US3854064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical seal isolator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-10
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical seal isolator is provided in a submergible pump installation for protecting a mechanical seal from well fluid. The mechanical seal, which prevents well fluid from passing along a shaft to an oil-filled electric motor, may be located at the top of an oil-containing motor protector which is positioned between the pump and the motor or at the top of the motor itself. The mechanical seal isolator is interposed between the seal to be protected and the pump and contains a fluid of greater density than the well fluid and the oil in the protector or the motor and of sufficient quantity to surround and extend over the mechanical seal under all operating conditions of the motor.
Inventors
- 👤 C Dunbar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:32
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K5/00; H02K5/04; H02K5/12; H02K5/132; F; F04; F04D; F04D13/00; F04D13/02; F04D13/06; F04D13/08; F04D13/10; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a submergible pump installation, a rotary pump having a pump shaft section, means including an oil-filled electric motor for driving said pump, said driving means having a shaft section provided with a mechanical seal for preventing the pumped fluid from passing therethrough to said motor, and a mechanical seal isolator comprising a housing interposed between said driving means and said pump and having a shaft section connecting said shaft section of said pump to said shaft section of said driving means, said housing having a chamber therein communicating with said seal adjacent to one end of the housing, said chamber containing a fluid of greater density than said fluid to be pumped and said oil, said greater density fluid being in surrounding contact with said mechanical seal under all operating conditions of said motor, irrespective of the expansion and contractioN of the oil in said motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a submergible pump installation, a rotary pump having a pump shaft section, means including an oil-filled electric motor for driving said pump, said driving means having a shaft section provided with a mechanical seal for preventing the pumped fluid from passing therethrough to said motor, and a mechanical seal isolator comprising a housing interposed between said driving means and said pump and having a shaft section connecting said shaft section of said pump to said shaft section of said driving means, said housing having a chamber therein communicating with said seal adjacent to one end of the housing, said chamber containing a fluid of greater density than said fluid to be pumped and said oil, said greater density fluid being in surrounding contact with said mechanical seal under all operating conditions of said motor, irrespective of the expansion and contractioN of the oil in said motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said chamber communicates with said pump adjacent to the end of the said housing which is opposite said one end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
An installation in accordance with claim 2, wherein said housing of said mechanical seal isolator has bearing means disposed adjacent to the ends thereof for supporting the associated shaft section coaxially therewith, said bearing means having fluid passages associated therewith for conducting fluid in said chamber past said bearing means, and said shaft section in said housing having coupling means at the ends thereof for coupling the last-mentioned shaft section to the shaft sections of said pump and said driving means, said housing having means for connecting the same to said pump and to said driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises an oil-containing motor protector interposed between said motor and said isolator, said protector having a housing with said seal located in a top portion thereof, said protector having a chamber therein with an upper end below said seal, said protector having a conduit extending from a point above said seal to a point in said protector chamber adjacent to the lower end thereof and having a passage for introducing oil at a point in said protector chamber adjacent to the upper end thereof when the oil in said motor expands, said greater density fluid filling said conduit and occupying a portion of said protector chamber adjacent to said lower end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said motor has a housing with said seal located in a top portion thereof, said seal isolator having the lower end of its housing connected to the upper end of the motor housing, said motor having breathing diaphragm means for accommodating expansion and contraction of the oil in said motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An installation in accordance with claim 5, said pump having a housing with a chamber at the lower end connected to the upper end of the seal isolator chamber and containing said greater density fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An installation in accordance with claim 6, wherein said pump has breathing diaphragm means for accommodating expansion and contraction of said greater density fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An installation in accordance with claim 1, wherein said isolator has a tube surrounding the shaft section of said isolator to prevent agitation of said greater density fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |