Assembly of complex mechanical seal for vertical multiple stage pump

An easily accessible mechanical seal on top of a vertical axle of a multiple stage pump which counterbalances vertical force pushing liquid downward by a bladewheel secured around the lower portion of the vertical axle, the mechanical seal comprising:

• a barrel-shaped sealing base including an inner and outer surface with a center hole secured around the intermediate portion of the vertical axle;
• an axle bushing with a top and bottom distal ends secured around the upper portion of the vertical pump axle;
• a middle balance plate with a center hole coupled to bottom distal end of said axle bushing and an outer edge contacting said inner surface of said barrel-shaped sealing base, said middle balance plate defining a high pressure space between said middle balance plate and said barrel-shaped sealing base;
• a gland sealing top with a center hole secured around the intermediate portion of said axle bushing on top of said barrel-shaped sealing base, said gland sealing top defining a low pressure space between said gland sealing top ad said middle balance plate;
• a mechanical seal coupled around said axle bushing under said gland sealing top and above said middle balance plate;
• a liquid return passageway from said low pressure space, said liquid return passageway defined by one of said barrel-shaped sealing base and said gland sealing top.

A method for easily accessing a mechanical seal on top of a vertical axle of a multiple stage pump which counterbalances vertical force pushing liquid downward by a bladewheel secured around the lower portion of the vertical axle, the method comprising:

• providing a barrel-shaped sealing base including an inner and outer surface with a center hole secured around the intermediate portion of the vertical axle;
• providing an axle bushing with a top and bottom distal ends secured around the upper portion of the vertical pump axle;
• providing a middle balance plate with a center hole coupled to bottom distal end of said axle bushing and an outer edge contacting said inner surface of said barrel-shaped sealing base, said middle balance plate defining a high pressure space between said middle balance plate and said barrel-shaped sealing base;
• providing a gland sealing top with a center hole secured around the intermediate portion of said axle bushing on top of said barrel-shaped sealing base, said gland sealing top defining a low pressure space between said gland sealing top and said middle balance plate;
• providing a mechanical seal coupled around said axle bushing under said gland sealing top and above said middle balance plate;
• providing a liquid return passageway from said low pressure space, said liquid return passageway defined by one of said barrel-shaped sealing base and said gland sealing top;
• removing said gland sealing top;
• removing said middle balance plate for maintenance or repair;
• replacing said middle balance plate;
• and
• replacing said gland sealing top.