Protector for electrical submersible pumps
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsMichael H. Du, Lawrence C. Lee, Arunkumar Arumugam, Ashley C. Kishino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for protecting a motor for a submersible pumping system. A variety of motor protectors are provided for application in variable temperature environments and multiple wellbore orientations. The motor protectors may include one or more of a positively pressurized bellows, a relatively balanced pressure bellows free of sliding seals, and a multi-orientable labyrinth. Each of these motor protectors also may have various moisture absorbents, filters, particle shedders and various conventional motor protector components.
Claims24
A motor protector for a submersible pumping system, comprising:
- a housing:
- a motor for driving a pump accommodated by said housing;
- an internal motor fluid accommodated in said motor;
- a bellows assembly having a pressurizing region for pressurizing the internal motor fluid relative to an external fluid;
- a fluid absorbent assembly positioned between the bellows assembly and the motor;
- and
- wherein the internal motor fluid is in fluid communication through the fluid absorbing assembly with the pressurizing region of said bellows assembly, said fluid absorbing assembly preventing undersirable contaminants from entering the motor and contaminating the internal motor fluid therein.
A motor protector for a submersible pumping system, comprising:
- a housing;
- a motor for driving a pump accommodated by said housing;
- an internal motor fluid accommodated in said motor;
- a bellows assembly having an accordion-like enclosure forming a pressurizing region for pressurizing the internal motor fluid relative to an external fluid and forming a movable fluid separation interface configured for isolating the internal motor fluid of the motor, said bellows assembly having an attachment structure connecting to said housing;
- a fluid absorbent assembly positioned between the bellows assembly and the motor;
- and
- wherein the internal motor fluid is in fluid communication through the fluid absorbing assembly with the pressurizing region of said bellows assembly, said fluid absorbing assembly preventing undersirable contaminants from entering the motor and contaminating the internal motor fluid therein.
A submersible pumping system comprising:
- a motor having an internal motor fluid;
- a pump operatively coupled to the motor;
- a motor protection assembly coupled to the motor comprising:
- a bellows assembly configured for separating the internal motor fluid from an external fluid and for pressurizing the internal fluid to a pressure higher than that of the external fluid;
- a fluid absorbent assembly configured for isolating an undesirable fluid from the internal fluid while allowing fluid communication between the motor and bellows assembly;
- and
- a particulate filter assembly disposed to filter particulates proximate the bellows assembly.
A method for protecting a motor fluid of a motor from undesirable fluids external to the motor, comprising:
- separating the motor fluid from an external fluid via a bellows assembly;
- pressurizing the motor fluid relative to the external fluid;
- and
- providing an absorbing assembly between the motor and bellows assembly for isolating undersirable elements from the motor fluid in said motor while allowing fluid communication between the motor fluid in said motor and said bellows.
A system for protecting a motor from undesirable fluids external to the motor, comprising:
- a bellows having means for separating a motor fluid of said motor from an external fluid and having means for pressurizing the motor fluid to a relatively higher pressure than the external fluid;
- fluid filtering means disposed to filter particulates proximate the bellows;
- and
- fluid absorbing means positioned between the bellows and the motor for absorbing undesirable fluids in the motor fluid, said motor fluid being in communication with said motor and said pressurizing means of said bellows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.