Abstract: A motor assembly for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes an electric motor and a motor protection bag. The motor protection bag surrounds a portion of the exterior surface of the motor to form an impermeable, corrosion-resistant barrier. The motor protection bag comprises a seamless, elongate cylindrical having a substantially constant inner diameter and open ends. The motor protection bag may be constructed from a suitable polymer, such as perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) fluoropolymer. The motor protection bag is held in place along the exterior surface of the motor with a plurality of clamps that prohibit the migration of fluid between the exterior of the motor and the motor protection bag.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a modular seal bag assembly having a first end cap, a second end cap and a plurality of seal bags connected between the first and second end caps. Each of the first and second end caps includes a plurality of nozzles and each of the plurality of seal bags is connected to a unique pair of nozzles on the first and second end caps. The modular seal bag assembly further includes a shaft tube connected between the first and second end caps. In a second preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a seal section that includes a single seal bag connected between two opposing end caps. The seal bag is preferably seamless and fabricated from a fluoropolymer, such as perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump assembly, a motor and a seal section positioned between the pump assembly and the motor. The seal section includes a clean fluid circulation system, a contaminated fluid circulation system and at least one bag seal assembly. The bag seal assembly includes an upper mounting block, a lower mounting block and a bag seal extending over the upper mounting block and lower mounting block and providing a path for the clean fluid circulation system. The bag seal assembly further includes a mounting plate connected to the upper mounting block that limits the axial travel of the bag seal on the upper mounting block. The bag seal assembly optionally includes a breather tube connected to the mounting plate and extending along the exterior of the bag seal.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a housing, a bag support tube extending through the housing, a shaft positioned inside the bag support tube and a bag plate connected to the bag support tube. The bag plate preferably includes an end cap secured to the bag support tube and a locking collar threadingly engaged with the end cap. The bag plate is configured to receive the open end of a cylindrical seal bag manufactured from perflouroalkoxy polymer. The end cap includes a tapered head that tapers from a first diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the seal bag to a second diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the seal bag. This mechanism for securing the seal bag obviates the need for o-ring or other mechanical seals between the seal bag and the bag plate.

Abstract: A seal section for use with a downhole pumping system includes a rotatable shaft, a seal section head and a mechanical seal chamber inside the seal section head. The mechanical seal chamber is bounded by a floor and a wall. The mechanical seal chamber includes a trench disposed in the floor that is configured to entrap solid particles in the mechanical seal chamber at a distance spaced apart from the mechanical seal.

Abstract: A motor assembly for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes an electric motor and a motor protection bag. The motor protection bag surrounds a portion of the exterior surface of the motor to form an impermeable, corrosion-resistant barrier. The motor protection bag comprises a seamless, elongate cylindrical having a substantially constant inner diameter and open ends. The motor protection bag may be constructed from a suitable polymer, such as perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) fluoropolymer. The motor protection bag is held in place along the exterior surface of the motor with a plurality of clamps that prohibit the migration of fluid between the exterior of the motor and the motor protection bag.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a housing, a bag support tube extending through the housing, a shaft positioned inside the bag support tube and a bag plate connected to the bag support tube. The bag plate preferably includes an end cap secured to the bag support tube and a locking collar threadingly engaged with the end cap. The bag plate is configured to receive the open end of a cylindrical seal bag manufactured from perflouroalkoxy polymer. The end cap includes a tapered head that tapers from a first diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the seal bag to a second diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the seal bag. This mechanism for securing the seal bag obviates the need for o-ring or other mechanical seals between the seal bag and the bag plate.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower with blade and ground speed controls. The mower includes a motor with an output shaft and a rotatable cutting blade mounted on a blade shaft. The motor may be an internal combustion engine. A torque transmitting mechanism such as a variable diameter pulley defines a rotational speed ratio between the output shaft and the blade shaft. A transmission is coupled to the output shaft. Sensors provide an electronic control unit with the blade speed, ground speed and engine speed. The ECU may be used to maintain either a desired blade speed or a desired ground speed. To maintain a desired blade speed, the ECU monitors the blade speed and, when the blade speed diverges from the desired speed, adjusts either the rotational speed ratio of the output shaft and blade shaft or the ground speed of the mower to maintain the desired blade speed.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower with blade and ground speed controls. The mower includes a motor with an output shaft and a rotatable cutting blade mounted on a blade shaft. The motor may be an internal combustion engine. A torque transmitting mechanism such as a variable diameter pulley defines a rotational speed ratio between the output shaft and the blade shaft. A transmission is coupled to the output shaft. Sensors provide an electronic control unit with the blade speed, ground speed and engine speed. The ECU may be used to maintain either a desired blade speed or a desired ground speed. To maintain a desired blade speed, the ECU monitors the blade speed and, when the blade speed diverges from the desired speed, adjusts either the rotational speed ratio of the output shaft and blade shaft or the ground speed of the mower to maintain the desired blade speed.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower with blade and ground speed controls. The mower includes a motor with an output shaft and a rotatable cutting blade mounted on a blade shaft. The motor may be an internal combustion engine. A torque transmitting mechanism such as a variable diameter pulley defines a rotational speed ratio between the output shaft and the blade shaft. A transmission is coupled to the output shaft. Sensors provide an electronic control unit with the blade speed, ground speed and engine speed. The ECU may be used to maintain either a desired blade speed or a desired ground speed. To maintain a desired blade speed, the ECU monitors the blade speed and, when the blade speed diverges from the desired speed, adjusts either the rotational speed ratio of the output shaft and blade shaft or the ground speed of the mower to maintain the desired blade speed.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower with blade and ground speed controls. The mower includes a motor with an output shaft and a rotatable cutting blade mounted on a blade shaft. The motor may be an internal combustion engine. A torque transmitting mechanism such as a variable diameter pulley defines a rotational speed ratio between the output shaft and the blade shaft. A transmission is coupled to the output shaft. Sensors provide an electronic control unit with the blade speed, ground speed and engine speed. The ECU may be used to maintain either a desired blade speed or a desired ground speed. To maintain a desired blade speed, the ECU monitors the blade speed and, when the blade speed diverges from the desired speed, adjusts either the rotational speed ratio of the output shaft and blade shaft or the ground speed of the mower to maintain the desired blade speed.

Abstract: An electric engine starter motor having a rotor, stator, and a housing for the electric motor. A plastic end bell is mounted on an end of the housing and comprises a plastic rectangular body having a metallic strip embedded therein, a bushing mounted on the plastic rectangular body, and a ground terminal in electrical communication with both the metallic strip and the bushing. A grounding circuit is created through the metallic strip, the bushing, and the ground terminal to ground the electric motor.