Pump bypass control apparatus and apparatus and method for maintaining a predetermined flow-through rate of a fluid through a pump

摘要

A bypass control apparatus is used with a pump pumping a fluid therethrough. A bypass flow line circulates fluid about the pump. A bypass valve is interposed in the bypass flow line and moves between an opened state to permit the fluid to circulate through the bypass flow line back to the pump and a closed state to prevent the fluid from circulating through the bypass flow line. A sensor determines an existing flow-through rate of the fluid flowing through the pump. The controller communicates with the sensor and the bypass valve and moves the bypass valve to the closed state when determined that the existing flow-through rate of the fluid through the pump is at least a predetermined flow-through rate and moves the bypass valve to the opened state when determined that the existing flow-through rate of the fluid through the pump is less than the predetermined flow-through rate.