Progressive Cavity Motor Bottom-Hole Drive Eliminates Rod Friction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing artificial lifting systems for hydrocarbon extraction in oil wells face energy wastage due to rod friction and electrical energy losses, leading to reduced reliability and high costs, particularly in low-flow wells.

Innovation Solution

An artificial lifting system with a progressive cavity motor installed at the bottom of the oil well, driven by injected fluid, which reduces energy consumption and increases reliability by utilizing a flexible axis connection and the communicating vessels effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If electric or hydraulic engines are used in the surface attached to a reduction gearbox, then speed and torque are generated for the progressive cavity pump, but energy is wasted due to rod friction with the fluid and pipeline

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed and torque generationVSAvoidrod friction energy waste

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the surface-mounted electric or hydraulic engine system with a bottom-driven progressive cavity motor. This substitution eliminates the need for long rod strings that cause friction losses, as the motor is positioned directly at the pump location at the bottom of the well, converting mechanical energy transmission through rods into direct local power generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a flexible shaft as an intermediary connection between the progressive cavity motor and the progressive cavity pump. This flexible shaft transmits rotational motion while accommodating the spatial relationship between the motor and pump, enabling direct drive without requiring rigid rod string transmission through the fluid column.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If rods string is used as power transmission element between surface head and progressive cavity pump, then mechanical power is transmitted to the pump, but reliability decreases due to rod fatigue from tension, torsion and friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical power transmissionVSAvoidrod string reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power generation function from the surface level and relocates it to the bottom of the well where the progressive cavity motor is installed. This removes the rod string from the power transmission path, eliminating the source of fatigue and failure while maintaining the necessary mechanical power delivery to the pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Speed

If electro submersible progressive cavity pumps with high voltage motors are used, then high speed operation is achieved, but electrical energy losses occur as heat along the cable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevolutions per minuteVSAvoidelectrical energy losses

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical motor system with a progressive cavity motor that operates on fluid pressure differentials. This substitution eliminates the need for high-voltage electrical cables and associated resistive losses, while maintaining the ability to achieve operational speeds through fluid-driven mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If very long and small diameter motors working at high voltage are used, then high speed operation is achieved, but system complexity increases due to special cable requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh revolutions per minuteVSAvoidcable and transformer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex electrical motor system requiring high-voltage cables and surface transformers with a fluid-driven progressive cavity motor. This simplifies the overall system by eliminating specialized electrical infrastructure while achieving the necessary operational speeds through fluid pressure and mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system enhances hydrocarbon extraction reliability and decreases energy consumption by minimizing friction and electrical losses, making it applicable in both high and low-flow wells.

Implementation Method 1

once the fluid traverse the progressive cavity motor, it returns to the surface, due to communicating vessels effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCommunicating vessels effect: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

progressive cavity pump, which are located at the bottom of oil wells, for the extraction of hydrocarbons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProgressive cavity mechanism: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS10465517B2Artificial lifting system with a progressive cavity pump driven by a progressive cavity motor for hydrocarbon extraction

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 SERINPET LTDA REPRESENTACIONES Y SERVICIOS DE PETROLEOS

AI summary

The invention relates to an artificial lifting system comprising a progressive cavity motor for hydrocarbon's extraction. In the invention's system a pump injects a fluid stored in the surface to the progressive cavity motor, located in the basement; the rotation that occurs by the passage of fluid is transmitted to a progressive cavity pump such that the hydrocarbon is pushed toward the surface.