Submersible Pump Motor Protector with Solid Diversion Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submersible electric motors in subterranean environments face challenges due to corrosive fluids and temperature variations, leading to motor component damage and difficulty in preventing external fluid ingress, especially with the accumulation of solids affecting motor protector compensators.
Innovation Solution
A motor protector system with a housing and compensator chamber, featuring a bellows or plunger design that allows axial movement to accommodate motor fluid expansion and contraction, and includes ports and channels to manage wellbore fluids while preventing solid accumulation, ensuring effective pressure equalization and contamination protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor protector is used to prevent external fluid ingress, then motor component protection is improved, but solid accumulation affects compensator operation
Solution Approach 1:
The motor protector is divided into separate functional zones: a compensator chamber for fluid volume changes, a seal section for preventing ingress, and channels for solid particle management. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without interference from solid accumulation in the compensator chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces channels as intermediary pathways that allow solid particles to be diverted away from the compensator operation area. These channels act as mediators that prevent solids from interfering with the compensator's axial movement while still allowing the compensator to perform its pressure equalization function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the motor fluid is allowed to expand and contract, then pressure equalization is improved, but external fluid ingress becomes more difficult to prevent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal arrangement that can accommodate the axial movement of the compensator during fluid expansion and contraction. The seal maintains its sealing function while allowing the compensator to move freely to equalize pressure, thus maintaining both pressure stability and fluid separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor protector design creates pressure equipotential conditions between the motor fluid and external environment through the compensator's axial movement. This allows pressure equalization without creating pressure differentials that would drive external fluid ingress, maintaining both pressure stability and fluid separation integrity.
3Productivity
If high temperature fluids are injected into the system, then production stimulation is improved, but motor fluid expansion causes leakage and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The motor protector acts as a cushioning element that absorbs the effects of motor fluid thermal expansion before it can cause damage to motor components. When high temperature fluids are injected and cause motor fluid expansion, the compensator absorbs the volume change, preventing leakage and mechanical damage to seals and other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the expanding motor fluid volume from the motor housing by providing a dedicated compensator chamber. This separates the expansion volume from the motor components, allowing the motor fluid to expand without exerting damaging pressure on seals and other internal components while still maintaining system integrity.
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
The solution effectively reduces the detrimental effects of solids on motor protector operation, maintains fluid separation, and accommodates thermal expansion, thereby enhancing the reliability and longevity of submersible pump systems in corrosive and temperature-varying environments.
Implementation Method 1
As the motor operates, however, heat is generated, which, in turn, heats the internal motor fluid causing expansion of the oil. Conversely, the motor cools and the motor fluid contracts when the submersible pumping system is not being used.
Implementation Method 2
A first type is a labyrinth type protector that uses the differences in the specific gravity of the well fluid and the motor fluid (e.g., oil) to separate the fluids.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a motor protector comprises a housing defining a compensator chamber; a compensator disposed in the housing having a motor fluid end in fluid communication with a motor fluid and a well fluid end, the compensator axially moveable relative to the housing in response to the expansion and contraction of the motor fluid; and a port formed through the housing to provide fluid communication from exterior of the housing to the well fluid end of the compensator. The compensator may be one selected from the group of a bellows and a plunger.