Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole, wherein the system includes a pump, a pump motor, a seal section, a shaft coupling the pump motor to the pump, a bearing assembly for axially retaining the shaft in place, and an electrical insulator for electrically isolating the pump bearing assembly from electrical current leaking from the motor and through the shaft. The electrical insulator can be made from polyetheretherketone, polyimide, polyketone, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A seal section for location between a submersible rotary pump and motor has a primary mechanical seal and a secondary oil seal at the pump end of the seal section. The mechanical seal has rigid seal faces that slide in engagement with each other. The secondary seal has an inner portion that seals against the shaft of the seal section and an outer portion that seals against the housing. The seal section has a pressure equalizing device for equalizing pressure of motor lubricant with well bore pressure.

Abstract: A seal section for a submersible well pump assembly has a housing for connection between a pump and a motor. A central radial bearing support rotatably supports a drive shaft and defines upper and lower chambers in the housing. A well fluid passageway leads from an exterior portion of the housing to the upper chamber. Upper and lower isolation tubes extend around the shaft within the upper and lower chambers, defining an annular passage for fluid communication with lubricant contained in the motor. A bladder surrounds the upper isolation tube for separating lubricant from well fluid in the upper chamber. A labyrinth tube within the bladder has an upper end in fluid communication with a labyrinth port leading through the upper isolation tube and a lower end in fluid communication with the lower chamber.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole, wherein the system includes a pump, a pump motor, a seal section, a shaft coupling the pump motor to the pump, a bearing assembly for axially retaining the shaft in place, and an electrical insulator for electrically isolating the pump bearing assembly from electrical current leaking from the motor and through the shaft. The electrical insulator can be made from polyetheretherketone, polyimide, polyketone, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A seal section for a submersible well pump assembly has a housing for connection between a pump and a motor. A central radial bearing support rotatably supports a drive shaft and defines upper and lower chambers in the housing. A well fluid passageway leads from an exterior portion of the housing to the upper chamber. Upper and lower isolation tubes extend around the shaft within the upper and lower chambers, defining an annular passage for fluid communication with lubricant contained in the motor. A bladder surrounds the upper isolation tube for separating lubricant from well fluid in the upper chamber. A labyrinth tube within the bladder has an upper end in fluid communication with a labyrinth port leading through the upper isolation tube and a lower end in fluid communication with the lower chamber.

Abstract: A motor assembly has electrical connectors between them that are shielded from any metallic debris generated in the motors. The motor assembly includes upper and lower motors, each having an adapter coupled together. Each adapter has a wire passage for each phase of the motor. Wires from the motors join electrical connectors, the electrical connectors being mounted to insulators in the adapter passages. A debris seal locates above the upper electrical connector in each upper adapter passage. Another debris seal locates between the overlapping portions of the two insulators of each adapter passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluid includes a centrifugal pump which is mounted to a support base. The support base has a support column which extends from the base in an approximately vertical direction. Braces are connected between the pump and the column along the longitudinal axis of the pump to laterally support the pump in the vertical direction. A thrust chamber and an electric motor are coupled to the pump for driving the pump and absorbing downthrust. The braces have slidable members located within them to allow the pump to thermally grow relative to the support column due to elevated temperatures of the fluid being pumped.