DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE RUNNING CLEARANCE OF AN IMPELLER

摘要

An improved device (10) for adjusting the running clearance (11) of a pump impeller (14) is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, an annular adjustment member (15) is positioned adjacent to a pump impeller (14) and the pump housing (16), the impeller (14) being spaced from the adjustment member (15) and housing (16) by a predetermined distance. The adjustment member (15) is selectively moved towards and away from the impeller (14), and lockable in any desired position. The adjustment member (15) is moved in an axial direction by loosening a plurality of clamp nuts (26, 27), and turning adjustment nuts (26, 27), until the annular adjustment member bottoms out on the impeller. The annular adjustment member (15) is then backed off until an end surface of the adjustment member (15) is spaced from the end surface of the impeller by the predetermined distance (11). The adjustment member (15) is locked in the new location, thereby resetting the running clearance (11) of the pump. The annular adjustment member includes an elastomeric member (22) that creates a dynamic seal in a radial direction. The adjustment member being accessible and usable during operation of the pump.