Flowserve Pte. Ltd.

A pumping system includes a plurality of interconnected integrated motor/pump modules (IMPs) submerged in a process liquid, such as liquid hydrogen (LH2), within a container, the IMPs being separately controlled by adjustable speed drives (ASDs). The rotation speeds of the IMP impellers are controlled such that the NPSH_A for each IMP remains above a minimum, critical suction head NPSH_c of the IMP, while the outlet pressure and flow of the last IMP is maintained at a specified level unless its NPSH_A falls substantially to its NPSH_c, or until the container is substantially empty. The IMPs can be identical, initially operating at the same speeds, or the first IMP can be an inducer IMP having a reduced NPSH_c. The IMPs can comprise permanent magnets or induction coils attached to their impellers that pass in proximate radial or axial alignment with stator coils. The ASDs can be variable frequency drives (VFDs).

Valve assemblies include a first actuation element coupled to the valve member, where the first actuation element is configured to move the valve member between a first closed position and a second open position. An inner housing encloses the first actuation element and is statically sealed to a valve body. A second actuation element is configured to be coupled to a valve actuator for moving the second actuation element relative to the first actuation element, where movement of the second actuation element is configured to indirectly apply a force to the first actuation element through the inner housing.

A rotational indicator comprises a mechanical reducer having a reduction factor that is variable without exchanging components. A plurality of identical double gears rotate about a pair of parallel fixed shafts, a large gear of each double gear being intermeshed with a small gear of a preceding double gear on the opposing shaft. An axially moveable pinion gear is rotationally fixed to a rotatable pinion shaft, and is engageable with any of the large gears of the double gears according to its axial location, whereby a reduction factor between a rotational input and the pinion gear is variable. The pinion shaft is coupled to an indicating mechanism, which can be a pointer of a dial assembly and/or a rotary electrical component. The rotational input can be bounded, and the reduction factor can be adjusted to provide a bounded output range that is compatible with the indicating mechanism.

An internal pressurized lubrication system of a radial support bearing assembly includes oil passages within a bearing housing that comprise a charge-retaining section bounded by vertical or upward-sloping passages and configured to retain an oil charge therein during a shutdown. A vent bleeds air into the suction side of the passages during a shutdown, thereby preventing syphoning of the oil charge from the charge-retaining section. In embodiments, a rear cover plug is doubly sealed to the bearing housing body, and air is substantially unable to enter the oil passages via the bearing or via the vent during a shutdown, such that the passages remain oil-filled and the pump prime is retained for an extended time period. The bearing assembly can further include a thrust bearing, and/or an axial displacement measurement probe parallel with the shaft-driven oil pump. The radial support bearing can be a journal bearing.

Devices, systems, and methods for detecting properties of motion of at least one component of fluid exchange devices, such as, for example, a pressure exchange device or system.

An axial direct drive integral motor pump (IMP) or integral motor turbine (IMT) includes a stator or impeller housing hermetically sealed in front by a cover plate. At least one port in a housing rear face enables a barrier material, such as a resin, to be injected into the housing after attachment of the cover plate, so that the barrier material abuts the cover plate with substantially no gap therebetween. The barrier plate is thereby protected from undue deformation and damage by a pressurized process fluid. The barrier material can be injected through one or more fill ports by vacuum impregnation, and/or displaced air can escape through one or more drain ports. The ports can be sealed by plugs. The ports and plugs can be threaded and/or tapered. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the barrier material can be substantially equal to a CTE of the first housing.

A compact, low footprint energy recovery module for a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system comprises a vertical stack of horizontal conduits, at least one energy recovery device (ERD), and an axial integral motor pump (IMP). The horizontal conduits are configured to carry low-pressure brackish water, pressurized brackish water, high pressure brine, and low-pressure brine. The ERDs, which are substantially cylindrical and vertically oriented, are interconnected with the horizontal conduits and entirely supported thereby. The IMP is substantially cylindrical and extends horizontally and coaxially from an outlet end of the pressurized water conduit, the IMP being configured to further pressurize the pressurized water for input to a membrane osmosis device. The IMP can have a diameter that exceeds a largest horizontal conduit diameter by no more than 25%. The IMP can be driven by a variable frequency controller, being thereby continuously variable in pumping speed.

A data center cooling system comprises a cooling loop through which a coolant is caused to flow to a plurality of electronic devices by a variable speed pump under control of a controller. Separate variable speed liquid and vapor pumps are provided in embodiments where the coolant is vaporized by the absorbed heat. In response to changing cooling requirements, the coolant flow rate is adjusted by varying the pump speeds, without reliance on a flow control valve. Cooling is thereby optimized while minimizing pump energy consumption. The cooling loop can be branched into flow paths, each of which can include a separately controlled isolation valve. A plurality of cooling loops can include dedicated, separately controlled variable speed pumps. The pumps can be controlled reactively according to temperature measurements, and/or predictively according to measured electrical current flows to the electronic devices and/or device workload predictions.

A system configured for cooling electronic devices comprises a pair of opposing, active manifolds that control a flow of cooling liquid through pipes or through an immersion tank past the electronic devices. A controller detects and/or predicts localized hotspots and adjusts flow control devices associated with inlets and outlets of the manifolds to direct proportionately more cooling liquid to the hotspots. The flow control devices can be any combination of variable speed pumps and/or adjustable valves, vents, and/or baffles. Manifolds can be placed on two opposing sides of the devices, on four opposing sides, and/or above and/or below the devices. Temperatures proximate the devices can be measured by separate sensors and/or sensors integral to components of the electronic devices. Hotspots can be predicted by monitoring current flows, power flows, and/or voltages of the electronic devices, and/or inferred from network activity and/or from a workload queue.

A modular particle valve comprises a plurality of aligned and abutted valve modules that dispense particle curtain segments. The curtain segments merge to form a particle curtain having a width that is limited only by the number of included valve modules. Each valve module comprises a particle hopper and a movable element abutting the hopper from below. An actuator causes the moveable element to block or partially open a hopper outlet to provide a curtain segment of variable thickness. The resulting particle curtain can have a thickness that is uniform or shaped and adjusted according to environmental changes. The moveable elements have edges that abut without intervening structures, and in embodiments interlock while permitting separate movements thereof. Individual valve modules can be removed and reinstalled without significantly disturbing the remaining valve modules. Embodiments are incorporated into systems that dry seeds or collect solar energy by heating particles.