Patent Application
20200025196
This patent application claims priority from United States provisional patent application having application number 62/700,567 filed on Jul. 19, 2018.
Crude oil and other petroleum products and components can be transported using a pipeline, for example, from an oilfield to storage facilities and refineries. A pump may be used to help move the liquids from the oilfields to the pipeline, and through the pipeline to the storage facilities and refineries. Various types of pumps can be used, the types, power and size may be dependent on the type of liquid, distance, characteristics, and/or pipeline size. Existing external gear pumps used for hydraulic applications cannot handle the lower viscosity and reduced lubricating properties of the crude oil, and some other petroleum products, or the typical sand and other particles found in oil wells. Other technologies such as progressing cavity pumps require multiple stages making the pump extremely long, with a large footprint.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One or more techniques and systems are described herein for a pump technology that provides for more effective and efficient transfer of liquids, such as petroleum products and components, to and through pipelines. Such a technology can comprise a type of external gear pump that creates higher flow, resulting in higher pressures in the pipeline, to move the liquids, while providing for longer pump life, simpler and less maintenance, and fewer undesired conditions, with a smaller footprint, in a cost-effective system.
In one implementation, a pump for use in a high-pressure pipeline can comprise a pump bracket. In this implementation, the pump bracket can comprise a bearing housing that is disposed proximate a motor coupling end of the pump. The bearing housing is operably holding a bearing assembly that provides support to a pump driver shaft from axial and radial force applied to the driver shaft under load. The pump bracket can further comprise a seal chamber that is disposed distally from the bearing housing. The seal chamber can hold a selectably removable seal that is fixedly engaged with the driver shaft during operation to mitigate leakage of a pumped fluid from inside a pump housing to outside the pump housing. A drive shaft cavity can be disposed in the bracket, running through the bracket, and configured to operably hold the driver shaft.
In this implementation, the pump can comprise a first gear casing that is fixedly engaged with the bracket during operation. The first gear casing can comprise a first gear chamber that operably holds a driver gear and a driven gear, where the driver gear can be meshedly engaged with the driven gear engaged with a first driven shaft in the first gear chamber, and the driver gear can be operably, fixedly engaged with the driver shaft such that the driver gear rotates when the driver shaft is rotated resulting in fluid being drawn into the first gear chamber on a first side, and discharged from the first gear chamber on a second side.
The pump can also comprise a first port and a second port disposed in the pump housing. The first port can comprise a discharge port when the pump is disposed in a clockwise orientation and a suction port when the pump is disposed in a counter-clockwise orientation. Further, the second port can comprise a suction port when the pump is disposed in a clockwise orientation and a discharge port when the pump is disposed in a counter-clockwise orientation. Additionally, the pump can comprise a casing head that is disposed at the distal end of the pump. The casing head can be selectably, fixedly engaged with the gear casing and bracket; and the casing head can comprise a driver shaft end cavity to operably hold the driver shaft, the driver shaft end cavity closed at the distal end inside the casing head.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout; however, different implementations of similar elements may be identified with different reference numerals. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter.
Crude oil and other petroleum products and components can be economically transported from the oilfield to the refineries by pipelines, for example, versus over-the-road or rail transport. A pipeline injection pump may be devised that can be used to move crude oil, collecting from multiple wells or truck terminals, for example, into a petroleum product pipeline, and through the pipeline. As one example, due to frictional losses that incur in pipelines over long distances, the pump should be capable of handling very high pressures for low viscosity and low lubricating liquids, such as crude oil. As another example, a booster pump can be devised that may be used in a Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) unit for pumping petroleum products, such as crude oil, into pipelines at high pressures.
In one aspect, an external gear pump can be devised for use in transport of petroleum products, such as crude oil, while allowing for a more compact solution at a more cost effective price than existing technology. In this aspect, improved material of construction and internal component clearances can allow for improved function for the application of the pump, while allowing for a more compact footprint. As an example, the improved designs can save space used for operation of the pump platform, and can allow for a smaller housing to be used to enclose the pumping units that are in environments, for example, with wet weather and/or freezing temperatures. In this aspect, the improved material of construction and internal component clearances can also provide for a pump operation that is more reliable and has improved operational life over existing technology than existing systems.
Further, in one aspect, a pump can be devised with an innovative bracket design, which may allow for a plurality of mechanical seal options using merely the single, innovative bracket. For example, use of this innovative bracket can allow end users to choose between a standard component seal, a balanced component seal, or a cartridge seal, with provisions for leak detection systems. Additionally, in this aspect, gear sections can be added to the pump to increase the flow rate while maintaining the original pressure rating for the pump. For example, the addition of one or more gear sections to a pump may be like having two, three or more pumps, but with merely one seal and one prime mover. In one implementation, in this aspect, innovative machining of pump separation plates and heads can also be provided to allow the orientation of some parts to be flipped, to achieve a clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) build using the same part. That is, for example, one or more internal parts can be flipped around to have the pump flow in the opposite direction, instead of changing the input and output piping connected to the pump.
A pipeline injection pump may be devised that provides for petroleum product to be injected into a transport pipeline at high pressure, for example, in order to overcome the high pressure present in the pipeline transport system. In one implementation, an external gear pump can comprise improved material of construction and internal clearances designed for the application, allowing for a more compact solution. Further, a bracket design allows for the use of cartridge mechanical seal options with provisions for leak detection systems, and can accept API 682 compliant seals. In one implementation, the bracket can also incorporate a bearing housing configured to facilitate maintenance of the alignment of the shaft, and to help carry axial or radials loads that may be applied to the shaft. Additionally, gear sections can be added to the modular pump design to increase the flow rate while maintaining the same pressure rating.
As an example, the innovative pump systems 100, 200, 300, 600 illustrated can provide an alternative positive displacement pump technology to the currently applied reciprocating pumps. For example, reciprocating pumps are extremely large, and they create a high pulsating flow that requires dampeners to reduce damage to the pipeline. The innovative external gear design described herein can produce a much smoother operation, and that can mitigate the need for the dampeners. Further, other existing pump systems use packing to seal the plungers, which leads to leakage of the pumped product (e.g., oil) onto the ground creating environmental concerns. The innovative pump system described herein mitigates the need to use this type of packing. Additionally, centrifugal pumps that are utilized for similar systems are very long due to the need for multiple stages to attain the high-pressure rating. Because centrifugal pumps create pressure rather than flow, like positive displacement pump, they operate on a different type of curve where the flow rate is greatly dependent on the pressure needed to inject the crude oil into the pipeline. These centrifugal pumps require complex controls systems or valves to keep the pump operating at a specific flow on its curve.
In this implementation, as illustrated in
Additionally, the driven gear 110 is fixedly engaged with a driven shaft 130, which rotates substantially freely inside the housing 150 of the pump 100. The example pump 100 comprises a bracket 114, a gear casing 116, and a casing head 122. In this implementation, the bracket 114, gear casing 116, and the casing head 112 form the housing 150 of the pump 100. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In one implementation, the example pump 100 can comprise a seal 106 that provides a leak barrier between the inside and outside of the pump 100, at the location where the rotating shaft 102 enters the pump 100, to mitigate leakage of a pumped fluid out of the pump 100. In one implementation, the seal 106 can comprise a back pull out seal, which can be configured to allow removal of the seal 106 (e.g., and other pump components, such as a coupling, bearing, etc.) without disturbing the pump housing or pipework coupled with the pump 100. That is, for example, when maintenance is performed on the pump, such as replacing a seal or other component, the seal may be pulled out without removing or uncoupling the piping from the pump housing. For example, this can provide for less costly, faster, and easier maintenance, and mitigate potential down time and damage to other parts of the pipeline injection system. As an example, an advantage of this design is that the rotating assembly, including any bearings and shaft seals, may be readily pulled out of the pump casing. In this example, this design allows internal components to be inspected and replaced without having to remove the casing from the piping or platform.
As illustrated in
In this implementation, the casing head 122 of the pump comprises a first port 112a and a second port 112b. In one implementation, the first port 112a can comprise a pump outlet or discharge port, and the second port 112b can comprise a pump inlet or suction port. In this implementation, the pump can be configured in a clockwise (CW) configuration. In another implementation, the first port 112a can comprise a pump inlet or suction port, and the second port 112b can comprise a pump outlet or discharge port. In this implementation, the pump can be configured in a counter-clockwise (CCW) configuration. As an example, in these implementations, the casing head 122 can be configured to operate in a CW or CCW configuration, merely by flipping or rotating the orientation of the casing head 122 around its central axis, which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft 102.
That is, for example, the casing head 122 can be rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees around the central axis so that the ports 112 are disposed in an opposite configuration as prior to the rotation. Further, the casing head 122 can be marked (e.g., stamped, labeled, etc.) at the respective ports denoting the discharge side and suction side, and marked with CW and CCW depending on the orientation of the casing head 122. As one example, the casing head 122 may be marked at the discharge port (e.g., 112a) with a CW when disposed in that orientation and an upside down CCW may also be marked on the casing head 122 proximate the discharge port (e.g., 112a). In this example, when the casing head 122 is rotated one-hundred and eighty degrees around its central axis, the discharge port may be disposed on the opposite side (e.g., 112b). In this orientation, the CCW will now appear upright, and the CW will appear upside down. This may serve as an indicator to the pump operator as to the operation of the pump, as rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise orientation. In this implementation, the casing head 122 is modular, and does not need to be swapped out with a different casing head. Further, the innovative design of the gear casing 116 and bracket 114 as coupled with the casing head allow the respective parts to be modular, allowing for rotation of some parts, and addition of more gear sections, as described below.
As illustrated, the example, pump 100 comprises a first driver gear 108 and a first driven gear 110. The first driver gear 108 is fixedly engaged with the driver shaft 102 during operation (operably), and the first driver gear 108 rotates as the driver shaft 102 rotates. Further, the first driven gear 110 is fixedly engaged with the first driver shaft 130, and the rotation of the first driver gear 108 results in rotation of the first driven gear 110, due to the meshed engagement of the respective gears. In an external gear pump, the meshed engagement and rotation of the first driver gear 108 and first driven gear 100 result pumping of a fluid between the inlet port (e.g., 112b) and the outlet port (e.g., 112a). For example, the respective gears 108, 110 rotate inside pumping chambers (not shown) inside the gear casing 116, which are fluidly coupled with the respective ports 112. Additionally, the gears 108, 110 can be engaged with the respective shafts 102, 130 by various methods. For example, the gear may be press-fit on the shaft; alternately, the gear may be floated on the drive shaft with retaining rings. As an example, floating the gear on the shaft may help mitigate the gear from locking onto the drive shaft, for easier removal.
In one implementation, the driver shaft 102 can be locked to the bearing housing 104, instead of the gears, for example, in order to accept axial thrust with a thrust bearing. For example, this can allow a user to access the seal 106 while the pump remains in place, such as at an installation. In this example, the seal 106 can be pulled out through the same access hole, allowing the pump 100 to remain in place without further disassembly. In one implementation, the gear teeth shape can be designed to improve flow rates and pressures. For example, a fourteen and one half inch gear size can comprise a twenty-degree tooth angle. As another example, a courser gear tooth ratio may provide for improved flow rates and pressures for certain implementations. An involute gear tooth profile may also provide for improved operation. In one or more of these examples, if the gear geometry is changed the housing may need to be changed as well.
In the example implementation, the example pump 100 can comprise a bracket foot 126 and a casing foot 128. The bracket foot 126 can be part of or fixed to the bracket 114; and the casing foot 128 can be fixed to or part of the casing head 122. In this implementation, the bracket foot 126 and casing foot 128 can be used to fasten the pump 100 to a stationary platform, such as at the location where pumping of the product is desired. That is, for example, the respective feet 126, 128 can comprise fastening vias that allow a fastener to pass through to fasten to the stationary platform, in order to hold the pump 100 to the platform.
Further, in this example implementation, the pump 200 can comprise a driver shaft 202 that is longer than the driver shaft 102 of pump 100, in order to accommodate the second set of pump gears 230, 232. Further, the example pump 200 comprise a first driven shaft 234, which is operably, fixedly engaged with the first driven gear 210. The example, pump 200 comprises a second driven shaft 236, which is operably, fixedly engaged with the second driven gear 232. In this example, a bearing housing 204 can comprise a bearing assembly 224, which may help stabilize the driver shaft 202, by mitigating axial and radial movement. Additionally, a seal 206 may be engaged with the shaft 202 at a location where the shaft 202 enters the pump housing 250. The seal can mitigate leakage of a pump fluid from inside the pump to the outside of the pump 200.
In this implementation, the separator plate 218 of the example, pump 200 can comprise a first port 212a and a second port 212b. The first port 212a and second port 212b are in fluid communication with the first gear casing 216 and second gear casing 220, such that fluid pumped by the by the respective gears 208, 210, 230, 232 inside the respective gear casing 216, 220, may be drawn in through one of the ports and out of the other port, depending on the orientation of the pump. That is, for example, the first port 212a can comprise an outlet or discharge port, and the second port 212b can comprise an inlet or suction port, such as when the pump is oriented in a clockwise (CW) orientation. Further, for example, the first port 212a can comprise the inlet or suction port, and the second port 212b can comprise outlet or discharge port, such as when the pump is oriented in a counter-clockwise (CCW) orientation. As described above for the casing head 122 in
Additionally, the example, pump 200 can comprise a bracket foot 226 and a casing foot 228. The bracket foot 226 can be part of or fixed to the bracket 214; and the casing foot 228 can be fixed to or part of the casing head 222. In this implementation, the bracket foot 226 and casing foot 228 can be used to fasten the pump 200 to a stationary platform, such as at the location where pumping of the product is desired. That is, for example, the respective feet 226, 228 can comprise fastening vias that allow a fastener to pass through to fasten to the stationary platform, in order to hold the pump 200 to the platform.
In this implementation, the modular design of the bracket 614, first gear casing 616, second gear casing 620, a first separator plate 618, a second separator plate 644, and the casing head 622, allows for modular addition of the gear sets. For example, as illustrated, the bracket 614 may be the same design/type (or same) bracket 114, 214 found in the example pumps 100, 200 of
In this example, a bearing housing 604 can comprise a bearing assembly 624, which may help stabilize the driver shaft 602, by mitigating axial and radial movement. In this implementation, the driver shaft is longer than that of the single gear pair, and double gear pair pumps 100, 200. The bearing assembly, in combination with the tight tolerance and clearances between the driver shaft 602 and the driver shaft cavity 658 (e.g., cavity in the bracket 614, first gear casing 616, first separator plate 618, second gear casing 620, second separator plate 644, third gear casing 646, and casing head 622) in the pump housing 650, helps mitigate the effects of axial and radial movement or force applied to the shaft 602 under load. This allows for more efficient pumping, and less wear on the parts of the pump. Additionally, a seal 606 may be engaged with the shaft 602 at a location where the shaft 602 enters the pump housing 650. The seal can mitigate leakage of a pumped fluid from inside the pump (e.g., along the driver shaft cavity 658) to the outside of the pump 600.
In this implementation, the first separator plate 618 of the example pump 600 can comprise a first port 612a and a second port 612b. The first port 612a and second port 612b are in fluid communication with the first gear casing 616, the second gear casing 620, and the third gear casing 646, such that fluid pumped by the respective gears 608, 610, 630, 632, 638, 640 inside the respective gear casing 616, 620, 646 may be drawn in through one of the ports and out of the other port, depending on the orientation of the pump. That is, for example, the first port 612a can comprise an outlet or discharge port, and the second port 612b can comprise an inlet or suction port, such as when the pump is oriented in a clockwise (CW) orientation. Further, for example, the first port 612a can comprise the inlet or suction port, and the second port 612b can comprise outlet or discharge port, such as when the pump is oriented in a counter-clockwise (CCW) orientation.
As described above for the casing head 122 in
Further, the pump housing 650 can comprise a first pump chamber (not illustrated) that is fluidly coupled with the first port 612a, and a second pump chamber (not illustrated) that is fluidly coupled with the second port 612b. In one implementation, the first pump chamber can be fluidly coupled with discharge side of the respective gear casings 616, 620, 646; further, the second pump chamber can be fluidly coupled with the suction side of the respective gear casings 616, 620, 646. In this way, in one example, fluid can be drawn in through the second port, into the second chamber, through the respective gear casings 616, 620, 646, through the gears, into the first pump chamber, and out the discharge port 612a.
Additionally, the example, pump 600 can comprise a bracket foot 626 and a casing foot 628. The bracket foot 626 can be part of or fixed to the bracket 614; and the casing foot 628 can be fixed to or part of the casing head 622. In this implementation, the bracket foot 626 and casing foot 628 can be used to fasten the pump 600 to a stationary platform, such as at the location where pumping of the product is desired. That is, for example, the respective feet 626, 628 can comprise fastening vias that allow a fastener to pass through to fasten to the stationary platform, in order to hold the pump 600 to the platform.
In one implementation, a Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (“LACT”) system can be devised to transfer custody of a petroleum product from a collection site (e.g., a landowner's site of oil production/collection) to a pipeline used to transport the petroleum product, through or from a metering apparatus used to meter the flow of the product. For example, a LACT pump system as described herein can be used to push the product against high pressures into the pipeline. That is, in this example, a pipeline that transports crude oil can be under high pressure due to the type and amount of product being transported, and the length of the pipeline to a destination (e.g., collection point). Therefore, in this example, the LACT pump may need to push the product at higher pressures to inject it into the transport pipeline effectively.
In one implementation, as illustrated in
Further, in this implementation, the example pump 700 can comprise the driver gear 708, and a driven gear 710. In this implementation, the driver gear 706 can comprise a gear that is fixedly engaged with (e.g., press or friction fit, fastened, glued, welded, soldered, or otherwise attached to, or formed with, or fastened with a fastener or clip to) the shaft 702, such that when the shaft rotates the driver gear 706 rotates (e.g., the shaft applies torque to the driver gear 706). That is, for example, a motor (not pictured) drives the rotation of the shaft 702, which drives the rotation of the gear 706.
In this implementation, the gears 708, 710, and respective gears described herein, can comprise an improved material construction that provides for improved operation, less maintenance, longer operational life, and lower overall cost. For example, the improved materials can comprise harder gears and gear teeth, such as hardened steel, steel alloys, and other metals that resist abrasion and other damage. In one implementation, one or more components of the respective pumps described herein can be Vitek hardened to increase wear resistance. Further, the pump parts, including the gears, gear teeth, heads, casings, drive shaft, seal, bearings, and bushings can be formed with tighter tolerances and clearance (e.g., gaps) than previously found in these types of pumps. The improved tolerances can help provide improved pressure ratings, a smaller footprint, and improved overall operational life.
Additionally, the example pump 700 can comprise one or more ports 712, for example, with one or more bolt attachment components. The pump 700 can comprise a first port 712a and a second port 712b. For example, the first port 712a may be an outlet or discharge port, and the second port 712b may be an inlet port, when the pump 700 is disposed in a CW orientation. As illustrated in
The example pump 700 can also comprise a gear casing the bracket 714, a gear casing 716, and a head casing 722. Further, as illustrated in
In these examples, the innovative bracket 714, 814, 914, 1114 can be used to hold the seal 706, 806, 906, 1106, and provide for shaft support in order to mitigate axial and radial movement when forces are applied to the shaft under load. Further, for example, the same bracket 714, 814, 914, 1114 can be utilized while a different seal may be introduced for various gear types and numbers of gears. Additionally, for example, utilizing this innovative bracket design, additional gear sections can be stacked (e.g., 900 if
In some examples, the innovative head and separation plate design allows the casings to be rotated without changing the heads or separation plates. For example, this allows a user to rotate the casing to provide for either CW or CCW rotation in the same pump. In some implementations, visual indicators (e.g., markings such as stamping, labels, etc.) may be provided to allow the user to set up the pump in the desired CW or CCW rotation. Further, this innovative design allows the designer of the pump installation to place the pump system in an appropriate position for the site situation. For example, the user can merely disassemble the pump and set the configuration that is appropriate for the situation, without needing to replace additional parts in the pump.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Further, At least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
The implementations have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62700567 | Jul 2018 | US |
