder 139. Upstream section 124a has a larger inner diameter than downstream section 124b. Also, a radially extending annular recess 138 is disposed within downstream section 124b of throughbore 124.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, outer housing 204 is a cylindrical member that includes a first or upstream end 204a, a second or downstream end 204b opposite upstream end 204a. In addition, outer housing 204 includes a radially outer cylindrical surface 201 and a radially inner cylindrical surface 203 both extending axially between ends 204a, 204b. In other embodiments, outer housing 204 (or a portion thereof), may be non-cylindrical in shape,
Referring specifically to
Vanes 208 extend generally radially from central hub 206 to radially inner cylindrical surface 203 of outer housing 204. In some embodiments, vanes 208 are circumferentially spaced (e.g., uniformly circumferentially spaced) about axis 805. In addition, all or some of the vanes 208 may be axially spaced from one another along axis 805. In this embodiment, there are total three vanes 208, that are circumferentially spaced approximately 120° from one another about axis 805; however, other numbers and spacing are contemplated for vanes 208 in other embodiments. In addition, each of the vanes 208 of this embodiment extend generally helically (e.g., along a constant or varying helical pitch) about central hub 206 between ends 206a, 206b..
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In some embodiments the generally helical configuration of vanes 208 may vary along the axial direction (e.g., along axis 805, between ends 206a, 206b) and/or along the radial direction (e.g., radially between central hub 206 and radially inner cylindrical surface 203 of outer housing 204). For instance, in some embodiments vanes 208 may have a varying helical pitch along the axial length between ends 206a, 206b. Generally speaking, as the helical pitch increases the vanes 208 axially advance a greater distance along axis 805 for a given amount of angular twist about axis 805. Thus, in some embodiments the helical pitch of vanes 208 at the first end 206a is different from the helical pitch of vanes 208 at second end 206b. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments vanes 208 may have helical pitch which varies as a function of radial position between central hub 206 and radially inner cylindrical surface 203. For example, the helical pitch of vanes 208 may increase and/or decrease when moving radially from the attachment central hub 206 and the radially inner cylindrical surface 203. However, it should be appreciated that other variations of the helical pitch of vanes 208 (as well as other parameters) are contemplated herein.
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In this embodiment driver assembly 300 defines a plurality of windings or coils 304 of conductive wire (e.g., conductive coils or windings, such as cooper, surrounding a ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic core, such as iron) that are disposed or arranged circumferentially about axis 805. Generally speaking, during operations, electrical current may be routed through the conductive coils 304 so as to induce varying magnetic fields. As will be described in more detail below, the induced magnetic fields within driver assembly are configured to drive rotation of impeller assembly 200 about axis 805 within casing assembly 100 during operations.
It should be appreciated that driver assembly 300 may include alternative designs in other embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, windings 304 may be replaced with a plurality of permanent magnets arranged circumferentially around axis 805, or a plurality of electrically conductive members (e.g., aluminum bars) such as might be used within an induction motor.
Referring now to
Cooling coil 420 comprises an elongate tube or conduit that is wrapped (e.g., helically) about radially outer surface 403 of body 402. Cooling coil 420 may comprise any suitable material, and in some embodiments may comprise a conductive material (e.g., a metal) so as to conduct thermal energy away from body 402 during operations. As will be described in more detail below, during operations a cooling fluid (e.g., diverted fluid from fluid line 920, a separate cooling fluid, etc.) is flowed or routed through cooling coil 420 to facilitate convective heat transfer, In this embodiment, cooling coil 420 comprises includes a circular cross-section; however, other cross-sections are contemplated (e.g., elliptical, rectangular, square, etc.).
Body 402 may be constructed from any suitable material, and in sonic embodiments may be made of a material having a high thermal conductivity (e.g., having a coefficient of thermal conductivity above 5-W/m° K). In addition, in sonic embodiments, body 402 may be made from a non-magnetic or possibly a weakly magnetic material (e.g., aluminum, 316 stainless, nickel alloys, alumina filled epoxy, etc.). In some embodiments, there may be intimate contact between cooling coil 420 and radially outer cylindrical surface 403 of body 402 since increased contact areas and compressive forces may increase the heat flow capacity between body 402 and cooling coil 420 during operations. In some embodiments, ridges, fins or other suitable projections may be disposed along body 402 (particularly along radially outer surface 403) to increase the circumferential contact area between each segment of cooling coil 420 and body 402. In addition, in some embodiments, increased contact may be achieved between cooling coil 420 and body 402 by tightly wrapping cooling coil 420 around body 402 and/or by applying an external clamp (not shown) around the perimeter of cooling coil 420.
Referring again to
In this embodiment, when thermal transfer assembly 400 is mounted between casings 102, 120 as described above, radially inner surface 407 of body 402 may contact (or is closely positioned) to driver assembly 300 (particularly coils 304). Thus, as will be described in more detail below, heat which is generated within coils 304 during operations may be transferred (e.g., conducted, radiated, etc.) to body 402 and then further transferred away from pump 800 via cooling coil 420 as noted above.
Referring still to
In this embodiment, outer housing 502 is a cylindrical member that includes a first or upstream end 502a, a second or downstream end 502b opposite upstream end 502a. In addition, outer housing 502 includes a radially outer cylindrical surface 504 and a radially inner cylindrical surface 503 both extending axially between ends 502a, 502b. In other embodiments, outer housing 502 (or a portion thereof), may be non-cylindrical in shape.
Referring still to
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In this embodiment outer housing 502, central hub 506, and vanes 508 are all monolithically formed as a single piece or member (i.e., diffuser 500). Thus, in some embodiments, outer housing 502, central hub 506, and vanes 508 may comprise the same material(s) (e.g., fiberglass). During operations, fluid is flowed over the diffuser 500 (including outer housing 502, central hub 506, and vanes 508) to transition the flow pattern of the fluid from helical or twisting to laminar (or more laminar). Because vanes 508 are monolithically formed with outer housing 502 and central hub 506 as previously described, fluids flowing through diffuser 500 (e.g., between ends 502a, 502b of outer housing 502) are prevented from flowing between outer housing 502 and vanes 508 and between vanes 508 and central hub 506. Accordingly, the fluid is forced to flow over vanes 508 as it flows axially between ends 502a, 502b of housing 502.
Referring again to
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Upstream section 920a and downstream section 920b of fluid line 920 each include a corresponding flow bore 922a and 922b, respectively. When pump 800 is mounted between sections 920a, 920b as described above, flow bore 922a of upstream section 920a is in fluid communication with flow bore 922b of downstream section 920b through the throughbore 104 of suction casing 102, the outer housings 204, 502 of impeller 202 and diffuser 500, respectively, (as well as the central apertures 211, 221 of wear rings 210, 220 on either side of impeller 202), and the throughbore 124 of discharge casing 120. In addition, as shown in
Referring still to
Additionally, during the above described operations, thermal transfer assembly 400 cools driver assembly 300, which may be prone to heating by the electrical current flowing therein, As previously described above, thermal transfer assembly 400 may transfer heat away from driver assembly 300 via body 402 as well as with cooling coil 420, For instance, referring now to
Referring to
In some embodiments, components of turbine pump 800 (e.g., impeller 202, diffuser 500, etc.) may be manufactured out of non-metallic materials (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, aramid fiber) such that the pump 800 may be more effectively utilized to pump corrosive fluids (e.g., such as salt water). Accordingly, an example manufacturing process is described below for manufacturing some or all of the components of pump 800. The manufacturing process described herein is employs a resin transfer molding (RTM) process. During RTM molding, reinforcing fibers, such as fiberglass, are oriented prior to the injection of resin into the mold, thereby increasing the strength of the molded component in the direction of fiber orientation. However, it should be appreciated that the manufacturing process described herein can be applied to other types of molding processes, such as, for example, compression molding. During compression molding, the orientation of the reinforcing fibers is generally less controlled or uncontrolled, thus causing the compression-molded component to have a greater thickness than a like RIM-molded component having a given strength.
Generally speaking, when manufacturing the components (or some of the components) of pump 800, a mold core having a shape that is the inverse of the molded component is disposed inside a mold cavity. In some embodiments, the mold core may comprise a wax. For example, the wax comprising the core may comprise a “Blue Blend” machinable wax, a wax commercially available from “Machinable Wax.com”, Lake Ann, Mich. In some embodiments, the “Blue Blend” wax has a Specific density of approximately 0.035 pounds/cubic inch, a hardness of 50-55 (Shore I) scale), a flash point of 575° F., a softening point of 226° F., a drop melting point of 227° F., and a 5% volumetric shrinkage rate. In addition, in some embodiments, the wax comprising the mold core is carveable.
Referring to
During operations, reinforcing fibers (not shown), such as fiberglass fibers, are oriented along a desired direction, placed along the outer and inner surfaces of mold core 62, and are also inserted along cutouts 64. As best shown in
The injected resin may be any suitable resin, such as, for example a non-corrosive resin (e.g., as a vinyl-ester or epoxy). In some embodiments, the injected and cured resin has a melting point of greater than 350° F., and greater than that of wax mold core 62, such that wax mold core 62 may be melted away without damaging impeller 202. In some embodiments, the resin may heated to facilitate the curing thereof, and thus it may be possible to select a mold curing temperature that concurrently cures and removes mold core 62. For example, 267° F. may provide a suitable curing temperature in some embodiments which may melt away a wax mold core 62 made of Blue Blend wax (e.g., above 227° F.) without melting the cured resin at 350° F.
Any residual wax which may remain on impeller 202 after wax core 62 is melted, may be flushed out of turbine pump 800 during operations, Without being limited to this or any other theory, the residual wax may be soft enough such that it may pass through turbine pump 800 and fluid line 920 during normal operations.
It should be appreciated that both the molded impeller 202 and diffuser 500 are homogeneous one piece solid components when produced by the methods described herein above. More particularly the elements of each component are fabricated as a single integral structure, free of joints in the form of glue, non-molded resin, bolts, fasteners, or other discrete connections. For example, impeller vanes 208 are integrally connected to both outer housing 204 and central hub 206. Likewise, diffuser vanes 508 are integrally connected to outer surface 502 and central hub 506.
In the manner described, embodiments disclosed herein include turbine pumps with integrated motor or drive units (e.g., pump 800), which may allow the pumps to be installed and supported within segments of a fluid line (e.g., fluid line 920). As a result, a separate support base or foundation for the motor or drive unit of the pump may be omitted. In addition, some embodiments of the turbine pumps disclosed herein are constructed (wholly or partially) of non-metallic materials, such that they may be used to pump corrosive fluids (e.g., salt water).
While some embodiments of the pump 800 described above have included a magnet assembly 230 that is separately secured to impeller 202, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, magnet assembly 230 (or portions thereof) are integrated or monolithically formed with impeller 202. For instance, in some embodiments, magnets 240 of magnet assembly 230 may be molded onto and/or within outer housing 204 of impeller 202 during an embodiment of the above described manufacturing process. That is, the magnets 240 may be placed within the mold cavity along with core 62 (see
Having described various devices and methods, specific embodiments can include, but are not limited to:
In a first embodiment, a pump comprises: a casing assembly, wherein the casing assembly includes a central axis and comprises: an upstream connector that is configured to engage with a first connector on a fluid line; and a downstream connector that is configured to engage with a second connector on the fluid line; an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly; and a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller; wherein the driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis.
A second embodiment can include the pump of the first embodiment, wherein the impeller comprises an outer housing, a central hub, and a plurality of vanes engaged with and extending between the central hub and the outer housing.
A third embodiment can include the pump of the second embodiment, wherein the outer housing is cylindrical in shape and includes a radially inner cylindrical surface and a radially outer cylindrical surface, and wherein each of the plurality of vanes is engaged with the radially inner cylindrical surface.
A fourth embodiment can include the pump of the third embodiment, wherein the casing assembly comprises a suction casing and a discharge casing, wherein the suction casing comprises a throughbore that is flush with the radially inner cylindrical surface of the outer housing of the impeller.
A fifth embodiment can include the pump of the third or fourth embodiment, wherein the central hub includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the central hub includes a hemispherical surface.
A sixth embodiment can include the pump of any one of the third to fifth embodiments, comprising a plurality of magnets coupled to the radially outer cylindrical surface of the outer housing of the impeller, wherein the driver assembly is configured to induce a varying magnetic field to rotate the impeller and the plurality of magnets about the central axis.
A seventh embodiment can include the pump of any one of the second to sixth embodiments, wherein the outer housing, the central hub, and the plurality of vanes of the impeller are formed as a monolithic member.
An eighth embodiment can include the pump of the seventh embodiment, wherein the impeller comprises fiberglass.
A ninth embodiment can include the pump of any one of the first to eighth embodiments, further comprising a thermal transfer assembly comprising: a body annularly disposed about the driver assembly; and a cooling coil disposed about the body, wherein the cooling coil comprises an elongate tube that is configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid therethrough.
A tenth embodiment can include the pump of the ninth embodiment, wherein the casing assembly comprises a suction casing and a discharge casing, wherein the body of the thermal transfer assembly is disposed axially between the suction casing and the discharge casing.
In an eleventh embodiment, a system comprises: a first pipe section; a second pipe section; and a pump mounted between the first pipe section and the second pipe section, wherein the pump comprises: a casing assembly including a central axis; an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly; and a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller; wherein the driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis to pump fluid from the first pipe section to the second pipe section.
A twelfth embodiment can include the system of the eleventh embodiment, wherein the impeller comprises: a cylindrical outer housing; a central hub disposed within the outer housing; and a plurality of impeller vanes engaged with and extending between the central hub and the outer housing.
A thirteenth embodiment can include the system of the twelfth embodiment, further comprising: a diffuser disposed within the casing assembly, axially adjacent the impeller, wherein the diffuser is configured to straighten a flow of fluid flowing from the impeller; and wherein the diffuser comprises: a cylindrical outer housing; a central hub disposed within the outer housing of the diffuser; and a plurality of diffuser vanes engaged with and extending between the central hub of the diffuser and the outer housing of the diffuser.
A fourteenth embodiment can include the system of any one of the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments, further comprising a thermal transfer assembly comprising: a body mounted to the casing assembly and disposed annularly about the driver assembly; and a cooling coil disposed about the body, wherein the cooling coil comprises an elongate tube that is configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid therethrough.
A fifteenth embodiment can include the system of the fourteenth embodiment, wherein the cooling coil is fluidly coupled to the first pipe section and the second pipe section.
In a sixteenth embodiment, a method of pumping a fluid through a fluid line comprises: mounting a pump between a pair of pipe sections of the fluid line, wherein the pump comprises: a casing assembly including a central axis; an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly; and a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller; rotating the impeller about the central axis with the driver assembly; and flowing a fluid through the pair of pipe sections and the pump while rotating the impeller.
A seventeenth embodiment can include the method of the sixteenth embodiment, further comprising: straightening a flow of the fluid with a diffuser disposed axially adjacent the impeller.
An eighteenth embodiment can include the method of the sixteenth or seventeenth embodiment, wherein rotating the impeller comprises: inducing a varying magnetic field with the driver assembly; and attracting a plurality of magnets with the varying magnetic field.
A nineteenth embodiment can include the method of any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth embodiments, further comprising: flowing a cooling fluid through a coil that is wrapped about a body of a thermal transfer assembly, wherein the body is mounted to the casing assembly and is disposed annularly about the driver assembly.
A twentieth embodiment can include the method of the nineteenth embodiment, wherein flowing the cooling fluid through the coil comprises: flowing a stream of fluid from a downstream section of the pair of pipe sections to the coil; and flowing the stream of fluid through the coil after; and flowing the stream of fluid from the coil to an upstream section of the pair of pipe section after flowing the stream through the coil.
While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such steps.
Claims
1. A pump comprising:
- a casing assembly, wherein the casing assembly includes a central axis and comprises: an upstream connector that is configured to engage with a first connector on a fluid line; and a downstream connector that is configured to engage with a second connector on the fluid line;
- an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly; and
- a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller; wherein the driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis.
2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the impeller comprises an outer housing, a central hub, and a plurality of vanes engaged with and extending between the central hub and the outer housing.
3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the outer housing, the central hub, and the plurality of vanes of the impeller are formed as a monolithic member.
4. The pump of claim 3, wherein the impeller comprises fiberglass.
5. The pump of claim 2, wherein the outer housing is cylindrical in shape and includes a radially inner cylindrical surface and a radially outer cylindrical surface, and wherein each of the plurality of vanes is engaged with the radially inner cylindrical surface.
6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the casing assembly comprises a suction casing and a discharge casing, wherein the suction casing comprises a throughhore that is flush with the radially inner cylindrical surface of the outer housing of the impeller.
7. The pump of claim 5, wherein the central hub includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the central hub includes a hemispherical surface.
8. The pump of claim 5, comprising a plurality of magnets coupled to the radially outer cylindrical surface of the outer housing of the impeller, wherein the driver assembly is configured to induce a varying magnetic field to rotate the impeller and the plurality of magnets about the central axis.
9. The pump of claim 1, further comprising a thermal transfer assembly comprising:
- a body annularly disposed about the driver assembly; and
- a cooling coil disposed about the body, wherein the cooling coil comprises an elongate tube that is configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid therethrough.
10. The pump of claim 9, wherein the casing assembly comprises a suction casing and a discharge casing, wherein the body of the thermal transfer assembly is disposed axially between the suction casing and the discharge casing.
11. A system, comprising:
- a first pipe section;
- a second pipe section; and
- a pump mounted between the first pipe section and the second pipe section, wherein the pump comprises: a casing assembly including a central axis; an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly; and a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller; wherein the driver assembly is configured to rotate the impeller about the central axis to pump fluid from the first pipe section to the second pipe section.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the impeller comprises:
- a cylindrical outer housing;
- a central hub disposed within the outer housing; and
- a plurality of impeller vanes engaged with and extending between the central hub and the outer housing.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:
- a diffuser disposed within the casing assembly, axially adjacent the impeller, wherein the diffuser is configured to straighten a flow of fluid flowing from the impeller; and
- wherein the diffuser comprises: a cylindrical outer housing; a central hub disposed within the outer housing of the diffuser; and a plurality of diffuser vanes engaged with and extending between the central hub of the diffuser and the outer housing of the diffuser.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a thermal transfer assembly comprising:
- a body mounted to the casing assembly and disposed annularly about the driver assembly; and
- a cooling coil disposed about the body, wherein the cooling coil comprises an elongate tube that is configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid therethrough.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cooling coil is fluidly coupled to the first pipe section and the second pipe section.
16. A method of pumping a fluid through a fluid line, the method comprising:
- mounting a pump between a pair of pipe sections of the fluid line, wherein the pump comprises: a casing assembly including a central axis; an impeller rotatably disposed within the casing assembly; and a driver assembly coupled to the casing assembly and annularly disposed about the impeller;
- rotating the impeller about the central axis with the driver assembly; and
- flowing a fluid through the pair of pipe sections and the pump while rotating the impeller
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- straightening a flow of the fluid with a diffuser disposed axially adjacent the impeller
18. The method of claim 16, wherein rotating the impeller comprises:
- inducing a varying magnetic field with the driver assembly; and
- attracting a plurality of magnets with the varying magnetic field.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- flowing a cooling fluid through a coil that is wrapped about a body of a thermal transfer assembly, wherein the body is mounted to the casing assembly and is disposed annularly about the driver assembly.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein flowing the cooling fluid through the coil comprises:
- flowing a stream of fluid from a downstream section of the pair of pipe sections to the coil; and
- flowing the stream of fluid through the coil after; and
- flowing the stream of fluid from the coil to an upstream section of the pair of pipe section after flowing the stream through the coil.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 17, 2019
Publication Date: Dec 17, 2020
Inventors: Jan STUIVER (De Knipe), Erik BURACHINSKY (Dallas, TX), William PARRY (Dallas, TX), Steve ROSE (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 16/443,034