Peristaltic Submersible Pump Using Electroactive Polymer Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current submersible pumping systems have a short average run life of about 3 years, requiring frequent replacements and resulting in deferred production due to rig availability issues during installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A submersible peristaltic pump system with elongated core members and flexible members featuring circular bands that generate peristaltic waves to displace fluids, allowing for self-deployment and operation without a rig, using materials like electroactive polymers and magnetic linear actuators, and equipped with sensors for condition monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional submersible pumping systems are used, then fluid displacement capability is achieved, but run life is limited to about 3 years requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical submersible pumps with a peristaltic pumping system that uses sequential expansion and contraction of circular bands to displace fluid. This substitution of the mechanical pumping mechanism with a peristaltic wave-based system eliminates the wear and tear associated with traditional mechanical components, thereby extending run life and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electroactive polymer materials that change their physical properties (expansion and contraction) in response to electrical signals. By changing the operational parameters from continuous mechanical rotation to sequential electrical actuation, the system achieves longer duration of action without requiring frequent replacements.
2Ease of operation
If conventional submersible pumping systems are installed, then fluid production is achieved, but rig availability is required for installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump system uses electroactive polymer actuators that can be controlled remotely via electrical signals transmitted through the production tubing. This eliminates the need for mechanical connections and rig-based installation procedures, allowing the system to be deployed and maintained without rig availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves multiple functions: it acts as both the production tubing conduit and the pumping mechanism. The production tubing itself becomes the pump by utilizing the peristaltic waves generated within it, eliminating the need for separate installation equipment and reducing dependency on rig availability.
3Reliability
If frequent pump replacements are performed, then system reliability is maintained, but production is deferred due to rig availability issues
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the conventional mechanical pump system with an electroactive polymer-based peristaltic system, the patent eliminates the primary source of failure (mechanical wear). The solid-state nature of the electroactive polymers significantly extends system reliability without requiring frequent replacements, thereby maintaining continuous fluid production.
Solution Approach 2:
The peristaltic pump system is designed to be self-regulating and self-monitoring through sensors that detect conditions within the tubular member. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain optimal performance and detect issues before they lead to failure, extending reliability without requiring frequent manual interventions or replacements.
4Productivity
If peristaltic waves are generated in the fluid cavity, then fluid displacement efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pumping function directly into the production tubing by using the tubing itself as the peristaltic pump. The circular bands are disposed within the production tubing, and the fluid cavity is formed between the outer membrane and the inner surface of the production tubing. This multi-functional design achieves efficient fluid displacement without adding separate pump components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The peristaltic pump components (circular bands, outer membrane, fluid cavity) are nested within the production tubing. The circular bands are surrounded by the outer membrane, which in turn is surrounded by the production tubing, creating a nested structure that achieves complex pumping functionality within a compact, integrated design.
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 provides a longer-lasting solution with reduced maintenance needs, enabling efficient fluid displacement and pressure generation, independent of rig availability, with improved reliability and efficiency compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The outer membrane operable to generate peristaltic waves in the fluid cavity in response to selectively moving each circular band between the contracted condition and the expanded condition
Implementation Method 2
The circular bands of each peristaltic pump can be made of electroactive polymer, metal, elastomer, plastic, semiconductor, and piezoelectric material
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, each peristaltic pump can have a magnetic linear actuator and the flexible member can have a second fluid cavity filled with a magnetic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for displacing fluid inside of a tubular member includes at least one peristaltic pump. Each peristaltic pump includes an elongated core member with a longitudinal axis located within the tubular member. A flexible member surrounds, and is concentric to, the elongated core member. The flexible member has a plurality of circular bands disposed along a length of the flexible member, each circular band being moveable between a contracted condition with a minimal radius and an expanded condition with a maximal radius. An outer membrane covers the circular bands, forming a first fluid cavity between an outer surface of the outer membrane and an inner surface of the tubular member. The outer membrane is operable to generate peristaltic waves in the first fluid cavity by selectively moving each circular band between the contracted condition and the expanded condition.