Reciprocating pump seal devices, and associated systems and methods

An actuator apparatus of a reciprocating pump, the actuator apparatus comprising:

• a top plate configured to be contained within a housing of the pump, the top plate including:
• a first recess in a first surface of the top plate, the first recess forming a first ring in the first surface;
• a bottom plate configured to be contained within the housing of the pump, the bottom plate including:
• a second recess in a second surface of the bottom plate, the second recess forming a second ring in the second surface;
• and
• one or more raised segments configured to mate with one or more coupling elements;
• wherein the one or more coupling elements are configured to couple the bottom plate to the top plate when the coupling elements are mated with the one or more raised segments;
• and
• a seal configured to be clamped between the first surface of the top plate and the second surface of the bottom plate via the first and second recesses when the bottom plate is coupled to the top plate;
• wherein the actuator apparatus is configured to drive a flow of a fluid from a suction nozzle to a discharge nozzle of the pump, and wherein the seal is configured to prevent leakage of the fluid around a perimeter of the actuator apparatus.

A method comprising:

• receiving a flow of a fluid at a suction nozzle of a reciprocating pump;
• driving the flow of the fluid from the suction nozzle to a discharge nozzle of the reciprocating pump via an actuator apparatus, wherein the actuator apparatus includes a first section including a first notch, a second section including a second notch and one or more raised segments configured to mate with one or more coupling elements, wherein the first and second sections are coupled when the one or more coupling elements are mated with the one or more raised segments, and a seal clamped between the first and second sections via the first and second notches such that leakage of the fluid around a perimeter of the actuator apparatus is substantially prevented;
• and
• directing the flow of the fluid away from the reciprocating pump via the discharge nozzle.