CN212928176U - System and device for sealing pump shaft, and pump - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and apparatus for sealing a pump shaft, and a pump for reducing fluid loss or leakage from a fluid pump (50) having a rotating shaft (154) that drives a pumping mechanism. A one-piece combination gland-liner assembly (102) may have an inner seal (208), the inner seal (208) allowing the use of lubricant at higher pressures. Further, the combined gland-liner assembly (102) may be configured with a removal assembly (304), the removal assembly (304) allowing the gland-liner assembly (102) to be more easily removed from the pump shaft (154) and shaft stuffing box.

Description

System and device for sealing pump shaft, and pump

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to pump technology, and more particularly to systems and devices for sealing a pump shaft, and pumps.

Background

Fluid pumps used in various environments often utilize a packing seal system that may include a packing material and a packing gland to reduce the loss of fluid delivered from the fluid delivery system. These sealing systems are typically implemented along a rotating shaft that is used to drive the pumping assembly. For example, the filler material may be pressed against the rear seat by the gland and driven assembly on the rotating shaft. Typically, a separate bushing assembly may be provided on the shaft between the packing gland and the filler material. In this way, for example, the compacted fill material and pressurized lubricant and bushing may help reduce fluid loss along the shaft.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. The present disclosure is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One or more of the techniques and systems described herein may be used to help reduce fluid loss or fluid leakage from a fluid pump having a rotating shaft that drives a pump mechanism, such as a gear pump. In one embodiment, the gland assembly and the liner assembly may be formed as a one-piece gland-liner assembly, rather than the typical two-piece assembly. In this example, the gland-liner assembly may have an inner seal that allows the use of lubricant at higher pressures. Further, in this embodiment, the surface of the gland portion may have a removal assembly that allows the gland-liner assembly to be more easily removed from the pump shaft.

As another example, the one-piece gland-liner may be configured to be used without filler material, and include substantially only the liner assembly. In this example, the gland-liner assembly may have a configuration that forms a sliding fit with the shaft of the pump. For example, a plurality of O-rings may be used to provide a seal and allow the introduction of pressurized lubricant along the liner portion at higher pressures. In some configurations, this may allow for the elimination of packing material in the shaft seal.

In one embodiment of a system for sealing a pump shaft, a one-piece, combined gland and bushing assembly may be used to seat in a shaft housing along a rotating pump shaft. In this embodiment, the gland and bushing assembly may include a proximal end on the shaft proximate the pump motor coupling portion of the shaft and a distal end on the shaft distal the pump motor coupling. The gland and bushing assembly may further include a gland portion at the proximal end to compress the filler material in the shaft housing. Further, the packing gland and bushing assembly may include a bushing portion at a distal end to facilitate providing a bearing surface for the rotating shaft. In this embodiment, the hub portion may include an inner liner groove disposed proximate a proximal end of the hub portion. The inner liner groove may be used to retain a liner between the interior of the liner portion and the rotating shaft to reduce leakage of lubricant from the proximal end of the interior of the liner portion. In this embodiment, a filler material may be disposed proximate the distal end of the packing gland and liner assembly to reduce leakage of fluid from the pumping chamber. The packing material is able to withstand the compressive forces provided by the packing gland and bushing assembly.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and embodiments. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1A shows an assembly diagram depicting one embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more systems described herein may be implemented;

FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate assembly diagrams depicting cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which the exemplary system 100 described herein may be implemented;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate component diagrams depicting various views of one or more portions of one or more systems described herein;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate component diagrams depicting various views of one or more portions of one or more systems described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more systems described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 5A illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more systems described herein may be implemented;

FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate assembly diagrams depicting cross-sectional views of exemplary embodiments of pumps in which the exemplary system 100 described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 6 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a perspective view of an exemplary device 600 for facilitating the provision of a seal in a pump;

FIG. 7 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary apparatus 600 for facilitating the provision of a seal in a pump;

FIG. 8 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more devices described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 9 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more devices described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 10 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more devices described herein may be implemented;

fig. 11 illustrates an assembly diagram depicting a close-up of a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump in which one or more portions of one or more devices described herein may be implemented.

Detailed Description

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter.

As an example, the pump may be coupled to the motor by a rotating shaft. The motor typically rotates the shaft, which in turn rotates the pump rotor to move fluid through the coupled conduits. However, the rotating pump shaft enters a location where the pump chamber, including the pump rotor, is located, where a location is created for pumped fluid to leak from the pump chamber. It is possible to design a sealing system that seals the inlet where the rotating pump shaft enters the pump chamber. In one embodiment, the pump may include a pump shaft housing, or pump shaft stuffing box, or the like, disposed proximate to (e.g., proximate to the shaft to motor connection) the inlet of the pump shaft into the pump chamber. In this embodiment, the pump shaft is disposed within a pump shaft housing, or a pump shaft fill box, or the like.

Fig. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of an exemplary system for sealing a rotating pump shaft within a pump. FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary pump 50, depicting a rear view from the pump motor toward the pump rotor. FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of the system 100, showing a top cross-sectional view of the exemplary pump 50, taken along line A-A of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment of the system 100 showing the partial top cut-away view of FIG. 1B in close-up. In this embodiment, a one-piece gland and liner assembly 102 may be used to be disposed in a shaft housing 150 along a rotating pump shaft 152. In this embodiment, the gland and liner assembly 102 may include a proximal end 104 proximate a pump motor coupling portion 162 of the shaft 152. Further, the gland and liner assembly 102 may include a distal end 106 that is distal from the pump motor coupling portion 162 of the shaft 152.

Further, in this embodiment, the gland and liner assembly 102 may include a gland portion 108 disposed at the proximal end 104. The gland portion 108 may be configured to compress the filler material in the shaft housing 150. The packing gland and liner assembly 102 may also include a liner portion 110 disposed at the distal end 106. The bushing portion 110 may provide a bearing surface 114 for the rotating shaft 152. In this embodiment, the liner portion may include an inner liner groove 116 disposed near the proximal end of the liner portion 110. The inner liner groove 116 may be used to retain a liner between the interior of the liner portion 110 and the rotatable shaft 152 to reduce leakage of lubricant from the interior of the liner portion 110 and out of the proximal end 104.

As shown in fig. 1B and 1C, the example system 100 may include a filler material 112 disposed proximate the distal end 106 of the packing gland and liner assembly 102. The filler material 112 may be used to reduce leakage of fluid from the pumping chamber 154. Further, in this embodiment, the filler material 112 may withstand the compressive force provided by the gland and liner assembly 102. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, with continued reference to fig. 1B and 1C, in one embodiment, the gland portion 104 of the packing gland and liner assembly 102 may include two fastener couplings 302. In this embodiment, the fastener couplings 302 may each be configured to receive a compression fastener 158 to facilitate compression of packing (e.g., against a packing retainer, or a back seat of a packing chamber or axle housing), such as through use of a packing gland and bushing assembly 102. In one embodiment, the pump may include a packing retainer that is removable from the pump rotor side of the shaft housing or packing chamber. In this manner, for example, the filler material 112 may be removed (e.g., and replaced) without removing the gland and liner assembly 102.

By way of example, the combined gland and liner assembly 102 may be used to replace a two-piece liner and gland system currently used in the shaft housing of a fluid pump. For example, two-piece gland systems, which are typically made of two different materials, are more difficult to remove from the shaft housing to service the packing material, and/or to replace the packing material. That is, using the example system 100, the gland and liner portions 108, 110 may be removed simultaneously; and the one-piece combination gland and liner assembly 102 may be more easily and less expensively manufactured (e.g., machined, molded, etc.) in a single unit. However, current and previous two-piece systems have two separate pieces that are manufactured separately (e.g., sometimes using different materials) and may need to be removed separately. Further, for example, the location of the inner liner groove 116 and accompanying liner (e.g., O-ring liner) may allow for higher shaft lubricant pressures without the problems of liner lip seal failure common in current two-piece systems.

Fig. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate various views of one or more embodiments of one or more portions of an example system 100 that may be used in an example pump 50. In one embodiment, the packing gland and liner component 102 may include an outer liner groove 118 disposed proximate the proximal end 102 of the liner portion 110. In this embodiment, the outer liner slot 118 may be used to retain the outer liner 210 between the exterior of the liner portion 110 and the wall of the shaft housing 156. By way of example, the outer liner groove 118, in cooperation with the outer liner 210, may help reduce leakage of lubricant (e.g., and/or pumped fluid) from around the proximal end 104 of the gland and liner assembly 102, the outer surface 204 of the liner portion 110.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the packing gland and liner assembly may include a lubricant groove 202, the lubricant groove 202 disposed around an outer surface 204 of the liner portion 110, on the liner portion 110, distal from the inner liner groove 116. The lubricant sump 202 may be configured to operably contain the liner lubricant 160, such as provided by a lubricant source (e.g., an injector). Further, in this embodiment, the packing gland and bushing assembly 102 may include a lubricant port 206, the lubricant port 206 disposed through a wall 306 of the bushing portion 110 between the lubricant sump 202 and an interior of the bushing 308. The lubricant port 206 may be configured to operatively deliver lubricant 160 from the lubricant sump 202 to the interior of the bushing portion 308.

As one example, the pump (e.g., 50) may include a lubricant supply, such as a lubricant pump, lubricant injector, or the like, that provides a source of lubricant. In this example, the lubricant source may be fluidly coupled with a port located in a wall 156 of the shaft housing 150. Further, in this example, a port located in the wall 156 of the shaft housing 150 may be aligned with the lubricant sump 202, thereby providing a source of lubricant to the lubricant sump 202. Further, the lubricant port 206 may provide a fluid passage for lubricant between the lubricant sump 202 and the interior of the bushing portion 308. In this manner, for example, lubricant may be provided to the bearing surface 114 of the bushing portion 110 while the shaft 152 is operatively rotating, at least during operation of the pump 50.

As one example, the location of the outer liner groove 118 used with the accompanying liner 210 may mitigate the problem of lubricant leaking along its outer surface 204 to the proximal end 104 of the packing gland and liner assembly 102. Further, the location of the inner liner groove 116, used with the accompanying inner liner 208 in this example, may mitigate the problem of lubricant leaking along its inner surface (e.g., bearing surface 114) to the proximal end 104 of the packing gland and liner assembly 102. Additionally, the location of these gaskets 208, 218, in combination with the one-piece combination gland and liner assembly 102, may allow the use of lubricants at higher pressures than heretofore possible. In this manner, leakage of pumped fluid from the pumping chamber 154 may also be reduced by using a higher lubricant pressure. As one example, the location of the gasket groove 116 and the inner gasket 208 may provide a dynamic seal against the shaft 152. In this example, the lubricant provided to the interior of the bushing portion 308 may help cool and lubricate the liner 208. Liner groove 116 and liner 208 may also serve as a secondary containment to reduce the risk of leakage from pump chamber 154, for example, in the event of a failure of filler material 112.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3A, 3B, and 4, the gland and liner assembly 102 may include a gland and liner removal assembly 304. In one embodiment, the gland and liner removal assembly 304 may be disposed on the gland portion 108 to facilitate removal of the gland and liner assembly 102 from the pump shaft casing 150. By way of example, the gland and liner removal assembly 304 may include an access opening that allows a pull member to engage the gland portion 108 to pull the gland and liner assembly 102 from the pump shaft casing 150.

In one embodiment, the gland and liner removal assembly 304 may include a threaded portion to further facilitate removal of the gland and liner assembly 102. For example, the access opening of the gland and liner removal assembly 304 may include internal threads that allow engagement with an externally threaded component. In one example, a jacking screw may be threaded into the gland and liner removal assembly 304 to facilitate removal. As another example, a pull piece may be coupled with a jack screw to facilitate removal of the gland and bushing assembly 102.

In one aspect, a device can be designed that can be used to seal a pump shaft of a pump. In this regard, fig. 6-11 illustrate one or more portions of an example apparatus 600, and one or more embodiments of the example apparatus 600, for use in an example pump 854. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 6-10, exemplary apparatus 600 may include a tubular portion 602. The tubular portion 602 can include a distal end 604, and the distal end 604 can be disposed adjacent to the rear seat 1052 of the pump shaft stuffing box 950. Further, in this embodiment, the example apparatus 600 may include a proximal end 606, and the proximal end 606 may be disposed adjacent a proximal end 952 of the pump shaft fill box 950. That is, for example, the length of tubular portion 602 may be configured to fit (e.g., and completely fill) the length of pump shaft fill tank 950.

In this embodiment, tubular portion 602 may include an outer diameter 702 and an inner diameter 704, where outer diameter 702 is sized to fit inside pump shaft stuffing box 950 and inner diameter 704 is sized to receive pump shaft 850. That is, for example, the tubular portion 602 may be configured to fit over the pump shaft 850 and to fit (e.g., and fill) the interior of the pump shaft fill tank 950, for example, in a sliding fit. Thus, for example, a filler material may not be required.

The example apparatus 600 may include a flange 608 disposed at the proximal end 606 of the tubular portion 602. In this embodiment, the flange may include two fastener couplers 610 that are each configured to receive a fastener 852 (e.g., a compression fastener, such as 158 of fig. 1). Further, the example apparatus 600 may include a first gasket groove 612, the first gasket groove 612 configured to receive a gasket. The first gasket groove 612 may be disposed around an outer surface 614 of the tubular portion 602 proximate the distal end 604. Additionally, exemplary device 600 may include a second gasket groove 616, the second gasket groove 616 configured to receive a gasket. The second gasket groove 616 may be disposed around the outer surface 614 of the tubular portion 602 proximate the proximal end 606. Exemplary device 600 may also include a third gasket groove 706 configured to receive a gasket. The third gasket groove 706 may be disposed around an inner surface 618 of the tubular portion 602 between the first gasket groove 612 and the second gasket groove 616.

In one embodiment, the example apparatus 600 may include a fourth gasket groove 620 configured to receive a gasket. The fourth pad groove 620 may be disposed about an inner surface 618 of the tubular portion 602 proximate the distal end 604. Further, in one embodiment, the fourth gasket groove 620 may be disposed between the first gasket groove 612 and the distal end 604 of the tubular portion 602. In one embodiment, a plurality of O- rings 902, 904, 906, 908 may be used as gaskets to slip fit the tubular portions on the pump shaft 850 in the pump shaft stuffing box 950. In this embodiment, the plurality of O-rings may include: a first O-ring 902 disposed in the first gasket groove 612; a second O-ring 904 disposed in the second gasket groove 616; and a third O-ring 906 disposed in the third gasket groove 706. Additionally, a fourth O-ring 908 may be disposed in the fourth gasket groove 620.

9-11, a plurality of O- rings 902, 904, 906, 908 disposed in their respective gasket grooves 612, 616, 706, 620 may not only facilitate a snug fit of tubular portion 602 on shaft 850 within fill tank 950, but may also reduce fluid leakage. For example, the pads 906 and 908 may facilitate the containment of the lubricant 1050 between the shaft 850 and the inner surface 618 (e.g., bearing surface) of the tubular portion 602; and may also reduce leakage of pumped fluid along the inner surface 618 of the tubular portion 602 toward the proximal end 606. As another example, gaskets 902 and 904 may facilitate the containment of lubricant 1050 between outer surface 614 of tubular portion 602 and the wall of the pump shaft fill tank; and may further reduce leakage of pumped fluid along the outer surface 614 of the tubular portion 602 towards the proximal end 606. As another example, the proximal gasket 906 may provide a secondary containment of liquid from the pumping chamber (e.g., 154 of fig. 1) in the event of a failure of the distal gasket 908.

The example apparatus 600 may include a lubricant sump 622 configured to operably contain a lubricant. In this embodiment, lubricant groove 622 may be disposed around outer surface 614 of tubular portion 602 between first liner groove 612 and second liner groove 616. Additionally, the example apparatus 600 may include a lubricant port 624 configured to operatively deliver lubricant 1050 between the lubricant groove 622 and the interior 618 of the tubular portion 602. In this embodiment, the lubricant ports 624 may pass through the wall 702 of the tubular portion 602, disposed between the lubricant groove 622 and the interior 618 of the tubular portion 602. In this manner, for example, an external lubricant supply may be fluidly provided to lubricant sump 622, which in turn fluidly provides lubricant 1050 to interior 618 of tubular portion 602 through lubricant port 624. For example, the lubricant 1050 can be used to operatively lubricate the bearing surfaces between the inner portion 618 of the tubular portion 602 and the pump shaft 850; and is also operable to provide lubrication to the dynamic seal between the inner liners 906,908 and the rotating pump shaft 850.

In one embodiment, the example apparatus 600 may include a seal removal assembly 626 disposed on the flange 608. The seal removal assembly 626 can be configured to facilitate removal of the device 600 from the pump shaft fill tank 950. For example, the seal removal assembly 626 may include an access opening that allows a pull member to engage the flange 608 to pull the example apparatus 600 from the pump shaft stuffing box 950. As another example, the seal removal assembly 626 may include a threaded portion to further facilitate removal of the example apparatus 600. For example, the access opening of the seal removal assembly 626 may include internal threads that allow engagement with an externally threaded assembly. In an example, a jack screw may be threaded into the seal removal assembly 626 to facilitate removal of the example apparatus 600. As another example, a pull member may be coupled with a jack screw to facilitate removal of the example apparatus 600.

In one aspect, a pump may be designed that provides improved sealing of the pump shaft of the pump and ease of maintenance of the pump seals. In this regard, in one embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-5, the pump 50 may include a rotating pump shaft 152. For example, the rotation may be provided by a motor coupled to the shaft by a pump motor coupling 162. Further, pump 50 may include a pump rotor disposed in pump chamber 154. The pump rotor 164 may be operably coupled with the pump shaft 152 and may be configured to move fluid via rotation of the shaft 152. The pump 50 may also include a shaft housing 150 disposed about a pump shaft 152 to maintain the fluid seal system 100.

In this regard, in one embodiment, the pump 50 may include a fluid seal assembly 100 disposed between the pump shaft 152 and the shaft housing 150 to reduce leakage of fluid from the pump chamber 154. The fluid seal assembly 100 may include a one-piece combination gland and bushing assembly 102 including a proximal end 104 proximate to a pump motor coupling 162, and a distal end 106 distal to the motor coupling 162. The gland and liner assembly 102 may include a gland portion 108 at the proximal end 104. The gland portion 108 may include two fastener couplers 302 that are each configured to receive a compression fastener 158 to facilitate compression of the filler material 112.

The packing gland and bushing assembly 102 may also include a bushing portion 110 disposed at the distal end 106, the bushing portion 110 providing a bearing surface 114 for the rotating shaft 152. Further, the packing gland and liner component 102 may include an inner liner groove 116 disposed at the proximal end 104 of the interior 308 of the liner portion 110. Further, the packing gland and liner assembly 102 may include an inner liner 208, the inner liner 208 disposed within the inner liner groove 116 between the inner portion 308 of the liner portion 110 and the rotating shaft 152. The inner liner 208 may be configured to reduce leakage of lubricant from the interior of the liner portion 110. In one embodiment, the pump 50 may include a filler material 112, the filler material 112 being disposed in the shaft housing 150 at the distal end 106 of the gland and liner assembly 102. The filler material 112 is capable of withstanding the compressive forces provided by the packing gland and liner component 102 to reduce leakage of fluid from the pumping chamber 154.

In one embodiment, in this aspect, the packing gland and liner assembly 102 may include an outer liner groove 118 disposed near the proximal end 104 of the liner portion 110. The outer liner groove 118 may be used to retain a liner between the exterior of the liner portion 204 and the wall of the axle housing 156. By way of example, the outer gasket groove 118 may hold an outer gasket 210, such as an O-ring.

Further, the packing gland and liner assembly 102 may include a lubricant sump 202 configured to operatively receive the liner lubricant 160. In this embodiment, the lubricant groove 202 may be disposed around the outer surface 204 of the liner portion 110, distal to the inner liner groove 116. Additionally, the lubricant ports 206 may be configured to operatively deliver lubricant 160 from the lubricant sump 202 to an interior 308 of the bushing portion 110, such as to the bearing surface 114. The lubricant ports 206 may pass through a wall 306 of the bushing portion 110, disposed between the lubricant groove 202 and an interior 308 of the bushing portion 110.

In one embodiment, in this regard, the example pump 50 may include a threaded gland and liner removal assembly 304 disposed on the gland portion 108. The threaded gland and liner removal assembly 304 may be configured to facilitate removal of the gland and liner removal assembly from the pump shaft casing. For example, a pull or jack screw may be coupled with the gland and bushing removal assembly 304 to facilitate easy removal of the gland and bushing assembly 102 from the shaft housing 150.

Moreover, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the exemplary word is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; b is used as X; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing circumstances. Further, at least one of a and B and/or the like generally refers to a or B, or both a and B. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Moreover, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The present disclosure includes all such variations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," has, "" with, "or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term" comprising.

The specific embodiments have been described above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above described methods and apparatus may include variations and modifications without departing from the general scope of the invention. It is intended that the present application include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims (20)

1. A system for sealing a pump shaft, comprising:

a one-piece combination packing gland and bushing assembly disposed in a shaft housing along a rotating pump shaft, the packing gland and bushing assembly comprising: a proximal end disposed on the shaft proximate the pump motor coupling; and a distal end disposed on the shaft, distal from the pump motor coupling; and further comprising:

a gland portion at the proximal end to compress the filler material in the shaft housing;

a bushing portion at the distal end to provide a bearing surface for a rotating shaft, the bushing portion including an inner liner groove disposed at a proximal end of the bushing portion to retain an inner liner between an interior of the bushing portion and the rotating shaft to reduce leakage of lubricant from the proximal end; and

a packing material disposed at the distal end of the gland and liner assembly to reduce leakage of fluid from the pump chamber, the packing material being subjected to a compressive force provided by the gland and liner assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the packing gland and bushing assembly includes an outer bushing slot disposed at a proximal end of the bushing portion to retain an outer bushing between an outer side of the bushing portion and a wall of the shaft housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the packing gland and liner assembly includes a lubricant groove disposed about an outer surface of the liner portion, distal from the inner liner groove, the lubricant groove operable to contain liner lubricant.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the packing gland and bushing assembly includes a lubricant port passing through a wall of the bushing disposed between the lubricant groove and an interior of the bushing to operatively deliver lubricant from the lubricant groove to the interior of the bushing portion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the capping portion comprises two fastener couplers that each receive a compression fastener to facilitate compression of the fill material.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the gland and bushing assembly includes a gland and bushing removal assembly disposed on the gland portion to facilitate removal of the gland and bushing assembly from the axle housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the gland and liner removal assembly includes a threaded portion to facilitate removal of the gland and liner assembly.

8. An apparatus for sealing a pump shaft, comprising:

a tubular portion comprising:

a distal end disposed adjacent a rear seat of the pump shaft stuffing box;

a proximal end disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the pump shaft fill box;

an outer diameter sized to fit inside the pump shaft fill box; and

an inner diameter sized to receive a pump shaft;

a flange disposed at a proximal end of the tubular portion, the flange including two fastener couplers that each receive a fastener;

a first gasket groove for receiving a gasket, the first gasket groove being disposed around an outer surface of the tubular portion proximate the distal end;

a second gasket groove for receiving a gasket, the second gasket groove disposed around an outer surface of the tubular portion proximate the proximal end; and

a third gasket groove for receiving a gasket, the third gasket groove being disposed around an inner surface of the tubular portion between the first gasket groove and the second gasket groove.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising: a fourth gasket groove for receiving a gasket, the fourth gasket groove disposed around an inner surface of the tubular portion proximate the distal end.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the fourth gasket groove is disposed between the first gasket groove and the distal end of the tubular portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising: a lubricant groove operable to contain a lubricant, the lubricant groove disposed around an outer surface of the tubular portion between the first and second gasket grooves.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising a lubricant port to operatively convey lubricant between the lubricant sump and the interior of the tubular portion, the lubricant port passing through a wall of the tubular portion disposed between the lubricant sump and the interior of the tubular portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising a plurality of O-rings to slip fit the tubular portion on the pump shaft within a pump shaft fill box, the plurality of O-rings comprising:

a first O-ring disposed in the first gasket groove;

a second O-ring disposed in the second gasket groove; and

a third O-ring disposed in the third gasket groove.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, comprising a fourth O-ring disposed in the fourth gasket groove.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising a seal removal assembly disposed on the flange to facilitate removal of the apparatus from the pump shaft fill box.

16. A pump, comprising:

a pump shaft which rotates;

a pump rotor disposed within the pump chamber and operatively coupled to the pump shaft, the pump rotor moving fluid by rotation of the shaft;

a shaft housing disposed about the pump shaft to maintain a fluid seal;

a fluid seal assembly disposed between the pump shaft and a shaft housing to reduce leakage of fluid from the pump chamber, the fluid seal assembly comprising:

a one-piece combination gland and bushing assembly including a proximal end proximate a motor coupling and a distal end distal from the motor coupling, the gland and bushing assembly comprising:

a gland portion at the proximal end, the gland portion including two fastener couplings, the fastener couplings each receiving a compression fastener to facilitate compression of a filler material;

a bushing portion at the distal end providing a bearing surface for a rotating shaft;

an inner liner groove disposed at a proximal end of an interior of the liner portion; and

an inner liner disposed in the inner liner groove between an inside of the bushing portion and a rotating shaft to reduce leakage of lubricant from the inside of the bushing portion; and

a filler material disposed within the shaft housing at a distal end of the packing gland and bushing assembly, the filler material being subjected to a compressive force provided by the packing gland and bushing assembly.

17. The pump of claim 16, wherein the gland and liner assembly includes an outer liner groove disposed proximate a proximal end of the liner portion to retain a liner between an exterior of the liner portion and a wall of the shaft housing.

18. The pump of claim 16, wherein the gland and liner assembly includes a lubricant groove to operatively receive liner lubricant, the lubricant groove disposed about an outer surface of the liner portion, distal from the inner liner groove.

19. The pump of claim 18, including a lubricant port to operatively deliver lubricant from the lubricant sump to the interior of the liner portion, the lubricant port passing through a wall of the liner portion disposed between the lubricant sump and the interior of the liner portion.

20. The pump of claim 16, including a threaded gland and liner removal assembly disposed on the gland portion to facilitate removal of the gland and liner assembly removal assembly from the shaft housing.

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