Self-adjusting liner for centrifugal pump

Abstract

A self-adjusting liner assembly for installation within a centrifugal pump of the type having an impeller and a pump casing having a suction inlet is provided, comprising a liner having a sealing end, the sealing end having at least one substantially planar outer most surface for contacting an outer surface of the impeller; and a resilient member disposed in the liner, said resilient member providing a force so that the at least one outer most surface remains in substantially continuous contact with the outer surface of the impeller.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A self-adjusting liner assembly for installation within a centrifugal pump of the type having an impeller and a pump casing having a suction inlet, comprising:
 a liner having a sealing end, the sealing end having at least one substantially planar outer most surface for contacting an outer surface of the impeller; and   a resilient member disposed in the liner, said resilient member providing a force so that the at least one outer most surface remains in substantially continuous contact with the outer surface of the impeller.   
     
     
         2 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer most surface comprises a wear ring. 
     
     
         3 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
         4 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the spring is a wave spring. 
     
     
         5 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the liner includes a recessed portion for housing the resilient member and the wear ring. 
     
     
         6 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the liner is formed from a wear resistant iron such as chrome white iron. 
     
     
         7 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the wear ring is made from a material selected from the group consisting of urethane, tungsten carbide and chrome white iron. 
     
     
         8 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a lubricating and cooling system for providing water to the at least one substantially planar outer most surface. 
     
     
         9 . A self-adjusting liner assembly for installation within a centrifugal pump of the type having an impeller and a pump casing having a suction inlet, comprising:
 a liner having a sealing end, the sealing end having a substantially planar outer most surface comprising a wear ring for contacting an outer surface of the impeller; and   a resilient member disposed in the liner, said resilient member providing a force so that the wear ring of the outer most surface remains in substantially continuous contact with the outer surface of the impeller.   
     
     
         10 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
         11 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the spring is a wave spring. 
     
     
         12 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the liner includes a recessed portion for housing the resilient member and the wear ring. 
     
     
         13 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the liner is formed from a wear resistant iron such as chrome white iron. 
     
     
         14 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the wear ring is made from a material selected from the group consisting of urethane, tungsten carbide and chrome white iron. 
     
     
         15 . The self-adjusting liner assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a lubricating and cooling system for providing water to the at least one substantially planar outer most surface.