Insulation means for a centrifugal pump

A centrifugal pump, for pumping a low temperature fluid, comprising:

• a pump portion;
• a motor portion on said pump portion;
• said pump portion comprising an impeller having a first rotation axis;
• said motor portion comprising a motor having a second rotation axis;
• said motor driving said impeller during an operation of said centrifugal pump to drive said pump portion and pump said low temperature fluid;
• said first rotation axis being coaxial with said second rotation axis;
• insulating jacket means for thermally insulating at least said motor portion;
• said insulating jacket means surrounding at least said motor portion;
• at least a first vacuum jacket in said insulating jacket means;
• said first vacuum jacket comprising at least a low pressure vacuum between a motor outer surface and an inner surface of said first vacuum jacket, whereby tight contact between said insulating jacket means and said motor portion and coaxial alignment provides increased thermal efficiency, reduced size, and simplified construction;
• a pot;
• said pot being sealed around a lower portion of said pump portion;
• said pot solely receiving said low temperature fluid during said operation;
• an intake pipe in said lower portion extending away said pump portion along said first rotation axis into said pot;
• said intake pipe and said impeller being in fluid communication;
• said intake pipe and said impeller transporting said low temperature fluid from said pot during said operation and limiting direct contact of said low temperature fluid with said pump portion thereby providing a reduced pump surface area and an improved startability;
• a release pipe in sealed communication between said motor portion and an external portion of said centrifugal pump;
• said release pipe providing an release of any of said low temperature fluid and a vapor of said low temperature fluid which has improperly entered said motor portion;
• a vent pipe in vapor communication between said pot and said release pipe;
• and
• at least a first portion of said vent pipe being disposed within said first vacuum jacket, whereby said first vacuum jacket provides easy double-service thermal insulation of said motor portion and said vent pipe.

A centrifugal pump, for pumping a low temperature fluid, comprising:

• a pump portion;
• a motor portion on said pump portion;
• an impeller in said pump portion having a first rotation axis;
• a motor in said motor portion driving said impeller during an operation of said centrifugal pump and pumping said low temperature fluid;
• said motor portion being coaxial with said impeller;
• a heat insulating jacket on said centrifugal pump;
• said heat insulating jacket comprising a first insulating portion in tight contact around said motor portion;
• thereby reducing said centrifugal pump in size while increasing thermal efficiency;
• a pot;
• said pot being sealed around a lower portion of said pump portion;
• said pot solely receiving said low temperature fluid during said operation;
• an intake pipe in said lower portion extending away from said pump portion along said first rotation axis into said pot;
• said intake pipe and said impeller being in fluid communication;
• and
• said intake pipe and said impeller transporting said low temperature fluid from said pot during said operation, thereby restricting direct contact of said low temperature fluid to said pump portion and providing a reduced pump surface area with an improved startability.