Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system (“ESP”) for use in a wellbore includes an electrical motor, a pump, a shaft coupled between the motor and pump, and a lubricant pump for circulating lubricant within the ESP. The lubricant pump includes a diffuser and an impeller that mounts onto and rotates with shaft rotation. A portion of the impeller has a frusto-conical outer surface, which is circumscribed by a portion of the diffuser profiled complementary to the frusto-conical portion of the impeller. The pump directs lubricant flow in a single direction irrespective of the rotational direction of the shaft.

Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system includes a motor filled with motor lubricant, a pump driven by the motor, and a fluid expansion chamber connected to the motor. The fluid expansion chamber includes a seal bag filled with a seal bag lubricant and a bellows contained within the seal bag. The bellows includes an interior in fluid communication with the motor and an exterior in fluid communication with the seal bag lubricant.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly includes a pump, a motor, and a seal section connected between. A shaft passage in the seal section has an outboard end that is open to the pump intake and an inboard end that is in fluid communication with motor lubricant in the motor. A drive shaft extends axially within the shaft passage. An outboard bearing at the outboard end of the shaft passage receives the shaft to provide radial support. An inboard bearing at the inboard end of the shaft passage receives the shaft to provide radial support. A shaft seal in the shaft passage receives and seals around the shaft. The shaft seal is located between the outboard bearing and the inboard bearing and seals motor lubricant in the shaft passage from well fluid in the shaft passage.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly includes a pump, a motor, and a seal section connected between. A shaft passage in the seal section has an outboard end that is open to the pump intake and an inboard end that is in fluid communication with motor lubricant in the motor. A drive shaft extends axially within the shaft passage. An outboard bearing at the outboard end of the shaft passage receives the shaft to provide radial support. An inboard bearing at the inboard end of the shaft passage receives the shaft to provide radial support. A shaft seal in the shaft passage receives and seals around the shaft. The shaft seal is located between the outboard bearing and the inboard bearing and seals motor lubricant in the shaft passage from well fluid in the shaft passage.

Abstract: A shaft coupling is useful for connecting a distal end of a first shaft with a proximal end of a second shaft. The shaft coupling includes a body, a first receiving chamber within the body and a second receiving chamber within the body. The first receiving chamber receives the distal portion of the first shaft and the second receiving chamber receives the proximal portion of the second shaft. A pin maintains the axial positioning between the body and the distal portion of the first shaft. An axially adjustable connection is used between the second receiving chamber and the proximal portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a pump driven by shaft, a thrust bearing housing and a thrust bearing assembly contained within the thrust bearing housing. The thrust bearing assembly includes a rotating component connected to the shaft, a first bearing adjacent to the rotating component and an adjustment mechanism for the adjusting the distance between the rotating component and the first bearing. The adjustment mechanism can be externally manipulated from outside the thrust bearing housing.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a pump driven by shaft, a thrust bearing housing and a thrust bearing assembly contained within the thrust bearing housing. The thrust bearing assembly includes a rotating component connected to the shaft, a first bearing adjacent to the rotating component and an adjustment mechanism for the adjusting the distance between the rotating component and the first bearing. The adjustment mechanism can be externally manipulated from outside the thrust bearing housing.

Abstract: A shaft coupling is useful for connecting a distal end of a first shaft with a proximal end of a second shaft. The shaft coupling includes a body, a first receiving chamber within the body and a second receiving chamber within the body. The first receiving chamber receives the distal portion of the first shaft and the second receiving chamber receives the proximal portion of the second shaft. A pin maintains the axial positioning between the body and the distal portion of the first shaft. An axially adjustable connection is used between the second receiving chamber and the proximal portion of the second shaft.

Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system includes a motor filled with motor lubricant, a pump driven by the motor, and a fluid expansion chamber connected to the motor. The fluid expansion chamber includes a seal bag filled with a seal bag lubricant and a bellows contained within the seal bag. The bellows includes an interior in fluid communication with the motor and an exterior in fluid communication with the seal bag lubricant.

Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system includes an electric motor and a motor lead cable. The motor lead cable includes a plurality of leads that each includes a conductor, an insulator and a sealing sleeve around the insulator. The sealing sleeve is constructed of metal in preferred embodiments. The electric submersible pumping system further includes a pothead connector attached to the electric motor and the motor lead cable. The pothead connector includes a sealing mechanism around the metal sleeve of each of the plurality of leads.

Abstract: A method for applying a metalized polymer film to a seal bag for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes the steps of applying a metal layer to a polymer layer, applying an adhesive layer to the polymer layer, and rolling the adhesive layer onto a substrate of the seal bag. The method may also include the steps of rotating a first roller, which is located above the polymer layer of the metalized polymer film, and rotating a second roller, which is located on an interior surface of the substrate of the seal bag, in the opposite direction of the first roller. Also disclosed is a downhole pumping system that incorporates a seal bag manufactured from these techniques.

Abstract: A mechanical seal has a stationary face and rotating assembly adjacent to the stationary face. The rotating assembly includes an upper bellows ring, a lower bellows ring and a runner between the lower bellows ring and the stationary face. A bellows extends between the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring. In preferred embodiments, the bellows is constructed from a perfluoroalkoxy polymer and is secured within the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring by a selected locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include the use of crimp rings configured for a press fit engagement within the upper and lower bellows rings. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may employ locking rings configured for threaded engagement with the upper and lower bellows rings.

Abstract: A mechanical seal has a stationary face and rotating assembly adjacent to the stationary face. The rotating assembly includes an upper bellows ring, a lower bellows ring and a runner between the lower bellows ring and the stationary face. A bellows extends between the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring. In preferred embodiments, the bellows is constructed from a perfluoroalkoxy polymer and is secured within the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring by a selected locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include the use of crimp rings configured for a press fit engagement within the upper and lower bellows rings. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may employ locking rings configured for threaded engagement with the upper and lower bellows rings.

Abstract: A mechanical seal has a stationary face and rotating assembly adjacent to the stationary face. The rotating assembly includes an upper bellows ring, a lower bellows ring and a runner between the lower bellows ring and the stationary face. A bellows extends between the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring. In preferred embodiments, the bellows is constructed from a perfluoroalkoxy polymer and is secured within the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring by a selected locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include the use of crimp rings configured for a press fit engagement within the upper and lower bellows rings. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may employ locking rings configured for threaded engagement with the upper and lower bellows rings.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a housing and a seal bag located within the housing. The seal bag includes a substrate having a plurality of substrate surfaces and a metal coating layer on at least one of the plurality of substrate surfaces. The substrate can optionally be configured as a cylindrical form that includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. In particularly preferred embodiments, the substrate is seamless and fabricated from an extruded fluoropolymer. The metal coating layer preferably comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, stainless steel, nickel, chrome, silver and gold. The metalized seal bag exhibits increased durability and decreased permeability to liquids and gases at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method for applying a metalized polymer film to a seal bag for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes the steps of applying a metal layer to a polymer layer, applying an adhesive layer to the polymer layer, and rolling the adhesive layer onto a substrate of the seal bag. The method may also include the steps of rotating a first roller, which is located above the polymer layer of the metalized polymer film, and rotating a second roller, which is located on an interior surface of the substrate of the seal bag, in the opposite direction of the first roller. Also disclosed is a downhole pumping system that incorporates a seal bag manufactured from these techniques.

Abstract: A mechanical seal has a stationary face and rotating assembly adjacent to the stationary face. The rotating assembly includes an upper bellows ring, a lower bellows ring and a runner between the lower bellows ring and the stationary face. A bellows extends between the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring. In preferred embodiments, the bellows is constructed from a perfluoroalkoxy polymer and is secured within the upper bellows ring and the lower bellows ring by a selected locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include the use of crimp rings configured for a press fit engagement within the upper and lower bellows rings. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may employ locking rings configured for threaded engagement with the upper and lower bellows rings.

Abstract: A mechanical seal having a stationary ring and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a runner adjacent the stationary ring, an elastomer bellows adjacent the runner, a spring retainer plate and a spacer positioned between the elastomer bellows and the spring retainer plate. The spacer sets and maintains the elastomer bellows in proper position adjacent the runner.