Rescue mechanical seal and method
AssigneeS. E. Yandle, II
InventorsS. Elwood Yandle, II, S. Elwood Yandle, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of replacing a failed pump seal of a pump having a pump housing and a rotating pump shaft. As part of the method, there is provided a specially configured rescue seal. The rescue seal is placed on the pump shaft above the failed seal so that the pump shaft extends through both the failed seal and the rescue seal. In order to affix the rescue seal to the pump shaft and above the failed seal, a plurality of studs are first attached to the pump housing after removing some of the bolts that fasten the failed seal to the pump housing. The failed seal is then secured to the studs with nuts. Nuts are then placed on the studs to secure the rescue seal to the studs above the failed seal.
Claims20
A rescue seal apparatus for repairing a failed pump seal, said pump seal having a face, of a pump having a pump housing, a rotating pump shaft, and a drive collar secured to the shaft with set screws, comprising:
- studs for attachment to the pump housing in place of bolts which hold the failed seal in place;
- a rescue seal, having a face, for placement on the pump shaft above the failed seal so that the pump shaft extends through both the failed seal and the rescue seal;
- nuts for securing the failed seal to the studs and for securing the rescue seal to the studs above the failed seal;
- and
- set blocks that are installed during the manufacturing of the rescue seal, said set blocks having pre-loaded springs which, when the rescue seal is properly installed, urge the failed seal face and the rescue seal face to stay together, wherein the set blocks may be removed after the drive collar set screws are tightened.
A method of replacing a failed pump seal of a pump having a pump housing and a rotating pump shaft, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a rescue seal;
- b) attaching studs to the pump housing;
- c) securing the failed seal to the studs with fasteners;
- d) placing the rescue seal on the pump shaft above the failed seal so that the pump shaft extends through both the failed seal and the rescue seal;
- and
- e) placing fasteners on the studs to secure the rescue seal to the studs above the failed seal.
A rescue seal apparatus for repairing a failed pump seal of a pump having a pump housing, bolts that secure the failed seal to the pump housing, a rotating pump shaft, and a drive collar secured to the shaft comprising:
- a) studs configured for attachment to the pump housing in place of the bolts that hold the failed seal in place;
- b) a rescue seal configured for placement on the pump shaft above the failed seal in a repaired position, said rescue seal having an opening enabling the pump shaft to extend through both the failed seal and the rescue seal, each seal having a face;
- c) fasteners attached to the housing that enable securement of the failed seal to the studs, said fasteners also securing the rescue seal to the studs above the failed seal;
- d) set blocks that can be removably installed while the rescue seal is being manufactured;
- and
- e) pre-load springs which when the rescue seal is installed urge the faces of the failed seal and the rescue seal together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.