Pump system and method thereof

Abstract

A pump system includes a plurality of pump assemblies. Each pump assembly having a power assembly and a fluid assembly. Each power assembly of each pump assembly includes a crankshaft, an input connection, and an output connection. The input connection of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies connected to the output connection of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies; at least one lead pump assembly within the plurality of pump assemblies configured to be connected to a prime mover commonly driving the plurality of pump assemblies. Also included is a method of pumping pressurized fluid to a site.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pump system comprising:
 a plurality of pump assemblies, each pump assembly having a power assembly and a fluid assembly, each power assembly of each pump assembly including a crankshaft, an input connection, and an output connection, the input connection of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies connected to the output connection of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies;   at least one lead pump assembly within the plurality of pump assemblies configured to be connected to a prime mover commonly driving the plurality of pump assemblies.   
     
     
         2 . The pump system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of pump assemblies includes a first set of pump assemblies and a second set of pump assemblies, each set of pump assemblies including a lead pump assembly configured to be connected to the prime mover. 
     
     
         3 . The pump system of  claim 2  wherein fluid assemblies of the pump assemblies in the first set of pump assemblies are separated from fluid assemblies of the pump assemblies in the second set of pump assemblies by the power assemblies of the pump assemblies in the first and second sets of pump assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The pump system of  claim 2 , wherein the first set of pump assemblies is arranged on a first side of a platform, and the second set of pump assemblies is arranged on a second side of the platform opposite the first side. 
     
     
         5 . The pump system of  claim 1  further comprising the prime mover, wherein a sum of the horsepower rating of the plurality of pump assemblies is substantially equal to the horsepower rating of the prime mover. 
     
     
         6 . The pump system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid assembly of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies includes a first fluid assembly and a second fluid assembly, the power assembly of the one pump assembly interposed between the first and second fluid assemblies. 
     
     
         7 . The pump system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of pump assemblies are mounted on at least one movable platform. 
     
     
         8 . The pump system of  claim 7  wherein the at least one movable platform includes at least one of a trailer bed towable by a truck and a flat bed connected to a train. 
     
     
         9 . The pump system of  claim 1  wherein at least a subset of adjacent pump assemblies among the plurality of pump assemblies are connected end-to-end relative to the crankshaft of each pump assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The pump system of  claim 1  wherein the input connection of the one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies is removably connected to the output connection of the one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies. 
     
     
         11 . The pump system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the pump assemblies includes a housing, the input connections and the output connections extending exteriorly of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the input connection and the output connection are respectively connected to an input shaft and an output shaft, and an axis of the input shaft and an axis of the output shaft extend substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the crankshaft within each pump assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies. 
     
     
         13 . The pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the input connection includes an input plate and the output connection includes an output plate, the input plate and output plate arrangeable and configured to connect to each other in a face-to-face relationship. 
     
     
         14 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the input and output plates includes at least one aperture, and further comprising at least one connector passing through the at least one aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gear box including at least one output shaft connected to the input connection of the at least one lead pump assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A method of pumping pressurized fluid to a site, the method comprising:
 selecting a prime mover;   selecting a number of pump assemblies, each pump assembly having a power assembly and a fluid assembly, each power assembly including a crankshaft, an input connection, and an output connection;   arranging the pump assemblies on a surface;   connecting the input connection of each pump to an output connection of an adjacent upstream pump; and,   connecting at least one lead pump to the prime mover to commonly drive the plurality of pumps.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the prime mover has a power rating and selecting a number of pump assemblies includes selecting a number of pump assemblies having a combined power rating substantially equivalent to the power rating of the prime mover. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein arranging the pump assemblies on a surface includes arranging the pump assemblies on a movable platform. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein selecting a number of pump assemblies includes selecting at least three pump assemblies. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein arranging the pump assemblies includes arranging two sets of at least two pump assemblies, each set including one lead pump assembly connected to the prime mover and at least one additional pump assembly.