Discharge casing insert for pump performance characteristics control

Abstract

Apparatus, e.g., including a pump or rotary device, having a discharge casing and a discharge casing insert. The discharge casing may be configured with a discharge flow pathway for providing a flow of effluent being pumped and discharged, the discharge flow pathway having a discharge flow pathway wall, the discharge casing also configured with a discharge casing insert borehole that passes from an outer surface of the discharge casing through the discharge flow pathway wall. The discharge casing insert may include a discharge casing Venturi plug portion to be received in the discharge casing insert borehole and arranged in the discharge flow pathway, the discharge casing Venturi plug portion configured with a restricted discharge flow pathway for providing a partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

Claims

1. An apparatus that includes a pump, the apparatus comprising: a discharge casing configured with a discharge flow pathway to provide a flow of effluent being pumped and discharged, wherein the discharge flow pathway has a discharge flow pathway wall, and wherein the discharge casing is also configured with a discharge casing insert borehole that passes from an outer surface of the discharge casing through the discharge flow pathway wall and into the discharge casing; and a discharge casing insert that includes a discharge casing Venturi plug portion, wherein the discharge casing insert is arranged from the outer surface of the discharge casing, through the discharge casing borehole in the discharge flow pathway, and into the discharge casing, wherein the discharge casing Venturi plug portion configured with a restricted discharge flow pathway to provide a partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged; wherein the discharge casing insert further includes a flange portion with an opening where the flange portion is coupled to the outer surface of the discharge casing, and wherein the discharge casing further comprises a discharge casing annulus and is further configured with a recess that fits a sealing washer of the discharge casing insert so as to seal the discharge casing when the discharge casing insert is coupled to the discharge casing.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured with a dowel pin bore, and the discharge casing Venturi plug portion comprises a dowel pin configured to be received in the dowel pin bore, so as to configure the restricted discharge flow pathway to provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the discharge flow pathway has a cross-section, and the discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured with a corresponding discharge flow pathway, one part or section of which has a corresponding cross-section that is substantially same as the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, and another part or section of which has a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dowel pin is arranged in the dowel pin bore, so as to restrict some part of a corresponding discharge flow pathway and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dowel pin is configured as a rod, including a solid rod, having a shaft with a reduced diameter that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, so as to restrict some part or section of a corresponding discharge flow pathway and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dowel pin is configured with an orifice having a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, so as to restrict some part or section of a corresponding discharge flow pathway and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the discharge casing insert comprises a set of dowel pins, each dowel pin is configured to be received in the dowel pin bore, and each dowel pin is configured to provide a respective different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, so that performance of the pump may be adjusted based upon selection of which dowel pin is used from the set of dowel pins so as to provide a particular throat area.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: each dowel pin is configured with a respective shaft having a different diameter, a dowel pin having a larger diameter causes a larger partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and a dowel pin having a smaller diameter causes a smaller partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: each dowel pin is configured with a respective orifice having a respective diameter that causes a respective partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and the set of dowel pins comprises a first dowel pin having a first orifice with a first diameter that causes a first partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and comprises a second dowel pin having a second orifice with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter and that causes a different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured with an orifice that is drilled or integrally formed therein, to provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged from the discharge casing.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the orifice is configured or formed with a portion thereof having a reduced cross-section that is less than a cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, so as to restrict some part or section of the corresponding discharge flow pathway and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the orifice is configured, shaped or formed with a portion having a reduced cross-section that is less than a cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, and an expanding conical portion having a cross-section that is less than, same as, or larger than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the orifice is configured, shaped or formed with: an expanding portion having a cross-section that is less than, substantially same as or larger than a cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, a portion having a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway, and an expanding conical portion having a cross-section that is less than, same as, or larger than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: the apparatus comprises a set of discharge casing inserts, each discharge casing insert has a respective discharge casing Venturi plug portion, each discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured to be received in the discharge casing insert borehole, and each discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured to provide a different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, so that performance of the pump may be adjusted based upon selection of which discharge casing Venturi plug portion is used from the set so as to provide a particular throat area.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: each discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured with a respective orifice having a respective diameter that causes a respective partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and the set of discharge casing inserts comprises a first discharge casing Venturi plug portion having a first orifice with a first diameter that causes a first partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and comprises a second discharge casing Venturi plug portion having a second orifice with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter and that causes a different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge casing insert is configured to be removable and replaceable.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the discharge casing insert borehole is configured with threads, and the discharge casing Venturi plug portion is configured with corresponding threads, so that the discharge casing insert can be screwed into the discharge casing so as to be removable and replaceable.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restricted discharge flow pathway is configured with a geometry that includes either a round shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shaped, or an oval shape, which affects pump performance.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the restricted discharge flow pathway of the discharge casing Venturi plug portion comprises: an inlet having a cross-section that is the same size as or larger than a cross-section of the discharge flow pathway; an outlet having a cross-section that is the same size as or larger than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway; and at least one section of the restricted discharge flow pathway of the discharge casing Venturi plug portion has a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The drawing, not necessarily drawn to scale, includes the following Figures:

(2) FIG. 1 includes FIGS. 1A and 1B, where FIG. 1A is a diagram of a discharge casing having a discharge casing borehole, and FIG. 1B is a diagram of a discharge casing having a discharge casing insert arranged in the discharge casing borehole shown in FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 includes FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, where FIG. 2A is a diagram of a side view of a discharge casing insert looking through the discharge flow pathway of the discharge casing insert; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view along lines A-A of the discharge casing insert shown in FIG. 2A; FIG. 2C is a diagram of a pin dowel that forms part of the discharge casing insert shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B; and FIG. 2D is a diagram of a bottom view of the discharge casing insert shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 includes FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, where FIG. 3A is a diagram of a side view of a discharge casing insert looking through the discharge flow pathway of the discharge casing insert; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along lines A-A of the discharge casing insert shown in FIG. 3A; FIG. 3C is a diagram of a pin dowel that forms part of the discharge casing insert shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B; and FIG. 3D is a diagram of a top view of the discharge casing insert shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

(5) FIG. 4 includes FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, where FIG. 4A is a diagram of a side view of a discharge casing insert; FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along lines A-A of the discharge casing insert shown in FIG. 4A; and FIG. 4C is a diagram of a top view of the discharge casing insert shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

(6) FIG. 5 includes FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, where FIG. 5A is a diagram of a side view of a discharge casing insert; FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view along lines A-A of the discharge casing insert shown in FIG. 5A; and FIG. 5C is a diagram of a top view of the discharge casing insert shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

(7) FIG. 6 includes FIGS. 6A and 6B, where FIG. 6A is graph of a data comparison of sample test data for two venturi sizes, one for a Venturi insert casing, and the other for a standard drilled casing, based upon total head (Ft), flow (GPM) and efficiency (%); and where FIG. 6B is also graph of a data comparison of sample test data for two venturi sizes, one for a Venturi insert casing, and the other for a standard drilled casing, based upon total head (Ft), flow (GPM) and efficiency (%).

(8) Not every reference numeral is included in every Figure, e.g., so as to reduce clutter in the drawing as a whole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1: The Basic Apparatus 10

(9) According to some embodiments, the present invention may take the form of apparatus, e.g., including a pump or rotary device, having a discharge casing part shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and generally indicated as 10, that features a discharge casing 12 in combination with a discharge casing insert 14 (see FIGS. 1B, 2 and 3), 140 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The discharge casing 12 may include a discharge casing annulus 12a. FIG. 1A shows the discharge casing 12 without the discharge casing insert 14, while FIG. 1B shows the discharge casing 12 with the discharge casing insert 14 configured therein.

(10) The discharge casing 12 may be configured with a discharge flow pathway 12b for providing a flow of effluent being pumped and discharged. The discharge flow pathway 12b may have a discharge flow pathway wall 12c, and is shown with a discharge axis A. The discharge casing 12 may also be configured with a discharge casing insert borehole or orifice 12d that passes from an outer surface 12e of the discharge casing 12 through the discharge flow pathway wall 12c.

(11) The discharge casing insert 14, 140 may include, or be configured with, a discharge casing Venturi plug portion generally indicated as 14a (see FIGS. 1B, 2 and 3), 140a (FIGS. 4 and 5) to be received in the discharge casing insert borehole 12d and arranged at least in part in the discharge flow pathway 12b, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIG. 1B. The discharge casing Venturi plug portion 14a, 140a may be configured with a restricted discharge flow pathway, e.g., which is generally indicated as 14a′ and 14a″ (see FIGS. 2A, 3A, 3B), 140a′ and 140a″ (see FIGS. 4B and 5B), for providing a partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged from the discharge casing 12.

(12) FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of the present that is consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, where the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 14a includes a dowel pin 14b. 14b′, 14b″ configured therein, e.g., for providing the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged from the discharge casing 12. In FIG. 1B, the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 14a may be configured with a corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c (or 140c in FIGS. 4 and 5), e.g., having a part or section with a cross-section that may be substantially the same as the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, and some part or section of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c configured with a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, as set forth herein. Consistent with that shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, outer parts or sections of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c have the cross-section that is substantially the same as the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, and an intermediate or middle part or section of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c may be configured with the reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, as set forth herein.

(13) In comparison, FIGS. 4 and 5 show embodiments of the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a having an inlet, opening or orifice configured or integrally formed therein, e.g., for providing the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged from the discharge casing. Consistent with that shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B, the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a may be configured with one or more parts or sections of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 140c having a cross-section that is substantially the same as the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, and some part or section of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 140c configured with a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, as set forth herein.

(14) By way of example, the discharge casing insert borehole or orifice 12d may be configured along the discharge flow pathway 12b in a position or location as shown in FIG. 1 for receiving the discharge casing insert 14. However, the scope of the invention is intended to include, and embodiments are envisioned in which, the discharge casing insert borehole or orifice 12d and the discharge casing insert 14 being configured at a different position or location along the discharge flow pathway 12b. In effect, the scope of the invention is intended to include the discharge casing insert borehole or orifice 12d and the discharge casing insert 14 being positioned or located anywhere in or along the discharge flow pathway 12b within the spirit of the present invention. In other words, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular position or location of the discharge casing insert borehole or orifice 12d and the discharge casing insert 14 in or along the discharge flow pathway 12b.

(15) In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the discharge casing 12 is understood to include other parts and components, as a person skilled in the art would appreciate, e.g., that do not necessarily form part of the underlying invention and are not described in further detail.

FIGS. 2-3: Dowel Pin Arrangements

(16) In FIGS. 2-3, the discharge casing insert 14 may include, or take the form of, the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 14a configured with a dowel pin bore 14d, e.g., that may be axially drilled into its far end, to receive the dowel pin 14b′, 14b″, so as to configure the restricted discharge flow pathway 14a′ (FIG. 2A), 14a″ (FIG. 3A) to provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged. In FIGS. 2A, 3A and 3B, the arrows and reference labels 14a′, 14a″ point to the restricted discharge flow pathway, for providing the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged from the discharge casing.

(17) In FIG. 2, the dowel pin 14b′ may be arranged in the dowel pin bore 14d, so as to restrict some part (e.g., an intermediate or middle part) of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged. In some embodiments, the dowel pin 14b′ may be configured as a rod (e.g., a solid rod) having a shaft with a reduced diameter that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, so as to restrict some part of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged. (By way of example, embodiments are envisioned, wherein some portion of shaft may be configured with the reduced diameter, and other portions of the shaft may have a different diameter, e.g., a larger diameter.)

(18) In FIG. 3, alternatively the dowel pin 14b″ may be configured or formed with an orifice (or opening) 14d′ having a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, so as to restrict some part of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 14c and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

(19) The discharge casing insert 14 may include a set of dowel pins 14b′, 14b″, where each dowel pin may be configured to be received in the dowel pin bore 14d, and where each dowel pin may also be configured to provide a different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, so that performance of the pump may be adjusted based upon the selection of which dowel pin is used from the set of dowel pins so as to provide a desired throat area.

(20) In some embodiments, each dowel pin 14b′ may be configured with a respective shaft having a different diameter, where a dowel pin having a larger diameter causes a larger partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and where a corresponding dowel pin having a smaller diameter causes a smaller partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

(21) Alternatively, each dowel pin 14b″ may be configured with a respective orifice having a respective diameter that causes a respective partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged. By way of example, the set of dowel pins may include a first dowel pin having a first orifice with a first diameter that causes a first partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and may include a second dowel pin having a second orifice with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter and that causes a different-sized partial obstruction than the first partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

(22) The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular diameter(s) of the shaft or the orifice of the dowel pin.

(23) FIGS. 4-5: Integrally Formed Restricted Inlet/Opening Arrangements

(24) In FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge casing insert 140 may include, or take the form of, the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a configured with an inlet/opening 140d′, 140d″ that may be drilled or integrally formed therein, e.g., for providing the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged from the discharge casing.

(25) By way of example, the inlet/opening 140d′, 140d″ may be configured or formed having a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, so as to restrict some part of the corresponding discharge flow pathway 140c and provide the partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

(26) In FIG. 4, the orifice 140d′ may be configured, shaped or formed with an inlet portion 140d′(in) having a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, and with an expanding conical portion 140d′(out) having a cross-section that may be less than, substantially the same as, or larger than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b. Embodiments are also envisioned, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the inlet portion 140d′(in) and the expanding conical portion 140d′(out), e.g. being reversed so the fluid flows in the opposite direction.

(27) In FIG. 5, the orifice 140d″ may be configured, shaped or formed with a first expanding portion 140d″(in) that may have a cross-section that is the same or larger than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, with an inlet portion 140d″(restricted) having a reduced cross-section that is less than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b, and also with a second expanding conical portion 140d″(out) having a cross-section that may be less than, substantially the same as, or larger than the cross-section of the discharge flow pathway 12b.

(28) Consistent with that set forth above, the apparatus 10 may include a set of discharge casing inserts 140, each discharge casing insert 140 having a respective Venturi plug portion 140a, where each discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a″ may be configured to be received in the discharge casing borehole 12d, and where each discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a may also be configured to provide a different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, so that performance of the pump may be adjusted based upon the selection of which discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a is used from the set so as to provide a desired throat area.

(29) In some embodiments, each discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a may be configured with a respective orifice having a respective different diameter that causes a respective partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged. For example, the set of discharge casing inserts may include a first discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a having a first diameter orifice that causes a first partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged, and may also include a second discharge casing Venturi plug portion 140a having a second orifice with a second diameter that is different from the first diameter and that causes a different-sized partial obstruction in the discharge flow pathway 12b and the flow of the effluent being pumped and discharged.

(30) The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the diameter of the orifice.

Other Features

(31) The discharge casing insert 14, 140 may include a flange portion 14e, 140e′, 140e″ for assembling the discharge casing insert 14, 140 to the discharge casing 12, including where the flange portion 14e, 140e, 140e″ is configured with multiple drilled openings 14e1, 14e2, 14e3, 14e4, 14e5, 14e6, 14e′1, 140e′1, 14e′2, 140e″1, 140e″2, e.g., some of which may be configured to inserting or removing the discharge casing insert 14 to and from the discharge casing 12.

(32) The discharge casing insert 14, 140 may be configured to be removable and replaceable. For example, the discharge casing insert borehole 12d may be configured with threads (not shown); and the discharge casing Venturi plug portion 14a, 140a may be configured with corresponding threads (not shown), so that the discharge casing insert 14, 140 can be screwed into, or screwed out from, the discharge casing 12 so as to be removable and replaceable as needed.

(33) The discharge casing 12 may be configured with a recess 12f; and the discharge casing insert 14, 140 may include a sealing washer 14g configured to be received in the recess 12f of the discharge casing 12 to seal the discharge casing 12 when the discharge casing insert 14, 140 is screwed into the discharge casing 12.

(34) The restricted discharge flow pathway 14a′, 14a″, 140a′, 140a″ may be configured with a geometry that may include, but is not limited to, either a round shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shaped, or an oval shape, which effects pump performance. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to shape of the restricted discharge flow pathway, and is intended to include other types or kinds of shapes that are now known or later developed in the future.

(35) The apparatus 10 may include the pump.

Possible Applications

(36) Possible applications include at least the following:

(37) Venturi-style pumps or pumps with relatively low specific needs, e.g., including pumps having Ns< or =1,000 (US Units)

(38) By way of example, pump types may include OH1, OH2, OH3, OH4, OH6, BB1, BB2 and BB3

The Scope of the Invention

(39) It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawing herein is not drawn to scale.

(40) Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.