Threaded rod plunger installation tool

Abstract

A plunger installation tool that exerts a force on a plunger for a reciprocating pump to install the plunger into a pump cylinder opening. Maintenance of the pump typically includes repacking of the packing that surrounds the plunger and revalving of the pump's inlet and outlet valve. To allow repacking or revalving, the pump is disassembled and the plunger is removed. The plunger installation tool threads onto the pump cylinder opening to provide a reaction point for a threaded rod that is driven at one end by a driver and engages the plunger at an opposite end during installation to push the plunger into the cylinder opening without the use of hammers by personnel.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for installing a plunger during maintenance or assembly of a pump, comprising:
 placing a portion of the plunger in a cylinder opening on the pump;   providing a plunger installation tool comprising, a ring with a threaded outer circumference and a lip that projects radially outward from an end of the ring, a nut having a channel along an edge of the nut that extends into the nut from an outer surface of the nut, a threaded bore through the nut, and a threaded rod engaged in the threaded bore;   mating an end of the ring to the cylinder opening on the pump;   mating the nut onto the ring by inserting the lip into the channel;   advancing the threaded rod through the threaded bore in the nut until an engagement end of the rod engages an end of the plunger;   exerting a force on the plunger via a driver acting on the threaded rod to thereby push the plunger into a desired position within the cylinder opening; and   removing the threaded rod, nut, and mating end from the cylinder opening.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of repacking an area surrounding the plunger. 
     
     
         20 . The method of claim  16 , wherein the step of mating the ring to the cylinder opening comprises screwing a threaded end of the ring into the cylinder opening.