Self-adjusting spacer for centrifugal pumps

Abstract

This invention relates to a self-adjusting spacer mechanism for being interposed in a centrifugal pump between a volute and a barrel end surface for regulating the spacing therebetween. The spacer includes a first inclined surface and an outer surface coupled with an inside surface of the barrel cover. A second sliding plate has an outer surface coupled with an end surface of the volute and a second inclined surface generally parallel to and in sliding communication with the first inclined surface of the first sliding plate. A bias spring is coupled between the first and second sliding plate for advancing the sliding communication therebetween in a preferred direction for increasing the separation between the outside surfaces responsive to a separation between the volute and the barrel end surface. In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention a triggering device is coupled between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate for restricting the motion therebetween until the triggering device is actuated. Also, a unidirectional clutch is coupled between the first and second sliding plates for limiting the motion therebetween to the preferred direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.