Patent ID: 8858157

Claim:
A pump, comprising: a stator; a suction conduit comprising a suction stub and a pressure stub, wherein the pressure stub is disposed downstream of the suction stub along a flow direction of the suction conduit; an impeller, rotatably disposed within the stator, wherein the impeller is configured to convey a fluid through the suction conduit from the suction stub to the pressure stub; a gap disposed between the stator and the impeller; a storage space for particles, disposed in the stator, wherein the storage space is in fluid communication with the gap; and a return line, disposed in the stator, providing fluid communication between the storage space and the suction conduit, wherein the suction conduit is downstream of the storage space along a flow direction of the return line such that, in use, the particles are conveyed from the storage space to the suction conduit through the return line.