Patent ID: 8616863
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: F04D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling the loading of bearings in a submersible pumping system comprising: providing a submersible pumping system comprising a pump section, a motor section, a shaft extending between the pump and motor sections, a housing around the shaft and the pump and motor sections; mounting at least one coaxial bearing in an annular space between the shaft and the housing, the coaxial bearing having a bore through which the shaft passes, the bore being coaxial with an axis of the shaft; mounting at least one lateral force bearing in the annular space, the lateral force bearing having a bore through which the shaft passes, the bore of the lateral force bearing having an axis offset from the axis of the shaft, and fixing the lateral force bearing so as to prevent any radial movement of the lateral force bearing relative to the shaft; and filling the motor section with a lubricant liquid, immersing the pump section in well liquid and operating the pumping system so that when the shaft rotates within the coaxial and lateral force bearings, a liquid film occurs between the bearings and the shaft, and a lateral force is generated against the shaft by the lateral force bearing, which is reacted by the coaxial bearing in an opposite direction to the lateral force to reduce vibration of the shaft.