Torque absorber for submergible pumps

{
  "publication_number": "US3933012A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Torque absorber for submergible pumps",
  "abstract": "A compact torque absorber is provided to absorb the reaction torque of a submergible pump upon discharge tubing which supports the pump. The torque absorber comprises inner and outer tubular members having outwardly directed and inwardly directed interdigitated projections, respectively, which are spaced apart circumferentially for receiving torque absorbing elements therebetween, the tubular members being relatively rotatable to a limited extent. The outer member has an internal annular collar at one end through which the inner member extends and which supports a fluid seal. The projections of the outer member extend upwardly from the collar and carry a thrust ring upon their upper ends. An external annular collar of the inner member provides an annular shoulder spaced from the thrust ring. Ball bearings are provided between the thrust ring and the shoulder. Additional seals at the external collar of the inner member isolate the thrust bearing from the pumped fluid. A retainer ring prevents axial separation of the inner and outer members.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A torque absorber for a submergible pump or the like, comprising inner and outer cylindrical members relatively rotatable to a limited extent about a longitudinal axis, said outer member having an internal annular collar engaging the outer surface of said inner member, said inner member having an external annular collar engaging the inner surface of said outer member, said collars being spaced from each other, a thrust bearing between said inner and outer members in the space between said collars, said inner member having outwardly directed projections and said outer member having inwardly directed projections interdigitated with the projections of the inner member and spaced therefrom circumferentially of said inner and outer members, and torque absorbing elements located in the spaces between the adjacent projections of the inner and outer members, respectively.",
    "2. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 1, wherein said thrust bearing comprises a ring supported upon an end of the projections of one of said members, an annular bearing surface of one of said collars, and bearing elements between said surface and said ring.",
    "3. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 2, wherein said members are tubes of a discharge conduit and wherein said inner member extends through one end of said outer member for supporting the pump thereon.",
    "4. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 3, further comprising retainer means for preventing axial separation of said inner member relative to said outer member.",
    "5. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 4, wherein said retainer means comprises a ring fitting within mating circumferential grooves of said inner and outer members.",
    "6. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 5, wherein said groove of said inner member is defined between an end surface of said inner member and a shoulder of a further ring detachably connected to an end of said inner member.",
    "7. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 3, further comprising circumferential sealing means between said internal collar and the adjacent surface of said inner member.",
    "8. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 7, further comprising circumferential sealing means between said external collar and the adjacent surface of said outer member.",
    "9. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 8, wherein said outer member has means providing a sleeve within said inner member, with a circumferential seal therebetween.",
    "10. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 1, wherein said torque absorbing elements are resiliently compressible blocks.",
    "11. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 10, wherein said blocks have corrugated surfaces engaging said projections.",
    "12. A torque absorber for a submergible pump or the like, comprising inner and outer cylindrical tubular members forming a discharge conduit for said pump, one of said members having means for suspending said pump therefrom, said inner member having outwardly directed projections, said outer member having inwardly directed projections interdigitated with the projections of the inner member and spaced therefrom circumferentially of said inner and outer members, torque absorbing elements located in the spaces between the adjacent projections of the inner and outer members, respectively, said inner and outer members being relatively rotatable to a limited extent about their longitudinal axis, and fluid seal means between said members.",
    "13. A torque absorber in accordance with claim 12, wherein said inner member is adapted to be inserted into said outer member through one end thereof, said inner and outer members having mating thrust bearing surfaces and means for preventing separation of said members."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to torque absorbers and is particularly concerned with an improved torque absorber on the discharge tubing of a submergible pump.\n\nSubmergible pumps of the centrifugal type are commonly employed to pump oil or other liquids from wells, for example, and in one type of installation the pump and its rotary motor are supported upon tubing which constitutes the discharge conduit of the pump. The reaction torque associated with the turning of the rotor of the motor and the impeller of the pump tends to cause the tubing to turn about its axis, placing stresses upon one or more threaded tubing joints close to the pump. In order to minimize such stresses and to protect the joints, and for other reasons, particularly with short discharge tubing of insufficient length to absorb the reaction torque, it has been proposed to employ a motor torque-absorber as disclosed, for example, in the copending application of Zehren, Ser. No. 175,634, filed Aug. 27, 1971. The Zehren torque absorber employs a stack of torque absorbing rings which are held between annular plates extending externally of associated tubular members capable of limited relative rotation, the plates being loosely connected by bolts which adjust the pressure on the rings. There are occasions when it is desired to provide metal-to-metal thrust bearing surfaces, which are not provided in the Zehren device, and when it is necessary to provide a torque absorber of smaller diameter than the Zehren device without restriction of the discharge flow passage.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16D 3/68",
    "E21B 17/07",
    "Y10T 403/455"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E21B 17/07",
    "F16D 3/68"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "TRW Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Lewis A. Ketchum"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1973-07-13",
  "publication_date": "1976-01-20",
  "grant_date": "1976-01-20",
  "priority_date": "1973-07-13",
  "application_number": "US-37894773-A",
  "family_id": "23495191",
  "cited_by_count": 26,
  "citations": [
    "US2564826A",
    "GB760475A",
    "US2764003A",
    "US2849871A",
    "GB958116A",
    "US3183684A",
    "US3645114A"
  ]
}