Split Coupled Pump Jacking Gland for Vertical In-Line Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps, particularly vertical in-line pumps, face difficulties in efficiently servicing the impeller and pump shaft due to uncontrolled movement during maintenance, which can cause damage and complicate the re-coupling process.
Innovation Solution
A split-coupled pump and jacking gland system that includes a seal and jacking assembly with threaded jacking apertures and a jacking plate, allowing for controlled raising and lowering of the pump shaft and impeller assembly through rotational engagement with jacking elements, enabling efficient maintenance and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a two-part sleeve coupling assembly is used to connect motor shaft and pump shaft, then the pump can be disassembled for servicing, but the impeller becomes uncontrolled and free to move causing damage and complicating re-coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a retaining ring that is pre-installed on the pump shaft to hold the impeller in a fixed position before disassembly. This preliminary constraint prevents the impeller from becoming uncontrolled during the servicing process, while still allowing the coupling assembly to be removed for maintenance access.
2Ease of repair
If the sleeve coupling is removed for servicing, then maintenance access is gained, but the pump shaft and impeller must be manually raised vertically requiring lifting of the rotating assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a jack mechanism as an intermediary device between the pump shaft and the mounting supports. This jack serves as a mediator that automatically raises and lowers the pump shaft assembly during disassembly and re-coupling operations, eliminating the need for manual lifting and simplifying the overall process.
3Productivity
If manual lifting is used to re-couple pump shaft to motor shaft, then re-coupling can be accomplished, but the process is difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a system where the jack automatically raises and lowers the pump shaft assembly using the mounting supports as reference points. This self-servicing mechanism eliminates the need for external lifting equipment or manual intervention, making the re-coupling operation straightforward and efficient.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system facilitates safe and efficient maintenance by stabilizing the impeller and pump shaft during assembly and disassembly, preventing damage and simplifying the re-coupling process, thus improving the overall servicing efficiency of vertical in-line pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The seal gland includes a pair of threaded jacking apertures that extend axially through the seal gland each of which are configured to receive a jacking element
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a pump having a motor, a housing, a seal plate coupled to the housing and including a seal plate hub with mounting supports, an impeller arranged within the housing, a coupling assembly coupling a motor shaft and a pump shaft, and a seal and jacking assembly including a mechanical seal and a seal gland. The seal gland is removably coupled to the mounting supports and includes threaded jacking apertures extending axially through the seal gland, each configured to receive a jacking element. When the seal gland is decoupled from the mounting supports, the seal gland is moveable axially between a first position whereat the seal gland engages the mechanical seal and a second position whereat the seal gland engages a retaining ring coupled to the pump shaft in response to rotation of the jacking elements received within the pair of threaded jacking apertures.