Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly has a motor that rotates a drive shaft within the pump. The pump has a number of pump stages, each stage having a diffuser and an impeller. A bushing is fixed for non-rotation within the diffuser. A thrust runner sleeve mounted to the drive shaft has an outer diameter surface in sliding rotating engagement with an inner diameter surface of the bushing. At least one seal ring is mounted to the sleeve in sealing engagement with the drive shaft to block the entry of well fluid particulates between the sleeve and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly includes a pump driven by a motor. The pump has a number of stages, each stage including a diffuser having an annular diffuser inlet with an annular outer wall. Diffuser passages lead downstream and inward from the diffuser inlet. An impeller has a circumferential outer edge adjacent the outer wall of the diffuser inlet. Notches are formed in the circumferential outer edge, defining a serrated configuration.

Abstract: A well pump assembly has a submersible well fluid pump, motor, and seal section with a seal section shaft for transferring rotation of a motor drive shaft to a pump drive shaft. The seal section has a shaft passage through which the seal section shaft extends. A movable compensating element has an interior containing motor lubricant that is in fluid communication with motor lubricant in the motor and also in fluid communication with motor lubricant in the shaft passage. A shaft seal restricts well fluid from entry into the shaft passage. A lubricant pump driven by the shaft has a discharge within the shaft passage below the shaft seal. A recirculation passage extends from the shaft passage at a point between the discharge of the lubricant pump and the shaft seal to the interior of the compensating element.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly include a rotary pump driven by an electrical motor. A seal section operably connects between the motor and the pump for reducing a pressure differential between motor oil in the motor and well fluid surrounding the pump assembly. The pump assembly contains a sealed fluid. A sensor mounted to the well pump assembly detects contamination of the sealed fluid by well fluid encroaching into contact with the sealed fluid. The sensor may be mounted in the motor or the seal section to detect well fluid contamination of motor oil. The sensor may be mounted in a secondary pump that has that has temporary barriers to block the entry of well fluid into a buffer fluid contained in the secondary pump while the secondary pump is in a storage condition within a well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for installing an optical fiber in a downhole equipment system having multiple components that are installed in the field. Components such as sections of an ESP motor are assembled, forming a continuous sealed conduit that extends through the components. The conduit is sealed to prevent potentially damaging fluids from leaking into the conduit. After the conduit through the components is formed, an optical fiber is inserted into the conduit so that the fiber spans the connections between the components. The optical fiber may incorporate multiple sensors (e.g., fiber Bragg gratings) that can sense parameters such as temperature at multiple points in the different components. The passageways through the different components may have different diameters or tapered/chamfered edges to facilitate insertion of the optical fiber in the conduit.

Abstract: A centrifugal pumping system having a stack of impellers and diffusers for pressurizing fluid. The impellers are rotated by a motor for pressurizing and lifting fluid from within a wellbore. Undulating profiles are provided on leading edges of the impellers for inducing turbulence in the fluid being pumped. Increasing turbulence better homogenizes the fluid, so that choked flow is avoided when different density components are present in the fluid. Reducing the possibility of choked flow increases pump efficiency and lift capacity.

Abstract: Subsurface motors for use with electrical submersible pump which include one or more optic fiber sensors to detect operational parameters of the motor such as temperature, vibration and pressure. Optic fiber sensors are disposed a ally along a pathway within unsealed portions of the motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for installing an optical fiber in a downhole equipment system having multiple components that are installed in the field. Components such as sections of an ESP motor are assembled, forming a continuous sealed conduit that extends through the components. The conduit is sealed to prevent potentially damaging fluids from leaking into the conduit. After the conduit through the components is formed, an optical fiber is inserted into the conduit so that the fiber spans the connections between the components. The optical fiber may incorporate multiple sensors (e.g., fiber Bragg gratings) that can sense parameters such as temperature at multiple points in the different components. The passageways through the different components may have different diameters or tapered/chamfered edges to facilitate insertion of the optical fiber in the conduit.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a wellbore electrical submersible pump and includes an optic fiber detection arrangement wherein one or more optic fiber sensors is used to detect an operational parameter associated with the seal section. The operational parameters can include temperature, vibration and pressure.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a wellbore electrical submersible pump and includes an optic fiber detection arrangement wherein one or more optic fiber sensors is used to detect an operational parameter associated with the seal section. The operational parameters can include temperature, vibration and pressure.

Abstract: Subsurface motors for use with electrical submersible pump which include one or more optic fiber sensors to detect operational parameters of the motor such as temperature, vibration and pressure. Optic fiber sensors are disposed a ally along a pathway within unsealed portions of the motor.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly include a rotary pump driven by an electrical motor. A seal section operably connects between the motor and the pump for reducing a pressure differential between motor oil in the motor and well fluid surrounding the pump assembly. The pump assembly contains a sealed fluid. A sensor mounted to the well pump assembly detects contamination of the sealed fluid by well fluid encroaching into contact with the sealed fluid. The sensor may be mounted in the motor or the seal section to detect well fluid contamination of motor oil. The sensor may be mounted in a secondary pump that has that has temporary barriers to block the entry of well fluid into a buffer fluid contained in the secondary pump while the secondary pump is in a storage condition within a well.