Jacketed pipe pump

Abstract

A jacketed pipe pump includes a manifold system for directing an intermediary fluid between annular spaces formed in adjacently positioned jacketed pipes, each jacketed pipe including an inner pipe and an outer pipe having an annular space therebetween for the intermediary fluid to flow therein, the manifold system may also be used to flow fluid from a jacketed pipe to a pump housing configured with conduits positioned not in fluid communication with a pump chamber of the pump housing, but which are positioned to direct an intermediary fluid from an attached jacketed pipe through the conduits of the pump housing so that the intermediary fluid moves to a further communication pipe system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a jacketed tube pump for pumping fluids, which includes one or more jacketed tube stubs and a pump housing. Background Art

[0002] Jacketed tube pumps are commonly used to direct some type of fluid in a space disposed between an inner tube and a coaxially arranged outer tube. Such jacketed tube systems are commonly used to convey an intermediate fluid to maintain the temperature of the primary fluid flowing through the inner tube, such as flowing a coolant between the outer tube and the inner tube of the jacketed tube system to reduce the temperature of a heated fluid passing through the inner tube.

[0003] Jacketed pipes are often used in industries where many and long pipe arrangements must be used to transport a primary fluid in an inner pipe between points separated by large distances. Jacketed pipes have certain length and configuration limitations, so shorter lengths of jacketed pipe, often referred to as jacketed pipe stubs, are connected end-to-end over long distances or within complex transport locations. Therefore, systems have been developed for transporting the intermediate fluid surrounding the inner pipe from pipe stub to pipe stub.

[0004] A well-known device designed for conveying a medium fluid between adjacent tube stubs is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,089 issued to Wilkinson et al., the device comprising a bell housing connected to the end of the outer tube of the jacketed tube and having a flange with an opening providing for the flow of the medium fluid between adjacently positioned flanges. The device of US Pat. No. 7,226,089 is also directed to providing an improved seal between adjacent flanges.

[0005] Other devices have been developed for providing a surrounding flange housing to facilitate flow of media fluid between adjacent connected jacketed pipe systems, such as those disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,991,871 to Weinhold, US Application No. 2010 / 0123306 to Jones, and US Pat. No. 1,497,652 to Browne.

[0006] Other systems for conveying intermediate fluids such as steam have been employed in which external piping is attached to and between the external tubes of adjacently positioned jacketed tube spools to provide a "bridge" of multiple smaller tubes connected together in a configuration that conveys steam or gas from one jacketed tube system to the next, rather than conveying fluids between flanged systems as disclosed in the previously cited patents. Use of such external piping systems introduces the additional cost and labor issues of assembling multiple tubes together, but also exposes the tubes to potential interference, damage, and failure. Summary of the invention

[0007] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for directing a fluid through a jacketed pipe system, the apparatus comprising: an inner pipe having a wall with an outer surface; an outer pipe coaxially disposed about the inner pipe to form an annular space between the inner surface of the wall of the outer pipe and the outer surface of the inner pipe; a flange connected to an end of the outer pipe, the flange having at least one orifice extending through a thickness of the flange and radially spaced from a point of connection of the flange to the outer surface of the outer pipe; an opening formed through the wall of the outer pipe near the point of connection of the flange to the outer pipe, the opening being in fluid communication with the annular space between the inner and outer pipes and being positioned radially proximate to the at least one orifice formed through the flange; and a manifold connected to the outer surface of the outer pipe and to the flange, the manifold being positioned to close the opening formed in the outer pipe and to close the orifice extending through the flange, the manifold being formed with a passage providing a fluid path between the opening in the outer pipe and the orifice in the flange. The described arrangement for directing fluid has the advantage of eliminating external piping between communicating fluid systems, such as adjacent jacketed tube stubs, and eliminating the complexity of known housing arrangements for conveying intermediate fluids between piping systems.

[0008] In certain embodiments, at least one manifold device or manifold block has a first face positioned against the first surface of the flange, the channel being formed in the first face of the at least one manifold block.

[0009] In some embodiments, the at least one manifold block has an opposing face positioned in an opposite orientation to the first face of the at least one manifold block.

[0010] In certain embodiments, inlet ports are formed in opposing faces of the at least one manifold block, the inlet ports being in fluid communication with the channels of the at least one manifold block.

[0011] In some embodiments, the access port is oriented at an angle to a longitudinal axis formed along the passageway.

[0012] In other embodiments, the access port is oriented at an angle perpendicular to the passage, and the opposing face is a second face positioned parallel to the first face of the manifold block, the access port being formed through the second face.

[0013] In yet other embodiments, the access port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the passageway.

[0014] In some embodiments, the access port has a threaded inner wall.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the at least one manifold block is further provided with a third face positioned against and connected to the wall of the outer tube.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least one manifold block is secured to the external tube and flange by welds.

[0017] In yet other embodiments, the device for guiding fluid also includes a pump housing attached to the flange, the pump housing having a rear wall that partially forms a pump chamber and having a discharge pipe, the pump housing also including a conduit formed along the rear wall and along the discharge pipe, the conduit being outside the pump chamber and the discharge pipe, the conduit having a first opening, the first opening being positioned in the rear wall of the pump housing and aligned with an orifice formed by the flange connected to the external tube to receive fluid from the annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube, the conduit having a second opening located near the discharge pipe.

[0018] In certain other embodiments, the discharge pipe of the pump housing further comprises a discharge flange at an end of the discharge pipe, and wherein the conduit extends to and through the discharge flange, the second opening of the conduit being formed by the discharge flange of the discharge pipe.

[0019] In still other embodiments, the device further comprises a connector tube having a first radial flange for fixing to a discharge flange of the discharge tube, and having a second radial flange at an opposite end of the connector tube for fixing the connector tube to other piping elements, the connector tube having a connector tube conduit formed along an outer surface of the connector tube and having a first opening positioned to pass through the first radial flange and to align with the second opening of the conduit formed in the discharge tube, and having a second opening formed through the second radial flange.

[0020] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a centrifugal pump casing is provided, comprising: a rear wall and a circumferential wall, the rear wall and the circumferential wall in combination defining a volute; a discharge pipe extending from the volute and having an outlet spaced from the volute; and a conduit providing a fluid path from the rear wall to the outlet of the discharge pipe, the conduit being positioned not in fluid communication with the volute or the discharge pipe. This aspect provides an improved system for conveying a secondary or intermediate fluid from a jacketed tube to a pump casing so as to release or recirculate the secondary or intermediate fluid at the connection point of the jacketed tube to the pump casing.

[0021] In some embodiments, the conduit has an inlet opening formed in the outer surface of the rear wall and an outlet opening formed at the outlet of the exhaust pipe.

[0022] In certain other embodiments, the discharge pipe further includes a discharge flange positioned at the outlet, and wherein the outlet opening of the conduit is formed through the discharge flange.

[0023] In yet other embodiments, the conduit includes a hole formed through a portion of the rear wall, the hole extending along a plane parallel to a plane in which the rear wall lies.

[0024] In yet other embodiments, the conduit is partially located within a sleeve formed along an outer surface of the exhaust tube.

[0025] In some embodiments, the centrifugal pump also includes a connector tube having a first radial flange for fixing to the discharge flange of the discharge pipe, and having a second radial flange, wherein the second radial flange is located at the opposite end of the connector tube so as to fix the connector tube to other pipeline elements, the connector tube having a connector tube conduit formed along the outer surface of the connector tube and having a first opening positioned to pass through the first radial flange and align with the outlet opening of the conduit formed in the discharge flange of the discharge pipe, and having a second opening formed through the second radial flange.

[0026] In a third aspect, a method of directing fluid from a jacketed tube to a connected fluid path comprises providing a jacketed tube comprising an inner tube and an outer tube, the outer tube surrounding the inner tube to provide an annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube, the outer tube having a flange connected to an end of the outer tube and having an opening formed through a wall of the outer tube near a point of connection of the outer tube to the flange, the flange having an orifice formed through the flange and spaced a distance from the wall of the outer tube; providing a manifold device secured to an outer surface of the outer tube and to the flange connected to the outer tube, the manifold device having a passage formed therein, the passage being positioned to be in fluid communication with the opening in the outer tube and with the orifice formed through the flange; and directing fluid from the annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube through the opening in the outer tube to the orifice in the flange via the passage formed in the manifold device and directing the fluid to the connected fluid path. This aspect provides an improved and simplified process for transferring a secondary or intermediate fluid between jacketed tube stubs or between a jacketed tube and a pump casing.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the communicating fluid path comprises an additional tube stub comprising a second inner tube and a second outer tube, the second outer tube surrounding the second inner tube to provide an annular space between the second inner tube and the second outer tube, the second outer tube having a flange connected to an end of the second outer tube and having an opening formed through the wall of the second outer tube near a point of connection of the second outer tube to the flange of the second outer tube, the flange of the second outer tube having an orifice formed through the flange and spaced a distance from an outer surface of the second outer tube, and a manifold device secured to the outer surface of the second outer tube and to the flange of the second outer tube, the manifold device having a channel formed therein and the channel positioned to be in fluid communication with the orifice formed through the flange of the second outer tube and the opening in the second outer tube, the method further comprising placing the orifice of the flange of the second outer tube in fluid communication with the orifice of the flange of the outer tube of the first jacketed tube to direct fluid between the communicating jacketed tubes.

[0028] In certain other embodiments, the connecting fluid path includes a pump housing having a rear wall, a discharge pipe, and a conduit formed in the rear wall and along the discharge pipe, the conduit having an inlet opening formed in the rear wall of the pump housing and positioned to be fluidically connected to an orifice of a flange connected to an external tube to guide fluid from the annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube to the conduit formed in the rear wall of the pump housing.

[0029] In yet other embodiments, the method further includes providing a connector tube fixed to a discharge pipe of a pump housing, the connector tube having a connector tube conduit formed along an outer surface of the connector tube and having a first opening, the first opening being positioned to be fluidically connected to an outlet opening of a conduit formed in the pump housing at an outlet of the discharge pipe, and to guide the fluid from the conduit of the pump housing to the connector conduit for delivery to another communication path.

[0030] Other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosed invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings facilitate understanding of the various embodiments.

[0032] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a manifold assembly and a jacketed tube according to the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of a jacketed tube shown in , with the manifold removed for ease of illustration;

[0034] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cross section of two adjacent jacketed pipes;

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sample of a manifold device according to the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the manifold assembly shown in , showing the first surface and the channel;

[0037] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 and Figure 5 A perspective view of the manifold arrangement shown in ;

[0038] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative manifold arrangement configuration;

[0039] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another alternative manifold arrangement configuration;

[0040] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of yet another alternative manifold arrangement;

[0041] Fig.10 is a perspective view of yet another alternative manifold arrangement;

[0042] Fig.11 is a perspective view of the jacketed pipe and manifold assembly connected to the pump casing;

[0043] Fig.12 is a front view of a cross section of a jacketed pipe connected to a pump casing;

[0044] Fig.13 is a perspective view of a pump housing according to the present disclosure;

[0045] Fig.14 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a pump housing according to the present disclosure;

[0046] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a connector tube according to the present disclosure; and

[0047] Fig.16 is a perspective view of an alternative apparatus for connecting adjacent tube stubs according to the present disclosure.

[0048] Specific implementation methods

[0049] exist Figure 1In a first aspect of the present disclosure shown, an apparatus, generally designated 10, for directing a fluid through a jacketed pipe system includes an inner pipe 14 having a wall 16 with an outer surface 18 and an outer pipe 20 coaxially disposed about the inner pipe 14 to form an annular space 24 between an inner surface 26 of a wall 28 of the outer pipe 20 and the outer surface 18 of the inner pipe 14.

[0050] like Figure 2 As best seen in FIG. 1 , flange 30 is connected to end 32 of outer tube 20. Flange 30 may be secured to outer tube 20 by known means, such as by weld 34. An inner diameter 38 of flange 30 may be registered with outer surface 18 of inner tube 14, and in some embodiments, may be secured to outer surface 18 of inner tube 14. Thus, annular space 24 is closed or bottomed in region 40 where the annular space abuts flange 30.

[0051] An opening 44 is formed through the wall 28 of the outer tube 20 near the point of connection of the flange 30 to the outer tube 20. The opening 44 is in fluid communication with the annular space 24 between the inner tube 14 and the outer tube 20. Notably, at least one opening 44 is provided in the device 10, but more than one opening 44 may be provided.

[0052] The flange 30 has a first surface 46 and an opposing second surface 48 with a thickness T therebetween. At least one aperture 50 extends through the thickness T of the flange 30 and is radially spaced from the point of connection of the flange 30 to the outer surface 52 of the outer tube 20. The at least one aperture 50 is positioned radially proximate to the opening 44 formed through the wall 28 of the outer tube 20, and vice versa. The flange 30 is also configured in a known manner with a plurality of bores 54 that enable one flange 30 to be secured to an adjacent flange to connect adjacent pipe systems or spools together or to connect the flange 30 to the pump casing using bolts or equivalent means, as described more fully below.

[0053] A manifold assembly or manifold block 56 is connected to the outer surface 52 of the outer tube 20 and to the first surface 46 of the flange 30. The manifold block 56 is positioned to close the opening 44 formed in the wall 28 of the outer tube 20 and to close the aperture 50 extending through the flange 30. The manifold block 56 is formed with a channel 58 that provides a fluid path between the opening 44 in the outer tube 20 and the aperture 50 in the flange 30. The device 10 according to the present disclosure has at least one manifold assembly, but may also have multiple manifold assemblies configured and positioned as described herein.

[0054] Figure 3One possible configuration of the device 10 for directing a fluid is shown, wherein a first jacket tube 60 is connected to a second jacket tube 62, each jacket tube consisting of an inner tube 14, 14' and an outer tube 20, 20', with an annular space 24, 24' being formed between the inner and outer tubes. In this particular example of configuration, the inner tubular string 64 having a radial tubular flange 66 attached to the inner tubular string 64 is arranged so that the radial tubular flange 66 is disposed between the flanges 30, 30' of the first and second jacket tubes 60, 62. It is worth noting that for ease of illustration, the continuous inner tubular portion of the inner tubular string 64 to be disposed within the second jacket tube 62 is removed. The radial tubular flange 66 of the inner tubular string 64 is configured with a through hole 68, which is aligned with the orifices 50, 50' of the connected first and second jacket tubes 60, 62. In operation, fluid moving through the annular space 24 of the first jacket tube 62 is directed through the opening 44 in the first jacket tube 60 and through the passage 58 of the manifold block 56, then through the aperture 50 of the first jacket tube 60, and through the through hole 68 of the inner tube flange 66, thereafter moving through the aperture 50' of the flange 30' of the second jacket tube 62, through the passage 58' in the manifold block 56' of the second jacket tube 62, and from the opening 44' through the outer tube 20' of the second jacket tube 62 to be directed to the annular space 24' of the second jacket tube 62.

[0055] exist Figure 3 In the assembly depicted in , the inner tubular string 64 can be used to carry the primary fluid, while the annular space 24 of the jacketed tubes 60, 62 surrounding the inner tubular string 64 carries the intermediate fluid or other fluid, such as steam or a cooling fluid. However, it should be noted that the device 10 of the present disclosure can also be configured so that the inner tube 14 of the adjacent jacketed tube stub can be used to carry the primary fluid or flow the primary fluid therethrough, while the annular space 24, 24' carries the intermediate fluid or other fluid, such as steam or a cooling fluid. In addition, alternatively, the inner tubular string 64 can be configured so that the adjacent inner tubes are connected end to end without connecting radial flanges 66, and in this configuration, the two adjacent flanges 30, 30' of the first jacketed tube 60 and the second jacketed tube 62, respectively, will be aligned with each other at their respective second surfaces 48 and will be bolted together so that the respective orifices 50, 50' of the respective flanges 30, 30' will be aligned to direct the fluid from one to the next.

[0056] Figures 4 to 10 An alternative form of manifold arrangement or manifold block 56 of the present disclosure is depicted. Figure 4 and Figure 5 One configuration of a manifold block 56 is depicted having multiple sides or faces, including a first face 72 positioned against the first surface 46 of the flange 30. The passage 58 of the manifold block 56 is formed in the first face 72 of the manifold block 56, as shown in FIG. Figure 5. The manifold block 56 has one or more opposing faces positioned in an orientation opposite to the first face 72 of the manifold block 56. The opposing faces may include a second face 74 positioned juxtaposed with and parallel to the first face 72. Another opposing face includes a third face 76 oriented to align with the outer surface 52 of the wall 28 of the outer tube 20. Additional opposing faces may include a fourth face 78, a fifth face 80, and a sixth face 82, each extending between the first face 72 and the second face 74. Additional faces, such as a seventh face 86, may be provided, formed between adjacent faces, namely the second face 74 and the fifth face 80.

[0057] In use, the first face 72 of the manifold block 56 is secured to the first surface 46 of the flange 30, and the third face 76 of the manifold block 56 is secured to the outer surface 52 of the outer tube 20 by a weld 86, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, this seals all edges of the face of the manifold block 56 to the outer tube 20 and the flange 30 to ensure a fluid-tight seal. Other means of providing attachment of the manifold assembly to the jacketed tube and flange while providing a fluid seal may be employed. Furthermore, while the manifold assembly is primarily illustrated herein in the form of a block, any other configuration other than a block per se may be employed, as long as the manifold assembly provides closure of the opening 44 in the outer tube 20 and closure of the orifice 50 in the flange 30 while providing a fluid path therebetween.

[0058] The manifold assembly or manifold block 56 may also be configured with an inlet port 90 such as Figure 4-9 The inlet port 90 may be formed in an opposing face of the manifold block 56, such as in the second face 74, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 , 5 Alternatively, the access port 90 may be formed in any other opposing surface, including the fourth surface 78, the fifth surface 80, the sixth surface 82, or the like. Figure 7 and Fig. 9 The seventh side 84 is shown in FIG.

[0059] The inlet port 90 is in fluid communication with the passage 58 formed in the first face 72 of the manifold block 56 and may be provided to flush the circuit interconnecting the annulus 24 for maintenance purposes, or to introduce fluid into the circuit, or to exhaust fluid from the circuit.

[0060] The access port 90 has an inner wall 96, which in some embodiments may provide a smooth surface, such as Figure 5-7 In other embodiments, the access port 90 has a threaded inner wall 98, such as Figure 8 and 9Thus, the auxiliary conduit can be inserted and secured in the access port by a friction fit if the inner wall 96 is smooth, or can be secured by an interlocking thread arrangement if the inner wall 98 is threaded. In addition, the access port 90 can be capped or closed by a plug 100 or any other means that provides a comprehensive seal of the access port 90 against fluid loss, such as Figure 3 As shown, such a cap or plug 100 is secured by a friction fit or by threads.

[0061] The inlet port 90 is oriented at an angle to a longitudinal axis 102 formed along the channel 58 of the manifold block 56. In one embodiment, the inlet port 90 is oriented at an angle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 102 of the channel 58, such as Figure 5 , 6 Alternatively, the access port 90 may be oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis 102 of the passage 58, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Fig. 9 The angle of the access port 90 relative to the passage 58 may be determined by the configuration of the jacketed tube stubs and their arrangement relative to one another to provide an orientation that best facilitates access to the at least one manifold assembly and its associated access port 90 .

[0062] In yet another embodiment, the manifold assembly or manifold block 56 may have no access ports, such as Fig.10 as shown in .

[0063] In another application of the device 10 for guiding a fluid according to the present disclosure, the flange 30 may be fixed to the pump housing 106, such as Fig.11 The device 10 also includes a pump housing 106 having a rear wall 108 and a peripheral wall 110, the rear wall and the peripheral wall in combination defining a scroll member 112 ( Fig.12 ), the scroll member provides a pump chamber 120 sized to receive an impeller 122. The pump housing 106 also has a discharge tube 114 extending from the scroll member 112, the discharge tube 114 having an outlet 116 spaced from the scroll member 112. A conduit 118 is formed in the pump housing to provide a fluid path from the rear wall 108 to the outlet 116 of the discharge tube 114, the conduit being positioned and arranged not to be in fluid communication with the fluid in the pump chamber 120 or the discharge tube 114.

[0064] like Fig.12 and 13 As best seen in FIG. 1 , the pump housing 106 may be configured with an upstanding sleeve 124 that provides support for the inner tube 14 of a jacketed tube 126 that surrounds the upstanding sleeve 124. The upstanding sleeve 124 also provides a housing for a portion of the drive components of the pump 128, such as a drive shaft 130 and associated bearings and seals (not shown).

[0065] The conduit 118 has a first opening 134 or inlet opening 136 positioned through the outer surface 142 of the rear wall 108 of the pump housing 106. In assembly, the second surface 48 of the flange 30 of the jacketed tube is positioned to align with the outer surface 142 of the rear wall 108 and is positioned so that the aperture 50 of the flange 30 is aligned with the inlet opening 136 of the conduit 118. Thus, the inlet opening 136 receives fluid from the annular space 24 between the inner tube 14 and the outer tube 20 via the passage 58 formed in the manifold 56, which is directed through the passage 58 into the aperture 50 of the flange 30.

[0066] The conduit 118 has a second opening 138 or outlet opening 140 located near the discharge pipe 114. The discharge pipe 114 of the pump housing 106 also includes a discharge flange 144 located at an end 146 of the discharge pipe 114, and the conduit 118 extends to and through the discharge flange 144, and the second opening 138 or outlet opening 140 of the conduit 118 is formed through the discharge flange 144 of the pump housing 106.

[0067] In some embodiments, the conduit 118 includes a hole 150 formed through the rear wall 108 of the pump housing 106 in a substantially radial direction relative to a rotation axis 152 passing through the pump housing 106. In other words, the hole 150 defining the conduit 118 is located in a plane parallel to the plane in which the outer surface 142 of the rear wall 108 is located, and is located at a position perpendicular to the plane in which the rotation axis 152 is located. The hole 150 is not in fluid communication with the pump chamber 120 of the pump housing 106. In addition, the hole 150 of the conduit 118 can be partially located within a sleeve 156 formed along the outer surface 158 of the discharge tube 114, and thus is not in fluid communication with the interior of the discharge tube 114.

[0068] exist Fig.11 and Fig.13 In another arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 , a connector tube 160 having a first radial flange 162 may be provided for securing to the discharge flange 144 of the discharge tube 114. The connector tube 160 may also have a second radial flange 164 at an opposite end 166 of the connector tube 160 for securing the connector tube 160 to other piping elements, such as Fig.16 as shown in .

[0069] like Fig.15As best seen in FIG. 1 , the connector tube 160 has a connector tube conduit 170 formed along an outer surface 172 of the connector tube 160, the connector tube conduit 170 having a first opening 174 positioned through the first radial flange 162. When the first radial flange 162 of the connector tube 160 is secured to the discharge flange 144 of the discharge tube 114, the first opening 174 of the connector tube conduit 170 is aligned with the outlet opening 140 formed in the discharge flange 144 so that fluid can be directed from the conduit 118 of the pump housing 106 to the connector tube conduit 170. The connector tube conduit 170 also has a second opening 176 formed in the second radial flange 164 of the connector tube 160.

[0070] Therefore, in Fig.16 In one arrangement of adjacent tube stubs shown, a fluid such as steam may be directed from a first jacketed tube 60 configured as previously described to an adjacently connected second jacketed tube 62 configured as previously described, which is connected to a pump housing 106 as previously described. The directed fluid, such as steam, may be directed through the conduit 118 and the discharge tube 114 of the pump housing 106, through the connector tube conduit 170 of the connector tube 160, and then to and through an additional tube stub 180, which may be configured similarly to that described with respect to the first and second jacketed tubes 60, 62, and which is configured with a manifold 182 that provides fluid direction from the connector tube conduit 170 to the additional tube stub 180 in the manner previously described herein. The additional tube stub 180 may or may not be a jacketed tube, and if not a jacketed tube, the manifold 182 delivers the fluid directly to the interior of the tube 184 of the additional tube stub 180.

[0071] In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terms have been employed for the purpose of clarity. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it should be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve similar technical purposes. Terms such as "left" and "right", "front" and "back", "upper" and "lower", etc. are used as convenient words to provide reference points and should not be interpreted as limiting terms.

[0072] In this specification, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, i.e., in the sense of "including", and is therefore not limited to the "closed" sense, which is the sense of "consisting only of..." If the corresponding words "comprising", "including" and "having" appear, the corresponding sense is also considered to be an attribute of the corresponding words "comprising", "including" and "having".

[0073] Additionally, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention, and modifications, amendments, additions and / or changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0074] Furthermore, the invention has been described in conjunction with what are currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent devices included in the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the various embodiments described above can be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, for example, aspects of one embodiment can be combined with aspects of another embodiment to implement other embodiments. In addition, each independent feature or component of any given component can constitute another embodiment.

[0075] Reference numerals

[0076] Jacket device 10

[0077] Internal tube 14

[0078] Internal pipe wall 16

[0079] Internal pipe wall outer surface 18

[0080] External tube 20

[0081] Annular Space 24

[0082] Inner surface 26 (of the outer tube)

[0083] Wall 28 (of the outer tube)

[0084] Flange 30

[0085] External pipe end 32

[0086] Weld 34

[0087] Inner diameter 38

[0088] Area 40

[0089] Opening 44

[0090] First surface 46 (of flange)

[0091] The opposite second surface 48 (of the flange)

[0092] Orifice 50

[0093] The outer surface 52 (of the outer tube)

[0094] Boring 54

[0095] Manifold device (or block) 56, 182

[0096] Channel 58 (of the manifold block)

[0097] First jacket tube 60

[0098] Second jacket tube 62

[0099] Internal column 64

[0100] Radial tube flange 66

[0101] Through hole 68

[0102] First face 72 (of the manifold block)

[0103] Second face 74 (of the manifold block)

[0104] The third side 76 (of the manifold block)

[0105] The fourth side 78 (of the manifold block)

[0106] The fifth side 80 (of the manifold block)

[0107] The sixth side 82 (of the manifold block)

[0108] The seventh side (of the manifold block) 84

[0109] Weld 86

[0110] Enter port 90

[0111] Inner wall 96 (of the entry port)

[0112] Threaded inner wall (entry port) 98

[0113] Plug 100 (for access port)

[0114] Longitudinal axis 102 (of the channel)

[0115] Pump housing 106

[0116] Rear wall 108 (of pump housing)

[0117] Circumferential wall 110 (of the pump housing)

[0118] Scroll (pump housing) 112

[0119] (Pump housing) discharge pipe 114

[0120] Catheter 118

[0121] Pump room 120

[0122] Impeller 122

[0123] Outlet 116 (of the discharge pipe)

[0124] Upright sleeve (pump housing) 124

[0125] Jacketed pipe 126

[0126] Pump 128

[0127] Drive shaft 130

[0128] First (inlet) opening (of the conduit) 134, 136

[0129] Outer surface 142 (of rear wall)

[0130] Second (outlet) opening (of the conduit) 138, 140

[0131] Discharge flange 144 (of the discharge pipe)

[0132] End 146 (of the discharge pipe)

[0133] Hole 150 (of the catheter)

[0134] Axis of rotation 152

[0135] Sleeve 156

[0136] Outer surface 158 (of the discharge pipe)

[0137] Connector tube 160

[0138] First radial flange 162

[0139] Second radial flange 164

[0140] Opposite end 166 (of the connector tube)

[0141] Connector tube conduit 170

[0142] Outer surface 172 (of the connector tube)

[0143] First opening 174

[0144] Second opening 176

[0145] Additional tube short tube 180

[0146] Tube 184

Claims

1. A jacketed tube pump, comprising: an inner tube having a wall with an outer surface; an outer tube coaxially disposed around the inner tube to form an annular space between an inner surface of a wall of the outer tube and an outer surface of the inner tube; a flange connected to an end of the outer tube, the flange having at least one aperture extending through a thickness of the flange and radially spaced from a point of connection of the flange to an outer surface of the outer tube; an opening formed through the wall of the outer tube proximate a point of connection of the flange to the outer tube, the opening being in fluid communication with the annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube and being positioned radially proximate to the at least one orifice formed through the flange; as well as A manifold is connected to the outer surface of the outer tube and to the flange, the manifold being positioned to close the opening formed in the outer tube and to close the orifice extending through the flange, the manifold forming a channel providing a fluid path between the opening in the outer tube and the orifice in the flange.

2. The jacketed tube pump of claim 1, wherein at least one manifold device has a first face positioned against the first surface of the flange, the passageway being formed in the first face of the at least one manifold device.

3. The jacketed tube pump of claim 2, wherein the at least one manifold device has an opposing face, the opposing face being positioned in an opposite orientation to the first face of the at least one manifold device.

4. The jacketed tube pump of claim 3, wherein an inlet port is formed in the opposing face of the at least one manifold device, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the passageway of the at least one manifold device.

5. The jacketed tube pump of claim 4, wherein the inlet port is oriented at an angle to a longitudinal axis formed along the passageway.

6. The jacketed tube pump of claim 5, wherein the inlet port is oriented at an angle perpendicular to the passageway, and the opposing face is a second face positioned parallel to the first face of the manifold, the inlet port being formed through the second face.

7. The jacketed tube pump of claim 5, wherein the inlet port is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the passageway.

8. The jacketed tube pump of claim 4, wherein the inlet port has a threaded inner wall.

9. The jacketed tube pump of claim 2, wherein the at least one manifold device is further provided with a third face positioned against and connected to the wall of the outer tube.

10. A jacketed tube pump according to any preceding claim, further comprising a pump housing attached to the flange, the pump housing having a rear wall partially forming a pump chamber and having a discharge pipe, the pump housing further comprising a conduit formed along the rear wall and along the discharge pipe, the conduit being external to the pump chamber and the discharge pipe, the conduit having a first opening positioned in the rear wall of the pump housing and aligned with an orifice formed through the flange connected to the outer pipe to receive fluid from the annular space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, the conduit having a second opening located adjacent the discharge pipe.

11. The device for directing fluid according to claim 10, wherein the discharge pipe of the pump housing further comprises a discharge flange at the end of the discharge pipe, and wherein the conduit extends to and through the discharge flange, the second opening of the conduit being formed through the discharge flange of the discharge pipe.

12. The jacketed tube pump according to claim 11, further comprising a connector tube having a first radial flange for fixing to a flange of the discharge tube, and having a second radial flange, the second radial flange being located at an opposite end of the connector tube for fixing the connector tube to other piping elements, the connector tube having a connector tube conduit formed along an outer surface of the connector tube and having a first opening positioned through the first radial flange and aligned with the second opening of the conduit formed in the discharge tube, and having a second opening formed through the second radial flange.

13. A centrifugal pump casing, comprising: a rear wall and a peripheral wall, the rear wall and the peripheral wall in combination defining a scroll member; a discharge conduit extending from the scroll and having an outlet spaced apart from the scroll; as well as A conduit provides a fluid path from the rear wall to the outlet of the discharge tube, the conduit being positioned not in fluid communication with the scroll or the discharge tube.

14. The centrifugal pump casing of claim 13, wherein the duct has an inlet opening formed in an outer surface of the rear wall and an outlet opening formed at the outlet of the discharge pipe.

15. The centrifugal pump casing of claim 14, wherein the discharge conduit further comprises a discharge flange positioned at the outlet, and wherein the outlet opening of the conduit is formed through the discharge flange.

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