Electric submersible pump (ESP) thrust module with enhanced lubrication and temperature dissipation

摘要

A thrust module and a seal module for use in an electric submersible pump assembly is provided. The thrust module provides increased lubrication and heat dissipation while increasing sealing redundancies within the module. The thrust module includes a thrust bearing that absorbs thrust from the primary pump. A circulation pump assembly is coupled to the thrust bearing to circulate fluid through the thrust bearing and dissipate heat generated in the thrust bearing through a plurality of fins formed on an exterior surface of the circulation pump assembly. The seal module has labyrinth discs positioned within the seal module that inhibit fluid flow through the seal module. The seal module also includes check valves that release fluid from and allow fluid into the seal module at predetermined pressures. The sealing assembly is interposed between the thrust bearing and a primary pump of the electric submersible pump.

主权项

1. A submersible pump assembly comprising:
a rotary primary pump; a motor; a shaft assembly extending from the motor into the primary pump along an axis for driving the primary pump; a thrust bearing in a thrust bearing housing between the motor and the primary pump that absorbs thrust from the primary pump, the shaft assembly extending through the thrust bearing housing, the thrust bearing having a thrust runner mounted to the shaft assembly for rotation therewith, the thrust runner being in sliding engagement with the thrust bearing; a circulation pump having vanes and mounted to the shaft assembly for rotation therewith in the thrust bearing housing at a position axially spaced from the thrust runner, the circulation pump being in fluid communication with lubricant contained in the thrust bearing housing to circulate the lubricant along a flow path through the thrust bearing; a sleeve within the thrust bearing housing surrounding the shaft assembly, defining an inner annulus between the sleeve and the shaft assembly and an outer annulus between the sleeve and the thrust bearing housing; an aperture in a side wall of the sleeve adjacent one end of the sleeve, placing the inner annulus and the outer annulus in fluid communication with each other and defining the flow path for the lubricant; wherein the circulation pump is located in the inner annulus; and a plurality of fins formed on an exterior portion of the thrust bearing housing to dissipate heat generated in the thrust bearing.