Abstract: An electric submersible progressing cavity pump (ESPCP) assembly that restricts reverse rotation of the pump motor and provides for efficient motor shutdown in the event of reverse rotation is disclosed. When the ESPCP rotates in a reverse direction, components associated with the rotating motor shaft stop rotation of the shaft to increase the torque and current of the motor, and the increased torque/current on the motor actuates a torque or current limit switch to shut off the motor. Also, particle and gas separation mechanisms are disclosed, which separate particulates and gas from the fluid flowing into the pump so that the fluid that reaches the rotor and stator assembly has a higher proportion of liquid than the resident well fluid.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump may include plural pump stages, each comprising an impeller assembly, a stationary disc assembly and a diffuser assembly, all disposed about an impeller shaft that is driven by a motor. The impeller assembly may include upper and lower impeller shrouds having facing surfaces, and a plurality of impeller vanes extending between the surfaces of the shrouds to define a plurality of flow passages for liquid to flow outwardly from a central hub of the impeller assembly. To assist in pressure recovery of the pump, the distance between the surfaces of the impeller shrouds may increase as the radial distance from the central hub increases.

Abstract: A slinger seal for a submersible motor having a shaft is disclosed. The seal comprises a cup having an inner cup surface and a slinger disposed on the shaft and axially spaced from the cup. The slinger has a lower portion defining a cavity proximate to the cup and a seal having a first seal portion engaging the cup inner surface and a second seal portion engaging the shaft. The first seal portion includes a member for maintaining the first seal portion into engagement with the cup inner surface and the second seal includes a spring for biasing the second seal portion into engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A submersible motor is disclosed. The motor comprises a combination stator core/end bell assembly comprising a stator core encapsulated in a polymeric material and a first end bell integrally molded to a first end of the stator core, the stator core having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a stator bore. The motor may further include a rotor disposed within the stator bore, a thrust bearing axially supporting the rotor, and a structural portion to absorb axial loads applied to the stator core by the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A slinger seal for a submersible motor having a shaft is disclosed. The seal comprises a cup having an inner cup surface and a slinger disposed on the shaft and axially spaced from the cup. The slinger has a lower portion defining a cavity proximate to the cup and a seal having a first seal portion engaging the cup inner surface and a second seal portion engaging the shaft. The first seal portion includes a member for maintaining the first seal portion into engagement with the cup inner surface and the second seal includes a spring for biasing the second seal portion into engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A packer assembly simplifies the location and relocation of a bottom intake electric submergible pumping system within a wellbore. The packer assembly includes a packer mandrel on which a packer is received and held in place. The packer mandrel includes a housing that forms an internal passage through which wellbore fluids are pumped. The housing also includes an outer surface that forms a recess in which a packer is received and held. The packer may be a conventional type hydraulically set or mechanically set packer. Thus, the packer may be set independently of actuation of the pump at any location within the wellbore casing. When the submergible pumping system must be moved or serviced, the packer assembly and the remainder of the submergible pumping system are moved as a single unit.

Abstract: An oil-filled, submersible electric motor which contains features designed to prevent both the ingress of well fluid into the motor interior, and the leakage of fluid from the motor interior. The motor contains a liquid-filled top chamber, above the motor's stator and rotor. This top chamber connects, via a tube, with a pressure-relief chamber at the bottom of the motor so that any liquid which migrates into the top of the motor is channeled away from the stator and rotor. The relief chamber also serves as a reservoir to replace any liquid which seeps out of the top chamber. The motor also incorporates a pressure-equalization chamber, beneath the stator and rotor, to accommodate thermal expansion of the dielectric fluid in the motor interior. A bladder in the equalization chamber expands and contracts to keep the motor interior and the well fluid in pressure equilibrium.