Abstract: A pump end assembly has a centrifugal pump and a motor separated by a chamber. The chamber contains a thrust bearing as well as an intake for the pump. Fluid flowing into the intake flows through the thrust chamber and to the inlet of the pump. Some of the fluid also flows through the thrust bearing for lubricating the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing has a tubular portion that inserts into the bore. The thrust bearing has an external shoulder that contacts a support surface in the bore of the diffuser for transmitting downward thrust from an upstream impeller to the diffuser. The thrust bearing has an internal shoulder for transmitting upward thrust from a downstream impeller to the diffuser.

Abstract: A pump end assembly has a centrifugal pump and a motor separated by a chamber. The chamber contains a thrust bearing as well as an intake for the pump. Fluid flowing into the intake flows through the thrust chamber and to the inlet of the pump. Some of the fluid also flows through the thrust bearing for lubricating the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A method of installing an annular bearing element within a centrifugal pump utilizes a mechanical staking operation. The bearing element locates within a receptacle of a pump stage that is surrounded by a retaining wall. Once the bearing element is located within the retaining wall, the retaining wall is permanently deformed at various points against the bearing element. The bearing element, if of a hard wear resistant metal, may have flats for the circumferentially spaced apart deformations to locate within. The bearing element may be a thrust washer for transmitting downward thrust, or it may be a radial support bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly having first and second components that are coupled together has a removable externally splined sleeve. A key is located in the keyway between the shaft sleeve and the shaft for transmitting torque. A threaded fastener secures to a threaded hole extending inward from an end face of the shaft end coaxial with an axis of the shaft end. The fastener has a head that engages an outward facing shoulder of the shaft sleeve to releasably secure the shaft sleeve to the shaft. A coupling sleeve has internal splines that engage the external splined section of the shaft sleeve. The coupling sleeve is in engagement with a shaft end assembly of the second component for transmitting torque between the shafts of the first and second components. The head that of the fastener transmits axial loads between the shafts of the first and second components.

Abstract: A method of installing an annular bearing element within a centrifugal pump utilizes a mechanical staking operation. The bearing element locates within a receptacle of a pump stage that is surrounded by a retaining wall. Once the bearing element is located within the retaining wall, the retaining wall is permanently deformed at various points against the bearing element. The bearing element, if of a hard wear resistant metal, may have flats for the circumferentially spaced apart deformations to locate within. The bearing element may be a thrust washer for transmitting downward thrust, or it may be a radial support bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly having first and second components that are coupled together has a removable externally splined sleeve. A key is located in the keyway between the shaft sleeve and the shaft for transmitting torque. A threaded fastener secures to a threaded hole extending inward from an end face of the shaft end coaxial with an axis of the shaft end. The fastener has a head that engages an outward facing shoulder of the shaft sleeve to releasably secure the shaft sleeve to the shaft. A coupling sleeve has internal splines that engage the external splined section of the shaft sleeve. The coupling sleeve is in engagement with a shaft end assembly of the second component for transmitting torque between the shafts of the first and second components. The head that of the fastener transmits axial loads between the shafts of the first and second components.

Abstract: An electrical submersible well pump assembly has an inducer and diffuser for applying a positive pressure to the first pump stage. The pump assembly includes a centrifugal pump with a housing having a well fluid inlet and a number of pump stages. Each pump stage has an impeller and a diffuser. An inducer is mounted in the housing upstream of the impeller of the first pump stage. The inducer has a helical flight that is rotatable in unison with the pump. A diffuser is positioned between the inducer and the impeller of the first stage.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing has a tubular portion that inserts into the bore. The thrust bearing has an external shoulder that contacts a support surface in the bore of the diffuser for transmitting downward thrust from an upstream impeller to the diffuser. The thrust bearing has an internal shoulder for transmitting upward thrust from a downstream impeller to the diffuser.