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US 4,982,801 AGranted
Flexible coupling for downhole motor
AssigneeTeleco Oilfield Services Inc.
InventorsMark D. Zitka, Gary Wells
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible coupling for use in a down-hole motor assembly such as a positive displacement moineau motor is presented. The flexible coupling includes two sets of flexible joints. Each joint consists of two cylindrically shaped slipper couplings angularly offset by 90 degrees. Each slipper coupling is comprised of mating male and female members which are joined together by ball bearings positioned in arcuate grooves located along the cylindrical mating surface.
Claims18
A flexible coupling for use in a downhole motor comprising:
- a central shaft section having opposed first and second ends and having a longitudinal central axis;
- a first intermediate shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a second intermediate shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a first outer shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a second outer shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a first joint pivotably interconnecting said first end of said central shaft section to said first end of said first intermediate shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said first joint being along a first plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft;
- a second joint pivotably interconnecting said second end of said first intermediate shaft section to said first end of said first outer shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said second joint being along a second plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft, said first plane being offset 90 degrees from said second plane;
- a third joint pivotably interconnecting said second end of said central shaft section to said first end of said second intermediate shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said third joint being along a third plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft;
- and
- a fourth joint pivotably interconnecting said second end of said second intermediate shaft section to said first end of said second outer shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said fourth joint being along a fourth plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft, said third plane being offset 90 degrees from said fourth plane.
7 more elements
A downhole motor comprising:
- a tubular housing having an inlet and an outlet for flow of fluid therethrough;
- a stator supported in a fixed position in said housing;
- a rotor supported for rotary movement in said stator;
- a shaft operatively connected to said rotor and supported for rotary movement in said housing;
- and
- a flexible coupling connecting said shaft to said rotor, said flexible coupling including;
- a central shaft section having opposed first and second ends and having a longitudinal central axis;
- a first intermediate shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a second intermediate shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a first outer shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a second outer shaft section having opposed first and second ends;
- a first joint pivotably interconnecting said first end of said central shaft section to said first end of said first intermediate shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said first joint being along a first plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft;
- a second joint pivotably interconnecting said second end of said first intermediate shaft section to said first end of said first outer shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said second joint being along a second plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft, said first plane being offset 90 degrees from said second plane;
- a third joint pivotably interconnecting said second end of said central shaft section to said first end of said second intermediate shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said third joint being along a third plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft;
- and
- a fourth joint pivotably interconnecting said second of said second intermediate shaft section to said first end of said second outer shaft section, said pivotal interconnection of said fourth joint being along a fourth plane passing through said longitudinal axis of said central shaft, said third plane being offset 90 degrees from said fourth plane.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.