Keyless Nested Diffuser Assembly to Prevent Pump Stage Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing submersible pumping systems face issues with diffuser deformation and rotation within the pump housing due to metal fatigue, temperature variances, and mechanical shock, leading to inefficient pumping and potential failure, while conventional slot-and-key connections weaken components and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-circular shaped projections and receivers on diffusers that nest together to prevent rotation, eliminating the need for compression sleeves and slot-and-key arrangements, ensuring diffusers remain stationary within the pump housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If compression sleeves are used to space diffusers, then standard spacing is provided, but diffuser side walls deform and structural characteristics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing between diffusersVSAvoidstructural characteristics of diffuser

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the compression sleeve component entirely and replaces it with a keyless nesting mechanism where projections on one diffuser fit into receivers on adjacent diffusers, eliminating the need for external compression elements that cause wall deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nesting mechanism where projections extending from one diffuser fit within receivers on adjacent diffusers, creating an interlocked arrangement that maintains spacing without external compression, thereby preserving diffuser structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If slot-and-key arrangements are used to prevent diffuser rotation, then diffusers are rotationally fixed, but pump components are weakened and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational position of diffuserVSAvoidstrength of pump components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs non-circular projections and receivers with asymmetric geometries that prevent rotational movement while maintaining component strength. The asymmetric shape allows the projection to fit only in the correct rotational orientation within the receiver, eliminating the need for traditional slot-and-key arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The keyless nesting mechanism features projections from one diffuser nesting within receivers on adjacent diffusers, creating a rotationally fixed arrangement through geometric interlocking rather than mechanical keys, thereby preserving component integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If slot-and-key connections are used to fix diffusers, then rotation is prevented, but fluid interference and turbulence increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestationary position of diffuserVSAvoidfluid interference and turbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nesting mechanism uses projections that fit within receivers with minimal clearance, creating a rotationally fixed arrangement that presents minimal obstruction to fluid flow compared to protruding keys, thereby reducing fluid interference and turbulence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the projections and receivers with specific local geometries optimized for both rotational constraint and fluid flow characteristics, ensuring that the anti-rotation mechanism creates minimal disturbance to the pumped fluid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If compression sleeves are used during manufacture, then diffusers are spaced uniformly, but manufacturing complexity and assembly steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform spacing of diffusersVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the compression sleeve component and the associated compression process, replacing it with a nesting mechanism where diffusers are simply positioned with projections fitting into receivers, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining uniform spacing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The nesting mechanism provides inherent spacing through the geometric relationship between projections and receivers, eliminating the need for external compression sleeves and complex compression processes, thereby simplifying both manufacturing and assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12584495B2Keyless nesting diffuser for centrifugal pumps

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Multistage centrifugal pumping systems include a plurality of pump stages contained within a pump housing. Each stage typically includes a stationary diffuser and a rotatable impeller. Each of the diffusers includes a projection and a receiver that cooperate with the corresponding projection and receiver on adjacent diffusers to form a nested relationship between the diffusers that prevents the diffusers from rotating inside the pump housing. The projections have a projection outer surface with a non-circular shape. The receivers include a receiver inner surface with a complementary non-circular shape. The engagement between the non-circular projection outer surface and the non-circular receiver inner surface locks the adjacent receivers in fixed rotational alignment.