Tool-free adjustable clean out assembly for a pump

Abstract

A clean out assembly for a centrifugal pump, particularly, for example, a self-priming-type of centrifugal pump, is structured to provide easy adjustment of the clean out assembly and axial movement of a wear plate in proximity to the impeller of the pump without the need for tools to effect such movement of the wear plate and clean out assembly.

1 . A centrifugal pump having a clean out assembly, comprising: 
 a pump casing housing an impeller and having an opening oriented axially to the eye of the impeller for receiving a clean out assembly;    a clean out assembly having an end cover attached to and spaced from a wear plate for positioning in proximity to said impeller;    securement apparatus for securing said clean out assembly to said pump housing; and    at least two adjustment elements positioned on said end cover for providing tool-free axial adjustment of said wear plate relative to said impeller, said adjustment elements being separately operable from said securement apparatus such that said adjustment elements effect axial movement of said wear plate without removal of said securement apparatus from said end cover.    
     
     
         2 . The centrifugal pump of  claim 1  wherein said adjustment elements are configured with handles for effecting tool-free movement of said adjustment elements for axial adjustment of said end cover.  
     
     
         3 . The centrifugal pump of  claim 2  wherein said adjustment elements are positioned between said end cover and said pump casing.  
     
     
         4 . The centrifugal pump of  claim 3  wherein said adjustment elements further comprise a threaded shaft threading received through said end cover.  
     
     
         5 . The centrifugal pump of  claim 1  wherein said adjustment elements further comprise indicia for determining the amount of axial adjustment made to said end cover.  
     
     
         6 . The centrifugal pump of  claim 1  wherein said securement apparatus further comprises stud bolts connected to said pump casing which are receivable through corresponding openings formed in said end cover, and further wherein said securement apparatus comprise a hand nut for too-free adjustment of said securement apparatus.  
     
     
         7 . A centrifugal pump having a clean out assembly, comprising: 
 a pump casing housing an impeller and having an opening oriented axially to the eye of the impeller for receiving a clean out assembly;    a clean out assembly having an end cover attached to and spaced from a wear plate;    a plurality of threaded studs securing said end cover to said pump casing by means of a hand bolt connected to said threaded studs;    adjustment elements each comprising a threaded shaft for threaded attachment through said end cover and a handle formed to said threaded shaft for effecting tool-free rotation of said threaded shaft by hand, said threaded shaft being positioned in contact with said pump casing.    
     
     
         8 . The centrifugal pump of  claim 7  further comprising indicia for determining the amount of axial adjustment of said end cover.