Pinned Shaft Coupling for Electric Submersible Pump Thrust Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Submersible pumping systems face challenges in accommodating varying thrust directions, which result in either compressive or tensile forces on shafts, requiring couplings that can handle both compressive and tensile loads effectively to maintain system integrity.

Innovation Solution

A shaft coupling design featuring a body with two receiving chambers and a lock pin mechanism, allowing for axial positioning and adjustable engagement of shafts to accommodate both compressive and tensile loads, ensuring secure and precise connection between shafts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the shaft coupling is designed to accommodate compressive forces from downward thrust, then it can handle pump-driven-upward-fluid applications, but it cannot effectively handle tension from upward thrust applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle thrust directionsVSAvoidsystem integrity under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft coupling employs a dynamic design where the lock pin can shift position along the shaft to accommodate different load directions. The pin engages with features on both the drive shaft and pump shaft, allowing it to effectively lock the shafts in compression while also maintaining engagement under tension through its ability to reposition and maintain contact with the shaft features regardless of thrust direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling body and lock pin mechanism serve multiple functions: they provide axial positioning of shafts, accommodate both compressive and tensile loads, and maintain reliable connection under varying thrust conditions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for different coupling designs for different pump configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a fixed rigid connection is used between shafts, then alignment is precise, but it cannot accommodate variations in shaft positioning and thrust directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft alignment precisionVSAvoidaccommodation of thrust variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lock pin is designed to be positionable along the shaft length, allowing it to adapt to variations in shaft positioning while maintaining precise alignment. The pin can engage with features at different positions on the shafts, providing both precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling body acts as an intermediary between the drive shaft and pump shaft, providing a mechanism that maintains precise alignment through the lock pin while accommodating thrust variations. The coupling body absorbs and manages the forces between the two shafts, allowing them to remain precisely aligned regardless of thrust direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10907419B2Pinned coupling with shims for electric submersible pump

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 BAKER HUGHES ESP INC

AI summary

A shaft coupling is useful for connecting a distal end of a first shaft with a proximal end of a second shaft. The shaft coupling includes a body, a first receiving chamber within the body and a second receiving chamber within the body. The first receiving chamber receives the distal portion of the first shaft and the second receiving chamber receives the proximal portion of the second shaft. A pin maintains the axial positioning between the body and the distal portion of the first shaft. An axially adjustable connection is used between the second receiving chamber and the proximal portion of the second shaft.