Abstract: Systems and methods for electric motor, where the stator core has one or more stator core sections, each of which is a single-piece unit formed of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material, and where the stator core sections are positioned end-to-end with seals at each end to form a plurality of stator slots, where each of the stator slots extends through each of the stator core sections and is in fluid communication with the others to form a sealed stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber may have an expansion chamber to allow expansion and contraction of dielectric fluid in the stator chamber while maintaining separation of the dielectric oil from lubricating oil which is within the motor but external to the stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber can prevent well fluids that leak into the motor from reaching the stator windings and degrading their insulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric motor, where the stator core has one or more stator core sections, each of which is a single-piece unit formed of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material, and where the stator core sections are positioned end-to-end with seals at each end to form a plurality of stator slots, where each of the stator slots extends through each of the stator core sections and is in fluid communication with the others to form a sealed stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber may have an expansion chamber to allow expansion and contraction of dielectric fluid in the stator chamber while maintaining separation of the dielectric oil from lubricating oil which is within the motor but external to the stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber can prevent well fluids that leak into the motor from reaching the stator windings and degrading their insulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric motor, where the stator core has one or more stator core sections, each of which is a single-piece unit formed of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material, and where the stator core sections are positioned end-to-end with seals at each end to form a plurality of stator slots, where each of the stator slots extends through each of the stator core sections and is in fluid communication with the others to form a sealed stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber may have an expansion chamber to allow expansion and contraction of dielectric fluid in the stator chamber while maintaining separation of the dielectric oil from lubricating oil which is within the motor but external to the stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber can prevent well fluids that leak into the motor from reaching the stator windings and degrading their insulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric motor, where the stator core has one or more stator core sections, each of which is a single-piece unit formed of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material, and where the stator core sections are positioned end-to-end with seals at each end to form a plurality of stator slots, where each of the stator slots extends through each of the stator core sections and is in fluid communication with the others to form a sealed stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber may have an expansion chamber to allow expansion and contraction of dielectric fluid in the stator chamber while maintaining separation of the dielectric oil from lubricating oil which is within the motor but external to the stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber can prevent well fluids that leak into the motor from reaching the stator windings and degrading their insulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric motor, where the stator core has one or more stator core sections, each of which is a single-piece unit formed of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material, and where the stator core sections are positioned end-to-end with seals at each end to form a plurality of stator slots, where each of the stator slots extends through each of the stator core sections and is in fluid communication with the others to form a sealed stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber may have an expansion chamber to allow expansion and contraction of dielectric fluid in the stator chamber while maintaining separation of the dielectric oil from lubricating oil which is within the motor but external to the stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber can prevent well fluids that leak into the motor from reaching the stator windings and degrading their insulation.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has modules including a pump, at least one motor, and a pressure equalizer coupled to the motor. First and second ones of the modules have a threaded connection including a first adapter having threads. A second adapter mounted to the second module has a tubular body, a neck of smaller diameter than the body, an external shoulder at a base of the neck, a rim on the neck, and an external groove between the external shoulder and the rim. A collar is rotatably carried and axially movable on the neck, the collar being in threaded engagement with the threads of the first adapter, the collar having an internal groove. A split shoulder ring carried partly in the external groove and partly in the internal groove retains the collar on the neck and is biased into one of the grooves.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing coils of magnet wire to a support core in a linear motor that is used, for example, in an ESP. A hollow member such as a cylindrical metal tube is provided as a support core which is adapted to receive a mover of the linear motor. Coils of magnet wire are positioned at the exterior of the support core (e.g., wound around the core). An outer layer of shrink-wrap material is placed around the support core and coils and is heated, causing it to shrink and conform to the coils and the support core. The shrink-wrap material provides pressure against the coils which holds them securely against the support core. This assembly is then positioned within a stator housing and secured to form the stator for the linear motor.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system includes a well fluid pump driven by a three-phase motor. The motor has a stack of motor laminations mounted in a housing. The motor laminations have axially aligned slots spaced circumferentially around a bore. Motor windings are wound through the slots for receiving three-phase power provided to the motor. At least one set of three control lines extend axially through the motor laminations radially outward from the bore and equally spaced around the axis, The control lines may extend through channels on the outer diameter of the motor laminations. The control lines may also extend through the same slots that contain the windings. The control lines extend to a downhole element below the motor for controlling the downhole element.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has modules including a pump, upper and lower tandem motors, and a pressure equalizer coupled to the motors. A thrust bearing support member is provided in the lower tandem motor and has a central counterbore with a thrust bearing located in the counterbore. Motor wire holes extend axially through the thrust bearing support member and are spaced radially outward from the counterbore. Motor wires of the lower tandem motor extend through the motor wire holes. A plurality of slots extend radially from the motor wire holes to the counterbore. Each of the slots have an axial length at least equal to an axial length of each of the motor wire holes, and a width greater than a diameter of each of the motor wires of the lower tandem motor.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has modules including a pump, at least one motor, and a pressure equalizer coupled to the motor. First and second ones of the modules have a threaded connection including a first adapter having threads. A second adapter mounted to the second module has a tubular body, a neck of smaller diameter than the body, an external shoulder at a base of the neck, a rim on the neck, and an external groove between the external shoulder and the rim. A collar is rotatably carried and axially movable on the neck, the collar being in threaded engagement with the threads of the first adapter, the collar having an internal groove. A split shoulder ring carried partly in the external groove and partly in the internal groove retains the collar on the neck and is biased into one of the grooves.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reversibly securing first and second component subs of submersible well pump assembly. First and second component subs are provided with connection end portions which are placed into a sealed abutting relation. A connecting collar is threaded onto the first component sub. A locking groove on the first component sub receives a locking dog therein.

Abstract: A submersible electrical motor that drives a pump has an electrical connector receptacle base. A plug opening extends from the base into an interior of the motor and has a side wall extending around a plug opening axis. An electrical connector plug at an end of a motor lead has a nose portion that stabs into the plug opening and is surrounded by the side wall. An inward facing shoulder formed in the side wall faces inward into the motor. An outward facing shoulder on the nose portion faces outward from the motor interior and registers with the inward facing shoulder when the nose portion is fully received within the plug opening. A retainer inserts into engagement with the inward and outward facing shoulders to prevent outward movement of the plug in the plug opening. The retainer may be a pin or a ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing electric motors including both permanent magnet elements and inductive elements. In one embodiment, a motor is implemented of an ESP system has multiple rotor sections that are mounted end-to-end within the bore of the stator. The permanent magnet elements and inductive elements may be combined within individual rotor sections, or they may be segregated so that one rotor section has only one type or the other. The inductive elements of the rotor allow the motor to be started without a VFD, and without knowing the position of the rotor within the motor. The permanent magnet elements synchronize the rotor with the rotating stator fields when the rotor approaches the operating frequency of the drive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electric motor, where the stator core has one or more stator core sections, each of which is a single-piece unit formed of soft magnetic composite (SMC) material, and where the stator core sections are positioned end-to-end with seals at each end to form a plurality of stator slots, where each of the stator slots extends through each of the stator core sections and is in fluid communication with the others to form a sealed stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber may have an expansion chamber to allow expansion and contraction of dielectric fluid in the stator chamber while maintaining separation of the dielectric oil from lubricating oil which is within the motor but external to the stator chamber. The sealed stator chamber can prevent well fluids that leak into the motor from reaching the stator windings and degrading their insulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing coils of magnet wire to a support core in a linear motor that may be used, for example, in an ESP. In one embodiment, a hollow member such as a cylindrical metal tube is provided as a support core which is adapted to receive a mover of the linear motor. Coils of magnet wire are positioned at the exterior of the support core (e.g., wound around the core). An outer layer of shrink-wrap material is placed around the support core and coils and is heated, causing it to shrink and conform to the coils and the support core. The shrink-wrap material provides pressure against the coils which holds them securely against the support core. This assembly may then be positioned within a stator housing and secured to form the stator for the linear motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for insulating the Y-points of three-phase electric motors commonly used in ESP systems, in which the Y-points are not grounded or tied to a reference voltage, and may consequently experience high voltages. One embodiment is an apparatus for insulating the Y-point of the motor using an electrically insulating enclosure. The enclosure has apertures that extend from a cavity therewithin the to the exterior of the enclosure. The cavity accommodates the Y-point of the motor. The conductors which are connected at the Y-point junction extend from the cavity to the coils of the three-phase motor, and possibly to an instrument package. Seals are formed at the apertures to provide an electrically insulating barrier between the Y-point and the exterior of the enclosure. The cavity may be filled with an insulating material such as potting compound or oil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing rotation of rotor bearings in electric motors which enable retrofitting of conventionally designed bearings to use spring-loaded keys instead of elastomeric T-rings to prevent rotation while allowing axial movement of the bearings within a stator bore. An elongated, curved spring arm is positioned in the nesting groove at the outer periphery of the bearing. One end of the spring may be secured to the bearing by positioning an S-shaped bend in the spring arm through a hole in the floor of the nesting groove. A key at the opposite end of the spring arm is urged radially outward by the spring arm. The key may be positioned in a slot in the outer portion of the bearing, and the spring arm may be retained in the groove by a retaining pin installed in the groove.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an ESP installed in a well. The ESP is operated at a first voltage, and the current actually drawn by the ESP motor is monitored and compared to an expected current. If the actual current differs from the expected current, the actual horsepower load on the ESP motor is determined by multiplying an expected horsepower load by the ratio of the actual current to the expected current. A load saturation curve for the actual horsepower load is determined, and a voltage is identified on this curve at which the corresponding current is minimized. The ESP motor is then operated at this new voltage to optimize the efficiency of the motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an ESP installed in a well. The ESP is operated at a first voltage, and the current actually drawn by the ESP motor is monitored and compared to an expected current. If the actual current differs from the expected current, the actual horsepower load on the ESP motor is determined by multiplying an expected horsepower load by the ratio of the actual current to the expected current. A load saturation curve for the actual horsepower load is determined, and a voltage is identified on this curve at which the corresponding current is minimized. The ESP motor is then operated at this new voltage to optimize the efficiency of the motor.

Abstract: A submersible electrical motor that drives a pump has an electrical connector receptacle base. A plug opening extends from the base into an interior of the motor and has a side wall extending around a plug opening axis. An electrical connector plug at an end of a motor lead has a nose portion that stabs into the plug opening and is surrounded by the side wall. An inward facing shoulder formed in the side wall faces inward into the motor. An outward facing shoulder on the nose portion faces outward from the motor interior and registers with the inward facing shoulder when the nose portion is fully received within the plug opening. A retainer inserts into engagement with the inward and outward facing shoulders to prevent outward movement of the plug in the plug opening. The retainer may be a pin or a ring.