Pumping System And A Method For Pumping Fluids

Abstract

The invention relates to a pumping system ( 3 ) for pumping fluid. The pumping system ( 3 ) comprises a first pumping unit ( 1 ) comprising a first flow path ( 4 ) and a second pumping unit ( 2 ) comprising a second flow path ( 5 ). The fluid pumped by the first pumping unit ( 4 ) is guided through the first flow path ( 4 ), and the fluid pumped by the second pumping unit ( 2 ) is guided through the second flow path ( 5 ). The first pumping unit ( 1 ) and the second pumping unit ( 2 ) are functionally coupled. The first flow path ( 4 ) and the second flow path ( 5 ) are adapted to be functionally independent from each other.

1 . A pumping system for pumping fluid, wherein the pumping system comprises:
 a first pumping unit comprising a first flow path; and   a second pumping unit comprising a second flow path;   wherein fluid pumped by the first pumping unit is guided through the first flow path;   wherein fluid pumped by the second pumping unit is guided through the second flow path;   wherein the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit are functionally coupled; and   wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are adapted to be functionally independent from each other,   wherein at least one of the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit comprises a progressive cavity pump.   
     
     
         2 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drive unit, particularly a prime mover;   wherein the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit are functionally coupled such that the drive unit is adapted for driving the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit.   
     
     
         3 . The pumping system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the drive unit is attached to at least one of the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit;   wherein the drive unit is selected from one of the group consisting of a combustion engine, an electric engine and a hydraulic motor.   
     
     
         4 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a force transmitting element,   wherein the force transmitting element is adapted for transmitting a driving power to at least one of the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit.   
     
     
         5 . The pumping system of one of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rod element;   wherein the rod element is adapted for functionally coupling the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit such that a driving power, particularly a driving torque, is transmitted from the first pumping unit to the second pumping unit.   
     
     
         6 . The pumping system of one of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary conduit for conducting a fluid;   wherein the auxiliary conduit is adapted for providing a fluid connection between a suction side and the first flow path.   
     
     
         7 . The pumping system of  claim 6 ,
 wherein the first pumping unit is adapted to be supplied with fluid transported in the auxiliary conduit;   wherein the second pumping unit is adapted to be supplied with fluid directly from the suction side.   
     
     
         8 . The pumping system of  claim 6 ;
 wherein the auxiliary conduit is formed in an interior of the second pumping unit.   
     
     
         9 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner tubing;   wherein the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit are located within the inner tubing;   wherein the first pumping unit is located downstream the second pumping unit in a fluid pumping direction.   
     
     
         10 . The pumping system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an outer tubing;   wherein the inner tubing is located within the outer tubing;   wherein the inner tubing is spaced with respect to the outer tubing for providing a fluid drain there between.   
     
     
         11 . The pumping system of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the fluid drain forms part of the first flow path or the second flow path.   
     
     
         12 . The pumping system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a barrier element;   wherein the barrier element is located in the inner tubing between the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit;   wherein the barrier element is adapted for separating the first flow path and the second flow path.   
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sealing spacer element;   wherein the sealing spacer element is adapted for spacing the inner tubing and the outer tubing;   wherein the sealing spacer element is adapted for preventing a flow of the fluid opposite to a fluid pumping direction in the fluid drain.   
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of one of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one progressive cavity pump particularly comprises a progressive cavity pump with a stator element and a rotor element adapted for rotating within the stator element with a distance between the stator element and the rotor element.   
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 14 ,
 wherein the rotor element comprises a duct for providing a fluid connection between a suction side and at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path.   
     
     
         16 . The pumping system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gear element;   wherein the gear element is adapted for selectively driving exclusively one or both of the first pumping unit and the second driving unit.   
     
     
         17 . The pumping system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first pumping unit and the second driving unit are located vertically on top of one another.   
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are parallel flow paths.   
     
     
         19 . A method for pumping fluid, wherein the method comprises:
 guiding fluid pumped by a first pumping unit through a first flow path;   guiding fluid pumped by a second pumping unit through a second flow path;   functionally coupling the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit; and   providing the first flow path and the second flow path functionally independent from each other,   wherein at least one of the first pumping unit and the second pumping unit comprises a progressive cavity pump.   
     
     
         20 . A method of using a pumping system of  claim 1  in the field of one of the group consisting of drainage purposes, oil production, water catchment and geothermic systems.