U.S. patent application number 12/413243 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for multi-phase conductor shoe for use with electrical submersible pump.
This patent application is currently assigned to Baker Hughes Incroporated. Invention is credited to Kevin R. Bierig, Steven K. Tetzlaff, Joseph Scott Thompson.
Application Number | 20100243263 12/413243 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42782706 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100243263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tetzlaff; Steven K. ; et
al. |
September 30, 2010 |
Multi-Phase Conductor Shoe For Use With Electrical Submersible
Pump
Abstract
A system for producing wellbore fluids. The system includes a
pumping system deployable into tubing disposed in a wellbore, the
pumping system includes a pump, a pump motor, a reservoir for
containing purging fluid, and conductors in electrical
communication with the pump motor. Electrical supply contacts in
the tubing are connected to a downhole electrical power supply via
a power cable extending along the tubing length from the surface.
The conductors are engageable with the electrical supply contacts
when the pumping system is landed within the tubing. Purging fluid
in the reservoir can be flowed between the conductors and the
supply contacts to remove conductive fluid prior to engaging the
conductors and supply contacts. The conductors are selectively
extended from a retracted position in the pumping system.
Inventors: |
Tetzlaff; Steven K.;
(Owasso, OK) ; Bierig; Kevin R.; (Tulsa, OK)
; Thompson; Joseph Scott; (Owasso, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
P.O. Box 61389
Houston
TX
77208-1389
US
|
Assignee: |
Baker Hughes Incroporated
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
42782706 |
Appl. No.: |
12/413243 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/369 ;
166/66.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/128 20130101;
E21B 17/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/369 ;
166/66.4 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/00 20060101
E21B043/00 |
Claims
1. A system for producing fluids from a hydrocarbon producing
wellbore comprising: a string of tubing disposed within the
wellbore; a receptacle adapted for connection to the string of
tubing lower end; supply contacts in the receptacle connected to an
electrical source; a pumping system deployable through the tubing
having, a pump with fluid inlets and a pump motor mechanically
coupled to the pump; a deployed assembly provided with the pumping
system selectively engageable with the annular receptacle, the
deployed assembly having a volume of purging fluid selectively
dischargable from the deployed assembly to a space around the
contacts; and conductors provided with the deployed assembly that
are in electrical communication with the pump motor.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the conductors are selectively
extendable from a retracted position into contact with the supply
contacts, so that the pump motor is energizable by the electrical
source by contacting the conductors with the supply contacts.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a retaining member
circumscribing the conductors, the member formed so that a
retaining force is applied to the conductors directed radially
inward.
4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a sleeve axially
slideable from a first position having a first portion in
mechanical contact with a conductor to a second position having a
second portion in mechanical contact with a conductor, wherein the
second portion thickness is greater than the first portion to
thereby push the conductor radially outward.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power cable in the
wellbore on the tubing outer circumference connected on one end to
the electrical source, and supply leads that extend from the other
end of the power cable to the supply contacts.
6. The system of claim 2, further comprising a profiled channel on
the deployed assembly outer surface registerable with a key on the
receptacle inner circumference that orients the deployed assembly
when it is landed within the tubing so that the conductors are
aligned with the supply contacts.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir in the
deployed assembly containing the purging fluid, a piston
selectively moveable in the reservoir, an elongated piston rod
extending from the piston, a fluid flow path from the reservoir
having an exit directed beneath the deployed assembly, and a
plunger on the end of the piston rod opposite the piston.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a selectively openable
conduit extending between the purging fluid and the ESP system
internal pressure.
9. A wellbore production system comprising: a pumping system having
a pump with fluid inlets, a pump motor mechanically coupled to the
pump, a housing mechanically coupled to an end of the motor
opposite the pump, and conductors on the housing in electrical
communication with the pump motor; a string of tubing disposed
within the wellbore configured to receive the pumping system
therein; electrical supply leads on the tubing inner circumference
in electrical communication with an electrical source and in
selective electrical communication with the contacts when the
pumping system is landed in the tubing; and a fluid reservoir in
the housing having non-conductive purging fluid, the reservoir in
selective communication with the housing outer surface, so that
selectively flowing the purging fluid from the fluid reservoir
between the contacts and the electrical supply leads purges
electrically conductive fluid away from the contacts and the
electrical supply leads.
10. The wellbore production system of claim 9, wherein the contacts
are selectively extendable from a retracted position in the pumping
system into contact with the supply leads.
11. The wellbore production system of claim 9, further comprising a
piston selectively movable into the reservoir, so that moving the
piston into the reservoir urges purging fluid out from the
reservoir.
12. A method of producing fluids from a hydrocarbon producing
wellbore comprising: providing within the wellbore tubing with an
attached receptacle in electrical communication with an electrical
power source; providing a pumping system with an attached deployed
assembly, the pumping system having a pump with fluid inlets and a
pump motor mechanically coupled to the pump, the deployed assembly
having non-conductive purging fluid stored therein; deploying the
pumping system and attached deployed assembly in the tubing;
purging a space between the deployed assembly and the receptacle by
discharging the non-conductive purging fluid stored in the deployed
assembly; and landing the deployed assembly into the
receptacle.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing conductors
on the deployed assembly in electrical communication with the pump
motor, providing supply contacts in the receptacle in electrical
communication with the electrical power source and orienting the
deployed assembly within the receptacle to align the conductors
with the electrical supply contacts.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising selectively
extending the conductors outward from a retracted position into
engagement with the supply contacts.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating the
electrical power source and pumping fluid through the pumping
system.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming a seal
between the deployed assembly and the receptacle when landing the
deployed assembly into the receptacle.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing the
pumping system includes deploying at least one member of the
pumping system on a first downhole deployment and at least another
member of the pumping system on a second downhole deployment.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to downhole pumping systems
submersible in well bore fluids. More specifically, the present
disclosure concerns lowering a submersible pump system through
tubing and connecting it electrically to an electrical receptacle
mounted in the tubing.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Submersible pumping systems are often used in hydrocarbon
producing wells for pumping fluids from within the wellbore to the
surface. These fluids are generally liquids and include produced
liquid hydrocarbon as well as water. One type of system used in
this application employs an electrical submersible pump (ESP). ESPs
are typically disposed at the end of a length of production tubing
and have an electrically powered motor. Often electrical power may
be supplied to the pump motor via a power cable. Normally, the
power cable is strapped to the tubing and lowered along with the
pump and the tubing. Typically, the pumping unit is disposed within
the well bore just above where perforations are made into a
hydrocarbon producing zone. ESP's typically require periodic
retrieval for scheduled maintenance or repair. This usually entails
removing the tubing and the power cable, which is secured alongside
the tubing. Pulling and re-running the tubing is time consuming and
pulling and reusing the power cable creates mechanical wear and can
sometimes damage the cable.
[0005] Lowering the pumping assembly inside the production tubing
would avoid a need for pulling the tubing to retrieve the pump.
Proposals have been made to run the power cable on the tubing
exterior and the pump in the tubing. The pump stacks into
engagement with electrical contacts provided on the power cable
lower end.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present disclosure includes a system for producing
fluids from a hydrocarbon producing wellbore, the system comprises
production tubing disposed within the wellbore, a pumping system
having a pump with fluid inlets, and a pump motor mechanically
coupled to the pump. The pumping system is deployable through the
production tubing. A conductor shoe is affixed within the
production tubing and configured to matingly couple with the
pumping system. Also included is an electrical power supply line
connected to a power source that connects with or otherwise engages
a conductor shoe. Half of a conductor set may be included with the
pumping system, where the conductors selectively extend outward as
the pumping system couples with the conductor shoe. Optionally,
conductors may be provided with the production tubing and
selectively extend inward. The deployable pumping system can
further include a supply of non-conducting fluid for purging the
space where electrical connections are made.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Some of the features and benefits of the present invention
having been stated, others will become apparent as the description
proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side partial sectional view of a receptacle
attached to production tubing.
[0009] FIG. 2 is sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the
receptacle of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5C are side section views of an assembly to be
deployed in the production tubing and receptacle.
[0013] FIGS. 6-8 are sectional views of the embodiments of FIGS.
5A-5C.
[0014] FIGS. 9A and 9B are side partial sectional views of the
assembly landing in the receptacle.
[0015] FIGS. 10A and 10B are side partial sectional views of the
assembly landed in the receptacle.
[0016] FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views respectively from FIGS.
10A and 10B.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a side partial sectional view of the assembly
fully coupled with the receptacle in a wellbore.
[0018] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0019] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth
herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout. For the convenience in referring
to the accompanying figures, directional terms are used for
reference and illustration only. For example, the directional terms
such as "upper", "lower", "above", "below", and the like are being
used to illustrate a relational location.
[0020] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or
embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents
will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings and
specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodiments
of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the
purpose of limitation. Accordingly, the invention is therefore to
be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
[0021] An example of an annular receptacle assembly 55 is shown in
partial cross sectional view in FIG. 1 connected to the production
tubing 54 lower end. Inlet passages 68 are shown formed through the
receptacle assembly 55 near its upper end. Keys 63 are affixed to
the receptacle assembly 55 inner circumference below the passages
68. The keys 63 are elongate members that jut out into the assembly
55 annulus with their elongate side aligned with the assembly 55
axis. The receptacle assembly 55 inner diameter reduces at a
transition 57 shown below the keys 63. A conductor assembly 56
(also referred to herein as a conductor shoe) is shown provided on
the receptacle assembly 55 lower end. The examples of the conductor
assembly 56 depicted includes an annular upper member 65 and a
lower member 67. The upper member 65 upper end is coaxially affixed
around the receptacle assembly 55 lower end. The upper member 65
lower end connects to the lower member 67.
[0022] An upper polished bore (PBR) 58 is shown formed within the
upper member 65 annulus and extending into the lower member 67
inner surface. The upper PBR 58 transitions to a smaller diameter
within the lower member 67, thereby defining a lower PBR 60. The
upper and lower PBRs 58, 60 may be polished to provide sealing
surfaces. Bore 61 coaxially extends downward from the lower PBR 60
through the lower member 67, the 61 is shown having a diameter less
than the lower PBR 60 diameter.
[0023] An electrical cable 66 is provided adjacent the receptacle
assembly 55. The electrical cable 66 connects on upper end to an
electrical power source (not shown) terminating at a compression
fitting 69 anchored onto the upper member 65. A detail is
illustrated in FIG. 3 depicting an example of cable 66 connections
to distribute power within the assembly 55. As shown, the cable 66
extends into a passage 72 formed in the upper member 65 and
parallel to its axis. The passage 72 intersects an annular cavity
74 formed through the upper member 65 circumference. Supply leads
64 extend from the cable 66 into the cavity 74.
[0024] FIGS. 1 and 3 include an example of electrically
distributing the power from the cable 66 within the receptacle
assembly 55. Shown is an annular sleeve retainer 76 is coaxially
provided within the upper member 65. The sleeve retainer 76 adjoins
the lower member 67 and the upper PBR 58 extends onto the sleeve
retainer 76 inner surface. The sleeve retainer 76 includes elongate
openings formed around its circumference formed to receive
electrical supply contacts 62 therethrough. The openings' elongate
sides are shown generally aligned with the sleeve retainer 76 axis
A.sub.X. Each contact 62 includes a recessed lip 78 around its
periphery that exceeds the respective openings' dimensions. When
the contacts 62 are aligned coplanar with the openings, the lips 78
contact the openings' outer edge. While, as shown, the contact 62
can be restrained in place by the lip 78 and opening size
difference, the contacts' 62 thicker midsection can extend radially
inward past the contactor assembly 56 inner circumference. In the
embodiment shown, the sleeve retainer 76 includes a recess around
the opening edge that corresponds to the lip 72. Springs 80 are
also shown providing a force urging the contact 62 towards the
sleeve retainer 76 axis A.sub.X. An insulator 82 may be provided
between the sleeve retainer 76 and the upper member 65. The
insulator 82 may be pliable and formed from a non-conducting
material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The insulator 82 can
also be another non-conductive material in the thermoplastic
family.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the receptacle
assembly 55 of FIG. 1 taken along section line 2-2. Here three keys
63 are shown attached to the receptacle assembly 55 inner surface
by welds 37 and spaced substantially equidistance apart. However
the keys 63 can be affixed by any other suitable attachment means
and are not limited to the spacing shown. Although three keys 63
are shown protruding into the bore in FIG. 2, other numbers of keys
63 could be included with the device shown herein.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the coupling adapter
56 of FIG. 3 taken along section line 4-4. Three supply contacts 62
are illustrated substantially equidistant from one another; the
contacts 62 are not limited to this arrangement. Moreover, the
contacts 62 could also be disposed at different elevations within
the coupling adapter 56.
[0027] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a side partial sectional view of an
example of a deployed assembly 34 attached to the bottom end of an
electrical submersible pumping (ESP) system 20. The deployed
assembly 34 described herein includes a volume of a purging fluid,
a device or system to purge an area using the fluid, and a device
that couples with a tubing string. The fluid can be used for
purging an area free of unwanted fluid, and is preferably
non-conductive. Dielectric fluid is an example of a purging fluid
suitable for the system and method disclosed herein. The fluid can
be any media and can include dielectric grease, a mixture of
fluids, solvent, and a combination of these alternatives. Shown in
FIG. 5A is a generally cylindrically shaped conductor adapter head
35 provided on the deployed assembly 34 upper end. The adapter head
35 bolts to the lower end of a motor 22 from the ESP system 20.
Electrical connectivity to the motor 22 is provided by a motor
electrical receptacle 85 shown connected to a motor lead line 84.
The receptacle 85 is anchored in an insulator block 87 within a
cavity formed on the adapter head 35 upper end. An optional passage
(not shown) can be included through the block 87 to allow for
pressure equalization between the motor 22 and the deployed
assembly 34. A check valve may be included within the passage. A
motor electrical connection pin 23 which extends from the motor 23
is shown inserted within the receptacle 85.
[0028] The adapter head 35 includes profiled channels 36 on its
outer surface shown having decreasing width from their respective
openings to about the channels' 36 midpoint; upward from their
midpoints, the channels' 36 width remains substantially constant.
An upper reservoir 92 is housed within the adapter head 35 and
shown filled with a purging fluid 41. Port 90 communicates the
upper reservoir 92 with the reservoir 40. A sectional view of the
adapter head 35 taken along section line 6-6 from FIG. 5A is
provided in FIG. 6. This view depicts three profiled channels 36 in
a section having a constant width. Also shown are the motor lead
lines 84 exiting ports 94 formed in a bulkhead 88 (FIG. 5A)
provided at the adapter head 35 lower terminal end. The bulkhead 88
shown also includes an orifice 90 formed axially therethrough
roughly at its midsection.
[0029] The adapter head 35 lower end coaxially attaches to a
housing 38 covering the deployed assembly's 34 mid portion. A
reservoir 40 is shown coaxially provided within the housing 38
coupled to the bulkhead 88 on its upper end. Purging fluid 41 is
stored in the reservoir 40 communicatable to the upper reservoir 92
through the orifice 90. An annular space 86 is shown formed in the
housing 38 wall and oriented generally parallel to the housing 38
axis. The annular space 86 registers with the port 94 at its upper
end.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5B, the motor lead line 84 exits the
annular space's 86 bottom end into a passage 83 formed in a rod
guide 50. The passage 83 upper end registers with the annular space
86 bottom and the passage 83 lower end terminates at the rod guide
50 bottom. The lead line 84 emerges from the passage 83 into an
open space 93 in the housing 38 where it connects to a contact
assembly 44. The rod guide 50 is a generally annular member shown
coaxially affixed within the housing 38 and circumscribing the
upper portion of a piston rod 43. A piston 42 on the rod 43 upper
end is held in the lowermost portion of the reservoir 40. A bore 73
radially formed within the rod guide 50 registers with a groove 47
provided in the piston rod 43. A shear pin 49 inserted into the
bore 73 extends into the groove 47, thereby maintaining the rod 43
and piston 42 in place as shown. The piston rod 43 lower end
connects to a cylindrical plunger 48; a seal 77 is shown on the
plunger 48 outer periphery (FIG. 5C) configured for sealing
insertion into the lower PBR 60.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 7-7
from FIG. 5B. In this view multiple passages 83 are shown axially
formed in the rod guide 50, some of which include motor lead lines
84. As will be discussed in more detail below, passages 83 can
provide a flow path for the purging fluid 41 from the annular
spaces 86 to flow into the open space 93 below the rod guide 50.
Referring back to FIG. 5B, the contact assembly 44 includes a
conductor 46 connected to the motor lead line 84 and partially
housed in an insulating boot 45. A tapered sleeve 39 is provided
around the piston rod 43 where the boot 45 rests against the sleeve
39. The sleeve 39 cross section is frusto-conical, and thicker
below its contact area with the insulating boot 45.
[0032] Openings provided in the housing 38 are shaped to allow the
conductor 46 to protrude radially outward past the housing 38 outer
surface. As shown, the conductor 46 is retained within the space 93
by retaining springs 71 that circumscribe the piston rod 43 at the
upper and lower portions of the boot 45. FIG. 8 represents a
sectional view taken at lines 8-8, which is at two different
elevations on the housing 38. In FIG. 8, three contacts 46 with
their respective insulating boots 45 are depicted; with one shown
in a sectional view and the others in an overhead view spatially
showing a retaining spring 71 coupling with the insulating boots
45. The retaining spring 71 can comprise a c-ring.
[0033] Referring back to FIG. 5B, further illustrated is an
insulation base 79 attached to the housing 38 lower end; an opening
is axially formed through the base 79 that circumscribes the
tapered sleeve 39 lower end. A collar 52 is attached to the piston
rod 43 just below the tapered sleeve 39; the collar 52 upper end
also resides in the opening. A groove 51 circumscribing the sleeve
52 outer surface registers with a bore 81 radially formed in the
insulation base 79. A shear pin 53 is inserted through the bore 81
and into the groove 51, thereby further retaining the piston rod 43
in place. A passage 94 is formed through the insulation base 79
between the open space 93 and the base 79 lower end. A check valve
95 disposed in the passage 94 permits single direction flow from
the space 93.
[0034] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate in sectional view an embodiment
of the deployed assembly 34 being landed in the receptacle assembly
55. As shown, the plunger 48 is inserted within the lower PBR 60,
blocking flow through the bore 61. Further, the profiled channel 36
is above the key 63 and the conductor 46 is above the supply
contact 62. Fully coupling the deployed assembly 34 within the
receptacle assembly 55 involves mating the key 63 in the profiled
channel 36 and providing electrical contact between the conductor
46 and the supply contacts 62. Moreover, the space around the
supply contacts 62 should be washed free of debris and any
electrically conducting fluids purged away. This may be
accomplished by the purging fluid 41 supplied in the deployed
assembly 34.
[0035] After the deployed assembly 34 is lowered and the plunger 48
is forced into the lower PBR 60, the ESP system 20 and deployed
assembly 34 combined weight applies a force that overcomes the
shear pins' 49 resistive strength. The applied force shears the pin
49 thereby allowing piston rod 43 and piston 42 movement with
respect to the remaining components in the deployed assembly 34.
More specifically, the deployed assembly 34 slides downward over
the piston rod 43, which in turn pushes the piston 42 into the
reservoir 40. The moving piston 42 forces purging fluid 41 from the
reservoir 40, through the orifice 90 and port 94, and into the
annular spaces 86. Continued upward piston 42 movement ultimately
empties the fluid 41 from the reservoir 40 to fill and pressurize
the open space 93 below the annular spaces' 86 exits. After the
space 93 is filled with the purging fluid 41, the check valve 95
opens to allow flow through the passage 94 for purging wellbore
fluid from the coupling adapter 56. The purging fluid 41 density
exceeds wellbore fluid density, which forces the wellbore fluid
upward from within the coupling adapter 56 in the space between the
receptacle assembly 55 and the deployed assembly 34. As shown, the
shear pin 53 is sheared while the deployed assembly 34 is reaching
the final stage of landing within the receptacle assembly 55. This
occurs as the plunger 48 contacts the collar 52, which forces the
tapered sleeve 39 upward extending the combined boot 45 and
conductor 46 outward engaging/making contact with supply contact 62
in the final stages of the landing process.
[0036] Optionally, the check valve 95 may be configured to open at
a specific set pressure. The set pressure can be set based on
wellbore fluid pressure, on the space 93 pressure when
substantially filled with purging fluid 41, or another design
criterion. Establishing a suitable set pressure is within the scope
of those skilled in the art.
[0037] FIGS. 10A and 10B depict partial sectional views of the
deployed assembly 34 fully landed in the receptacle assembly 55. In
one example, a fully landed deployed assembly 34 has its weight
supported by the receptacle assembly 55, including the weight of an
associated ESP system 20. A fully landed deployed assembly 34 may
also be engaged by the receptacle assembly 55 to prevent deployed
assembly 34 rotation. A fully landed deployed assembly 34 may also
be oriented in a pre-selected azimuth within the receptacle
assembly 55, where a pre-selected azimuth aligns electrical
contacts in the deployed assembly 34 with electrical contacts in
the receptacle assembly 55.
[0038] FIGS. 10A and 10B provide an example of supporting the
deployed assembly 34 within the receptacle assembly 55 by engaging
the key 63 and the profiled channel 36. Alternatives exist having
multiple channels 36. Preferably the opening or openings on the
channel(s) 36 circumscribing the deployed assembly 34 are profiled
with sufficient width so a key 63 is engaged with an opening
irrespective of the assembly's 34 azimuthal orientation. After a
channel 36 opening engages a key 63, the profiled channel 36 angled
surface slides on the key's 63 upper surface, which rotates the
deployed assembly 34. The channel 36 slides on the key 63 until the
key 63 top is aligned with the constant width portion of the
profiled channel 36. At this point, the deployed assembly 34 drops
to insert the key(s) 63 into the constant width portion of the
profiled channel 36. The key 63 and channel 36 coupling locks the
deployed assembly 34 to prevent its rotation. FIG. 11 provides a
sectional example taken along line 11-11 from FIG. 10A depicting
key 63 and profiled channel 36 in full engagement. In this example,
shown are three keys 63 with corresponding profiled channels 36,
however the device presented herein is not limited to this number
and can include fewer or more. Additionally, strategic key 63 and
channel 36 placement provides a desired deployed assembly 34
orientation.
[0039] An example of electrically coupling the conductor 46 and
supply contact 62 is illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Orienting
the deployed assembly 34 can align the conductor 46 with the supply
contact 62. As noted above, a portion of the supply contact 62
extends radially inward past the sleeve retainer 76. The conductor
46 is moved radially outward into electrical contact with the
supply contact 62 by the tapered sleeve 39 being moved upward so
its thicker portion is behind the insulated boot 45. Moving the
piston rod 43 so the sleeve's 39 thicker portion is between the
insulating boot 45 and the piston rod 43 radially pushes the
conductor 46 outward into engaging contact with the supply contact
62. Electrically engaging the conductor 46 and the supply contact
62 provides a continuous path to flow electricity to the motor 22
from the power cable 66. FIG. 12 provides a sectional example taken
along line 12-12 from FIG. 10B depicting conductor 46 and the
supply contact 62 full engagement. In this example, shown are three
conductors 46 with corresponding supply contacts 62, however the
device presented herein can have other numbers of conductors 46 and
contacts 62.
[0040] The seal 77 between the plunger 48 and the lower PBR 60
retains the purging fluid 41 in the space between the deployed
assembly 34 and receptacle assembly 55. Retaining the purging fluid
41 in this space prevents the displaced fluid from returning to
within the coupling adapter 56, thereby isolating the conductor 46
and supply contact 62 from electrolytic fluid interference or other
contaminants. The sealing function between the plunger 48 and the
lower PBR 60 can occur as soon as these members are coupled.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 13, a side view example of the ESP
system 20 and attached deployed assembly 34 is depicted fully
landed within the receptacle assembly 55, which is illustrated in a
partial sectional view. As noted above, fully landing the deployed
assembly 34 within the receptacle assembly 55 anchors an associated
ESP system 20 against rotation so it can be operational. Further,
fully landing the deployed assembly 34 within receptacle assembly
55 provides electrical power for energizing the pump of the ESP
system 20. FIG. 13 illustrates formation fluid 13 (illustrated by
arrows) entering the well bore 5 from perforations 11 that extend
into the formation 9 through the casing 7. The fluid 13 can be
delivered for pumping to the pump 20 via the inlet passages 68 and
then onto pump inlets (not shown). Optional exit passages above the
pump may be include to allow for vapor escape from the tubing
54.
[0042] The present invention described herein, therefore, is well
adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages
mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for purposes
of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures
for accomplishing the desired results. For example, a supply of
purging fluid or media could be pressurized and sealed in a vessel
that is selectively opened to discharge the purging fluid.
Selectively opening could include opening a valve or rupturing the
vessel. Optionally, each ESP system 20 components can be installed
in separate downhole deployments. For example, the motor, seal
section, intake, and pump could be deployed individually, or in
combination, to allow flexibility of the system string
installation. These and other similar modifications will readily
suggest themselves to those skilled in the arts and are intended to
be encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed
herein and the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *