Submersible Pump Housing Seal Bleed Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional submersible pump housings are limited by hoop stresses in the threaded end portion, which restricts the maximum pressure rating due to trapped internal pressure between inboard and outboard seals, rendering the inboard seal ineffective.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating seal bleed ports located outboard of the end seals to create a fluid path for pressure relief, reducing hoop stresses and increasing the pressure rating by allowing leakage past the end seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional end seals are arranged both inboard and outboard of threaded ends, then sealing effectiveness should improve, but internal pressure becomes trapped between seals rendering the inboard seal ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful trapped pressure from the sealed compartment by introducing bleed ports that provide a controlled escape path. This removes the pressure buildup problem while maintaining the dual-seal configuration for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed ports act as an intermediary element between the sealed compartment and the external environment, providing a controlled pathway for pressure relief. This mediator allows the system to maintain sealing effectiveness while preventing harmful pressure accumulation.
2Strength
If maximum pressure rating is increased, then housing durability improves, but hoop stresses in threaded region increase beyond acceptable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of internal pressure into a beneficial controlled leak path. By allowing small amounts of fluid to escape through bleed ports, the system prevents harmful pressure buildup and reduces hoop stresses, enabling higher pressure ratings without exceeding stress limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by introducing fluid pathways (bleed ports) that allow pressure equalization. This hydraulic approach enables the housing to withstand higher pressures by preventing pressure differential buildup that would otherwise create excessive hoop stresses.
3Stress or pressure
If inboard seal is used to seal internal pressure from threaded portion, then pressure containment improves, but seal effectiveness is reduced due to trapped pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trapped pressure that was compromising the inboard seal's effectiveness. By providing bleed ports that remove pressure from the space between seals, the inboard seal can function effectively while maintaining pressure containment in the sealed compartment.
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 increases the maximum pressure rating of submersible pump housings by relieving internal pressure through bleed ports, reducing hoop stresses and preventing pressure buildup in the threaded regions, thus enhancing the housing's durability in high-pressure environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bleed port in the housing wall radially outward from the threaded end region for allowing leakage of fluid from the interior compartment past the end seal to escape radially through the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible pump housing with seal bleed ports is provided. In an implementation, a pump housing for electric submersible pumps (ESPs), such as a centrifugal ESP, has end seals that are located inside or further inboard toward the high thrust pressure generated by the pump, than the threaded ends of the pump housing. The inboard seals contain and seal off the pump pressure and spare the threaded regions that are more pressure-vulnerable from the pump's high pressure interior, thereby increasing the pressure rating of the entire housing. Leak ports or bleed ports are provided further outboard of the end seals to relieve fluid seeping from inside the submersible pump housing past each end seal. A plate may be added to direct small amounts of fluid escaping from the end seals away from the wellbore casing in which an ESP is situated.