Carrier for plunger during disassembly

Abstract

A carrier that holds a plunger for a reciprocating pump during maintenance. Maintenance of the pump typically includes repacking of the packing that surrounds the plunger and revalving of the pump's inlet and outlet valve. To allow repacking or revalving, the pump is disassembled and the plunger is removed. The carrier mates with the pump to hold and support weight of the plunger during disassembly, allowing one person to perform pump revalving and repacking.

1 . A carrier assembly for maintenance of a reciprocating pump, comprising:
 a semi-circular mating end adapted to engage a cylinder opening on the pump,   a flange that projects radially outward from the mating end and past the cylinder opening; and   a semi-circular nest projecting axially from a portion of the flange and away from the cylinder opening having an upward facing concave surface for receiving and supporting a plunger removed from within the pump.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge that that runs longitudinally along the carrier assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge comprises a plurality of hinges that run longitudinally along the middle of the mating end, flange, and nest to allow the carrier assembly to pivot along the middle. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mating end, flange, and nest are fabricated as a single piece. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mating end, flange, and nest are fabricated as multiple pieces. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mating end has threads on an exterior surface for threadingly engaging corresponding threads on an interior cylindrical surface of the cylinder opening. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nest is adjustable to receive plungers of varying size. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nest is cantilevered from the mating end. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nest has a length approximately equal to a length of the plunger it supports. 
     
     
         10 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flange has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the cylinder opening. 
     
     
         11 . A carrier assembly for maintenance of a pump, comprising:
 a semi-cylindrical mating end adapted to engage a cylinder opening on the pump, the mating end having a threaded outer diameter for threadingly engaging corresponding threads on an interior surface of the cylinder opening,   a semi-cylindrical flange on the mating end and in contact with the exterior of the pump, the flange having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cylinder opening;   an upward facing nest for receiving and supporting a plunger removed from within the pump, the nest being cantilevered from one end to the flange; and   a hinge that that runs longitudinally along the middle of the mating end, flange, and nest to allow the carrier assembly to pivot along the middle.   
     
     
         12 . The carrier assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the mating end, flange, and nest are fabricated as a single piece. 
     
     
         13 . The carrier assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the mating end, flange, and nest are fabricated as multiple pieces. 
     
     
         14 . The carrier assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the nest is adjustable to receive plungers of varying size. 
     
     
         15 . The carrier assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nest has a length approximately equal a length of the plunger it supports. 
     
     
         16 . A method for supporting a pump plunger during maintenance or disassembly of a pump, comprising:
 removing a suction cover plate from a cylinder opening on the pump;   mating a semi-cylindrical mating end to the cylinder opening on the pump, removing the plunger from within the pump through the cylinder opening; and   holding and supporting the plunger on an upward facing concave surface connected at one end to the mating end.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 removing packing surrounding the pump plunger; and   repacking an area surrounding the plunger.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of revalving an inlet or an outlet valve within the pump; 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of mating a semi-cylindrical mating end to the cylinder opening comprises screwing the mating end into the cylinder opening. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein only one person is required to perform the steps of maintenance or disassembly.