Abstract:
This relates to an improved downhole hydraulic motor powered by a surface pump unit. The improved submersible hydraulic motor can comprise an engine. The hydraulically driven engine can be operable in a downhole environment. The engine can comprise an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port can be operable to receive a fluid from a surface pump unit, while the outlet port can be operable to emit said fluid from said engine.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to an improved downhole hydraulic motor powered by surface pump unit. 
         [0002]    Nowadays, electric motors are preferred device in powering a submersible pump system. Electric motor or artificial lift can be used to decrease the pressure at the bottom of a well. As such, this method can allow submersible pump system to increase liquid production. However, in some scenario where there is an excessive load, the load can cause electric motor to stop. In such scenario the electric conductor can burn, causing permanent damage to electric motor and wasting valuable time at a well site. Wherein when hydraulic motor is used, the motor can just stop without causing damage to hydraulic motor. Moreover in applications wherein submersible pump system can be exposed underwater, electric motor can be more expensive since electric motor needs to be sealed to operate in such condition. Furthermore, for other applications that can require extremely high torque, electric motors can be more bulky and costly because large number of windings can be needed for its operation. As such it would be useful to have an improved downhole hydraulic motor powered by surface pump unit. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This relates to an improved downhole hydraulic motor powered by a surface pump unit. The improved submersible hydraulic motor can comprise an engine. The engine can be operable in a downhole environment. The engine can comprise an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port can be operable to receive a fluid from a surface pump unit, while the outlet port can be operable to emit said fluid from said engine. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a submersible hydraulic motor. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates submersible hydraulic motor attached to a submersible pump unit. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates a surface pump unit. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates pressure system comprising a directional valve lever, a pressure gauge, a hydraulic motor and check valve, a temperature gauge, a vent valve, an ignition switch, an emergency actuator, and a screen. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  illustrates pumping unit connected to submersible pump unit. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  illustrates a submersible pump system comprising pumping unit, and submersible pump unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Described herein is a system and method for improved downhole hydraulic motor powered by surface pump unit. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a submersible hydraulic motor  100 . Submersible hydraulic motor  100  can comprise an engine  101 . Engine  101  can be an internal component of submersible hydraulic motor  100  that is capable of converting hydraulic pressure mechanical energy. In one embodiment, hydraulic motor  100  can be a Gerotor motor. Engine  101  can comprise an inlet port  103  and an outlet port  104 . Inlet port  103  and outlet port  104  can be placed at the surface of submersible hydraulic motor  100 . Inlet port  103  can be an opening that receives fluid from a pumping unit, while outlet port  104  can be an opening that transmits fluid from engine  101  to a pumping unit. In one embodiment, submersible hydraulic motor  100  can further comprise one or more sensors  102 . In this embodiment, sensor  102  can be connected below hydraulic motor  100 . Sensor  102  can be a device used for regulation and control of a hydraulic system. Sensor  102  can detect, measure or evaluate conditions of liquids, such as temperature, flow, or level. In such embodiment, sensor  102  can be connected to a power line or control line that can transmit the measurements and signal captured by sensor  102  to an operation center at the surface. Submersible hydraulic motor  100  can be designed to be compatible with different characteristics of a well such as dimensions, temperature, flow, and pressure. 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates submersible hydraulic motor  100  attached to a submersible pump unit  200 . Submersible pump unit  200  can be hermetically sealed. Submersible pump unit  200  can comprise a pipe  201 , a pump  202 , a gas separator  203 , and a connector engine-pump  204 . In one embodiment, pipe  201  can be a tree well head. In such embodiment, pipe  201  can comprise a tubing hanger  205 , and a pair of feed troughs  206 . Tubing hanger  205  can suspend a pair of production tubings  216  that connect to inlet port  103  and outlet port  104 . Feed throughs  206  can be conductors that are used to carry a signal to production tubings  216 . Pump  202  can be any kind of pump, which can include but is not limited to centrifugal pump, progressive cavity pump, or a gear pump. In a preferred embodiment, pump  202  can be a progressive cavity pump (PCP). Gas separator  203  can comprise a fluid inlet and flexible shaft  207 . Fluid inlet and flexible shaft  207  can connect the shaft of gas separator  203  to pump  202 . Further, pipe  201  can be connected to pump  202  through a coupling pipe  208 . A protective pipe  209  can be attached outside the junction of pipe  201  and pump  202 . Protective pipe  209  can protect the section where coupling pipe  208  is installed. Gas separator  203  can be capable of separating heavy liquids from the light gases. Gas separator  203  can be connected below pump  202 . Gas separator  203  can be covered with a protective seal  210 . Protective seal  210  can comprise a cushion chamber. Cushion chamber can be an internal component of protective seal  210  that can be installed in between hydraulic motor  100  and submersible pump unit  200 . Cushion chamber can allow hydraulic motor  100  to withstand axial thrust of pump  202 . Hydraulic motor  100  can be connected below submersible pump unit  200  through a mechanical coupling. Connector engine-pump  204  can connect hydraulic motor  100  with submersible pump unit  200 . Inlet port  103  and outlet port  104  can be connected to a connector. Connector can be attached at the outer surface of hydraulic motor  100 . Moreover, connector can connect hydraulic motor  100  and pipe  201  through a pair of pipings  213 . In one embodiment, motor adapter seal can be used to cover and protect pipings  213 . A plurality of steel clamps  215  can be used to secure pipings  213  across the surface of submersible pump unit  200 . A pair of production tubings  216  can be connected to feed troughs  206  of tubing hanger  205 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a surface pump unit  300 . Main components of surface pump unit  300  can comprise a storage tank  301 , a cooling system  302 , a piston pump  303 , and a pressure system  304 . Storage tank  301  can be used to store fluid, which can be used to provide power to engine  101  of submersible hydraulic motor  100 . Cooling system  302  can be capable of keeping the temperature of surface pump unit  300  from exceeding limits. Thus, cooling system  302  can prevent the overheating of surface pump unit  300 . Piston pump  303  can be used to move liquids or compress gases. Piston pump  303  can be a positive displacement pump such as a radial piston pump, or an axial piston pump. Pressure system  304  can be used to regulate source production by maintaining adequate flow rates and water pressure. 
         [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates pressure system  304  comprising a directional valve lever  401 , pressure gauge  402 , a hydraulic motor and check valve  403 , a temperature gauge  404 , a vent valve  405 , an ignition switch  406 , an emergency actuator  407 , and a screen  408 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates pumping unit  300  connected to submersible pump unit  200 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a submersible pump system comprising pumping unit  300 , and submersible pump unit  200 . Surface pump unit  300  can be used to mechanically lift liquid out of the well. Surface pump unit  300  can be placed above the surface while submersible pump unit  300  can be fully submerged in the fluid that needs to be pumped. Submersible pump unit  200  can be vertically placed under the surface and within a wellbore. Furthermore, submersible pump unit  200  can be connected to surface pump unit  300  through inlet port  103  and outlet port  104 . One end of inlet port  103  and outlet port  104  can be connected with engine  101  of submersible pump unit  200  while the other end of inlet port  103  and outlet port  104  can be connected to surface pump unit  300 . Outlet port  104  can return fluid to surface pump unit  300 , while inlet port  103  can transmit fluid to submersible hydraulic motor  100 . Submersible hydraulic motor  100  can be driven by surface pump unit  300 , which transmits fluid to engine  101  of submersible hydraulic motor  100  through pipe  201 . Thus, surface pump unit  300  controls submersible hydraulic motor  100 . Once turned on, submersible hydraulic motor  100  attached to submersible pump unit  200  can operate by pushing the liquid to the surface. 
         [0017]    Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”