Method for momentary hydrostatic operation of hydrodynamic thrust bearings in a vertical fluid displacement module
AssigneeVetco Gray Scandinavia AS
InventorOle Petter TOMTER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for axial support of a pump or compressor rotor shaft during start-up or shut-down of a vertical fluid displacement module for subsea operation including a motor and a pump or compressor. Lubrication fluid is momentarily supplied for hydrostatic operation of hydrodynamic thrust bearing(s) from a topside or land-based fluid supply via a flow control module arranged in conjunction with a subsea pressure control unit configured for controlling the supply and discharge of barrier and lubrication fluids to/from the fluid displacement module.
Claims23
1-10. (canceled)
A system for momentary hydrostatic operation of hydrodynamic thrust bearings in a vertical fluid displacement module for subsea operation comprising a motor and a pump or compressor,
- wherein said module is connected to a pressure control unit located subsea and arranged for controlling the supply and the discharge of barrier and lubrication fluids to and from said module,
- barrier and lubrication fluid being circulated within the motor at a first pressure in a barrier and lubrication fluid circuit, and barrier and lubrication fluid being circulated within the pump/compressor in a barrier and lubrication fluid circuit at a second pressure lower than said first pressure, the system comprising:
- a fluid supply line connecting a flow control unit and hydrodynamic thrust bearing(s) in the pump/compressor,
- a flow control module in the fluid supply line controllable for momentarily supplying fluid to the thrust bearing(s) at a pressure sufficient to generate a fluid film between thrust-engageable surfaces in the thrust bearing(s) at start-up and shut-down, respectively of the pump/compressor, and
- a fluid communication from the thrust bearing(s) to the barrier and lubrication fluid circuit in the pump/compressor, whereby
- fluid flow between the thrust-engageable surfaces at start-up and shut-down, respectively, is generated in response to fluid discharge from the pressure control unit to a process fluid flow.
A method for axial support of a pump or compressor rotor shaft during start-up or shut-down of a vertical fluid displacement module for subsea operation comprising a motor and a pump or compressor, the method comprising:
- momentarily supplying lubrication fluid for hydrostatic operation of hydrodynamic thrust bearing(s) from a topside or land-based fluid supply via a flow control module arranged in cooperation with a subsea pressure control unit configured for controlling the supply and discharge of barrier and lubrication fluids to/from said fluid displacement module.
A method for axial support of a pump or compressor rotor shaft during start-up or shut-down of a vertical fluid displacement module for subsea operation comprising a motor and a pump or compressor, the method comprising:
- momentarily supplying lubrication fluid for hydrostatic operation of hydrodynamic thrust bearing(s) from a topside or land-based fluid supply via a flow control module arranged in cooperation with a subsea pressure control unit configured for controlling the supply and discharge of barrier and lubrication fluids to/from said fluid displacement module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.