PRESSURIZED BEARING SYSTEM FOR SUBMERSIBLE MOTOR

摘要

A method and device are provided for stabilizing shaft bearings in a mot or having a hollow shaft and holes communicating the shaft and the bearings. A lubricant pump is provided for pressurizing a volume of lubricant located within the motor housing, the pump having a set of impellers attached to a lower en d of the shaft and rotating with the shaft, the impellers being located in the flow path of the lubricant. A diffuser is located upstream of and adjacent each impeller. The impellers increase the radial velocity of the lubricant, and this velocity is converted into a pressure head at the impeller outlet. The lubricant flows through the first diffuser, through the first impeller, through the second diffuser, and then flows through the second impeller and out into a reservoi r. The pressure causes the lubricant to flow through the hollow shaft and throu gh passages to stabilize the bearings.