Drill rig apparatuses with directly driven shaft & drilling fluid pump systems

Abstract

A drilling rig system with a main shaft or shaft-like structure driven directly by an AC motor; the system in one aspect for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid), the system having, in certain aspects, pump apparatus with a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having an inlet and an outlet, the motor section having a drive shaft for connection to a pump pinion shaft for reciprocating in and out of the pumping section to alternately suck fluid into the inlet and pump fluid out the outlet, and the motor being directly connected to the pump pinion shaft, and methods for using such a system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is directed to: drill rig apparatuses (machines, devices, apparatuses, systems) with a driven shaft driven by an AC motor directly connected to the driven shaft without the use of intermediate gear reductions or torque multipliers; drilling fluid pump systems used in drilling wellbores in the earth; and to methods of the use of such apparatuses and systems.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A wide variety of drilling systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed in prior developments including, but not limited to, the disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,944,547; 6,918,453; 6,802,378; 6,050,348; 5,465,799; 4,995,465; 4,854,397; and 3,658,138, all incorporated fully herein for all purposes. Prior developments include a wide variety of drilling systems, apparatuses, machines and devices which use a powered shaft driven by a motor with an intermediate apparatus between the motor and the powered shaft such as a gear system, a speed reduction system, or a torque multiplier. A wide variety of drilling fluid pumps ("mud pumps") are used in drilling operations and in pump systems, for example, and not by way of limitation, those pumps and systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,257,354; 4,295,366; 4,527,959; 5,616,009; 4,242,057; 4,676,724; 5,823,093; 5,960,700; 5,059,101; 5,253,987; and in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/833,921 filed Apr. 28, 2004 (all said U.S. references incorporated fully herein for all purposes).

[0005] A drill bit carried at an end of a drillstring is rotated to drill a wellbore in the earth. Certain drillstrings include tubulars which may be drill pipe made of jointed sections or a continuous coiled tubing and a drilling assembly that has a drill bit at its bottom end. The drilling assembly is attached to the bottom end of the tubing or drillstring. In certain systems, the drill bit is rotated by a downhole mud motor carried by the drilling assembly and/or by rotating the drill pipe (e.g. with a rotary system, power swivel, or with a top drive system). A drilling fluid, also referred to as "mud," is pumped by a pump or pumps ("mud pumps") into the drillstring under pressure from a pit or container at the surface by a pumping system at the surface.

[0006] Certain prior, known mud pumps and mud pump systems have relatively complex, relatively large, and relatively heavy drive systems with typical connecting rods, eccentric shafts, belts, pulleys, chains and sprockets, gears and/or other speed reduction apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, an apparatus for use on a drilling rig which has a driven shaft driven by an AC motor which is directly connected to the driven shaft for operation of the apparatus. The AC motor is directly connected to the driven shaft without the use of intermediate apparatus such as a gear system, a speed reduction system, or a torque multiplier. The motor (or motors) used for this direct drive is an AC motor; in certain particular aspects a permanent magnet motor; in certain particular aspects an axial field permanent magnet motor; in certain more particular aspects a printed circuit board motor; in certain aspects, an AC axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc. and, in certain aspects, a Model 6100 or Model 7500 AC axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc. The AC motor (or motors) can be fluid cooled, e.g. with air, nitrogen, liquid, water, or another heat exchange liquid.

[0008] The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses systems for pumping fluid, the systems including: a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section; the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for operating the at least one pump; motor apparatus which is at least one AC motor; and the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft. In particular aspects the fluid is drilling fluid and the system is for pumping the drilling fluid with respect to a wellbore in earth, e.g. to remove cuttings and/or to power a downhole motor.

[0009] The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a fluid pumping system, also known as a mud pump system (in certain particular aspects a drilling fluid pumping system), for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid or mud used in wellbore operations). In certain aspects an AC motor (or motors) operates a pump apparatus to pump the fluid. In certain aspects of systems according to the present invention in which one or more AC (alternating current) motors applies power directly, increased efficiencies are possible, inefficiencies associated with non-direct drive systems are eliminated, overall size and space requirements are reduced, and/or overall system weight is reduced.

[0010] In certain aspects the motor (or motors) used for direct drive is an AC motor; in certain particular aspects a permanent magnet motor; in certain particular aspects an axial field permanent magnet motor; in certain more particular aspects a printed circuit board motor; and, in one aspect, a Model 6100 axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc. The AC motor (or motors) can be fluid cooled, e.g. with air, nitrogen, liquid, water, or another heat exchange liquid.

[0011] A mud pump system according to the present invention may have one, two to ten, or more mud pump apparatuses, each with an AC motor directly connected to a mud pump system shaft according to the present invention. In one aspect, the present invention discloses a system for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid), the system having pump apparatus with a pumping section and a motor section with one or more AC motors, the pumping section having a main shaft and an inlet and an outlet, the motor directly connected to the mainshaft of the pumping section to alternately suck fluid into the inlet and pump fluid out the outlet, the shaft in a reciprocating motion, e.g., but not limited to, vertically or horizontally; and methods for using such a system.

[0012] Optionally, in any system according to the present invention, a mechanical speed reduction apparatus or device can be used between a motor output (e.g. a motor shaft) and a pump system power input (e.g. a pinion shaft of a pump apparatus), i.e. without directly connecting the motor shaft to the pump system pinion shaft.

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance fluid pumping technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide:

[0015] New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious fluid drilling rig apparatuses and methods of their use, the drilling apparatuses having an AC motor directly connected to a driven shaft without the use of intermediate gear systems, speed reducing systems, or torque multipliers; and

[0016] New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious fluid pumping systems, methods of their use, drilling systems and methods, and mud pump systems for use in drilling operations; and

[0017] Such systems and methods which employ an AC motor directly connected to a pumping section shaft.

[0018] Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention described below and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems and needs in this area and provides a solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description of certain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claim this invention no matter how others may later attempt to disguise it by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

[0020] The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this invention. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in any way.

[0021] It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view, partially cutaway, of a system according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a pump system according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2B is a side view of part of the pump system of FIG. 2A.

[0026] FIG. 2C is a side view of part of the pump system of FIG. 2A.

[0027] FIG. 2D is a top view of part of the pump system of FIG. 2A.

[0028] FIG. 3A is a side view partially cutaway away of part of the system of FIG. 2A.

[0029] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 3A.

[0030] FIG. 3C is a cross-section view along line B-B of FIG. 3A.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of part of the pump system of FIG. 2A.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, partially schematic, of a system according to the present invention.

[0033] Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are described below and some are set out in the dependent claims. Any combination of aspects and/or features described below or shown in the dependent claims can be used except where such aspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention or the appended claims. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0034] As used herein and throughout all the various portions (and headings) of this patent, the terms "invention", "present invention" and variations thereof mean one or more embodiment, and are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular appended claim(s) or all of the appended claims. Accordingly, the subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically or necessarily part of, or required by, any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The system 500 shown in FIG. 1 includes a derrick 502 from which extends a drillstring 504 into the earth 506. The drillstring 504, as is well known, can include drill pipes and drill collars. A drill bit 512 is at the end of the drillstring. A rotary system 514, top drive system 526, and/or a downhole motor 532 ("fluid motor", "mud motor") may be used to rotate the drillstring 504 and the drill bit 512. A typical drawworks 516 has a cable or rope apparatus 518 for supporting items in the derrick 502. A mud pump system 522 with one, two, three-to-ten, or more mud pumps 521 according to the present invention supplies drilling fluid 524 to the drillstring 504. Drilling forms a wellbore 530 extending down into the earth 506. Each mud pump system 521 has at least one AC motor 523 directly connected to a main drive pinion shaft of the pump system (any disclosed herein for systems according to the present invention). In certain aspects, the system 522 has two such motors, one on each end of a system main pinion shaft and directly connected to the pinion shaft.

[0036] During drilling, the drilling fluid 524 is pumped by pump(s) 521 of the mud pump system 522 into the drillstring 504 (thereby operating a downhole motor 532 if such an optional motor is used). Drilling fluid 524 flows to the drill bit 512, and then flows into the wellbore 530 through passages in the drill bit 512. Circulation of the drilling fluid 524 transports earth and/or rock cuttings, debris, etc. from the bottom of the wellbore 530 to the surface through an annulus 527 between a well wall of the wellbore 530 and the drillstring 504. The cuttings are removed from the drilling fluid 524 so that it may be re-circulated from a mud pit or container 528 by the pump(s) of the mud pump system 522 back to the drillstring 506. A control system CS (any suitable known mud pump system control system and/or system with control apparatus for controlling motors directly connected to a main pinion shaft of a mud pump system and in certain aspects a control system for controlling axial field permanent magnet motors and printed circuit board motors) controls the mud pump system.

[0037] FIGS. 2A-2D and FIGS. 3A-3C show a system 10 (or parts thereof) according to the present invention for pumping mud (drilling fluid), e.g. as in a drilling operation as shown in FIG. 1. A pump system 20 has one or a plurality of pumps mounted on a base 12 driven by motors 30 (any AC motor disclosed herein for systems according to the present invention). As discussed in detail below, the pump(s) of the pump system 20 have a main drive pinion and the motors 30 are each directly connected to a main drive pinion.

[0038] Each motor 30 is connected to a main drive pinion shaft 32 which is rotated by the motors 30. The shaft 32 moves in bearings 38. The main drive pinion shaft 32 has a gear 34 which meshes with and drives a bull gear 52 of a pump drive mechanism 50. The gear 52 is connected to a crank shaft 54. The crank shaft 54 projects into and is connected to reciprocating members 56 (one per pump). Rotation of the shafts 54 results in reciprocating motion (left-to-right-to-left as viewed in FIG. 3A) of an end 57 of the members 56. This motion reciprocates pump shafts 58 which provide the pumping action of the pumps 20. As shown the system 10 has three pumps 20; but systems according to the present invention may have one, two, three, four or more pumps. The shafts 58 are connected to crossheads 59 which are movable within a housing 61. The crank shaft 54 moves in bearings 63 covered by caps 65.

[0039] In one particular aspect, the fluid end FE of the system 10 has three pumps (a "triplex pump" system) with six inlets and two outlets.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows one embodiments of a connection of a motor 30 to a system pinion shaft 32. According to the present invention the motor or motors may be directly connected to a system main pinion shaft with any suitable mechanical connection, device or structure, including, but not limited to: splined connection, keyed connection, tapered fit connection, friction fit connection, and/or bolted connection.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, an axial field permanent magnet motor 30a has a motor shaft 35 connected to a motor hub 31. The main pinion shaft 32 and the motor hub 31 have corresponding sizes and shapes for a friction fit connection. The motor hub 31 is bolted to the motor shaft 35. Cooling liquid enters the motor 30a through inlets 37 and exits through outlets 39. In one particular aspect the motor 30a is a Model 6100 water-cooled axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, an AC axial field permanent magnet motor 30b has a motor shaft MS connected to a motor hub MH. A main driven shaft DS of a rig apparatus RA and the motor hub MH have corresponding sizes and shapes for a friction fit connection. The motor hub MH is bolted to the motor shaft MS. Cooling liquid is used as with the motor shown in FIG. 4. The motor 30b is mounted to a mount (or mounts) 30c.

[0043] In one particular aspect the motor 30b is an AC water-cooled axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc. In one particular aspect the motor 30b is a Model 6100 water-cooled AC axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc. In one particular aspect the motor 30a is a Model 7500 water-cooled AC axial field printed circuit board permanent magnet motor from Core Motion, Inc. The motor 30b may be any AC motor referred to herein for systems according to the present invention. The rig apparatus RA is any drilling rig apparatus that has a driven shaft driven by a motor or shaft-like structure driven by a motor, the motor directly connected to the driven shaft (or shaft-like structure) and may be, but is not limited to, top drive, centrifugal pump, centrifuge, pump, shale shaker, rig thruster, drawworks, cuttings conveyance system, auger system, rotary table, power swivel, jacking system, multiplex pump, blower motor, hydrocyclone, lube pump, pipe handler, iron roughneck, generator, brake system, frequency conversion apparatus, cherry picker, and cathead.

[0044] In systems according to the present invention in which a motor shaft is directly connected to a pump system pinion shaft, mechanical speed reduction apparatus and torque multiplier apparatus (required by certain prior systems without such a direct drive connection) are eliminated, reducing size and weight of the overall system and reducing maintenance and repair requirements. Printed circuit board motors contribute significantly to size and weight reductions.

[0045] The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a system for pumping fluid having a pump apparatus with a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section with a body with an inlet and an outlet, the motor section for pumping fluid into the inlet and out the outlet, and the motor being a direct drive AC motor which, in certain aspects, is a permanent magnet motor, an axial field permanent magnet motor, and/or a printed circuit board motor.

[0046] The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a system for pumping fluid, the system including: a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section; the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for operating the at least one pump; motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor; and the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft. Such a system according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: wherein the fluid is drilling fluid and the system is for pumping the drilling fluid with respect to a wellbore in earth; wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section; wherein the at least one AC motor is a plurality of motors, each motor of the plurality of motors directly connected to the main pinion shaft of the pumping section; wherein the at least one AC motor is a permanent magnet motor; wherein the permanent magnet motor is an axial field permanent magnet motor; wherein the permanent magnet motor is a printed circuit board motor; wherein the at least one AC motor is connected to the main pinion shaft with a mechanical connection; wherein the at least one AC motor has a motor shaft secured to a motor hub and wherein the mechanical connection comprises a friction fit between the motor hub and the main pinion shaft; wherein the at least one AC motor is water cooled; and/or a control system for controlling the system for pumping fluid.

[0047] The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a system for pumping fluid, the system including: motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor; a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section; the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for transferring powered motion to the at least one pump from the motor apparatus; the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft; wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section; wherein the at least one AC motor is a plurality of motors, each motor of the plurality of motors directly connected to the main pinion shaft of the pumping section; wherein the motors are axial field permanent magnet AC motors; and wherein each motor is connected to the main pinion shaft with a mechanical connection.

[0048] The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a method for pumping fluid, the method including: sucking fluid into an inlet of a pumping section of a pump system, the pump system having a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for the at least one pump, motor apparatus which is at least one AC motor, and the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft; and with the pump apparatus, pumping fluid out the outlet. Such a method according to the present invention may have one or some (in any possible combination) of the following: wherein the fluid is drilling fluid and the method includes pumping drilling fluid with respect to a wellbore in the earth; pumping the drilling fluid into the wellbore to run a fluid motor located in the wellbore; transporting material from the wellbore with pumped fluid; the pump apparatus including a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section, and the at least one AC motor is a plurality of motors, each motor of the plurality of motors directly connected to the main pinion shaft of the pumping section; wherein the permanent magnet motor is an axial field permanent magnet motor; cooling the at least one AC motor with liquid; and/or controlling the pump system with a control system.

[0049] The present invention, therefore, provides in at least some embodiments, a drilling rig apparatus with a main shaft (this term here includes apparatus with shaft-like structure that is rotated) for providing rotative motion for operation of the drilling rig apparatus, motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor, and at least one AC motor directly connected to the main shaft. In certain aspects in such a drilling rig apparatus the motor apparatus is from the group including AC permanent magnet motor, AC axial field permanent magnet motor, and AC printed circuit board axial field permanent magnet motor; and the drilling rig apparatus is from the group including top drive, centrifugal pump, centrifuge, pump, shale shaker, rig thruster, drawworks, cuttings conveyance system, auger system, rotary table, power swivel, jacking system, multiplex pump, blower motor, hydrocyclone, lube pump, pipe handler, brake system, generator, frequency conversion apparatus, iron roughneck, cherry picker, crane, winch, utility winch, cable handling winch, manrider winch, coil tubing unit, and wireline unit, and cathead.

[0050] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention, embodiments disclosed herein, and those covered by the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. Changes are possible within the scope of this invention and it is further intended that each element or step recited in any of the following claims is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in .sctn. 102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in .sctn. 103. This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with all of the requirements of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112. The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine the scope of their invention and of the claims as they may pertain to apparatus not materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

Claims

1. A system for pumping fluid, the system comprising a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for operating the at least one pump, motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor, and the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid is drilling fluid and the system is for pumping the drilling fluid with respect to a wellbore in earth.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one AC motor is a plurality of motors, each motor of the plurality of motors directly connected to the main pinion shaft of the pumping section.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one AC motor is a permanent magnet motor.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the permanent magnet motor is an axial field permanent magnet motor.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the permanent magnet motor is a printed circuit board motor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one AC motor is connected to the main pinion shaft with a mechanical connection.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one AC motor has a motor shaft secured to a motor hub and wherein the mechanical connection comprises a friction fit between the motor hub and the main pinion shaft.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one AC motor is water cooled.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control system for controlling the system for pumping fluid.

12. A system for pumping fluid, the system comprising motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor, a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for transferring powered motion to the at least one pump from the motor apparatus, the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft, wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section, wherein the at least one AC motor is a plurality of motors, each motor of the plurality of motors directly connected to the main pinion shaft of the pumping section, wherein the motors are axial field permanent magnet AC motors, and wherein each motor is connected to the main pinion shaft with a mechanical connection.

13. A method for pumping fluid, the method comprising sucking fluid into an inlet of a pumping section of a pump system, the pump system comprising a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having at least one pump, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet, and a main pinion shaft for the at least one pump, motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor, and the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main pinion shaft, and with the pump apparatus, pumping fluid out the outlet.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the fluid is drilling fluid and the method further comprising pumping drilling fluid with respect to a wellbore in the earth.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising pumping the drilling fluid into the wellbore to run a fluid motor located in the wellbore.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising transporting material from the wellbore with pumped fluid.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section, and the at least one AC motor is a plurality of motors, each motor of the plurality of motors directly connected to the main pinion shaft of the pumping section.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising controlling the pump system with a control system.

19. A drilling rig apparatus comprising a main shaft for providing rotative motion for operation of the drilling rig apparatus, motor apparatus comprising at least one AC motor, and the at least one AC motor directly connected to the main shaft.

20. The drilling rig apparatus of claim 19 wherein the motor apparatus is from the group including AC permanent magnet motor, AC axial field permanent magnet motor, and AC printed circuit board axial field permanent magnet motor; and the drilling rig apparatus is from the group including top drive, centrifugal pump, centrifuge, pump, shale shaker, rig thruster, drawworks, cuttings conveyance system, auger system, rotary table, power swivel, jacking system, multiplex pump, blower motor, hydrocyclone, lube pump, pipe handler, iron roughneck, cherry picker, generator, brake system, frequency conversion apparatus, and crane, winch, utility winch, cable handling winch, manrider winch, coil tubing unit, wireline unit, and cathead.