Barrel-Type Pump with Venting Device and Associated Method

Abstract

A centrifugal pump with a barrel casing and a ventilation arrangement is provided. A plug-in unit is arranged in the barrel casing. The plug-in unit has a shaft, and at least one impeller is arranged on the shaft. The impeller is enclosed by a stage casing. The stage casing separates an inner pressure space from an outer pressure space. At least one venting device is arranged in the stage casing.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A centrifugal pump, comprising:
 a barrel casing;   at least one stage casing located within the barrel casing between an inner pressure space radially inside the at least one stage casing and an outer pressure space between the at least one stage casing and the barrel casing; and   at least one venting device arranged in the at least one stage casing arranged to control flow of a media between the inner pressure space and the outer pressure space.   
     
     
         16 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein
 each of the at least one venting devices is arranged in a corresponding opening in the at least one stage casing, each opening being arranged to connect the inner pressure space to the outer pressure space.   
     
     
         17 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein
 each of the at least one venting devices includes a corresponding flow control element configured to cooperate with the corresponding opening to enable or block flow of the media between the inner pressure space and the outer pressure space.   
     
     
         18 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein
 the flow control element is arranged in a guide.   
     
     
         19 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein
 the guide is a receptacle in the at least one stage casing configured to receive the flow control element.   
     
     
         20 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein
 the opening located on a radially inward side of the receptacle.   
     
     
         21 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein
 a free cross section for media exchange is present between a wall of the receptacle and the flow control element.   
     
     
         22 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein
 the receptacle is a receptacle bore in the at least one stage casing.   
     
     
         23 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein
 the opening is an opening bore into the at least one stage casing.   
     
     
         24 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein
 a surface of the flow control element arranged is larger a diameter of the opening, such that when the flow control element is in a flow blocking position media flow through the opening is blocked.   
     
     
         25 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein
 the flow control element is a disk.   
     
     
         26 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein
 the venting device includes a stop arranged to prevent movement of the flow control element out of the receptacle bore.   
     
     
         27 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein
 the venting device is arranged in an upper region of the at least one stage casing. preferably in a 12 o'clock position.   
     
     
         28 . The centrifugal pump as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein
 the venting device is located at a highest location at which gas accumulates.   
     
     
         29 . A method for performing a pressure test in a centrifugal pump as claimed in claim  1  at a location at which the pump is installed, comprising the steps of:
 priming the centrifugal pump with the media; 
 maintaining the flow control element in a flow-enabled position while gas is purged from the inner pressure space to the outer pressure space; and 
 maintaining the flow control element in a flow-blocked position after the gas is purged from the inner pressure space to the outer pressure space. 
 
     
     
         30 . The method for performing a pressure test as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein
 after the media in the inner pressure space enters the at least one venting device, the flow control element shifts between the flow-enabled position and the flow-blocked position.