Jet Pump Stabilizer

Abstract

A jet pump stabilizer is disclosed and claimed. The stabilizer includes a clamp body that is affixed about the riser pipe. Two U-clamps are connected to the clamp body, each U-clamp positioned about a jet pump mixer section. A wedge assembly is positioned between the clamp body and each mixer pipe, cooperating with the clamp body and U-clamps to laterally restrain the mixer sections. A clamp ring is positioned about each mixer section and retained in place by the U-clamps, wedge assemblies, and clamp body. A sealing ring is moveably connected to the clamp ring such that it is biased toward engagement with the jet pump diffuser. Seals provided on the stabilizer engage the jet pump assembly above and below the slip joint, preventing vibration-inducing leakage through the slip joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stabilizer for a jet pump having an inlet riser pipe, two mixers, and two diffusers, a first of the mixers being connected to a first of the diffusers by a first slip joint, and a second of the mixers being connected to a second of the diffusers by a second slip joint, the stabilizer comprising:
 a clamp body configured to be affixed about the jet pump riser pipe;   two U-clamps, each of said U-clamps being coupled to said clamp body, a first of said U-clamps configured to be positioned about the first jet pump mixer, a second of said U-clamps configured to be positioned about the second jet pump mixer;   two clamp rings, a first of said clamp rings configured to be positioned about the first jet pump mixer and retained by said first U-clamp, a second of said clamp rings configured to be positioned about the second jet pump mixer and retained by said second U-clamp; and   two sealing rings, a first of said sealing rings coupled to said first clamp ring, a second of said sealing rings coupled to said second clamp ring.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , further comprising two wedges, each of said wedges being coupled to said clamp body, a first of said wedges positioned adjacent the first jet pump mixer, a second of said wedges positioned adjacent the second jet pump mixer. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer of  claim 2 , wherein said first clamp ring is further configured to be positioned adjacent to and in contact with said first wedge, and said second clamp ring is further configured to be positioned adjacent to and in contact with said second wedge. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizer of  claim 3 , wherein said first wedge is adjustable to impart a variable force against the jet pump riser pipe and the first jet pump mixer, and said second wedge is adjustable to impart a variable force against the jet pump riser pipe and the second jet pump mixer. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein said first sealing ring is moveably coupled to said first clamp ring, said first sealing ring being biased away from said first clamp ring and into contact with the first jet pump diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein a first subassembly defined by said first U-clamp, said first clamp ring, and said first sealing ring includes two sealing members. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilizer of  claim 6 , wherein a first of said sealing members is positioned to be in contact with the jet pump on a first side of the first slip joint and a second of said sealing members is positioned to be in contact with the jet pump on a second side of the first slip joint, 
     
     
         8 . The stabilizer of  claim 7 , wherein said first sealing member is coupled to said first clamp ring and said second sealing member is coupled to said first seal ring. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer of  claim 6 , wherein said sealing members are formed of a malleable metal material.