SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RUNNING TUBULARS INTO SUBTERRANEAN WELLBORES
A guide assembly for running a liner through a borehole extending through a subterranean formation, the guide assembly having a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the liner, and a second end opposite the first end. The guide assembly includes a guide shoe disposed at the second end, a drive assembly including a radially outer housing, and a rotor concentrically disposed in the housing. The rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe and a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe, and is configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing about the central axis.
This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/971,400 filed Mar. 27, 2014, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Running Tubulars into Subterranean Wellbores,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUNDEmbodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for accessing and producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for lining subterranean boreholes.
In drilling operations, a large diameter hole is drilled from the surface to a selected depth. Then, a primary conductor secured to the lower end of an outer wellhead housing disposed at the surface, also referred to as a low pressure housing, is run into the borehole. Cement is pumped down the primary conductor and allowed to flow back up the annulus between the primary conductor and the borehole sidewall.
With the primary conductor secured in place, a drill bit is lowered through the primary conductor to drill the borehole to a second depth. Next, an inner wellhead housing, also referred to as a high pressure housing, is seated in the upper end of the outer wellhead housing. A string of casing secured to the lower end of the inner wellhead housing or seated in the inner wellhead housing extends downward through the primary conductor. Cement is pumped down the casing string, and allowed to flow back up the annulus between the casing string and the primary conductor and out cement ports extending radially through the outer wellhead housing. The drill bit is lowered through the primary conductor and the casing string and drilling continues.
To ensure well integrity, the open borehole extending from the primary conductor and casing string is lined with a tubular liner, which can be in the form of successive casing strings, coiled tubing, or the like. Following drilling, the liner is typically run from the surface through the primary conductor, any previously installed casing, and the open borehole to the desired depth, and then cemented in place. While running the liner through the open borehole, the liner may get hung up or stuck on cutting debris, a ledge, or other obstruction that interferes with the advancement of the liner. A stuck liner may require remedial actions, result in delays, and added costs. A guide shoe may be provided at the lower end of the liner to facilitate its advancement through the open borehole and around obstructions. However, conventional guide shoes exhibit varying degrees of success, and further, some conventional guide shoes do not allow for cementing without an additional tripping operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThese and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a guide assembly for running a liner through a borehole extending through a subterranean formation. The guide assembly has a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the liner, and a second end opposite the first end. In an embodiment, the guide assembly includes a guide shoe disposed at the second end, a drive assembly including a radially outer housing, and a rotor concentrically disposed in the housing. In addition, the rotor is configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing about the central axis. Further, the rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe and a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a guide assembly for running a liner through a borehole extending through a subterranean formation. The guide assembly has a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the tubular, and a second end opposite the first end. In an embodiment, the guide assembly includes a guide shoe disposed at the second end and a drive assembly including a radially outer housing and a rotor rotatably disposed in the housing. In addition, the rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe, a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe, and an outer surface extending from the first end of the rotor to the second end of the rotor, wherein the outer surface of the rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights. Further, the assembly includes an inlet guide disposed about the rotor and axially positioned between the first end of the rotor and the plurality of helical flights of the rotor, wherein the inlet guide has an outer surface including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights. Moreover, each of the helical flights of the rotor spiral about the central axis in a first direction and the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide spiral about the central axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a guide assembly for running a tubular through a borehole extending through a formation. The guide assembly having a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the tubular, and a second end opposite the first end. In an embodiment, the guide assembly includes a guide shoe disposed at the second end and a drive assembly configured to drive the rotation of the guide shoe about the central axis. In addition, the drive assembly includes a radially outer tubular housing and a rotor rotatably disposed within the housing. Further, the rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe and a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe, and includes a bore extending axially from the second end of the rotor and a port extending radially from an outer surface of the rotor to the bore. Moreover, the guide shoe includes an inner fluid cavity in fluid communication with the bore of the rotor and a port extending from the inner fluid cavity to an outer surface of the guide shoe.
Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and advantages intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a detailed description of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosures, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Moreover, the drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. Further, some drawing figures may depict vessels in either a horizontal or vertical orientation; unless otherwise noted, such orientations are for illustrative purposes only and is not a required aspect of this disclosure.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the terms “couple,” “attach,” “connect” or the like are intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical or fluid connection, or an indirect, direct, optical or wireless electrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct mechanical or electrical connection, through an indirect mechanical or electrical connection via other devices and connections, through an optical electrical connection, or through a wireless electrical connection. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the axis. Any reference to up or down in the description and the claims will be made for purpose of clarification, with “up,” “upper,” “upwardly,” or “upstream” meaning toward the surface of the well and with “down,” “lower,” “downwardly,” or “downstream” meaning toward the terminal end of the well, regardless of the well bore orientation. In some applications of the technology, the orientations of the components with respect to the surroundings may be different. For example, components described as facing “up,” in another application, may face to the left, may face down, or may face in another direction.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, system 10 includes a power source 11, a surface processor 12, a liner reel or spool 13, an injector head unit 14, liner 50, and a shoe or guide assembly 100. Power source 11, processor 12, spool 13, and injector head unit 14 are disposed at the surface 30. Power source 11 provides electrical power to system 10 and processor 12 controls the operation of system 10. Spool 13 stores liner 50 and pays out liner 50 as it is fed by injector head unit 14 through wellhead 20, conductor 21, and casing 23 into the open portion of borehole 20. Guide assembly 100 is mounted to the lower end of liner 50 and facilitates the advancement of liner 50 through conductor 21, and casing 23, and the open portion of borehole 20. An annulus 24 is formed between liner 50 and the open portion of borehole 20. Annulus 24 extends to the surface 30 and is at least partially filled with cement to secure liner 50 in place once it is disposed at the desired depth in borehole 20. As will be described in more detail below, guide assembly 100 allows the cementing of liner 50 without having to trip liner 50 or guide assembly 100.
As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Inner surface 112 of connection sub 110 includes a first cylindrical section 112a extending axially from end 110a to a downward-facing annular planar shoulder 113a, a second cylindrical section 112b extending axially from shoulder 113a to a frustoconical annular shoulder 113b, and an internal threaded section 112c extending axially from shoulder 113b to end 110b. First cylindrical section 112a is disposed at a diameter that is less than the diameter of second cylindrical section 112b. As will be described in more detail below, internally threaded section 112c defines a box end that threadably connects connection sub 110 to a mating pin end of drive assembly 120.
Referring now to
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As best shown in
In this embodiment, outer housing 121 is formed by multiple tubular members coupled together end-to-end. However, in general, the outer housing (e.g., outer housing 121) can be formed as a monolithic tubular or by coupling any number of tubular members together.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Each flight 136 has a first or upper end 136a, a second or lower end 136b, lateral sides 137a, 137b extending between ends 136a, 136b, a radially inner base 138a integral with the remainder of rotor 130 and extending between ends 136a, 136b, and a radially outer generally cylindrical surface 138b distal the remainder of rotor 130 and extending between ends 136a, 136b. In this embodiment, each flight 136 has the same length measured between ends 136a, 136b. Radially outer surface 138b of each flight 136 is disposed at a uniform radius R138b, and each flight 136 has a height H136 measured radially from its base 138a to its outer surface 138b. In this embodiment, outer surfaces 138b of flights 136 do not engage housing 121, and thus, radius R138b is less than the inner radius of housing 121 along cylindrical section 126a. In general, the radius R138b of each outer surface 138b is preferably between 1/16 and 2.0 in., and each height H136 is preferably between 1/16 and 2.0 in. In this embodiment, radius R138b of each outer surface 138b is the same, and in particular, is ¼ in.; and each height H136 of each flight 136 is the same, and in particular, is ⅜ in. In addition, each flight 136 is oriented at an acute flight angle θ136 relative to a reference plane A perpendicular to axis 105 in side view, and has a pitch P136 equal to the axial length (center-to-center) of one complete turn of flight 136. Flight angle θ136 of each flight 136 is preferably between 0° and 90°, and more preferably between 30° and 60°. Pitch P136 of each flight 136 is preferably between ½ and 5 revolutions over 12.0 in., and more preferably between 1 and 2 revolutions over 12.0 in. In this embodiment, flights 136 are identical and parallel, and thus, radius R138b of each outer surface 138b is the same, flight angle θ136 of each flight 136 is the same and pitch P136 of each flight 136 is the same. In particular, in this embodiment, flight angle θ136 of each flight 136 is 45° and pitch P136 of each flight 136 is 1¼ revolutions over 12.0 in. As best shown in
In this embodiment, flighted section 135 of outer surface 131 also includes a plurality of circumferentially adjacent parallel grooves 139 disposed between each pair of circumferentially adjacent flights 136. Grooves 139 offer the potential to facilitate and assist fluid flow through drive assembly 120.
As best shown in
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 11-14, inlet guide 140 is disposed about rotor 130 within connection sub 110 and seated against upper end 121a of housing 121. In addition, inlet guide 140 has a first or upper end 140a, a second or lower end 140b axially abutting housing 121, a radially inner surface 141 extending axially between ends 140a, 140b, and a radially outer surface 145 extending axially between ends 140a, 140b. Inner surface 141 of inlet guide 140 includes a first cylindrical section 142a extending axially from upper end 140a to an upward-facing annular planar shoulder 142b and a second cylindrical section 142c extending axially from lower end 140b to shoulder 142b. Cylindrical section 142a is disposed at a diameter that is greater than the diameter of cylindrical section 142c.
Outer surface 145 of inlet guide 140 includes a plurality of uniformly circumferentially-spaced parallel flights 146 that extend helically about axis 105 and axially between ends 140a, 140b. In this embodiment, inlet guide 140 includes three uniformly circumferentially-spaced flights 146. Thus, flights 146 are angularly spaced 120° apart about axis 105. However, in general, the inlet guide (e.g., inlet guide 140) can include any suitable number of flights (e.g., two, three, four, or more flights 146), and further, the flights can be uniformly or non-uniformly circumferentially-spaced. Each flight 146 has a radially inner base 147a integral with the remainder of inlet guide 140 and a radially outer generally cylindrical surface 147b distal the remainder of inlet guide 140. Surface 147b of each flight 146 is disposed at a uniform radius R147b, and each flight 146 has a height H146 measured radially from its base 147a to its outer surface 147b. Surfaces 147b of flights 146 statically engage second cylindrical section 112b of connection sub 110, and thus, radius R147b of each radially outer surface 147b is substantially the same as the inner radius of connection sub 110 along second cylindrical section 112b. In general, the radius R147b of each outer surface 147b is preferably between 1/16 and 2.0 in., and each height H146 is preferably between 1/16 and 2.0 in. In this embodiment, radius R147b of each outer surface 147b is the same, and in particular, is ¼ in.; and each height H146 of each flight 146 is the same, and in particular, is ⅜ in. In addition, each flight 146 is oriented at an acute flight angle θ146 relative to a reference plane A perpendicular to axis 105 in side view, and has a pitch P146 equal to the axial length (center-to-center) of one complete turn of flight 146. Flight angle θ146 of each flight 146 is preferably between 0° and 90°, and more preferably between 30° and 60°. Pitch P146 of each flight 146 is preferably between 1/24 and ⅓ revolutions over 1.0 in. In this embodiment, flights 146 are identical and parallel, and thus, radius R147b of each outer surface 147b is the same, flight angle θ146 of each flight 146 is the same and pitch P146 of each flight 146 is the same. In particular, in this embodiment, flight angle θ146 of each flight 146 is 45° and pitch P146 of each flight 146 is 1/12 revolutions over 1.0 in. As best shown in
In this embodiment, outer surface 145 also includes a plurality of circumferentially adjacent parallel grooves 149 disposed between each pair of circumferentially adjacent flights 146. Grooves 149 offer the potential to facilitate and assist fluid flow through drive assembly 120.
Referring now to
Referring still to
Internal threads of threaded section 188d threadably engage mating external threads of threaded section 131g of rotor 130, thereby threadably coupling guide shoe 180 to end 130b of rotor 130. With guide shoe 180 sufficiently threaded onto end 130b (i.e., with end 130b axially abutting shoulder 188e, a set screw 196 (see
Referring again to
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Referring still to
In this embodiment, thrust bearing 155 is a roller bearing including a first annular race 156 disposed about rotor 130, a second annular race 157 disposed about rotor 130 and axially spaced from race 156, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced cylindrical roller elements 158 disposed about rotor 130 and axially positioned between races 156, 157. First race 156 axially abuts spacer 170 and is stationary relative to spacer 170 (i.e., race 156 does not rotate relative to spacer 170), second race 157 is seated against shoulder 142b and is stationary relative to inlet guide 140 (i.e., race 157 does not rotate relative to inlet guide 140), and roller elements 158 rotatably engage races 156, 157, and thus, rotate relative to races 156, 157. A retaining cover holds the races 156, 157 together until the make-up of spacer 170 and retention cap 175 on externally threaded section 131a of rotor 130 at end 130a holds the bearing 155 in place. Each roller element 158 has an axis of rotation that is oriented perpendicular to axis 105 and intersects axis 105, thereby allowing races 156, 157 to rotate relative to each other. A cage (not shown) maintains the circumferential-spacing of roller elements 158.
Referring now to
Referring still to
In this embodiment, thrust bearing 165 is a roller bearing including a first annular race 166 disposed about rotor 130, a second annular race 167 disposed about rotor 130 and axially spaced from race 166, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced cylindrical roller elements 168 disposed about rotor 130 and axially positioned between races 166, 167. First race 166 axially abuts race 162 and is stationary relative to race 162 (i.e., race 166 does not rotate relative to race 162), second race 167 is seated against shoulder 188b and is stationary relative to guide shoe 180 (i.e., race 167 does not rotate relative to guide shoe 180), and roller elements 168 rotatably engage races 166, 167, and thus, rotate relative to races 166, 167. A retaining cover holds the races 166, 167 axially together. Each roller element 168 has an axis of rotation that is oriented perpendicular to axis 105 and intersects axis 105, thereby allowing races 166, 167 to rotate relative to each other. A cage (not shown) maintains the circumferential-spacing of roller elements 168.
Referring now to
As best shown in
As previously described, in this embodiment, outer surface 181 of guide shoe 180 has a generally oblique cone geometry. However, guide shoes having alternative geometries can also be used in assembly 100 in place of guide shoe 180. Referring now to
In
In
In
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The lower end 130b of rotor 130 is fixably attached to guide shoe 180, and thus, rotation of rotor 130 relative to housing 121 about axis 105 results in the rotation of guide shoe 180 relative to housing 121 about axis 105. The rotation of the guide shoe 180 allows guide assembly 100 to guide liner 50 around obstructions in the borehole 20. In this embodiment, rotor 130 is concentrically disposed within housing 121, rotates about central axis 105, and flights 136 are uniformly circumferentially-spaced and have the same geometry. Consequently, rotor 130 has a center of mass disposed along rotational axis 105, and thus, is generally rotationally balanced. Guide shoe 180 also rotates about axis 105; however, guide shoe 180 has an eccentric geometry and is eccentrically weighted. In particular, due at least in part to tip 182a being radially offset from axis 105, guide shoe 180 has a center of mass that is offset from rotational axis 105. Consequently, as guide shoe 180 rotates about axis 105, imbalanced forces and associated vibrations are induced, which advantageously offer the potential to enhance the ability of guide assembly 100 to guide liner 50 around obstructions in the borehole 20 and reduce the likelihood of guide assembly 100 getting hung up or stuck downhole.
Referring now to
As previously described, imbalanced forces and associated vibrations experienced by guide assembly 100 advantageously offer the potential to enhance the ability of guide assembly 100 to guide liner 50 around obstructions in the borehole 20 and reduce the likelihood of guide assembly 100 getting hung up or stuck downhole. In general, imbalanced forces and associated vibrations can be induced by an eccentric guide shoe and/or an eccentric rotor. In the embodiment of guide assembly 100 shown in
While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various parts are made, and other parameters can be varied. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such steps.
Claims
1. A guide assembly for running a liner through a borehole extending through a subterranean formation, the guide assembly having a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the liner, and a second end opposite the first end, the guide assembly comprising:
- a guide shoe disposed at the second end;
- a drive assembly including a radially outer housing and a rotor concentrically disposed in the housing, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing about the central axis;
- wherein the rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe and a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe.
2. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights.
3. The guide assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of helical flights of the rotor are radially spaced from the housing.
4. The guide assembly of claim 2, further comprising an inlet guide including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights.
5. The guide assembly of claim 4, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate relative to the inlet guide.
6. The guide assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide statically engage a cylindrical inner surface of the outer housing.
7. The guide assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide spiral about the central axis in a first direction and the helical flights of the rotor spiral about the central axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
8. The guide assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of helical flights of the rotor are oriented at a flight angle A relative to a reference plane oriented perpendicular to the central axis and each of the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide are oriented at a flight angle B relative to the reference plane, and wherein the sum of angle A and angle B is between 0° and 180°.
9. The guide assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive assembly includes a first radial bearing, a second radial bearing, an first thrust bearing, and a second thrust bearing;
- wherein the first radial bearing is radially positioned between the rotor and the inlet guide and the second radial bearing is radially positioned between the rotor and the housing;
- wherein the first thrust bearing is axially positioned between a spacer and the inlet guide and the second thrust bearing is axially positioned between the housing and the guide shoe.
10. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotor includes a bore extending axially from the second end of the rotor and a port extending radially from an outer surface of the rotor to the bore.
11. The guide assembly of claim 10, wherein the guide shoe includes an inner fluid cavity in fluid communication with the bore of the rotor and a plurality of ports extending from the inner fluid cavity to an outer surface of the guide shoe.
12. A guide assembly for running a liner through a borehole extending through a subterranean formation, the guide assembly having a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the tubular, and a second end opposite the first end, the guide assembly comprising:
- a guide shoe disposed at the second end;
- a drive assembly including a radially outer housing and a rotor rotatably disposed in the housing, wherein the rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe, a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe, and an outer surface extending from the first end of the rotor to the second end of the rotor, wherein the outer surface of the rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights;
- an inlet guide disposed about the rotor and axially positioned between the first end of the rotor and the plurality of helical flights of the rotor, wherein the inlet guide has an outer surface including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights;
- wherein each of the helical flights of the rotor spiral about the central axis in a first direction and the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide spiral about the central axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
13. The guide assembly of claim 12, wherein the rotor is coaxially disposed in the outer housing.
14. The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate relative to the inlet guide.
15. The guide assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights of the inlet guide statically engage the outer housing.
16. The guide assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of helical flights of the rotor are oriented at a flight angle A relative to a reference plane oriented perpendicular to the central axis and each of the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide are oriented at a flight angle B relative to the reference plane, and wherein the sum of angle A and angle B is between 0° and 180°.
17. The guide assembly of claim 12, wherein the rotor includes a bore extending axially from the second end of the rotor and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced ports extending radially from an outer surface of the rotor to the bore.
18. The guide assembly of claim 17, wherein the guide shoe includes an inner fluid cavity in fluid communication with the bore of the rotor and a plurality of ports extending from the inner fluid cavity to an outer surface of the guide shoe.
19. A guide assembly for running a tubular through a borehole extending through a formation, the guide assembly having a central axis, a first end configured to be coupled to the tubular, and a second end opposite the first end, the guide assembly comprising:
- a guide shoe disposed at the second end; and
- a drive assembly configured to drive the rotation of the guide shoe about the central axis, wherein the drive assembly includes a radially outer tubular housing and a rotor rotatably disposed within the housing, wherein the rotor has a first end distal the guide shoe and a second end fixably coupled to the guide shoe, wherein the rotor includes a bore extending axially from the second end of the rotor and a port extending radially from an outer surface of the rotor to the bore;
- wherein the guide shoe includes an inner fluid cavity in fluid communication with the bore of the rotor and a port extending from the inner fluid cavity to an outer surface of the guide shoe.
20. The guide assembly of claim 19, wherein the rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights.
21. The guide assembly of claim 20, further comprising an inlet guide including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel helical flights, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate relative to the inlet guide.
22. The guide assembly of claim 21, wherein the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide statically engage the outer housing.
23. The guide assembly of claim 22, wherein the plurality of helical flights of the rotor spiral about the central axis in a first direction; and
- wherein the plurality of helical flights of the inlet guide spiral about the central axis in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
24. The guide assembly of claim 23, wherein the guide shoe has an eccentric geometry and is eccentrically weighted.
25. The guide assembly of claim 23, wherein the rotor has an eccentric geometry and is eccentrically weighted.
26. The guide assembly of claim 23, wherein the guide shoe and the rotor have an eccentric geometry and are eccentrically weighted.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2015
Publication Date: Oct 1, 2015
Inventors: Carl William Diller (Las Vegas, NV), Candice English (Anchorage, AK), Robert D. Harris (Willow, AK), David Eric Johnston (Anchorage, AK), John Robert Milne (Anchorage, AK), Matthew Ora Ross (Eagle River, AK)
Application Number: 14/669,944