Compensation Assembly for Fluid Treatment Devices and Related Devices, Systems, and Methods

Abstract

A pump and fluid treatment device, and related methods, for modifying at least one property of a fluid includes a compensation assembly including at least one biasing element that allows a hydraulic insert to move within a housing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000017095, filed July 14, 2020, for "Compensation Assemblies for Fluid Treatment Devices and Related Devices, Systems, and Methods," and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 069,645, filed October 13, 2020, for "Flow Control Devices and Related Systems and Methods," the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to compensation assemblies for fluid treatment devices. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to compensation assemblies for biasing internal components of fluid treatment devices, such as pumps and related devices, systems, and methods. [Background technology]

[0003] Industrial processes often involve hydraulic systems that include pumps, valves, impellers, etc. Pumps and valves can be used to control the flow of fluids used in hydraulic processes. For example, some pumps are used to increase (e.g., boost) pressure within a hydraulic system, while other pumps are used to move fluids from one location to another.

[0004] Pump impellers and diffusers are well-known components that cooperate to rotate turbomachines and impart energy to a working fluid. In one conventional pump design, the impeller (e.g., rotor) rotates to increase the kinetic energy of the fluid, while a diffuser or housing (e.g., often in the form of a vane array) remains stationary radially outward of the impeller and converts the kinetic energy into pressure energy. The torque required to drive the rotor is typically provided by a motor and transmitted via a rotating shaft to the rotor, which rotates within the pump housing. Similarly, in conventional turbine designs, fluid flow and pressure are applied to the rotor, causing it to rotate within a stationary turbine casing, and the rotation and torque generated by the rotor are transmitted via the rotating shaft to an external generator.

[0005] One of the difficulties associated with pumps or turbines is the ability to expand the capacity of an existing pump or turbine design to meet the requirements of a given application, which generally requires redesigning the physical shape and size of the rotor, running the rotor at a higher speed, and / or adding additional rotors.

[0006] The total head produced by a pump is a function of the rotor diameter and its rotational speed, while the flow rate delivery at a given rotor diameter and speed is determined by the rotor width. For a given rotor design, the maximum rotor speed is limited by the amount of torque the motor can generate. The rotational speed is also limited by both the frequency limitations of the inverter used to drive the motor and the net positive suction head (NPSH) available at the rotor inlet.

[0007] Increasing power output by increasing the number of rotors can also be problematic for pump or turbine design. For example, in a multi-stage pump or turbine, a single large motor supplies torque to multiple rotors via a common shaft, or a single large generator receives torque from multiple rotors via a common shaft. This approach generally requires a large and bulky motor or generator, and as the number of rotor stages increases, the shaft diameter and length must increase, potentially increasing the combined torque and weight of all rotors. Minimizing the shaft length (e.g., the distance between two support bearings) has the advantage of ensuring the correct shaft stiffness to avoid problems with the pump's rotational dynamics.

[0008] Furthermore, due to the unique functional characteristics of each impeller stage, the generated hydraulic pressure creates an axial thrust at each individual impeller, and the sum of all the individual thrust loads determined by each individual impeller can become quite large and require the use of a balancing device (e.g., a balance drum) to provide opposing thrust loads that can substantially equalize the simultaneous thrust loads to allow normal pump operation. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Various embodiments may include a pump for modifying at least one characteristic of a fluid. The pump may include an outer housing and pump stages disposed within the outer housing. Each pump stage of the pump stages may include an impeller and a diffuser at least partially housing the impeller. The pump may further include a shaft disposed within the outer housing, the impellers of each pump stage coupled to the shaft such that the shaft rotates each impeller about an axis of the shaft to modify at least one characteristic of the fluid as the fluid moves through each of the pump stages. The pump may further include a crossover element disposed between the first set of pump stages and the second set of pump stages, the crossover element configured to allow fluid communication between the first set of pump stages and the second set of pump stages. The pump may further include a compensation assembly disposed within the outer housing, the compensation assembly comprising at least one biasing element for biasing the compensation assembly to an initial position, wherein the compensation assembly is adapted to allow the second set of pump stages to move within the outer housing in an axial direction along the axis of the shaft relative to at least one of the first set of pump stages or the crossover element against the biasing force of the at least one biasing element.

[0010] Another example can include a fluid treatment device for modifying at least one property of a fluid, the fluid treatment device including an outer housing and a first hydraulic insert disposed within the outer housing, the first hydraulic insert configured to modify at least one property of the fluid as the fluid moves through one or more stages of the first hydraulic insert. The fluid treatment device can further include a second hydraulic insert disposed within the outer housing in fluid communication with the first hydraulic insert, the second hydraulic insert configured to modify at least one property of the fluid as the fluid moves through one or more additional stages of the second hydraulic insert. The fluid treatment device can further include a crossover element disposed between the first and second hydraulic inserts, the crossover element configured to allow fluid communication between the first and second hydraulic inserts. The fluid treatment device may further include a compensation assembly disposed within the outer housing and including one or more biasing elements, the compensation assembly being adapted to allow the second hydraulic insert to move axially within and relative to the outer housing in response to a force applied to the second hydraulic insert sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the one or more biasing elements.

[0011] Another example may include a method of preloading at least one hydraulic insert in a pump, the method including the steps of: placing the at least one hydraulic insert in an outer housing of the pump; pressing the at least one hydraulic insert into a crossover element in the outer housing to preload at least one biasing element of a compensation assembly in the outer housing, the crossover element allowing fluid flow between the at least one hydraulic insert and other portions of the pump; and enclosing the at least one hydraulic insert in the outer housing with the at least one biasing element of the compensation assembly preloaded.

[0012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, the various features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be more readily ascertained from the following description of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pump including a compensation assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway isometric view of a compensation assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compensation assembly disposed within a pump according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a compensation assembly disposed within a pump in a first no-load position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a compensation assembly disposed within a pump in a second part load position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a compensation assembly disposed within a pump in a third, maximum load position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The figures presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular fluid exchanger or its components, but merely idealized representations used to explain exemplary embodiments. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Elements common between figures may retain the same numbering designations.

[0015] As used herein, the terms "first," "second," "top," "bottom," and similar relative terms are generally used for clarity and convenience in understanding this disclosure and the accompanying drawings, and are not intended to imply any particular preference, orientation, or order unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0016] As used herein, the term "and / or" means and includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "vertical" and "lateral" refer to the orientation as shown in the figures.

[0018] As used herein, the terms "substantially" or "about" mean and include, with respect to a given parameter, the extent to which one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, characteristic, or condition is met with a small degree of variation, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. For example, a parameter that is substantially met can be at least 90% met, at least 95% met, at least 99% met, or even 100% met.

[0019] As used herein, the term "fluid" can refer to and include fluids of any type and composition. Fluids can be in liquid form, gaseous form, or a combination thereof, and in some cases can include some solid material. In some examples, fluids can convert between liquid and gaseous forms during the cooling or heating processes described herein. In some examples, the term fluid includes gases, liquids, and / or pumpable mixtures of liquids and solids.

[0020] Compensation assemblies according to embodiments of the present disclosure can provide compensation for loads and thermal expansion in fluid treatment devices such as pumps or turbines. For example, some embodiments can include an integrated compensation assembly or system that can compensate for thrust loads (e.g., opposed thrust loads in opposed stage pump designs) and provide axial preload for internal components of a hydraulic cartridge (e.g., one or more inserts of a stage, each including an impeller).

[0021] Examples of the present disclosure include pumps that may also be characterized as turbines. In some embodiments, a multi-stage pump may include several opposing stages, as discussed below. Such a push-type multi-stage pump may include most or all of the pump characteristics of a multi-stage pump with in-line stages, each generally aligned. However, a push-type multi-stage pump may have the advantage of substantially self-balancing hydraulic thrust loads. The resulting pump design may have a substantially residual overall thrust load and may be relatively stable and less susceptible to operating conditions and internal component wear. Furthermore, such a design may enable the use of self-lubricating standard thrust bearings, with significant cost savings and simplified operation.

[0022] When implemented in an opposed-impeller pump, the compensating element or assembly may be located in the center of the pump (e.g., at or integral with the central element) between the final stage of the hydraulic set and a central element separating the opposing stages of the pump. In such embodiments, to facilitate opposing stages in such pump designs, a central element (e.g., a crossover element) may be located between the opposing stages to allow crossflow between two opposing inserts or banks of hydraulic stages. The central element, including (e.g., housing) a compensating element according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may act to hold or secure a central sleeve that acts as a central fluid bearing for the shaft driving the rotor of the opposing stage and align the stage relative to the pump housing. The central element, including a compensating element according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may also hold or secure a gasket that seals two different pressures between two blocks of hydraulic elements, balance hydraulic thrust, and enable compression of internal elements for use with various types of closures, such as bayonet-type closures.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an integrated compensation assembly or system in a final stage of a pump. For example, the integrated compensation assembly may be located proximate to (e.g., at) a central element of the pump, which separates one or more sets of stages (e.g., opposing stages) of the pump. In some embodiments, the integrated compensation assembly may define at least a portion of a stage diffuser at an end of a set of stages (e.g., the last stage diffuser in a set of stage diffusers). As previously mentioned, the central element may be a crossover element that allows fluid flow between opposing sets of stages.

[0024] The compensating element or assembly may allow one or more stages of the pump to move axially along the pump (e.g., along the longitudinal axis, along the axis of rotation of the rotor, etc.). Such movement may impose an axial load on the compensating assembly. For example, one or more sets of pump stages may not be coupled to the pump housing, but may be constrained only by portions of the pump housing (e.g., one or more housing end caps) that retain the stages within the pump housing (e.g., the stages may be substantially free to float within the pump housing). One or more of the sets of stages may be pressed into the compensating element to preload the stages while allowing further axial movement of the stages.

[0025] Some embodiments of the compensating assemblies disclosed herein include one or more biasing elements (e.g., spring washers such as Belleville, crescent, dome, finger, wave, single wave washers, etc.), where the compression amplitude of the one or more biasing elements allows for dynamic compensation for thermal expansion or other variable loads and / or pump movement. Such compensating assemblies may allow for the use of housing parts (e.g., pump casing cover closures) in a manner other than traditional studs and bolts, for example, using bayonet-type closures.

[0026] Although embodiments of the present disclosure discuss compensation assemblies with particular reference to multi-stage impeller pumps with opposing sets of stages, further embodiments may be implemented in other types of pumps, turbines, and other fluid processing devices (e.g., in-line impeller pumps, etc.).

[0027] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a pump 100 including a compensation assembly 102. As shown, the pump 100 may comprise a multi-stage pump 100 including one or more stages 104, each stage 104 including an impeller 106 (e.g., a rotor) and a diffuser 108 (e.g., a stator, stage housing, etc.). Each impeller 106 may be coupled to a common shaft 110 that extends along and rotates about an axis (e.g., longitudinal axis) of the pump 100 and may be driven by an external and / or internal motor or by another energy source.

[0028] In the opposed configuration, each set of adjacent stages 104 can define an insert (e.g., a first insert 112 and a second insert 114). For example, the first insert 112 can be positioned proximate to (e.g., at) the fluid inlet 116. Fluid from the inlet 116 can be fed into the stages 104, where each stage 104 changes at least one property (e.g., kinetic energy, pressure, etc.) of the fluid as it passes through the stage 104. As previously described, each impeller 106 forces fluid through each respective stage 104 to pressurize the fluid.

[0029] After passing through the first insert 112, the fluid may enter a central element (e.g., a crossover element 118) separating the first insert 112 from the second insert 114. As shown, the crossover element 118 may define a portion of the diffuser 108 of the last stage 104 of the first insert 112 (e.g., one axial side of the diffuser 108, a majority of the diffuser 108). One or more channels 120 within the crossover element 118 may allow the fluid to pass to a volume adjacent to the second insert 114. For example, the fluid may pass from the crossover element 118 to an annulus 122 defined between the second insert 114 and an outer pump housing 124 in which one or both of the second insert 114 and the first insert 112 are received. The annulus 122 may extend axially around the stage 104 of the second insert 114 and be in fluid communication with the radial channels 126. The radial channels 126 may fluidly connect openings in the first stage 104 of the second insert 114 that allow fluid to pass through each stage 104 of the second insert 114 .

[0030] After passing through the last or final stage 104 of the second insert 114, the fluid may pass to an outlet 128 of the pump 100. For example, the fluid may exit the final stage 104 and return to the crossover element 118 (e.g., via an additional channel 120 within the crossover element 118). As noted above, the crossover element 118 (e.g., and / or a portion of the compensator assembly 102 integral with the crossover element 118) may define a portion (e.g., one axial side, a majority, or the entirety) of the diffuser 108 of the final stage 104 of the second insert 114. The channel 120 within the crossover element 118 may be in fluid communication with the outlet 128 via another annulus 130 defined between the second insert 114 and the outer pump housing 124.

[0031] In some embodiments, as shown, a portion of the crossover element 118 may define a portion of one or both of the annular portion 122 and the other annular portion 130 together with the outer pump housing 124 .

[0032] As shown, the compensating assembly 102 may be defined as an integral part of one or more elements of the pump 100. For example, the compensating assembly 102 may be located at one axial end of the crossover element 118 and may define at least a portion (e.g., most of, all of) the diffuser 108 of the final stage 104 of the second insert 114. For example, the compensating assembly 102 may define a radial channel 127 extending outward from the impeller 106 that connects with a channel 120 of the crossover element 118. In further embodiments, the compensating assembly 102 may define only a portion (e.g., one axial side or portion thereof) of the diffuser 108 and / or may be coupled to a separate diffuser 108.

[0033] As described in more detail below, the compensating assembly 102 may allow movement of one or more of the stages 104 (e.g., the stages 104 of the second insert 114) in the axial direction of the pump 100 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis of the pump 100 and / or along the axis of rotation of the impeller 106 and / or shaft 110). As shown, the compensating assembly 102 may include an integral diffuser 108. In some embodiments, the compensating assembly 102 may be integrated with each stage 104 of the second insert 114, and the compensating assembly 102 and the second insert 114 may move together as a single unit.

[0034] The compensation assembly 102 may include one or more biasing elements 132 that allow the second insert 114 to move relative to other portions of the pump 100 (e.g., the crossover element 118, the first insert 112, and / or the outer pump housing 124) while damping such movement. In some embodiments, the biasing elements may comprise one or more of a spring washer (e.g., Belleville, crescent, dome, finger, wave, or single wave washer), a spring (e.g., a compression spring, a leaf spring, a spiral spring), and / or other resiliently compressible or deformable material, or the like.

[0035] In some embodiments, the biasing element 132 can bias the second insert 114 to a position away from (e.g., spaced apart from) the crossover element 118. Deformation (e.g., elastic deformation, such as compression) of the biasing element 132 can allow the second insert 114 to move relative to (e.g., toward) the crossover element 118. For example, deformation of the biasing element 132 can allow the second insert 114 to move relatively closer to the crossover element 118. In this manner, the compensation assembly 102 can move relatively closer to the crossover element 118 in response to a force applied to the second insert 114 sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the biasing element 132.

[0036] In some embodiments, the compensation assembly 102 may be loaded (e.g., axially preloaded) when one or more of the inserts 112, 114 are disposed within the outer pump housing 124. The first insert 112, the second insert 114, and the crossover element 118 may be disposed within the outer pump housing 124 (e.g., separately, in one or more groups, or as an assembled unit). One or more end caps 134 (e.g., at each end of the outer pump housing 124) may be coupled to the outer pump housing 124 to secure the first insert 112, the second insert 114, and the crossover element 118 to the outer pump housing 124.

[0037] The first insert 112, the second insert 114, and the crossover element 118 may be dimensioned such that the compensation assembly 102 is at least partially preloaded when at least one of the end caps 134 (e.g., the end cap 134 adjacent the second insert 114) is secured within the outer pump housing 124. For example, the second insert 114 can be pressed into the compensation assembly 102 to deform (e.g., elastically deform) the biasing element 132.

[0038] As described in more detail below, such an installed preload may be selected to only partially deform biasing element 132. Compensation assembly 102 may allow further deformation of biasing element 132 during operation of pump 100 and / or during selected operating conditions.

[0039] Although the end caps 134 are shown as being fastened (e.g., with bolts) to the outer housing 124, in some embodiments, the compensation assembly 102 may allow for the use of other closure assemblies. For example, quick-release closures (e.g., bayonet closures) may be used on one or both of the end caps 134, which may preload and / or secure the inserts 112, 114 within the outer pump housing 124.

[0040] As shown, one of the end caps 134 (e.g., the end cap 134 adjacent to the first insert 112) can be inserted into the outer housing 124 and can define at least a portion of the diffuser 108 of one or more stages 104.

[0041] Figure 2 is a partially cutaway isometric view of compensation assembly 200, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of compensation assembly 200 disposed within a pump (e.g., pump 100). In some embodiments, one or both of compensation assembly 200 and pump 100, or components thereof, may be similar to and include the same components as those described above with respect to Figure 1.

[0042] 2 and 3, the compensating assembly 200 is disposed adjacent to a portion of the crossover element 202. For example, the compensating assembly 200 may be at least partially received within a portion of the crossover element 202 and may move relative to the crossover element 202. The compensating assembly 200 and / or the crossover element 202 may be formed as an annular element extending around the shaft 110 of the pump 100. As described above, the compensating assembly 200 may define some, most, or all of the one or more diffusers 108 of the pump 100. For example, the compensating assembly 200 may define one or more internal recesses 201 that provide clearance for the impeller 106 (FIG. 1) and define one or more fluid channels for supplying and / or directing fluid to and from the impeller 106.

[0043] An axial end 204 of the compensation assembly 200 may interface with an axial end of the crossover element 202 and may be at least partially received within a recess 206 of the crossover element 202. For example, the axial end 204 of the compensation assembly 200 may be received within the recess 206 and may move (e.g., slide, translate) relative to the crossover element 202 (e.g., axially).

[0044] Movement of the axial end 204 of the compensating assembly 200 can be constrained in one or more directions. For example, a biasing element 208 (e.g., a spring, a disk washer or spring, a Belleville washer or spring, combinations thereof, etc.) can be disposed between the compensating assembly 200 and the crossover element 202 to allow movement between these elements 200, 202 while restricting movement by biasing the compensating assembly 200 away from the crossover element 202. As shown, the biasing element 208 can be an annular element (e.g., a ring) comprising a metallic material. In some embodiments, the biasing element 208 can be disposed in a notch or shoulder 209 in the axial end 204 of the compensating assembly 200 and in a notch or shoulder 211 in the crossover element 202.

[0045] Compensating assembly 200 may include a first axial arm or portion 210 that at least partially surrounds biasing element 208 and a second axial arm or portion 212 that defines a seal (e.g., by an O-ring) between compensating assembly 200 and crossover element 202. In some embodiments, first arm 210 and second arm 212 may be radially offset in a stepped configuration and received in a complementary stepped recess 206 in crossover element 202.

[0046] The limits of movement or motion of compensation assembly 200 may be defined by axially opposing surfaces of compensation assembly 200 and crossover element 202. For example, one or more axial surfaces 214 of crossover element 202 may abut one or more axial surfaces 216 of compensation assembly 200 or adjacent steps 104 to prevent movement of compensation assembly 200 from further moving toward crossover element 202 within recess 206 (e.g., moving against the biasing force of biasing element 208).

[0047] On the opposite axial side, another surface (e.g., stop element 218) may prevent the compensating assembly 200 from moving further away from the crossover element 202 (e.g., by exiting recess 206). The stop element 218 may comprise a ring that seats in a complementary radially extending recess 220 in the crossover element 202. As shown, movement of the compensating assembly 200 relative to the crossover element 202 may open or close one or more gaps 222 between the axial surfaces 214, 216 of the compensating assembly 200 and the crossover element 202, respectively.

[0048] In some embodiments, one or both of the compensating assembly 200 and the crossover element 202 may include one or more features to at least partially (e.g., substantially) balance fluid forces on either axial side of the biasing element 208. For example, one or more scallops 224 may be defined in the compensating assembly 200 that allow fluid within the pump 100 to reach both axial sides of the biasing element 208. The one or more scallops 224 may act to balance a force exerted by a fluid on one side of the biasing element 208 with a substantially similar force acting by the same fluid on an opposite side of the biasing element 208 (e.g., to minimize a pressure differential).

[0049] In some embodiments, the crossover element 202 may be at least partially secured (e.g., sealed) to the outer pump housing 124 (e.g., by complementary stepped radial surfaces) to at least partially (e.g., completely) inhibit movement of the crossover element 202 within the pump 100. For example, the crossover element 202 may be substantially centered within the outer pump housing 124 using complementary stepped surfaces on the crossover element 202 and the outer pump housing 124.

[0050] In some embodiments, one or both of the compensation assembly 200 and the crossover element 202 may include a fastening feature 226 that may be used to secure the compensation assembly 200 to the crossover element 202 to preload the biasing element 208. For example, the fastening feature 226 may be used to preload the biasing element 208 for adjusting the biasing element 208 prior to installation in the pump 100 and / or for inserting the stop element 218 into its seat, in which case the fasteners are removed prior to attachment to the pump 100.

[0051] 4 is a cross-sectional view of compensation assembly 300 disposed within pump 100 in a first, no-load position. In some embodiments, one or both of compensation assembly 300 and pump 100, or components thereof, may be similar to and include the same components as those described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIG. 4, biasing element 308 may be in a no-load (e.g., unstressed) position between compensation assembly 300 and crossover element 302.

[0052] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the compensation assembly 300 disposed within the pump 100 in a second, part-load position. As shown in FIG. 5, the biasing element 308 may be preloaded in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the preload may be the nominal stress state of the biasing element 308 when separating the compensation assembly 300 and the crossover element 302. In some embodiments, this preload position may be designed to provide optimal alignment between sections of the pump 100 (e.g., between the stages 104), for example, to minimize or even prevent fluid leakage.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the compensating assembly 300 disposed within the pump 100 in a third, maximum load position. As shown in FIG. 6, the biasing element 308 may be in a maximum deflection position. For example, one or more sets of opposing axial surfaces of the compensating assembly 300 and the crossover element 302 may be in contact to prevent further movement of the compensating assembly 300 and / or further deflection of the biasing element 308. In such an embodiment, any additional axial load is absorbed directly by the contacting surfaces of the compensating assembly 300 and the crossover element 302 and securely transferred to the pump housing 124 and / or end cap 134 ( FIG. 1 ). Such a configuration may at least partially or completely prevent overloading of the biasing element 308.

[0054] As previously discussed, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide compensation for loads and thermal expansion in fluid processing devices, such as pumps or turbines. For example, some embodiments can include an integrated compensation assembly or system that can compensate for thrust loads (e.g., in opposed-stage pump designs) and can provide axial preload for internal components (e.g., a set of stages) of a hydraulic cartridge. Such an integrated compensation system can function to maintain the hydraulic cartridge of a stage within a pump in functional equilibrium under most or all operating conditions as a biasing element acts to bias the stage to a selected optimal position along the axial direction of the pump. The compensation assembly can also enable optimal alignment and simplified mounting or installation of the internal components of the pump that make up the hydraulic cartridge.

[0055] Pumps or fluid treatment devices according to embodiments disclosed herein have a relatively high ability to withstand relatively high internally generated pressures, avoid internal fluid leakage and liquid leakage outside the pump, and can withstand load cycles and thermal and / or expansion and / or shock under various operating temperature conditions. Furthermore, compensation assemblies according to embodiments of the present disclosure can help account for mechanical tolerance stack-up in the assembly of multiple components (e.g., pump or turbine stages) to substantially ensure an assembly that matches design expectations. For example, some embodiments of compensation assemblies disclosed herein can allow for compression and decompression of a rotor stack relative to pump internal thrust loads, thermal expansion, and / or manufacturing machining tolerance stack-up variations.

[0056] While the present disclosure has been described herein with reference to specific illustrated embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize and understand that the disclosure is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the described embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as claimed below, including its legal equivalents. Furthermore, features of one embodiment can be combined with features of another embodiment and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventors.

Claims

1. 1. A pump for modifying at least one property of a fluid, comprising: An outer housing; pump stages disposed within the outer housing, each pump stage comprising: The impeller and a diffuser that at least partially houses the impeller; a pump stage comprising: a shaft disposed within the outer housing, the impeller of each of the pump stages coupled to the shaft, the shaft rotating each impeller about its axis to modify at least one property of the fluid as it moves through each of the pump stages; a crossover element disposed between the first set of pump stages and the second set of pump stages, the crossover element enabling fluid communication between the first set of pump stages and the second set of pump stages; a compensation assembly disposed within the outer housing adjacent the crossover element, the compensation assembly including at least one biasing element for biasing the compensation assembly to an initial position, the second set of pump stages being movable within the outer housing in an axial direction along an axis of a shaft relative to the first set of pump stages against the biasing force of the at least one biasing element; A pump comprising:

2. The pump of claim 1 , wherein the compensation assembly is at least partially disposed within and integral with the crossover element.

3. The pump of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biasing element of the compensation assembly is disposed in a notch or step in an axial end of the compensation assembly and in a notch or step in the crossover element.

4. 4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing element defines a flexible connection between the compensation assembly and the crossover element, and the pump is configured to deform the at least one biasing element when a second insert is received within the outer housing.

5. 4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing element and at least a portion of the compensation assembly are received within a recess defined in the crossover element, and the compensation assembly is configured to move further into the recess in response to a force applied to the second set of pump stages sufficient to overcome a biasing force of the at least one biasing element.

6. 4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing element is configured to brake movement of the second set of pump stages relative to the crossover element.

7. 4. A pump according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stop surface limiting axial movement of the second set of pump stages in at least one direction of movement along the axis of the shaft.

8. A pump as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stop element configured to prevent the compensation assembly from moving further away relative to the crossover element.

9. 4. A pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one biasing element comprises a disc spring extending radially between the compensation assembly and a notch or step in the crossover element.

10. 4. A pump according to claim 1, wherein the compensation assembly defines a diffuser of a pump stage located adjacent the compensation assembly.

11. 4. The pump of claim 1, wherein one or both of the compensation assembly and the crossover element include one or more features for at least partially balancing fluid forces on either axial side of the at least one biasing element.

12. 4. The pump of claim 1, wherein one or both of the compensation assembly and the crossover element includes a fastening feature configured to secure the compensation assembly to the crossover element to preload the at least one biasing element.

13. 1. A fluid treatment apparatus for modifying at least one property of a fluid, comprising: An outer housing; a first hydraulic insert disposed within the outer housing, the first hydraulic insert modifying at least one characteristic of a fluid as the fluid moves through one or more stages of the first hydraulic insert; a second hydraulic insert disposed within the outer housing in fluid communication with the first hydraulic insert, the second hydraulic insert modifying at least one property of a fluid as the fluid moves through one or more additional stages of the second hydraulic insert; a crossover element disposed between the first hydraulic insert and the second hydraulic insert, the crossover element enabling fluid communication between the first hydraulic insert and the second hydraulic insert; a compensation assembly disposed within the outer housing, the compensation assembly including one or more biasing elements, the compensation assembly allowing the second hydraulic insert to move axially within the outer housing relative to the first hydraulic insert in response to a force applied to the second hydraulic insert sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the one or more biasing elements; A fluid treatment device comprising:

14. 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising an end cap coupled to the outer housing, the device configured to preload the one or more biasing elements when the end cap is coupled with the outer housing.

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the apparatus is configured to deform the one or more biasing elements comprising at least one Belleville spring when the second hydraulic insert is received in the outer housing, or the apparatus comprises a pump, and one or more stages of the first hydraulic insert and one or more further stages of the second hydraulic insert each comprise an impeller within a housing.

16. 1. A method of preloading at least one hydraulic insert in a pump, comprising: disposing at least one hydraulic insert within an outer housing of the pump; forcing the at least one hydraulic insert into a crossover element in the outer housing to preload at least one biasing element of a compensation assembly in the outer housing, the crossover element being disposed between the at least one hydraulic insert and other hydraulic inserts of the pump, allowing fluid flow between the at least one hydraulic insert and the other hydraulic inserts; enclosing the at least one hydraulic insert within the outer housing with the at least one biasing element of the compensation assembly preloaded; A method comprising:

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of defining a housing for an impeller of the at least one hydraulic insert with a portion of the compensation assembly.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising movably connecting the portion of the compensation assembly defining the housing with the at least one biasing element to the crossover element.

19. 19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising the step of elastically deforming the at least one biasing element of the compensation assembly a selected amount by securing an end cap to the outer housing.

20. 19. The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising configuring the crossover element to provide fluid flow between the at least one hydraulic insert and other hydraulic inserts disposed within the outer housing of the pump.

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