patents
Method for adjusting
PATENTS
Labyrinth chamber for a
submersible well pump
Applicant: Baker Hughes Inc, USA
This disclosure relates, in general, to electri-
cal submersible pumps (ESPs) for wells, but
in particular to a pressure-equalising seal sec-
tion between a pump and motor that has a
labyrinth chamber containing a non-rotating
helical blade. The ESP assembly discussed in
this patent has a seal section with a labyrinth
chamber between upstream and downstream
ends of the seal section. A guide tube, which
extends along the axis between these ends,
contains lubricant in “fluid communication”
with lubricant in the motor. The tube has an
inlet port adjacent to the downstream end to
convey lubricant (within the tube) into the
labyrinth chamber. A tube within the labyrinth
chamber has an open inlet end in the down-
stream end and an open outlet end adjacent to
the upstream end. This labyrinth tube conveys
well fluid at the exterior of the seal section into
the labyrinth chamber. This is done to equal-
ise the pressure of the lubricant with that of
the well fluid. The non-rotating helical blade
in the labyrinth chamber encircles the guide
tube – defining a helical flow-path between
the outlet port of the labyrinth tube and the
inlet port of the guide tube. The labyrinth tube
preferably extends through turns of the helical
blade. In the preferred embodiment an inner
sleeve surrounds the guide tube. The helical
blade has an inner edge joined to the inner
sleeve. An optional outer sleeve also surrounds
the helical blade. The outer sleeve has an outer
diameter in contact with an inner diameter of
the housing. Alternatively, rather than an outer
sleeve, the helical blade may have an outer
edge in contact with the inner diameter of
the housing. In the example disclosed, at least
one baffle is placed along the helical flow-path
and mounted between adjacent turns of the
blade. This baffle retards the flow of well fluid
along the helical flow-path. The baffle has a
portion, such as an inner edge, joined to the
guide tube. Preferably, the baffle has upstream
and downstream edges joined to adjacent turns
of the helical blade, and has an outer edge
located inwards from an outer diameter of the
helical blade, defining a gap for well fluid to
pass from the upstream side of the baffle to the
downstream side of the baffle, along the helical
flow-path.
Patent number: WO/2015/009917
Inventors: S.W. Pyron and K.R. Bierig
Publication date: 22 January 2015
December 2015 Sealing Technology
riser pressure when pressure increases within
a shaft seal
Applicant: Daikin Industries
Ltd, Japan
This patent provides details of a method for
adjusting a drive-shaft sealing device in which
V-packing is accommodated in a groove that
has been formed in the periphery of the shaft.
The V-packing is deformed by a pressing mem-
ber that can move axially when a bolt is tight-
ened, thereby sealing the periphery of the shaft.
This method involves the following: a measure-
ment step, in which the correlation between
the tightening torque of the bolt and the slid-
ing torque of the drive shaft, with respect to
the V-packing, is measured; and a tightening
torque management step, in which the tighten-
ing torque of the bolt is managed on the basis
of this correlation. This configuration enables
adjustments to be made easily.
Patent number: WO/2015/008577
Inventors: K. Oda, K. Fujisaku
and N. Sakuma
Publication date: 22 January 2015
Automatic annular
blow-out preventer
Applicant/Inventor: C.D. Nelson, USA
This invention relates to a blow-out preventer.
It is used to ensure that material under high-
pressure is contained and does not enter an oil-
platform riser, thereby preventing explosions,
damage, oil spills, injury, loss of life and other
issues that may be common to oil-platform
accidents. Specifically, this invention relates to
a blow-out preventer that automatically cuts
off communication between a casing and a
riser when the pressure rises within the casing.
The blow-out preventer consists of a plurality
of curved blades or “petals” that automatically
close to seal off the casing pressure from the
A detailed cross-sectional view of the high-pressure bidirectional sealing system in accordance
with one embodiment of patent WO/2015/009638 – showing the outer support rings (30 & 32) and
annular, axial seals (100 & 300).
the casing.
Patent number: WO/2015/009574
Publication date: 22 January 2015
High-pressure bidirectional
sealing system
Applicant: American Seal and
Engineering Co Inc, USA
A high-pressure bidirectional sealing system
is described by this patent. It has outer sup-
port rings (30 & 32); annular, axial seals
(100 & 300) between these rings; inner sup-
port rings (150 & 160) located between the
annular, axial seals; and a redundant seal (200)
that is located between the inner support rings.
The outer support rings, seals, inner support
rings and redundant seal are located within a
space between an outer tube (12) and an inner
tube (14), which is “telescopically” disposed
within the outer tube. Seals 100 and 300 are
oriented in opposite directions. Specifically, the
opening of seal 100 is facing in a first direction
whilst the opening of seal 300 is facing in a
second direction, which is opposite to the first
direction. This configuration enables the high-
pressure sealing system to handle pressure in
both directions.
Patent number: WO/2015/009638
Inventors: C.J. Cronin, M.W. Armitage
and D. Conway
Publication date: 22 January 2015
Dynamic decompression
control for
high-pressure seals
Applicant: Nuvera Fuel
Cells Inc, USA
This patent discusses a method and system for
dynamically controlling seal decompression.
The method described involves monitoring a
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