Wafer stuffing box

Abstract

A low-profile wafer stuffing box includes a plurality of replaceable seals located within a single, unitary body. The body includes a central bore with a plurality of internal channels, a first internal channel located proximate a top surface of the body, a second internal channel located proximate a bottom surface of the body, and a third internal channel being located between the first internal channel and the second internal channel. An internal fluid corridor extends from the front wall through the stuffing box body and into the third internal channel. The low-profile wafer stuffing box may be used on reciprocating piston pumps.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]This invention relates generally to devices and methods for pumping liquids and more particularly to stuffing box seals for reciprocating piston pumps.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]There are a variety of techniques for pumping fluids from underground reservoirs. Over a hundred years ago, general windmill and hand pump systems were developed to access well water for drinking and irrigation. The devices used top head drive piston pumps and stand pipes for the fluid discharge. This basic technology, albeit in more advanced forms, is in use today. Of course today, pumping systems are used in a variety of applications and come in a variety of other forms as well.[0003]Many modern pumping techniques, for example, are called upon to pump underground fluid in a liquid sealed manner. This is particularly useful because in many applications, such as leachate removal from a landfill, the fluids being pumped can be hazardous to people and the environment. As a re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a low-profile wafer stuffing box that has multiple replaceable seals located inside it. The box has a central bore with three internal channels, including one located at the top, one at the bottom, and one in between. The box also has an internal fluid corridor that runs from the front wall to the third internal channel. The technical effect of this design is that it allows for easy replacement of the seals without having to stop the operation of the stuffing box."

Problems solved by technology

This is particularly useful because in many applications, such as leachate removal from a landfill, the fluids being pumped can be hazardous to people and the environment.

Stuffing box designs, however, can fail to give long enough seal lifetimes. Seal failures occur too frequently, especially where pumps are used to pump against substantial back pressure (liquid head pressure) and where pumps are used to pump fluid with substantial amounts of grit or other contaminants.

Many stuffing box designs suffer from short life times and replacement problems.

For example, stuffing boxes that use packing gland materials for sealing are problematic because of the constant need to readjust the packing material.

However, if the material is too compacted, the material may squeeze against the drive rod and cause stalling of the pumping system.

If the packing material is too loose, fluid leakage will occur.

Moreover, the reciprocating action of the sucker rod in the riser pipe will wear on the packing material, unpacking the material and necessitating replacement of the stuffing box assembly or finding some way of re-packing the packing material into the desired, operable range.

Furthermore, it is time consuming to change out many of the current stuffing box designs.

However, simply adding more seals to the stuffing box has not significantly extended the service life of most known stuffing boxes.

Images