Rotor Bearing Sleeve Assembly for ESP Motor Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical submersible pump (ESP) motors experience vibration due to potential misalignment of rotor sections with the shaft axis, caused by the annular clearance required for assembly, leading to operational instability.
Innovation Solution
The integration of bearing sleeves structurally affixed to the end rings of rotor sections and a bearing carrier that engages these sleeves, preventing rotation and ensuring proper alignment and torque transfer, thereby maintaining the rotational center during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an annular clearance is provided between the rotor disks and shaft for assembly, then the rotor sections can be easily assembled, but the rotational axis may deviate from the shaft axis causing vibration
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor section and shaft. The bearing sleeve has a key channel that receives a key to prevent rotation, while the rotor disk has a key slot that mates with the key. This intermediary structure allows the rotor to be securely positioned on the shaft without requiring tight tolerances, eliminating vibration while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If the rotor sections are balanced before assembly to reduce vibration, then operational stability improves, but the alignment issue due to annular clearance persists
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing sleeve acts as a mediator that transfers and stabilizes the rotational axis. By providing a keyed connection through the bearing sleeve, the system achieves precise alignment between the rotor and shaft, eliminating the need for complex balancing procedures while maintaining operational stability and reducing vibration.
3Force
If a key connection is provided between rotor and shaft, then torque transfer is achieved, but the key may transfer torque to the bearing sleeve causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transfer path is segmented into two separate functions: the key transfers torque from the rotor to the shaft through the bearing sleeve key channel, while the bearing sleeve outer wall transfers torque to the bearing carrier. The key channel is designed with clearance to prevent the key from contacting the bearing sleeve surfaces that could transfer torque to the bearing carrier, thus maintaining alignment precision while achieving torque transfer.
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
This configuration enhances the balance and stability of the rotor assembly, reducing the likelihood of vibration and maintaining the rotational center, thus improving the operational efficiency and reliability of ESP motors.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft and rotor sections rotate in unison with the bearing sleeves rotating against the bearing carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible well pump assembly having a motor with a shaft, a stator, a rotor coupled to the shaft, and bearing sleeves between the shaft and a bearing assembly. The rotor includes a number of rotor sections located along an axis of the shaft, where each rotor section includes a stack of rotor disks and end rings on each end of the stack. Each bearing sleeve attaches to an end ring and extends axially away from the end ring into abutment with an end of another bearing sleeve attached to an adjacent end ring.