Abstract: A pump drive system (10) for pumping high temperature fluid includes a fluid pump (12) defined by a housing. The pump includes a fluid piston (16) for developing an impulse for pumping the fluid through the system (18). A fluid column (24) is included that is in fluid communication with the high temperature fluid system (20) and the piston (16) of the pump. The fluid column includes valves 54, 56 for introducing and exhausting fluid from the column during the pumping stroke of the plunger. During operation of the pump, high temperature fluid is introduced in the fluid column through the valves, mixed with the fluid within the column and pumped through the valve into the fluid system thereby pumping the fluid while maintaining the temperature adjacent to the fluid piston at a reduced level to insure lubrication of the piston packing (52) while preventing deterioration.

Abstract: A packing assembly for a pump employed to force fluid at a high velocity includes at least one vee shaped packing ring and a graphite ring positioned adjacent to and abutting the packing ring. These rings are maintained as one unit by first and second adaptors to define the packing assembly. The packing assembly is held at one end by a holder and a second end by a packing nut that is adjustable to apply an axial preload on the packing assembly.