Modular expansion assembly for gear pump

Abstract

A modular expansion assembly for a gear pump is provided. The modular expansion assembly includes a case extension, a set of elongated replacement gears, and a set of elongated replacement shafts. The case extension is removably attached between a main case of the gear pump and a faceplate assembly of the gear pump. The case extension includes a second chamber that aligns with a first chamber of the main case to form a continuous combined chamber. The set of replacement gears is configured to extend axially the substantial length of the continuous combined chamber, and the set of replacement shafts is configured to extend through the continuous combined chamber into bores of the faceplate assembly and bores of a backplate assembly of the gear pump. When installed on a gear pump, the modular expansion assembly allows for increased volumetric displacement without requiring changes to connecting piping systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump, comprising:
 a main case having a first chamber configured to receive a first set of gears of a first axial length;   a faceplate assembly;   a backplate assembly; and   a case extension removably attached between the main case and the faceplate assembly,   wherein the case extension includes a second chamber that aligns with the first chamber to form a continuous combined chamber, and   wherein the combined chamber is configured to receive a second set of gears of a second axial length.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is configured to operate with the first set of gears and without the case extension to provide a first maximum volumetric displacement, and
 wherein the pump is configured to operate with the second set of gears and with the case extension to provide a second maximum volumetric displacement.   
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate assembly and backplate assembly are configured to:
 support a first set of shafts for rotating the first set of gears, and   support a second set of shafts for rotating the second set of gears.   
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate assembly includes faceplate bolt holes,
 wherein the case extension includes extension bolt holes extending through the case extension and oriented to align with the faceplate bolt holes, and   wherein the pump is configured to receive bolts through the faceplate bolt holes and extension bolt holes and be secured into the main case.   
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first gasket between the case extension and the faceplate assembly, and   a second gasket between the case extension and the faceplate assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a set of gears configured to extend axially the substantial length of the continuous combined chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a set of shafts configured to extend through the continuous combined chamber into bores of the faceplate assembly and bores of the backplate assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of gears has straight spur teeth. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of gears has helically oriented teeth or herringbone teeth. 
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first chamber and a cross-sectional shape of the second chamber are identical. 
     
     
         11 . A modular expansion assembly for a gear pump, comprising:
 a case extension removably attached between a main case of the gear pump and a faceplate assembly of the gear pump, wherein the case extension includes a second chamber that aligns with a first chamber of the main case to form a continuous combined chamber;   a set of replacement gears configured to extend axially the substantial length of the continuous combined chamber; and   a set of replacement shafts configured to extend through the continuous combined chamber into bores of the faceplate assembly and bores of a backplate assembly of the gear pump.   
     
     
         12 . The modular expansion assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the case extension includes extension bolt holes extending through the case extension and oriented to align with bolt holes on the faceplate assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The modular expansion assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the extension bolt holes are further configured to align with threaded connection holes on the main case. 
     
     
         14 . The modular expansion assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a set of elongated bolts configured to be inserted through the faceplate assembly and case extension into threaded connection holes on the main case.   
     
     
         15 . The modular expansion assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a set of elongated alignment pins configured to be inserted through the faceplate assembly and case extension into alignment holes on the main case.   
     
     
         16 . The modular expansion assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each gear in the set of replacement gears includes one of helically oriented teeth, herringbone teeth, or straight spur teeth. 
     
     
         17 . A method for reconfiguring a volumetric displacement capacity of a gear pump, the method comprising:
 disconnecting a faceplate assembly from a main case of a gear pump;   removing a shaft and gear set from the main case;   inserting an elongated shaft and gear set into the main case;   sliding a case extension over the elongated shaft and gear set adjacent to the main case, wherein the case extension includes a second chamber that aligns with a first chamber of the main case to form a continuous combined chamber;   applying the faceplate assembly onto the elongated shafts and against case extension;   aligning the faceplate assembly, the case extension, and the main case; and   securing the faceplate assembly and case extension to the main case.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein disconnecting the faceplate assembly includes removing a set of bolts from the faceplate assembly, and
 wherein securing the faceplate assembly and case extension includes inserting a set of elongated bolts through the faceplate assembly and case extension and into the main case.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 inserting a compressible gasket between the case extension and the faceplate assembly; or   inserting the compressible gasket between the main case and the case extension.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein inserting the elongated shaft and gear set into the main case includes:
 inserting an elongated drive shaft, of the elongated shaft and gear set, into a bore in a backplate of the gear pump.