Apparatus and method for preventing damage to a downhole pump impeller
US9631465B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P3/36
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for maintaining a downhole pump impeller of a geothermal downhole pump includes locating a line shaft to a selected depth, monitoring the depth of a lowermost distal end of the line shaft using a monitor positioned at a lowermost distal end of the line shaft, determining that the depth of the lowermost distal end of the line shaft has significantly changed, and taking a corrective action to return the depth of the lowermost distal end of the line shaft to the selected depth. The depth of the lowermost distal end is monitored by directing a beam of light emitted from a housing mounted on a outer portion of the downhole pump onto a plurality of reflective elements located on the line shaft distal end, and determining whether a receiver mounted in the outer portion receives light reflected from one of the plurality of reflective elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.