A device for protecting an electric pump against overpressures, which comprises a main body which forms a cavity with an axis of extension which is substantially parallel to an axis of extension of the main body and a flow control element which can slide in the cavity along the axis of extension of the cavity between a closed position, in which the flow control element affects an inlet of the cavity which can be connected fluidically to a delivery port of an electric pump, and an open position, in which the flow control element clears at least partially the inlet so as to place it in fluidic connection with an outlet of said cavity, elastic means designed to push the flow control element in response to the pressure that is present in the delivery port.

A pumping unit operable to pump water has a longitudinal pumping unit axis. A pump shaft engages shaft bearings in a pump shaft housing. A drain conduit includes a drain conduit inlet segment, a drain conduit ascending segment, and a drain conduit terminal segment. The drain conduit inlet segment has a longitudinal drain conduit axis disposed at an obtuse angle to the longitudinal pumping unit axis. The drain conduit ascending segment is disposed at an obtuse angle to the drain conduit inlet segment. The drain conduit terminal segment is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the drain conduit ascending segment and is disposed at a level above the shaft bearing. Accordingly, backflow water flowing through the drain conduit terminal segment, the drain conduit ascending segment and the drain conduit inlet segment, respectively, flows into the pump shaft housing to contact and cool the shaft bearing.

Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.

Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.

A compressor device includes a housing with a cavity. The compressor device includes a rotating group supported for rotation within the housing. The rotating group includes a shaft that supports a compressor wheel proximate a first end of the shaft. A second end of the shaft extends away from the compressor wheel through the cavity of the housing. The compressor device further includes a moisture evacuation system configured to remove airborne moisture from the compressor device. The moisture evacuation system includes a shaft passage extending through the second end of the shaft and a housing passage extending through an outer wall of the housing. The shaft passage is fluidly connected to the cavity. The housing passage is fluidly connected to the shaft passage. The moisture evacuation system is configured to direct the airborne moisture from the cavity, through the shaft passage, and out of the housing via the housing passage.

A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine includes a fluid flow control device at the outlet side of the pump that regulates pressure conditions at the outlet side of the pump upstream of the lubrication circuit in the engine. The fluid flow control device includes a chamber that is opened in response a fluid pressure exceeding a threshold to allow the fluid to pass from the outlet side of the pump back to the inlet side of the pump. The fluid flow control device also includes at least one elongated aperture in communication with the chamber for receiving fluid fed from the chamber and allowing the fluid in the chamber to flow to the inlet side of the pump.

A centrifugal pump (7), with one or more pumping stages, includes a pressure controlled valve (15) inside the pump (7) for supporting self-priming, the pressure controlled valve (15). The pressure controlled valve (15) includes a pretensioned leaf spring (17) and a valve seat (18). The leaf spring (17) has an opened position and a closed position. In the open position the leaf spring (17) is distanced from the valve seat (18). In the closed position the leaf spring (17) closes the valve seat (18). The leaf spring (17) and valve seat (18) are arranged for soft closing.

A fluid pump includes a housing; an inlet passage; an outlet conduit; a pumping element within the housing; and a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly includes a valve stem within the outlet conduit such that a flow path is created radially between the outlet conduit and the valve stem, the valve stem moving along a check valve assembly axis between a closed position and an open position. The flow path includes a first restriction which increases velocity of fluid passing through the flow path; a first expansion, downstream of the first restriction, which decreases velocity of fluid passing through the flow path; a second restriction, downstream of the first expansion, which increases velocity of fluid passing through the flow path; and a second expansion, downstream of the second restriction, which decreases velocity of fluid passing through the flow path.

Aspects of the invention generally provide a heat engine system and a method for activating a turbopump within the heat engine system during a start-up process. The heat engine system utilizes a working fluid circulated within a working fluid circuit for capturing thermal energy. In one exemplary aspect, a start-up process for a turbopump in the heat engine system is provided such that the turbopump achieves self-sustained operation in a supercritical Rankine cycle. Bypass and check valves of a start pump and the turbopump, a drive turbine throttle valve, and other valves, lines, or pumps within the working fluid circuit are controlled during the turbopump start-up process. A process control system may utilize advanced control techniques of the control sequence to provide a successful start-up process of the turbopump without over pressurizing the working fluid circuit or damaging the turbopump via low bearing pressure.

A Y-tool is configured for use with a pumping system that includes an electric submersible pump and bypass tubing. The Y-tool includes a slave valve assembly that controls access to the bypass tubing. The Y-tool also includes a master valve assembly driven by pressure from the electric submersible pump and a linkage assembly connected between the master valve assembly and the slave valve assembly.