# US 2016/0258441 A1 · Abrasion-resistant thrust ring for use with a downhole electrical submersible pump

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- Number: US 2016/0258441 A1
- Document ID: US20160258441A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/908,376
- Filed: 2014-10-14
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-14
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Inventors: Dezhi Zheng
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258441A1

## CPC

- F04D 29/041: Axial thrust balancing
- E21B 43/128: {Adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives}
- F04D 1/06: Multi-stage pumps (F04D1/02, F04D13/10 take precedence)
- F04D 7/04: the fluids being viscous or non-homogenous
- F04D 13/10: adapted for use in mining bore holes
- F04D 29/0413: {hydrostatic; hydrodynamic thrust bearings}
- F04D 29/043: Shafts
- F04D 29/167: {of a centrifugal flow wheel}
- F04D 29/22: specially for centrifugal pumps
- F04D 29/445: {especially adapted for liquid pumps}
- F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02)
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A multi-stage pump stack is disclosed herein wherein the multi-stage pump stack comprises a shaft, a diffuser disposed about the shaft, an impeller disposed within the diffuser, a first thrust ring disposed adjacent to the impeller, and a second thrust ring disposed adjacent to the diffuser. The first and second thrust rings are comprised of a material with a low friction coefficient. Systems and methods for distributing forces in the multi-stage pump stack are also disclosed herein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-stage pump stack comprising:
a shaft;
a diffuser disposed about the shaft;
an impeller disposed within the diffuser;
a first thrust ring disposed adjacent to the impeller; and
a second thrust ring disposed adjacent to the diffuser,
wherein the first and second thrust rings are comprised of a material with a low friction coefficient.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein the first thrust ring is operable to rotate and wherein the second thrust ring is not operable to rotate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein the first and second thrust rings are comprised of a ceramic material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein the first thrust ring comprises a first grooved surface, wherein the first grooved surface is disposed adjacent to the impeller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein the first and second thrust rings each comprise a second grooved surface, wherein the second grooved surfaces contact each other.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein the first and second thrust rings are operable to prevent direct contact between the impeller and diffuser.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein downthrust forces are distributed between the first and second thrust rings.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 1, wherein upthrust forces are distributed between the first and second thrust rings.

### Claim 9

A multi-stage pump stack comprising:
a shaft;
a first diffuser disposed about the shaft;
a first impeller disposed within the first diffuser;
a first thrust ring disposed adjacent to the first impeller and comprised of a material with a low friction coefficient;
a second thrust ring disposed adjacent to the first diffuser and comprised of a material with a low friction coefficient;
a second diffuser disposed about the shaft and adjacent to the first diffuser; and
a second impeller disposed within the second diffuser.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 9, wherein the first thrust ring is operable to rotate and wherein the second thrust ring is not operable to rotate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 9, wherein the first and second thrust rings are comprised of a ceramic material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 9, wherein the first and second thrust rings each comprise a first grooved surface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 9, wherein the first and second thrust rings each comprise a second grooved surface, wherein the second grooved surfaces contact each other.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The multi-stage pump stack of claim 9, wherein the first and second thrust rings are operable to prevent direct contact between the first impeller and first diffuser.

### Claim 15

A method for distributing force in a multi-stage pump stack comprising:
assembling a stage comprising an impeller and a diffuser, wherein the impeller is disposed within the diffuser;
rotating the impeller and a first thrust ring, wherein the first thrust ring is disposed adjacent to the impeller;
maintaining the diffuser and a second thrust ring in a stationary position, wherein the second thrust ring is disposed adjacent to the diffuser,
wherein the first and second thrust rings are comprised of a material with a low friction coefficient.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second thrust rings are comprised of a ceramic material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the first thrust ring comprises a first grooved surface.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the first thrust ring comprises a second grooved surface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising:
expelling debris from a surface of each of the first and second thrust rings.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising:
lubricating a surface of each of the first and second thrust rings.