Pump having improved and adjustable packing

Abstract

A reciprocating type pump and method with an improved and customizable approach to varying axial pressure is provided. In one embodiment, a pump may be provided with a pump body, a piston reciprocally moveable within a bore of the pump body in response to a piston drive, and axially spaced apart packing means radially expansible in response to axial pressure exerted on the packing means. A packing nut is also provided, which is disposed at the end of the pump opposite the piston drive for adjustably exerting axial pressure on the packings. Springs may also be provided between the axially spaced apart packing means, which may be used for preloading the packing means and compensating for packing wear, swelling and/or dimensional instabilities.

1 . A pump comprising:
 a pump body;   a piston reciprocally moveable within a bore of said pump body in response to a piston drive;   axially spaced apart packing means radially expansible in response to axial pressure exerted on said packing means; and   a packing nut disposed at the end of said pump opposite said piston drive for adjustably exerting axial pressure on said packings.   
   
   
       2 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more springs disposed between said axially spaced apart packing means. 
   
   
       3 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein said pump body further comprises a discharge manifold at its upper end. 
   
   
       4 . The pump of  claim 3 , wherein a liquid or slurry enters the pump through an inlet proximate said packing nut and exits said pump through said discharge manifold. 
   
   
       5 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of said piston comprises a cross pin for connection to a drive motor. 
   
   
       6 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein said piston further comprises at least one check valve assembly comprising an inlet opening and a discharge opening. 
   
   
       7 . The pump of  claim 6 , wherein said check valve assembly further comprises a check ball. 
   
   
       8 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein said pump body further comprises a cylindrical inner surface spaced radially apart from an outer surface of said piston. 
   
   
       9 . The pump of  claim 8 , wherein said packing means are disposed between said inner surface of the pump and said outer surface of said piston. 
   
   
       10 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein said packing means are comprised of one or more chevron-shaped packing rings, said rings stackable on one another. 
   
   
       11 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein said packing means comprise an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a sleeve. 
   
   
       12 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein either end of the packing means may be restrained by a female or male adapter. 
   
   
       13 . A pump system comprising:
 a pump body;   a piston reciprocally moveable within a bore of said pump body in response to a piston drive;   a drive motor for providing said piston drive;   axially spaced apart packing means radially expansible in response to axial pressure exerted on said packing means;   one or more springs disposed between said axially spaced packing means; and   a packing nut disposed at the end of said pump opposite said piston drive for adjustably exerting axial pressure on said packings.   
   
   
       14 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said one or more springs are provided for preloading said packing means and compensating for packing wear, swelling and/or dimensional instabilities. 
   
   
       15 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said packing nut may be rotatably tightened or loosened to vary the axial pressure of said packing means. 
   
   
       16 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said pump body further comprises a discharge manifold at its upper end. 
   
   
       17 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said packing means further comprises an inlet chamber, said piston further comprises at least one check valve assembly and a first conduit, said pump body further comprises a second conduit in communication with said first conduit, and said pump body further comprises a discharge manifold comprising an outlet. 
   
   
       18 . The pump system of  claim 17 , wherein a liquid or slurry enters the pump system through said inlet chamber, flows through said at least one check valve assembly into said first conduit and then through said second conduit, and exits said pump system through said outlet. 
   
   
       19 . The pump system of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one check valve assembly further comprises a check ball. 
   
   
       20 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said packing means are disposed between an inner surface of said pump and an outer surface of said piston. 
   
   
       21 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said packing means are comprised of one or more stackable, chevron-shaped packing rings. 
   
   
       22 . The pump system of  claim 13 , wherein said packing nut comprises one or more recesses for receiving an adjustment tool for rotating said nut. 
   
   
       23 . A method for a reciprocating pump system comprising:
 providing a pump body;   providing a piston reciprocally moveable within a bore of said pump body;   providing a drive motor for moving said piston;   providing axially spaced apart packing means that are radially expansible in response to axial pressure, and exerting varying axial pressure on said packing means; and   providing a packing nut disposed at the end of said pump opposite said piston drive, adjusting the axial pressure on said packings by tightening or loosening said packing nut.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising providing one or more springs between said axially spaced packing means, with the springs preloading said packing means and compensating for packing wear, swelling and/or dimensional instabilities. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising pumping a liquid through said pump system, such that said liquid is drawn into an inlet of said pump system via a suction stroke, and said liquid is transferred through said piston and out a discharge port via a discharge stroke.