Hydraulically balanced pump discharge

Abstract

A horizontal pumping system for pumping fluids into downstream piping includes a motor and a pump driven by the motor. The pump includes a discharge assembly for use in connecting a pump within a horizontal pumping system to downstream piping. The discharge assembly preferably includes a discharge head and a stub end configured for sliding engagement with the discharge head. The stub end is captured within the discharge head in a hydraulically balanced condition and the discharge assembly further includes a hydraulic balance chamber and a runner plate within the hydraulic balance chamber. The runner plate is secured to the stub end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A discharge assembly for use in connecting a pump within a horizontal pumping system to downstream piping, the discharge assembly comprising:
 a discharge head; and   a stub end configured for sliding engagement with the discharge head.   
     
     
         2 . The discharge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge assembly further comprises:
 a hydraulic balance chamber; and   a runner plate within the hydraulic balance chamber, wherein the runner plate is secured to the stub end.   
     
     
         3 . The discharge assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydraulic balance chamber comprises:
 a high pressure chamber; and   a low pressure chamber.   
     
     
         4 . The discharge assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the stub end comprises:
 an interior; and   a pressure port that places the high pressure chamber in fluid communication with the interior.   
     
     
         5 . The discharge assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the stub end has a proximal end wall that has a stub end cross-sectional area, and wherein the high pressure chamber has a cross-sectional area that is substantially the same as the stub end cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         6 . The discharge assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the discharge head includes a vent that places the low pressure chamber in fluid communication with an external atmosphere. 
     
     
         7 . The discharge assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the runner plate is secured to the stub end with a lock selected from the group consisting of locking nuts, snap rings, dowels and press fit connections. 
     
     
         8 . A horizontal pumping system for pumping fluids into downstream piping, the horizontal pumping system comprising:
 a motor; and   a pump driven by the motor, wherein the pump comprises:   a discharge assembly for use in connecting a pump within a horizontal pumping system to downstream piping, wherein the discharge assembly comprises:
 a discharge head; and 
 a stub end configured for sliding engagement with the discharge head. 
   
     
     
         9 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the discharge assembly further comprises:
 a hydraulic balance chamber; and   a runner plate within the hydraulic balance chamber, wherein the runner plate is secured to the stub end.   
     
     
         10 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 9 , wherein the hydraulic balance chamber comprises:
 a high pressure chamber; and   a low pressure chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 10 , wherein the stub end comprises:
 an interior; and   a pressure port that places the high pressure chamber in fluid communication with the interior.   
     
     
         12 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 10 , wherein the stub end has a proximal end wall that has a stub end cross-sectional area, and wherein the high pressure chamber has a cross-sectional area that is substantially the same as the stub end cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         13 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 10 , wherein the discharge head includes a vent that places the low pressure chamber in fluid communication with an external atmosphere. 
     
     
         14 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 10 , wherein the runner plate is secured to the stub end with a lock selected from the group consisting of locking nuts, snap rings, dowels and press fit connections. 
     
     
         15 . A horizontal pumping system for pumping fluids into downstream piping, the horizontal pumping system comprising:
 a motor; and   a pump driven by the motor, wherein the pump comprises:
 a discharge head; and 
 a stub end that is axially and rotationally movable within the discharge head. 
   
     
     
         16 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 15 , wherein the pump further comprises:
 a hydraulic balance chamber within the discharge head; and   a runner plate within the hydraulic balance chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 16 , further comprising an end plate that captures the stub end within the discharge head. 
     
     
         18 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein the hydraulic balance chamber comprises:
 a high pressure chamber;   a low pressure chamber; and   wherein the high pressure chamber is separated from the low pressure chamber by the runner plate.   
     
     
         19 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 18 , wherein the stub end includes a pressure port in communication with the high pressure chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The horizontal pumping system of  claim 18 , wherein the discharge head includes a vent extending between the low pressure chamber and an external ambient pressure.