RING SECTION PUMP HAVING INTERMEDIATE TIE ROD COMBINATION

Abstract

A ring section pump features a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump; a high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump; and an intermediate tie rod combination having a intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the intermediate flange and the low-pressure end. The low-pressure end has an inlet flange; the high-pressure end has an outlet/discharge flange; and the upper tie rods couple together the intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange and the lower tie rods couple together the intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to a pump; and more particularly to a ring section pump having tie rods.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

By way of example, FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B show ring section tie-rod pump that are known in the art. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a ring section tie-rod pump, e.g., that may be vertically arranged, mounted and used in relation to a sump. In comparison, FIGS. 2A and 2B show a ring section tie-rod pump, e.g., that may be horizontally-mounted and used in relation to other pumping applications.

Traditional ring section tie-rod pumps are built with tie-rods extending the full length of all stages. This solution is adequate for shorter pumps; however, for longer pumps this arrangement becomes difficult to assemble, subject to more resonant vibration problems and costly due to tie rods having to handle the full pressure of the whole pump. Long spans of tie rods are also less able to resist twisting of ring section assembly. In effect, the current design is limited to only a single size of tie-rod that spans the entire length of pump assembly.

In view of this, there is a need in the industry for a ring section tie-rod pump having a better tie rod arrangement that eliminates the aforementioned problems with the known ring section tie-rod pumps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summary, the present invention provides a technique for installing one or more intermediate flanges or pieces that accept tie-rod terminations in a similar manner as pump assembly ends, and from both sides.

Assembly difficulty is alleviated by the present invention by reducing the span between tie-rod ends. The assembly process is safer due to the reduction of unsupported stages before installing tie-rods. This also results in better component alignment for the pump and easier measurement of alignment between shorter spans.

The present invention also provides a solution to potential structural vibration problems. This arrangement allows for greater options for changing natural frequency of pump structure to reduce resonant vibrations. The present invention is an optimized solution to pressure handling capabilities of the ring-section pump. This allows for a reduction of tie-rods for low pressure sections of the pump. Also this allows an increase in stages and pressure handling without costly material addition. The invention also reinforces the pump assembly more in the region that the ring-sections experience the highest between ring-section torque (force trying to spin sections relative to each other).

Specific Embodiments Of The Present Invention

According to some embodiments, the present invention may take the form of apparatus, e.g., including a ring section pump, featuring

• • a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump;
  • high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump; and
  • at least one intermediate tie rod combination having at least one intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

The apparatus may include one or more of the following features:

The low-pressure end may include an inlet flange; the high-pressure end may include an outlet/discharge flange; and the upper tie rods may couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange, and the lower tie rods may couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

The outlet/discharge flange may be configured with apertures to receive ends of the upper tie rods. By way of example, the outlet/discharge flange may be configured with threaded apertures to receive threaded ends of the upper tie rods to couple together the outlet/discharge flange and the upper tie rods.

The inlet flange may be configured with corresponding apertures to receive corresponding ends of the lower tie rods. By way of further example, the inlet flange may be configured so the corresponding apertures allow threaded corresponding ends of the lower tie rods to be passed through and fastened to the inlet flange with corresponding threaded nuts.

The at least one intermediate flange may be configured with a first set of associated apertures to receive opposing ends of the upper tie rods to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange, and may also be configured with a second set of associated apertures to receive opposing corresponding ends of the lower tie rods to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

The first set of associated apertures may be configured to allow threaded opposing ends of the upper tie rods to be passed through and fastened to the at least one intermediate flange with a first set of associated threaded nuts.

The second set of associated apertures may be configured to allow threaded opposing corresponding ends of the lower tie rods to be passed through and fastened to the at least one intermediate flange with a second set of associated threaded nuts.

The at least one intermediate flange may include at least one intermediate flange coupling portion; and the ring section pump may include adjacent ring sections or stages configured to receive and engage the at least one intermediate flange coupling portion at at least one intermediate location between the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end. By way of example, one of the adjacent ring sections or stages may be configured with a notched portion to receive and engage the at least one intermediate flange coupling portion.

The ring section pump may include ring sections or stages configured between the low-pressure end and the high-pressure end, each ring section or stage may be configured with a casing, an impeller, a diffuser as well as other parts/components.

The at least one intermediate tie rod combination may include a high pressure intermediate tie rod combination with the upper tie rods coupling together a first set of the ring sections stages between the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end.

The at least one intermediate tie rod combination may also include a lower pressure intermediate tie rod combination with the lower tie rods coupling together a second set of the ring sections or stages between the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

The number of upper tie rods in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination may be greater than a corresponding number of the lower tie rods in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination, e.g., based upon the high pumping pressure experienced by the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination during normal operation, as well as depending on the pump application.

The number of the first set of the ring sections or stages coupled together in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination may be less than the corresponding number of the second set of the ring sections or stages coupled together in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination, e.g., depending on the pump application.

The low-pressure end may include a suction bell configured on one end of the ring section pump to receive the fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump; the high-pressure end may include a discharge casing configured on an opposite end of the ring section pump to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump and to mount the ring section pump; and the at least one intermediate flange may be configured so the upper tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the discharge casing, and so the lower tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the suction bell.

The scope of the invention is intended to include, and embodiments are envisioned in which, tie-rods are configured for spanning all stages, e.g., possibly passing through or around an intermediate flange. By way of example, embodiments may include having one set of tie-rods from the discharge flange to the intermediate flange, and another set of tie-rods from the inlet flange to the discharge flange.

By way of example, embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is also intended to include using multiple intermediate tie rod combinations. For example, a ring section pump having two intermediate tie rod combinations defining three pumping sections may be configured as follows: A first intermediate tie rod combination may include a first intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the first intermediate flange and a high-pressure end, and with intermediate tie rods configured to couple together the first intermediate flange and a second intermediate flange that forms part of a second intermediate tie rod combination. The second intermediate tie rod combination may include lower tie rods configured to couple together the second intermediate flange and the low-pressure end. Embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is also intended to include ring section pumps having more than two intermediate tie rod combinations defining more than three pumping sections within the spirit of the underlying invention.

Embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is also intended to include apparatus featuring a low-pressure end, a high-pressure end and at least one intermediate tie rod combination. The low-pressure end may be configured to receive fluid to be processed. The high-pressure end may be configured to provide the fluid to be processed. The at least one intermediate tie rod combination may include at least one intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end. The apparatus may include, or take the form of such a ring section pump, as well as other types of equipment either now known or later developed in the future configured with a low-pressure end and a high-pressure end coupled together with sections or stages for processing a fluid. The apparatus may also include one or more of the other features set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

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

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a ring section tie-rod pump having conventional tie rods arranged between low-pressure and high-pressure pump ends, e.g., that may be vertically arranged, mounted and used in relation to a sump, and that is known in the art.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the ring section tie-rod pump shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A show a perspective view of a ring section tie-rod pump having conventional tie rods arranged between front and back pump ends, e.g., that may be horizontally mounted and used in relation to other pumping applications.

FIG. 2B show a cross-sectional view of a ring section tie-rod pump having conventional tie rods arranged between low-pressure and high-pressure pump ends, e.g., that may be horizontally mounted and used in relation to other pumping applications.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a ring section tie-rod pump according to some embodiments of the present invention, having at least one intermediate flange combination with upper and lower tie rods arranged between low-pressure and high-pressure pump ends, e.g., that may be vertically arranged, mounted and used in relation to a sump.

FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the ring section tie-rod pump shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of an intermediate part/portion of the ring section tie rod pump as circled and shown in FIG. 3B.

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

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the present invention in the form of apparatus 10, e.g., including a ring section pump 10, featuring

• • a low-pressure end 12 configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump 10;
  • a high-pressure end 14 configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump 10; and
  • at least one intermediate tie rod combination having at least one intermediate flange 16 with upper tie rods 18 configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the high-pressure end 14 and with lower tie rods 20 configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the low-pressure end 12.

The ring section pump 10 may include one or more of the following features:

Example of Flange-to-Flange Coupling Arrangement

Consistent with that shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the low-pressure end 12 may include a suction bell 12a and a suction bell or inlet flange 12b; the high-pressure end 14 may include an outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a and an outlet 14;and the upper tie rods 18 may couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the outlet/discharge casing or flange 12b, and the lower tie rods 20 may couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the suction bell or inlet flange 12b. While the present invention is disclosed using the flange-to-flange coupling arrangement, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the same. For example, other embodiments are envisioned where, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the at least one intermediate flange 16 may be coupled to other non-flange parts/components of the low-pressure end 12 and the high-pressure end 14 within the spirit of the underlying invention.

Examples of Threaded Couplings for the Upper and Lower Tie Rods

By way of example, the upper and lower tie rods 18, 20 may couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16, the outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a and the suction bell or inlet flange 12b, as follows:

The outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a may be configured with apertures, one of which is labeled 14a′ (see FIG. 3B), to receive ends, one of which is labelled 18a, of the upper tie rods 18. By way of example, the apertures 14a′ may be configured as threaded apertures 14a′ (see FIG. 3B), and the ends 18a of the upper tie rods 18 may be configured as threaded ends 18a (see FIG. 3B). In the threaded combination, the threaded apertures 14a′ of the outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a may be configured to receive the threaded ends 18a (see FIG. 3B) of the upper tie rods 18 to couple together the outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a and the upper tie rods 18. While the scope of the invention is disclosed using such a threaded combination to couple together the upper tie rods 18 and the outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the same. For example, other embodiments are envisioned where, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the apertures 14a′ in the outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a being configured to allow the ends 18a (see FIG. 3B) of the upper tie rods 18 to pass through, e.g., consistent with the nut and bolt coupling arrangement between the upper and lower tie rods 18, 20 and the at least one intermediate flange 16, as well as the nut and bolt coupling arrangement between the lower tie rods 20 and the suction bell or inlet flange 12b, as set forth below, and all within the spirit of the present invention.

Moreover, the suction bell or inlet flange 12b may be configured with corresponding apertures, one of which is labeled 12b′ (see FIG. 3A), to receive corresponding ends, one of which is labelled 20a (see FIG. 3A), of the lower tie rods 20. By way of example, the corresponding ends 20a may be configured as threaded corresponding ends 20a. In this nut and bolt coupling arrangement, the corresponding aperture 12b′ (see FIG. 3A) may be configured to allow the threaded corresponding ends 20a of the lower tie rods 20 to be passed through and fastened to the suction bell or inlet flange 12b with corresponding threaded nuts, one of which is labeled 20a. While the scope of the invention is disclosed using a nut and bolt coupling arrangement to couple together the lower tie rods 20 and the suction bell or inlet flange 12a, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the same. For example, other embodiments are envisioned where, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the corresponding apertures 12b′ of the suction bell or inlet flange 12a may be configured as threaded corresponding apertures 12b′ to receive the threaded ends 20a (see FIG. 3B) of the lower tie rods 20 to couple together the suction bell or inlet flange 12a and the lower tie rods 20, consistent with that disclosed herein, within the spirit of the present invention.

Moreover still, the at least one intermediate flange 16 may be configured with various apertures, one of which is labelled 16c (see FIG. 3A and 3C). The various apertures may include a first set of associated apertures like aperture 16c (see FIG. 3A and 3C) to receive opposing ends 18b (see FIG. 3B and 3C) of the upper tie rods 18 to couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the outlet/discharge casing or flange 14a. The first set of associated apertures 16c may be configured to allow threaded opposing ends 18b of the upper tie rods 18 to be passed through and fastened to the at least one intermediate flange 16 with a first set of associated threaded nuts, one of which is labeled 16a. The various apertures may also include a second set of associated apertures like aperture 16c to receive opposing corresponding ends 20b (see FIG. 3A) of the lower tie rods 20 to couple together the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the inlet or suction bell flange 12b. The second set of associated apertures 16c may be configured to allow threaded opposing corresponding ends 20b of the lower tie rods 20 to be passed through and fastened to the at least one intermediate flange 16 with a second set of associated threaded nuts like 16a.

Example of Intermediate Flange Mounting Portion 16d (FIG. 3B and 3C)

By way of example, the at least one intermediate flange 16 may include at least one intermediate flange coupling portion 16d (see FIGS. 3B and 3C); and the ring section pump 10 may include adjacent ring sections or stages 30′, 30″, 30′″ (FIG. 3C) configured to receive and engage the at least one intermediate flange coupling portion 16d at at least one intermediate location between the high-pressure end 14 and the low-pressure end 12. Consistent with that shown in FIG. 3C, one of the adjacent ring sections or stages 30′ may be configured with a notched portion 30′a for receiving the at least one intermediate flange coupling portion 16d in relation to the other adjacent ring sections or stages 30″. While the present invention is disclosed using the intermediate flange coupling portion 16d, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the same. For example, other embodiments are envisioned where, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, the at least one intermediate flange 16 either does not include the at least one intermediate flange coupling portion 16d, or includes other types of kinds of arrangements for coupling the intermediate flange 16 to one or more of the ring or stages 30 (see FIG. 3A) within the spirit of the underlying invention.

Examples of High/Low Pressure Ring Section Coupling Combinations

The ring section pump 10 may include ring sections or stages 30 configured between the low-pressure end 12 and the high-pressure end 14 in relation to a pump shaft S. By way of example, each ring section or stage 30 may be configured with a casing, impeller, diffuser, as well as other parts/components, e.g., consistent with that known in the prior art. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to using any particular type or kind of ring sections or stages either now known or later developed in the future.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one intermediate tie rod combination may include a high pressure intermediate tie rod combination with the upper tie rods 18 coupling together a first set of the ring sections or stages 30 between the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the high-pressure end 14, and may also include a lower pressure intermediate tie rod combination with the lower tie rods 20 coupling together a second set of the ring sections or stages 30 between the at least one intermediate flange 16 and the low-pressure end 12.

Consistent with that shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the number of upper tie rods 18 in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination may be greater than a corresponding number of the lower tie rods 20 in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination, e.g., based upon the fact that the fluidic pressure increases in a substantially linear way along the length of the ring sections or stages 30 extending from the low-pressure 12 to the outlet 14, so that the pressure in the high pressure end is generally understood to be greater than the pressure in the low pressure end. As shown in FIG. 3A, the number of upper tie rods 18 is six (6), four of which are shown, that are symmetrically arranged around the ring sections or stages 30, while the number of lower tie rods 20 is four (4), two of which are shown, that are symmetrically arranged around the ring sections or stages 30. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular number or arrangement of the upper tie rods 18 in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination; and embodiments are envisioned having either fewer than six (6) upper tie rods 18 or greater than six (6) upper tie rods 18, e.g., depending on the pump application. Further, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular number or arrangement of the lower tie rods 20 in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination; and embodiments are envisioned having either fewer than four (4) lower tie rods 20 or greater than four (4) lower tie rods 20, e.g., depending on the pump application.

Moreover, consistent with that also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the number of the first set of the ring sections or stages 30 coupled together in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination may be less that the corresponding number of the second set of the ring sections or stages coupled together in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination, e.g., depending on the particular pump application. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular relationship between the first set of the ring sections or stages 30 in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination and the second set of the ring sections or stages in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination, e.g., including the number of rings or stages in either set.

Examples of Other Coupling Arrangements

Embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, using at least one intermediate coupling combination having at least one intermediate flange with upper couplers configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower couplers configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end. In these embodiments, upper and lower couplers and suitable coupling arrangements may be used instead of upper and lower tie rod and suitable tie rod arrangements. By way of example, the upper and lower couplers may include, or take the form of, clamps and/or suitable clamping arrangements either now known or later developed in the future, which may be suitably adapted to achieve the desired coupling between the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end, and the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

The Scope of the Invention

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.

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.

Claims

1. A ring section pump comprising: a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump;a high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump; andat least one intermediate tie rod combination having at least one intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

2. A ring section pump according to claim 1, wherein the low-pressure end comprises an inlet flange;the high-pressure end comprises an outlet/discharge flange; andthe upper tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange and the lower tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

3. A ring section pump according to claim 2, wherein the outlet/discharge flange is configured with apertures to receive ends of the upper tie rods;the inlet flange is configured with corresponding apertures to receive corresponding ends of the lower tie rods; andthe at least one intermediate flange is configured with a first set of associated apertures to receive opposing ends of the upper tie rods to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange, and is also configured with a second set of associated apertures to receive opposing corresponding ends of the lower tie rods to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

4. A ring section pump according to claim 3, wherein the outlet/discharge flange is configured with threaded apertures to receive threaded ends of the upper tie rods to couple together the outlet/discharge flange and the upper tie rods.

5. A ring section pump according to claim 3, wherein the inlet flange is configured so the corresponding apertures allow threaded corresponding ends of the lower tie rods to be passed through and fastened to the inlet flange with corresponding threaded nuts.

6. A ring section pump according to claim 3, wherein the at least one intermediate flange is configured so the first set of associated apertures allows threaded opposing ends of the upper tie rods to be passed through and fastened to the at least one intermediate flange with a first set of associated threaded nuts.

7. A ring section pump according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate flange is configured so the second set of associated apertures allows threaded opposing corresponding ends of the lower tie rods to be passed through and fastened to the at least one intermediate flange with a second set of associated threaded nuts.

8. A ring section pump according to claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate flange comprises at least one intermediate flange coupling portion; andthe ring section pump comprises adjacent ring sections or stages configured to receive and engage the at least one intermediate flange coupling portion at at least one intermediate location between the high-pressure end and the low-pressure end.

9. A ring section pump according to claim 1, wherein the ring section pump comprises ring sections or stages configured between the low-pressure end and the high-pressure end; andthe at least one intermediate tie rod combination comprises a high pressure intermediate tie rod combination with the upper tie rods coupling together a first set of the ring sections or stages between the intermediate flange and the high-pressure end, and comprises a lower pressure intermediate tie rod combination with the lower tie rods coupling together a second set of the ring sections or stages between the intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

10. A ring section pump according to claim 9, wherein the number of upper tie rods in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination is greater than a corresponding number of the lower tie rods in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination.

11. A ring section pump according to claim 9, wherein the number of the first set of the ring sections or stages coupled together in the high pressure intermediate tie rod combination is less that the corresponding number of the second set of the ring sections or stages coupled together in the low pressure intermediate tie rod combination.

12. A ring section pump according to claim 1, wherein the low-pressure end comprises a suction bell configured on one end of the ring section pump to receive the fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump;the high-pressure end comprises a discharge casing configured on an opposite end of the ring section pump to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump and to mount the ring section pump; andthe at least one intermediate flange is configured so the upper tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the discharge casing and so the lower tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the suction bell.

13. A ring section pump according to claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate tie rod combination comprises multiple intermediate tie rod combinations.

14. A ring section pump according to claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate tie rod combination comprises a first intermediate tie rod combination and a second intermediate tie rod combination;the first intermediate tie rod combination has a first intermediate flange with the upper tie rods configured to couple together the first intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with intermediate tie rods configured to couple together the first intermediate flange and a second intermediate flange forming part of the second intermediate tie rod combination; andthe second intermediate tie rod combination has lower tie rods configured to couple together the second intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

15. A ring section pump comprising: a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump;a high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump; andat least one intermediate coupling combination having at least one intermediate flange with upper couplers configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower couplers configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

16. A ring section pump according to claim 15, wherein the upper couplers comprise upper tie rods; andthe lower couplers comprise lower tie rods.

17. A ring section pump according to claim 16, wherein the low-pressure end comprises an inlet flange;the high-pressure end comprises an outlet/discharge flange; andthe upper tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange and the lower tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

18. Apparatus comprising: a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be processed;a high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be processed; andat least one intermediate tie rod combination having at least one intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the low-pressure end.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the low-pressure end comprises an inlet flange;the high-pressure end comprises an outlet/discharge flange; andthe upper tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange and the lower tie rods couple together the at least one intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a ring section pump.