Flexible joint connection
AssigneeGE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.
InventorsCharles Collins, Aaron Noakes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adapter is used to connect a first component within a downhole pumping system to a second component within the downhole pumping system. The adapter includes an upstream section adjacent the first component and a downstream section adjacent the second component. The adapter further includes an articulating joint that permits the angular movement of the first component with respect to the second component. The articulating joint includes a flexible metal casing extending between the upstream section and the downstream section.
Claims14
An adapter for use in connecting a first component within a downhole pumping system to a second component within the downhole pumping system, wherein the adapter comprises:
- an upstream section adjacent the first component;
- a downstream section adjacent the second component;
- an articulating joint, wherein the articulating joint permits the angular movement of the first component with respect to the second component and wherein the articulating joint comprises a flexible metal casing extending between the upstream section and the downstream section;
- an upstream shaft;
- a downstream shaft;
- a shaft coupling that permits an angular articulation between the upstream shaft and downstream shaft;
- and
- a fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is disposed between the upstream shaft and the upstream section, the downstream shaft and the downstream section, and the shaft coupling and the articulating joint.
A submersible pumping system comprising:
- an upstream component;
- a downstream component;
- and
- a flexible adapter connected between the upstream component and the downstream component, wherein the flexible adapter comprises:
- an upstream section adjacent the upstream component;
- a downstream section adjacent the downstream component;
- an upstream shaft
- a downstream shaft
- a shaft coupling that permits an angular articulation between the upstream shaft and downstream shaft
- an articulating joint, wherein the articulating joint permits the angular movement of the first component with respect to the second component and wherein the articulating joint comprises a flexible metal casing extending between the upstream section and the downstream section;
- and
- a fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is disposed between the upstream shaft and the upstream section, the downstream shaft and the downstream section, and the shaft coupling and the articulating joint.
A submersible pumping system comprising:
- an upstream component;
- a downstream component;
- and
- a flexible adapter connected between the upstream component and the downstream component, wherein the flexible adapter comprises:
- an upstream section adjacent to the upstream component
- a downstream section adjacent to the downstream component
- an upstream shaft;
- a downstream shaft;
- an articulating joint, wherein the articulating joint comprises:
- a flexible metal casing extending between the upstream section and the downstream section;
- and
- a shaft coupling that permits an angular articulation between the upstream shaft and downstream shaft;
- and
- a fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is disposed between the upstream shaft and the upstream section, the downstream shaft and the downstream section, and the shaft coupling and the flexible metal casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.