Method and apparatus for water removal from oil in submersible motor environment
AssigneeBorg-Warner Corporation
InventorHarry J. Venema
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water-absorbing material, such as silica gel, activated alumina and the like, is dispersed in the oil in which a submersible motor is operated, so as to absorb water which leaks into the motor housing. The water-absorbing material is then heated to a temperature at which the water is released. The water will flow, because of its specific gravity to a collection zone for removal to a location removed from the motor.
Claims6
A method for removing water which leaks into the housing of a submersible electric motor and into the lubricating oil in said housing in which said motor operates, said lubricating oil having a water-absorbing material dispersed therein which absorbs water in said oil, the steps comprising:
- heating said oil and said water-absorbing material at a location in said housing removed from said motor to a temperature sufficient to free absorbed water from said water-absorbing material to this produce free water which because of its density flows to a collection zone in said housing adjacent to the heating location;
- and thereafter removing the collected free water from said collection zone to a zone outside said housing.
In a submersible electric motor assembly having a housing with a lubricating oil sump into which water leaks, said oil having a water-absorbing material dispersed therethrough, the improvement which comprises:
- heater means in said sump to heat the oil and its contents to a temperature sufficient to drive free water from said water-absorbing material;
- means comprising a zone in said housing for collecting said free water which flows thereto because of its density;
- and
- means for removing said collected free water from said collecting zones and to a zone removed from said housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.