Rockable Bushing Thrust Bearing Suspension for ES Pumps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thrust bearing surfaces in submersible pumps, made of hard materials like tungsten carbide or silicon carbide, are brittle and prone to breaking due to collisions during assembly, transportation, and operation, leading to inefficiency and damage from abrasive wear.

Innovation Solution

A thrust bearing suspension system employing a compliant bushing with elastomeric rings and an impact buffer, along with a bushing-to-diffuser pivot key and anti-rotation key, allows the bushing to absorb impacts and maintain alignment with the axis of rotation, preventing excessive rotation and absorbing shocks from transitional contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If hard materials like tungsten carbide or silicon carbide are used for thrust bearing surfaces, then abrasion resistance is improved, but brittleness increases making them prone to breaking from collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the thrust bearing assembly to rockably engage the bottom of the pump barrel, creating a cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact forces before they reach the brittle hard thrust bearing surfaces. This allows the hard materials to maintain their abrasion resistance while the cushioning mechanism protects them from impact-induced breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional stationary bushing and flanged sleeve are used, then abrasion resistance is improved, but they are prone to collision damage during assembly and operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidresistance to collision damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static, fixed-position conventional thrust bearing assembly into a dynamic, rockable assembly that can move and absorb impact forces. The thrust bearing assembly is configured to rockably engage the pump barrel bottom, allowing it to dynamically respond to collision forces during assembly and operation, thereby preventing damage while maintaining abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If flanged sleeve is lifted and falls back down, then assembly is simplified, but collision with stationary bearing occurs causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidresistance to impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the thrust bearing assembly to rockably engage the pump barrel bottom, creating a cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact forces before they reach the brittle hard thrust bearing surfaces. This allows the hard materials to maintain their abrasion resistance while the cushioning mechanism protects them from impact-induced breaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If pump impeller moves from upward to downward position, then operational flexibility is improved, but contact with standoff sleeve or flanged sleeve causes side loading on bearings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidside loading on bearings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively protects the thrust bearings from damage by allowing axial movement to absorb impacts while maintaining hydrodynamic properties, reducing wear and improving operational efficiency by preventing excessive rotation and tilting.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric ring is seated in each of the at least two circumferential grooves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a buffer member extending longitudinally between a bottom of the bushing and the diffuser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the bushing comprising a rounded outer diameter rockable along the diffuser to align with the axis of rotation of the shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10145380B1Thrust bearing suspension system and apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A thrust bearing suspension system and apparatus is described. A thrust bearing suspension system includes an electric submersible pump including at least two impellers, each of the at least two impellers paired with a diffuser, a thrust bearing set between two of the at least two impellers, the thrust bearing set comprising a bushing moveable axially between the two impellers and pivotable along a bushing-to-diffuser pivot key, and a retaining ring on a rim of the bushing constraining the axial movement of the bushing, the retaining ring extending across a radial tolerance between the bushing and at least one of the diffusers.