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US 6,684,946 B2Granted
Gas-lock re-prime device for submersible pumps and related methods
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsFarral D. Gay, Kenneth T. Bebak
Life of this patent
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AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsFarral D. Gay, Kenneth T. Bebak
Estimating the term…
A submersible pump assembly has a pump and a valve connected to the outlet of the pump. An outlet of the valve is connected to a riser. A valve member in the valve housing is vertically movable between a pumping position and a priming position, the valve member being biased toward the priming position. A priming conduit connects the outlet of the valve housing to the inlet of the pump for directing well fluids flowing through the conduit into an intake of the pump for re-priming the pump. When the pump is pumping well fluid, the valve member is moved to the pumping position by the fluid pressure, well fluids flowing from the inlet of the valve housing to the outlet of the valve housing but not through the priming conduit. When pumping ceases, the valve member returns to the priming position, well fluids flowing through the priming conduit for re-priming the pump.
A submersible pump assembly, comprising:
A submersible pump assembly for pumping well fluids to a surface location, the pump assembly comprising:
A submersible pump assembly for pumping well fluids, the pump assembly comprising:
A method of priming a pump of a submersible pump assembly, the method comprising:
A method of priming a pump of a submersible pump assembly, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
Lifting well fluids: adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives
In wells: responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained
Priming of not self-priming pumps: by venting gas or using gas valves
For submerged use: adapted for use in mining bore holes
Term ended 23 Apr 2022 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electric, submersible pump assemblies and relates particularly to a pump assembly having an internal re-priming system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a submersible pump and valve assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing a valve member in a position during pump operation.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 an showing the valve member in a position allowing for re-priming of the pump.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of an upper portion of an ESP assembly 11, which comprises a submersible pump 13 and a valve 15. The upper end of pump 13 is connected to the lower end of a valve 15 at joint 17, and the upper end of valve 15 is connected to a riser 19 for conducting well fluids to a desired location. Typically, a seal section (not shown) will be connected to the lower end of pump 13, and an electric motor (not shown) is connected to the lower end of the seal section for powering pump 13.
Pump 13 is a multi-stage centrifugal pump having a central shaft 21 for rotating impellers 23 within diffusers 25. Each subsequent stage of an impeller 23 and diffuser 25 increases the pressure level of the well fluids for pumping the well fluids to a surface location. Well fluids are pumped from an annular pump inlet chamber 27 surrounding shaft 21, through impellers 23 and diffusers 25, and into a pump outlet chamber 29. Well fluids enter inlet chamber 27 through pump inlets 31 located on the lower portion of the outer surface of pump 13. Fluid is then drawn into the first impeller 23 at intake 33.
To ensure pump 13 is continuously primed, pump 13 is connected to valve 15. Valve 15 has an inlet 35 leading to a lower chamber 37 and an upper chamber 39 leading to an outlet 41. Chambers 37, 39 are separated by a valve member 43, which is located in the central portion of valve 15 and is vertically moveable between a pumping position, shown in FIG. 1, and a priming position, shown in FIG. 2. Valve member 43 is preferably formed from an elastomeric material and has an elongated cylindrical or spool shape. Valve member 43 slidingly engages the inner surfaces of an upper guide sleeve 45 and a lower guide sleeve 47, sleeves 45, 47 locating valve member 43 within valve 15 and defining the limits of travel of valve member 43. Sleeve 45 has a closed upper end and is stationarily mounted within upper chamber 39. Sleeve 47 has a closed lower end and is stationarily mounted within lower chamber 37. Sleeves 45, 47 have a smaller diameter that the inner surfaces of chambers 35, 37, creating annular areas surrounding sleeves 45, 47. A spring 49 is located above valve member 43 in upper guide sleeve 45 for biasing valve member 43 toward the priming position.