Reciprocating Linear Motor ESP for Narrow Tubing Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) are too large to fit through tubing in wellbores and require substantial equipment for deployment, limiting their use in certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A linear pump design featuring a piston and actuator with expandable material, powered by a stimulus generator, allowing the pump to be compact enough to fit through narrow tubing and deployed without a drilling rig, using materials like piezoelectric, electrostriction, or magnetostrictive materials that change shape in response to electrical or magnetic stimuli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional rotary pumps or push-rod reciprocating pumps are used, then pumping capability is achieved, but the pump diameter is too large to fit through tubing and requires substantial drilling rig equipment for deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical drive systems (rotary motors, push-rod mechanisms) with a linear motor that uses electromagnetic fields to directly actuate the piston linearly. This substitution enables a compact pump design that fits within tubing while maintaining pumping capability, eliminating the need for large drilling rig equipment for deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is divided into distinct functional segments: a motor segment (linear motor), a pumping segment (piston and chamber), and a control segment (valves and ports). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resulting in a compact overall design that fits within tubing while maintaining effective pumping function.
2Productivity
If conventional ESPs are used, then fluid pumping is achieved, but the pump requires substantial equipment on drilling rig for insertion into wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor replaces complex mechanical drive systems, enabling the pump to be deployed through tubing without requiring substantial drilling rig equipment. The electromagnetic actuation system integrates directly with the pumping mechanism, simplifying the overall system while maintaining fluid pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump design integrates multiple functions into a single compact unit: the linear motor provides both actuation and control, the piston chamber handles both suction and discharge, and the valve system manages both fluid flow control and pressure regulation. This multi-functionality reduces deployment equipment requirements while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If expandable material changes shape in response to stimulus, then piston movement is achieved, but the stimulus generator and power supply add system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable material responds automatically to electrical or magnetic stimuli without requiring complex mechanical linkages or additional actuation mechanisms. The stimulus generator directly actuates the material, which in turn drives the piston, creating a self-service system that reduces overall complexity despite the added control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses changes in physical parameters (electrical or magnetic field strength) to control the expandable material's shape and size, which directly translates to piston position and pump operation. This parameter-based control simplifies the system compared to mechanical control systems, as electrical and magnetic fields can be precisely regulated without complex mechanical linkages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient pumping of wellbore fluids by allowing the pump to be submerged and operated within narrow tubing, reducing deployment requirements and increasing operational flexibility by allowing fluid intake and discharge without the need for large equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable material can include various materials, such as piezoelectric, electrostriction, magnetostrictive, and piezomagnetism properties
Implementation Method 2
The expandable material can include various materials, such as piezoelectric, electrostriction, magnetostrictive, and piezomagnetism properties
Implementation Method 3
The expandable material can include various materials, such as piezoelectric, electrostriction, magnetostrictive, and piezomagnetism properties
Implementation Method 4
The expandable material can include various materials, such as piezoelectric, electrostriction, magnetostrictive, and piezomagnetism properties
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating pump, actuated by an expandable material, can be used to pump well fluids from a wellbore toward the surface of the earth. The expandable material can include piezoelectric, electrostriction, magnetostrictive, or piezomagnetic material. By using the expandable material, the pump can be sufficiently small to fit in various types of tubing within a wellbore.