Coverplates for Centrifugal Pumps

A coverplate for centrifugal pumps comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical body with a circumferential outer rim;
• a first side and a second side, the substantially cylindrical body surrounding an orifice with an at least partially tapered diameter;
• the first side having a substantially circular face that at least partially tapers, the face of the first side adapted to be positioned at least partially within a centrifugal pump when the coverplate is attached to the centrifugal pump;
• the second side having an integral flange extending outwardly therefrom away from the first side, the flange of the second side circumscribed by a circumferential groove adapted to facilitate attachment of the coverplate to a pipe using a clamp coupling, the second side facing outwardly from the centrifugal pump when the coverplate is attached to the centrifugal pump.

A method attaching a coverplate, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a coverplate such that at least part of a first side of the coverplate is positioned within a centrifugal pump, the first side of the coverplate having a substantially circular face that at least partially tapers, and
• attaching the coverplate to the centrifugal pump using one or more connection members, the coverplate comprising:
• a substantially cylindrical body surrounding an orifice with an at least partially tapered diameter;
• a second side of the coverplate having an integral flange extending outwardly therefrom away from the first side, the second side facing outwardly from the centrifugal pump.