Multistage pump assembly

Abstract

A modular pump assembly has a volute ( 16 ), having a suction chamber ( 120 ) and a pressure chamber ( 122 ), and a pump stack ( 14 ) having at least one stage ( 86 ), wherein a modular flange ( 44 ) is arranged between the volute ( 16 ) and the pump stack ( 14 ) and is removably coupled to both the pump stack ( 14 ) and the volute ( 16 ).

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A modular multistage pump assembly comprising a volute ( 16 ), the volute having a suction chamber ( 120 ) and a pressure chamber ( 122 ), and a pump stack ( 14 ) having at least one stage ( 86 ), wherein a modular flange ( 44 ) is arranged between the volute ( 16 ) and the pump stack ( 14 ) and is removably coupled to both the pump stack ( 14 ) and the volute ( 16 ). 
   
   
       17 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the modular flange ( 44 ) has first and second surfaces opposite to one another, wherein the first surface is designed corresponding to a connection surface ( 52 ) of the volute ( 16 ) and the second surface is designed corresponding to a connection surface of the pump stack ( 14 ). 
   
   
       18 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the modular flange ( 44 ) is exchangeable in such a way that different volutes ( 16 ) and different pump stacks ( 14 ) may be connected with one another by use of a corresponding modular flange ( 44 ). 
   
   
       19 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the pump stack ( 14 ) and/or the volute ( 16 ) comprise at least a first and a second type and that the modular flange ( 44 ) is configured to be coupled to each of the first type and the second type. 
   
   
       20 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the pump stack ( 14 ) and/or the volute ( 16 ) comprise at least a first and a second size and that the modular flange ( 44 ) is configured to be coupled to each of the first size and the second size. 
   
   
       21 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the modular flange ( 44 ) defines a suction chamber and a pressure chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the modular flange ( 44 ) connecting the pump stack ( 14 ) and the volute ( 16 ) includes concentric rings ( 100 ) defining a radial inner channel in direct fluid communication with the suction chamber ( 120 ) of the volute ( 16 ) and a radial outer channel in direct fluid communication with the pressure chamber ( 122 ) of the volute ( 16 ). 
   
   
       23 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the pump stack ( 14 ) includes at least two stages ( 86 ) of diffusers abutting one another and defining an axially extending inner tube, and an axially extending sleeve ( 42 ) being radially spaced outwardly with respect to the inner tube, the inner tube defining a suction channel ( 90 ) along the inner portion of the tube, and the inner tube and the sleeve ( 42 ) defining a pressure channel ( 92 ) therebetween, the suction channel ( 90 ) being in fluid communication with the inner channel of the modular flange ( 44 ) and the pressure channel ( 92 ) being in fluid communication with the outer channel of the modular flange ( 44 ). 
   
   
       24 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the modular flange ( 44 ) comprises a least a first set of fastening elements for coupling with the pump stack ( 14 ) and at least second set of fastening elements for coupling with the volute ( 16 ). 
   
   
       25 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein the first set of fastening elements for coupling with the pump stack ( 14 ) and/or the second set of fastening elements for coupling with the volute ( 16 ) comprises a set of holes in the modular flange. 
   
   
       26 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one seal is provided between the modular flange ( 44 ) and the volute ( 16 ) and/or between the modular flange ( 44 ) and the pump stack ( 14 ). 
   
   
       27 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the volute ( 16 ) comprises an inlet ( 64 ) connected to the suction chamber ( 120 ) and an outlet ( 66 ) connected to the pressure chamber ( 122 ). 
   
   
       28 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the volute( 16 ) comprises an inlet fitting ( 68 ) and/or an outlet fitting ( 70 ) removably coupled to the inlet ( 64 ) and outlet ( 66 ), respectively. 
   
   
       29 . The modular multistage pump assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein the inlet fitting ( 68 ) and/or the outlet fitting ( 70 ) is exchangeable in such a way that fittings ( 68 ,  70 ) of different size are couplable with the volute ( 16 ) to enable integration of the pump assembly into different pipe systems. 
   
   
       30 . A system for assembling the modular pump assembly according to  claim 16 , comprising at least two different pump stacks ( 14 ) and/or at least two different volutes ( 16 ) and at least two different modular flanges ( 44 ), wherein the modular flanges ( 44 ) are configured to allow coupling of the different pump stacks ( 14 ) with the different volutes ( 16 ).