Vertical Pump Arrangement

Abstract

In one aspect, a pump having a pump module and a motor module includes a support member that substantially supports a weight of the motor module and uncouples the pump module from the weight of the motor module.

1 . An apparatus for flowing a fluid, comprising:
 (a) a pump module;   (b) a motor module serially coupled to the pump module and positioned substantially vertically above the pump module; and   (c) a support member substantially supporting a weight of the motor module, the pump module being substantially uncoupled from the weight of the motor module.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support member transfers a substantial portion of the weight of the motor module to a location below the pump module. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pedestal, wherein the support member applies a substantial portion of the weight of the motor module to a first section on the pedestal and a weight of the pump module is applied to a second section on the pedestal that is different from the first section. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a frame having a first section substantially loaded by a weight of the motor module and a second section positioned parallel and spaced apart from the pump module, the first section and second section being substantially not loaded by a weight of the pump module. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: a drive train transferring rotational power from the motor module to the pump module; a first bearing assembly associated with the motor module and a second bearing assembly associated with the drive train. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pump module includes a pump casing and the motor module includes a motor casing axially spaced apart from the pump casing. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support member is formed such that the motor module can be moved without moving the pump module. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support member is formed such that the pump module can be moved without moving the motor module. 
   
   
       9 . A method for servicing a pump, wherein the pump includes a pump module and a motor module positioned substantially above the pump module, comprising:
 (a) supporting a weight of the motor module using a support member;   (b) disconnecting the motor module from the pump module without moving the motor module; and   (c) servicing a selected component associated with the pump.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the selected component is a wear component; and further comprising replacing the wear component without moving one of the motor module and the pump module. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the wear component is one of: (i) a seal, (ii) an impeller; (iii) a stuffing box cover, (iv) a wear pad, (v) a casing, (vi) a gasket, (vii) a shaft sleeve, and (viii) a shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising servicing the motor module without moving the pump module. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising servicing the pump module without moving the motor module. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising aligning the motor module with the pump module by adjusting the support member. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising: positioning the support member parallel to the pump module. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for servicing of a vertical pump having a pump section positioned vertically below a motor section and a drive train transmitting rotational power from the motor section to the pump section, the apparatus comprising:
 a weight transfer member connected to the motor section, the weight transfer member extending in substantially downward direction parallel to the pump section to a selected location adjacent a lower portion of the pump module, the load transfer member transferring a majority of the weight of the motor section from above the pump module section to the selected location without substantially exposing the pump module to the weight of the motor module.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a base connected to the load transfer member, the base being at the selected location. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the base is symmetrically loaded by a weight of the motor module and the pump module. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the weight transfer member supports the weight of the motor module but not the weight of the pump module and the base supports the weight of the motor module and the weight of the pump module. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the load transfer member is removable from the base.