Thrust bearing surface for floater-style centrifugal pumps

Abstract

A thrust bearing surface for a floater-style centrifugal pump is described. A thrust bearing system includes a rotatable member including a sleeve, and a flange extending radially on a downstream side of the sleeve, a swirling member on a top of the flange, the swirling member extending axially towards an impeller bottom, wherein as the swirling member rotates, the swirling member guides working fluid in an outwards and upwards direction from the swirling member. A rotating member of a thrust bearing surface includes a sleeve securable to a rotatable shaft of a stage, a flange extending radially around a top of the sleeve, and at least one swirling member extending axially downstream from a top of the flange towards a bottom of an impeller, wherein each of the at least one swirling member extends from an outer diameter towards an inner diameter of the flange.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 164,829 to Davis et al., filed May 21, 2015 and entitled “LEAK RESISTANT FLANGED SLEEVE,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to the field of floater-style centrifugal pump stages. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention enable a thrust bearing surface for floater-style centrifugal pumps.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Fluid, such as natural gas, water, oil or other hydrocarbons, is often located in underground formations. In such situations, the fluid is commonly pumped to the surface so that it can be collected, separated, refined, distributed and / or sold. Centrifugal pumps are typically used in submersible pump applications for lifting well fluid to the surface. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although thrust bearings are conventionally made of hard materials such as titanium carbide, tungsten carbide or silicon carbide, the thrust bearings are still susceptible to erosive wear from abrasives.

Erosive wear to the thrust bearings causes them to leak, and the leakage reduces the hydrodynamic lift provided by the bearings and undesirably decreases head.

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