Abstract: A generally cylindrical thermal shield for a heat exchanger in a centrifugal pump which includes a fixed inner diameter vertical wall that forms an annular clearance coaxially around the pump impeller shaft, an outer vertical wall that has a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner vertical wall, and a bottom section that extends upwardly between the inner and outer diameter vertical walls such that the bottom section meets the outer wall at an obtuse angle and meets the inner wall at an acute angle. Such a construction prevents any part of the outer wall from being located opposite the journal return holes of the impeller chamber and minimizes or eliminates erosive wear that may otherwise occur from the flow of fluid from the return holes against the bearing journal.

Abstract: A pump assembly which overcomes a shaft and cover cracking problem comprising a means for heating the seal purge water flowing along the shaft before it exits into an annulus (mixing region) thus reducing the temperature difference between the cooler seal purge water and the hotter product water prior to the mixing of the two waters.

Abstract: In a fluid handling appartus comprising a multi-stage mechanical seal assembly, an additional mechanical seal assembly to maintain a substantially constant exit pressure of leakage from the last stage of the multi-stage mechanical seal assembly, and a novel driving arrangement between the motor and the fluid machine.

Abstract: A pump having a heat exchanger including a rotating baffle sleeve secured to the pump shaft. A seal baffle on the rotating baffle sleeve extends over the pump seal assembly cartridge. A cooling cylinder containing circulating component cooling water is suspended within the rotating baffle sleeve and defines a flow passageway therein for cooling heated product water, before the product water contacts the shaft seal. A seal injector distributor ring uniformly distributes seal injection water to the seal. A thermal shield in the heat exchanger reduces thermal stresses in the heat exchanger. A slotted or grooved keyway spacer ring facilitates replacement and alignment of a hydrostatic bearing.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump especially adaptable for pumping radioactive water at elevated temperatures and pressures and having a relatively flexible seal between its case and its cover plate. The seal comprises a plurality of nested, metal, half-toroidal and relatively thin members welded to spaced metal rings which are welded to the case and the cover plate, respectively.

Abstract: A single or multiple stage mechanical seal assembly in which one seal ring is resiliently coupled to a rotatable shaft and the other seal ring is resiliently urged toward the first seal ring by axially-arranged identical springs received in spring pockets in a spring retainer, some pockets opening at one radial surface of the retainer and others opening at the other radial surface of the retainer. The outer surfaces of the seal rings are protected against deflection by being encircled by cylindrical members and one seal ring is resiliently coupled to its encircling cylindrical member. A balance sleeve means partly supports the axially movable seal ring and is capable of angular adjustment to compensate for shaft misalignment.

Abstract: An hydraulic proximity probe arrangement for determining the spacing of the surface of a rotating body from another fixed body as it rotates in a fluid medium. The body is provided with a plurality of circumferentially and equally spaced surface irregularities of like size and shape, such as indentations or projections, and at least a pair of probes are circumferentially spaced around the body, each being axially spaced an equal distance from the body's surfaces when at rest. The probes pick-up pulsations in the fluid medium caused by the rotating body, the amplitudes of which are indicative of the spacing of the surface of the rotating body from the end of the probes. These pulsations are signalized and the resultant signals are compared with calibrated deviation signals to provide data indicative of the spacing of the body's surface from a reference point during rotation of the body.