Sealless multiphase screw-pump-and-motor package

• US 6,457,950 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2000
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flowserve Management Company (Flowserve Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Flowserve Management Company (Flowserve Corporation)
• Inventors: Cooper, Paul, Prang, Allan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, WILLIAM H
• Application Number:
  US09/564,274
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 417/366, 417/361, 417/370, 417/410.1, 418/102
• US Class Current: 417/366
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 13/001 Pumps for particular liquids
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 13/008 Pumps for submersible use, i.e. down-hole pumping
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 15/0096 Heating; Cooling of machines or engines in general F01P
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2/16 with helical teeth, e.g. chevron-shaped, screw type for non-parallel axes of movement F04C3/00

Abstract

A pump is disclosed, including a motor and a pump housing, for pumping mixed gas and liquid. The pump includes two intermeshed screw members for providing progressive cavities for transporting mixed fluids, within a pumping cavity, from a suction passage to a discharge reservoir of the pump housing. It further uses pumped product to provide cooling and lubrication to the motor and to bearings and timing gears of the screw members. By using pumped product for lubrication and cooling, the need for seals is eliminated, thereby reducing the need for maintenance. This makes the pump package advantageous for subsea deployment for use in pumping nearly depleted wells which may be manifolded together to provide adequate product flow.

Claims

1. A pump, including a motor and a pump housing, for pumping mixed gas and liquid, said pump comprising:

two intermeshed screw members for providing progressive cavities for transporting mixed fluids, within a pumping cavity, from a suction passage to a discharge reservoir of said pump housing; and

means for providing cooling and lubrication to said motor and to bearings and timing gears of the screw members.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the means for providing cooling and lubrication to said motor and to bearings and timing gears of the screw members comprises a discharge fluid take-off port for diverting a portion of pumped fluid from said discharge reservoir and directing said pumped fluid through said motor and through said bearings and timing gears of said screw members to provide cooling and lubrication to said motor, said bearings and said timing gears.

3. A multiphase screw pump-and-motor package comprising:

a pump body, including a housing with suction and discharge passages, a pumping chamber, and a discharge fluid reservoir between said discharge passage and said pumping chamber;

at least two intermeshed screw members supported in bearings and disposed within the pumping chamber for pumping fluid between said suction and discharge passages;

an electrical motor drivably connected to said screw members;

means for timing rotation of said screw members to prevent interference; and

means for using pumped product to provide cooling and lubricating fluid to said motor, said bearings, and said timing means.

4. The pump package of claim 3, wherein the means for timing rotation of said screw members comprises a timing gear on each screw, said timing gears being intermeshed.

5. The pump package of claim 3, wherein the means for using pumped product to provide cooling and lubricating fluid to said motor, said bearings, and said timing means comprises a discharge fluid take-off port in said discharge fluid reservoir, said port connecting with a solid-contaminant/fluid separation unit, for separating contaminants and returning them to the suction passage of the pump, remaining fluid being directed through said motor, said bearings, and said timing means to cool and lubricate the same and then being returned to said suction passage.

6. The pump package of claim 5, wherein said remaining fluid is apportioned by separate conduits between said motor, said bearings, and said timing means.

7. The pump package of claim 5, wherein said remaining fluid is directed by a single path, in any order, sequentially to the motor, the bearings, and the timing means.

8. The pump package of claim 5, wherein a first portion of said remaining fluid is directed through a first conduit to said motor, and a second portion of said remaining fluid is directed through a second conduit sequentially, in any order, to said bearings and said timing means.

9. The pump package of claim 3, wherein the bearings supporting said screws and said timing means are fabricated from ceramics, carbides, or other abrasion and corrosion resistant materials amenable to lubrication by pumped fluid.