Abstract: The present invention recites a method of fabricating a stator for a downhole motor, the method comprising the steps of providing a stator tube having an interior surface and applying a bonding agent to the interior surface of the stator tube. Additionally, a mandrel is positioned within the stator tube, the mandrel having an outer geometry that is complimentary to a desired inner geometry for the stator. Furthermore, a reinforcing material is introduced into the stator tube to fill space between the mandrel and the interior surface of the stator tube and subsequently solidified to bond the reinforcing material to the interior surface of the stator tube. The mandrel is then removed from the bonded stator tube and reinforcing material such that a stator is fabricated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring displacement on structural elements of subsea systems such as on components of a subsea pipeline network used to transport production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to surface facilities. The described techniques sense changes in displacement using a sensing blade, for example made of crystalline material such as sapphire, that is anchored to the structural element such that it is approximately perpendicular to the direction of sensed displacement. Displacement is sensed as bending of the sensing blade using one or more instruments fabricated on the blade. Robustness of design is in part provided by additional flexible non-sensing blades mounted in parallel to the sensing blade.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for non-invasively acoustically monitoring containers to distinguish gas contents from liquid contents. In some embodiments the container is part of a buoyancy tank (132) in a subsea pipeline network (102) used to transport production fluid from a subsurface wellhead (112) to surface facilities, and the systems and methods are used to detect water ingression into the buoyancy tank (132) and to transmit alert signals to the surface relating thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring displacement on structural elements of subsea systems such as on components of a subsea pipeline network used to transport production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to surface facilities. The described techniques sense changes in displacement using a sensing blade, for example made of crystalline material such as sapphire, that is anchored to the structural element such that it is approximately perpendicular to the direction of sensed displacement. Displacement is sensed as bending of the sensing blade using one or more instruments fabricated on the blade. Robustness of design is in part provided by additional flexible non-sensing blades mounted in parallel to the sensing blade.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method of fabricating a stator for a downhole motor, the method comprising the steps of providing a stator tube having an interior surface and applying a bonding agent to the interior surface of the stator tube. Additionally, a mandrel is positioned within the stator tube, the mandrel having an outer geometry that is complimentary to a desired inner geometry for the stator. Furthermore, a reinforcing material is introduced into the stator tube to fill space between the mandrel and the interior surface of the stator tube and subsequently solidified to bond the reinforcing material to the interior surface of the stator tube. The mandrel is then removed from the bonded stator tube and reinforcing material such that a stator is fabricated.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method of fabricating a stator for a downhole motor, the method comprising the steps of providing a stator tube having an interior surface and applying a bonding agent to the interior surface of the stator tube. Additionally, a mandrel is positioned within the stator tube, the mandrel having an outer geometry that is complimentary to a desired inner geometry for the stator. Furthermore, a reinforcing material is introduced into the stator tube to fill space between the mandrel and the interior surface of the stator tube and subsequently solidified to bond the reinforcing material to the interior surface of the stator tube, The mandrel is then removed from the bonded stator tube and reinforcing material such that a stator is fabricated.

Abstract: The present application discloses a progressive cavity motor or pump component, either stator or rotor, which provides a high glass transition temperature polymeric surface on the component which becomes resilient at or below the expected operating temperature of the motor or pump, but which remains solid at ambient temperatures, along with a method of fabricating either a stator or a rotor with such surface characteristics. Since the surface becomes resilient, the progressive cavity pump operates efficiently at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the selected polymeric surface.

Abstract: A skinned rotor 201 or skinned stator 305 of a progressive cavity apparatus is described. A rotor 201 can be skinned by threading a sleeve 210 with a profiled helical outer 212 and profiled helical inner 214 surface onto a core 202 with a profiled helical outer surface 204. A rotor (1301, 1401) can also be skinned by inserting a non-helical core (1302, 1402) into a non-helical longitudinal bore (1314, 1414) of a sleeve (1310, 1410) with a profiled helical outer surface (1312, 1412). A stator 305 can be skinned by threading a tubular liner 310 with profiled helical inner 314 and profiled helical outer 312 surfaces into a profiled helical bore 308 of a tube 306. A stator (2405, 2505) can also be skinned by inserting a tubular liner (2410, 2510) with a non-helical outer surface (2412, 2512) into a non-helical bore (2408, 2508) of a tube (2406, 2506).

Abstract: Cast material rotor (200,300,500,800) with profiled helical outer surface (208,308,508,808). Cast material layer (502,802) can be disposed between core (504,804) and tube (506,806). Profiled helical outer surface (208,308) can be in tube 206 or cast material layer 302, respectively. Method of forming rotor 200 can include filling void between outer surface 212 of core 204 and longitudinal bore 210 of tube 206 having profiled helical outer surface 208 with cast material 202 in fluid state, and solidifying cast material 202. Tube 206 can be disposed within profiled helical bore 714 of mold 700, e.g., before solidifying cast material 202. Method of forming rotor 300 can include filling void between outer surface 312 of core 304 and profiled helical bore 714 in mold 700 with cast material 302 in fluid state, solidifying cast material 302 to impart profiled helical outer surface 308 thereto, and removing mold 700 from cast material 302.

Abstract: A Moineau device includes a stator that interfaces to a rotor whereby fluid flows through cavities between the stator and rotor that progress axially as the rotor is rotated relative to the stator. At least one of the stator and the rotor is realized from a nanocomposite that includes a polymeric matrix with carbon nanotubes dispersed therein.

Abstract: A Moineau device includes a stator that interfaces to a rotor whereby fluid flows through cavities between the stator and rotor that progress axially as the rotor is rotated relative to the stator. At least one of the stator and the rotor is realized from a nanocomposite that includes a polymeric matrix with carbon nanotubes dispersed therein.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method of fabricating a stator for a downhole motor, the method comprising the steps of providing a stator tube having an interior surface and applying a bonding agent to the interior surface of the stator tube. Additionally, a mandrel is positioned within the stator tube, the mandrel having an outer geometry that is complimentary to a desired inner geometry for the stator. Furthermore, a reinforcing material is introduced into the stator tube to fill space between the mandrel and the interior surface of the stator tube and subsequently solidified to bond the reinforcing material to the interior surface of the stator tube, The mandrel is then removed from the bonded stator tube and reinforcing material such that a stator is fabricated.

Abstract: The rotor of a downhole motor includes a mandrel having at least one radial lobe, and an elastomeric tubular sleeve compressed about the mandrel so as to establish frictional engagement therebetween. The sleeve is compressed about the mandrel through one of various processes, including heat shrinking, vacuum shrinking, and stretching.

Abstract: A wellsite system includes a drill string suspended within a borehole, and a bottom hole assembly with a drill bit at its lower end, where the drill bit is a self stabilized and anti-whirl drill bit. The drill bit includes an interior cavity in fluid communication with the drill string, and a plurality of gauge pads located on the exterior of the drill bit. One or more of the gauge pads include an orifice in communication with the interior cavity, where the orifice is arranged at an angle relative to cutters fixed to the drill bit. The drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from each of the orifices.

Abstract: A wellsite system includes a drill string suspended within a borehole, anti-whirl drill bits for use in the system, and methods of drilling a curved borehole in a subsurface formation. The drill bit can have an interior cavity in fluid communication with the drill string and a first gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit. The first gauge pad includes a first orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity, where the first orifice is arranged at an angle relative to cutters fixed to the drill bit. The drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from the first orifice.

Abstract: The present application discloses a progressive cavity motor or pump component, either stator or rotor, which provides a high glass transition temperature polymeric surface on the component which becomes resilient at or below the expected operating temperature of the motor or pump, but which remains solid at ambient temperatures, along with a method of fabricating either a stator or a rotor with such surface characteristics. Since the surface becomes resilient, the progressive cavity pump operates efficiently at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the selected polymeric surface.

Abstract: A skinned rotor 201 or skinned stator 305 of a progressive cavity apparatus is described. A rotor 201 can be skinned by threading a sleeve 210 with a profiled helical outer 212 and profiled helical inner 214 surface onto a core 202 with a profiled helical outer surface 204. A rotor (1301, 1401) can also be skinned by inserting a non-helical core (1302, 1402) into a non-helical longitudinal bore (1314, 1414) of a sleeve (1310, 1410) with a profiled helical outer surface (1312, 1412). A stator 305 can be skinned by threading a tubular liner 310 with profiled helical inner 314 and profiled helical outer 312 surfaces into a profiled helical bore 308 of a tube 306. A stator (2405, 2505) can also be skinned by inserting a tubular liner (2410, 2510) with a non-helical outer surface (2412, 2512) into a non-helical bore (2408, 2508) of a tube (2406, 2506).

Abstract: Cast material rotor (200,300,500,800) with profiled helical outer surface (208,308,508,808). Cast material layer (502,802) can be disposed between core (504,804) and tube (506,806). Profiled helical outer surface (208,308) can be in tube 206 or cast material layer 302, respectively. Method of forming rotor 200 can include filling void between outer surface 212 of core 204 and longitudinal bore 210 of tube 206 having profiled helical outer surface 208 with cast material 202 in fluid state, and solidifying cast material 202. Tube 206 can be disposed within profiled helical bore 714 of mold 700, e.g., before solidifying cast material 202. Method of forming rotor 300 can include filling void between outer surface 312 of core 304 and profiled helical bore 714 in mold 700 with cast material 302 in fluid state, solidifying cast material 302 to impart profiled helical outer surface 308 thereto, and removing mold 700 from cast material 302.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber optic accelerometer includes (a) drawing an optical fiber through a resin; (b) winding the resin coated fiber onto a disc mounted on an assembly having a central shaft; and (c) curing the resin-coated fiber. The optical fiber may be drawn through a resin by providing a container filled with a resin having an orifice therethrough and drawing the fiber through the orifice. The resin may be cured such that the fiber is bonded to the disc by curing the resin to the fiber and the disc at the same time.

Abstract: The rotor of a downhole motor includes a mandrel having at least one radial lobe, and an elastomeric tubular sleeve compressed about the mandrel so as to establish frictional engagement therebetween. The sleeve is compressed about the mandrel through one of various processes, including heat shrinking, vacuum shrinking, and stretching.