Patent ID: 7828059
Filing Date: 2010-11-09
Classification: E21B,F04D

Abstract:
1. A downhole submersible pumping system disposable in a conduit comprising: an electrical submersible pump assembly having a rotary pump driven by a motor; and; a variable flow regulator disposed around the pump assembly, the flow regulator comprising a packer element having a circumference that is radially expansible, the flow regulator being positioned in the conduit to restrict fluid flow in the conduit past the circumference to an intake of the pump; an actuator cooperatively engaged with the packer element for selectively moving the packer element into a fully open position allowing a maximum fluid flow rate past the circumference to the intake, a partially closed position restricting fluid flow past the circumference to the intake to a fluid flow rate less than the maximum fluid flow rate; a sensor that senses at least one operating condition of the pumping system; and a control system that receives signals from the sensor and controls the actuator in response to the operating condition sensed to move the packer element between the fully open position and the partially closed position while the motor and pump are operating.