Spinner flowmeter with isolated bearings
US3934467A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1974 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In the representative embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, a well bore flowmeter is provided with a fluid-driven spinner which is uniquely mounted on the closed end of a hollow shaft that is coaxially disposed over a spindle and rotatably journalled thereon by one or more bearings located in the enclosed annular chamber defined between the shaft and the spindle. To protect the bearings, the chamber is filled with a lubricant and the chamber is communicated with the exterior of the flowmeter only by way of a multi-directional passage which effectively serves to block the entry of well bore debris as the flowmeter is operating. As a further protection for the bearings, one or more valve members are also preferably provided for blocking communication with the bearing chamber as the flowmeter is moved into and out of a well bore. These valve members are preferably actuated by the extension and retraction of a centralizer provided for centering the flowmeter as it is operated in a well bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.