Surface pump assembly

Abstract

In another embodiment, a surface mounted pump assembly comprises a centrifugal pump having a plurality of impellers and an electric motor adapted to drive the pump such that a thrust load from the pump is transmitted to the pump.

1 . A pump assembly, comprising: 
 a motor;    a pump having: 
 an inlet;  
 an outlet; and  
 at least one impeller;  
   a shaft coupled to the motor and adapted to rotate the impeller, wherein a thrust load from the pump is transmitted to the motor.    
     
     
         2 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises a bearing.  
     
     
         3 . The pump assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bearing is effective to support the thrust load.  
     
     
         4 . The pump assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bearing comprises angular contact bearings.  
     
     
         5 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical seal adapted to seal the shaft against atmosphere.  
     
     
         6 . The pump assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the mechanical seal comprises a thrust bearing to support at least a portion of the thrust load.  
     
     
         7 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is coupled to the motor outside of the pump.  
     
     
         8 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly is horizontally mounted.  
     
     
         9 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly is mounted on a skid.  
     
     
         10 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly is disposed on the surface of a well.  
     
     
         11 . The pump assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is less than 100 horsepower.  
     
     
         12 . A method of transporting a fluid, comprising: 
 providing a pump assembly having: 
 a pump having a plurality of impellers;  
 a motor for operating the impellers; and  
 a shaft for transmitting torque to the impellers;  
   rotating the impellers;    increasing the pressure of the fluid flowing through the pump;    transmitting a thrust load from the pump to the motor; and    transporting the fluid through the pump.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising coupling the shaft to the motor at a location outside of the pump.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the motor with a thrust bearing.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the thrust load is absorbed by the thrust bearing.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising mounting the pump assembly on a skid.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising mounting the pump assembly horizontally.  
     
     
         18 . A surface mounted pump assembly, comprising: 
 a centrifugal pump having a plurality of impellers; and    an electric motor adapted to drive the pump such that a thrust load from the pump is transmitted to the pump.    
     
     
         19 . The pump assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a shaft coupled to the motor and adapted to rotate the plurality of impellers.  
     
     
         20 . The pump assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the motor comprises a bearing for absorbing the thrust load.  
     
     
         21 . The pump assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the bearing comprises an angular contact bearing.