Patent ID: 11939991
Assignee: OIL TOOL SOLUTIONS, INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  E | IPC E  F

Claim 10:
11. A method for protecting a submersible pump, comprising:
connecting a tubular housing having a single flow path formed therethrough to a first end of a downhole pump assembly, the tubular housing, comprising:
a shaft centrally located within the housing, forming an annulus between the shaft and the housing;
a plurality of helically shaped shelves disposed about the shaft within the annulus, wherein the shelves are longitudinally spaced from one another and each shelf provides a surface for supporting and collecting sand or other solids within the tubular housing; and
a restrictor assembly disposed at one end of the tubular housing, the restrictor assembly configured to allow fluid flow through the housing in a first direction and only partially restrict flow through the housing in an opposite, second direction.