Borehole Pump, Installation Procedure And Replacement Procedure

Abstract

A borehole pump including an eccentric screw pump with at least one stator and at least one rotor. The eccentric screw pump has, in its upper end region, in each case an upper sealing arrangement and, in its lower end region, in each case a lower sealing arrangement. The borehole pump includes a receiving housing having a lower sealing region and at least two upper sealing regions, wherein the eccentric screw pump is arranged in the receiving housing such that the lower sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to the lower sealing region of the receiving housing and such that the upper sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to one of the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing. An installation procedure for installation at a lower end of a riser pipe and a replacement procedure for replacing a borehole pump arranged at a lower end of a rise pipe are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A borehole pump comprising, an eccentric screw pump having at least one stator and at least one rotor; wherein the eccentric screw pump has, in its upper end region, in each case an upper sealing arrangement; wherein the eccentric screw pump has, in its lower end region, in each case a lower sealing arrangement; a receiving housings having a lower sealing region and at least two upper sealing regions; wherein the eccentric screw pump is arranged in the receiving housing such that the lower sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to the lower sealing region of the receiving housing and such that the upper sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to one of the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing.

2. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing are in each case at a defined distance from the lower sealing region, which is distinguished from one another.

3. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing are configured identically at least in part and in each case include a contact surface for an upper sealing arrangement that is arranged in the upper end region of the eccentric screw pump.

4. The borehole pump according to claim 3, wherein the upper sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is a lamellar elastomer sealing, such that a form- and/or force-fitting operative connection exists between the lamellar elastomer sealing and one of the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing.

5. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the receiving housing is arranged and fastened at a lower end of the riser pipe.

6. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the stator of the eccentric screw pump toward the top includes an extension, in particular an extension through a pipe, such that the upper sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is arranged at an upper end region of the extension.

7. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the lower sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump includes at least one sealing elements and first anchoring elements and such that the lower sealing region of the receiving housing includes a contact surface for the at least one sealing element arranged in the lower end region of the eccentric screw pump, as well as second anchoring elements, such that a form- and force-fitting operative connection is established between the first anchoring elements and the second anchoring elements.

8. The borehole pump according to claim 7, wherein the sealing element of the lower sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump is a lamellar elastomer sealing and such that the first anchoring elements are protruding hooks and such that the second anchoring elements are recesses, into which the first anchoring elements engage.

9. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric screw pump is replaceable.

10. The borehole pump according to claim 1, wherein the borehole pump can be equipped and operated with various eccentric screw pumps of various stator lengths.

11. A procedure for installing a borehole pump at a lower end of a riser pipe, said borehole pump comprising an eccentric screw pump with an upper sealing arrangement at an upper end region and a lower sealing arrangement at a lower end region, and a receiving housings having a lower sealing region and at least two upper sealing regions; such that the eccentric screw pump is arranged between the lower sealing region of the receiving housing and one of the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing; said installation including the following procedural steps: installation of the receiving housing at the upper end of the riser pipe; insertion of the eccentric screw pump with an upper sealing arrangement and a lower sealing arrangement through the riser pipe; and sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump inside the receiving housing between the lower sealing region and one of the at least two upper sealing regions.

12. A procedure for replacing a borehole pump arranged at a lower end of a riser pipe, said borehole pump comprising an eccentric screw pump with an upper sealing arrangement at an upper end region and a lower sealing arrangement at a lower end region, and a receiving housing having a lower sealing region and at least two upper sealing regions; such that the eccentric screw pump is arranged between the lower sealing region of the receiving housing and one of the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing; the replacement including the following procedural steps: de-installation of the eccentric screw pump from the receiving housing of the borehole pump; removal of the eccentric screw pump through the riser pipe; insertion of a new eccentric screw pump with an upper sealing arrangement and a lower sealing arrangement through the riser pipe; and sealing arrangement of the new eccentric screw pump inside the receiving housing between the lower sealing region and one of the at least two upper sealing regions.

13. The borehole pump according to claim 2, wherein the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing are configured identically at least in part and in each case include a contact surface for an upper sealing arrangement that is arranged in the upper end region of the eccentric screw pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention and their advantages are disclosed in greater detail with reference to the enclosed drawings. The size proportions of the individual elements in the drawings to one another do not always correspond to the true size proportions, because individual shapes are illustrated in simplified manner and other shapes are increased in size in proportion to other elements for the purpose of clearer demonstration.

[0033] FIGS. 1A through 1C each show components of two embodiments of an inventive borehole pump.

[0034] FIGS. 1D and 1E each show different embodiments of an inventive borehole pump.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a receiving housing of an inventive borehole pump.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through a first eccentric screw pump of an inventive borehole pump.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a first eccentric screw pump of an inventive borehole pump, which is arranged in the receiving housing.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a receiving housing of an inventive borehole pump analogous to FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a second eccentric screw pump of an inventive borehole pump.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through a second eccentric screw pump of an inventive borehole pump arranged in the receiving housing.

[0041] For identical, or identically acting, elements of the invention, identical reference numbers are used. In addition, for purposes of clarity, the individual drawings include only reference numbers that are required for the description of the particular drawing. The illustrated embodiments constitute only examples of how the inventive device or the inventive procedure can be configured and do not represent exclusive limitations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] FIGS. 1A through 1C each show components of two embodiments of an inventive borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b according to FIGS. 1D and 1E.

[0043] An inventive borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b comprises a receiving housing 10 (compare, in particular, FIG. 1A), that is arranged at the lower end of a pipe riser 20 situated inside a borehole. The receiving housing 10 comprises a lower sealing region 11 and at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2. The at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 are at a defined distance A from one another. The at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 are preferably identical in configuration and form contact surfaces 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 each comprise a smaller inner circumference or inside circumference than the other regions of the receiving housing 10.

[0044] According to an alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated, the region between the at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 can be configured as identical to the two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2, so that this middle region forms at least one additional contact surface and thus at least one additional upper sealing region. For example, the at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 and the region between them are formed by a continuous long pipe having a defined inner diameter or inner circumference, so that inside the tube a number of possible upper sealing regions make possible a high degree of variability in usable eccentric screw pumps 2, 2a, 2b of different lengths L.

[0045] An inventive borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b comprises, in addition, an eccentric screw pump 2. This can be, for example, a longer version of an eccentric screw pump 2a having a length La according to FIGS. 1B and 1 D, or else a shorter version of an eccentric screw pump 2b having a length Lb according to FIGS. 10 and 1E.

[0046] The eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b comprises in each case at least one stator 3, 3a, 3b and at least one rotor 4, 4a, 4b. In the case of an eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b having several stators 3, 3a, 3b and/or rotors 4, 4a, 4b, it is logical for them to be oriented axially flush with one another.

[0047] The eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b comprises at its upper end region 5 an upper sealing arrangement 6 and at a lower end region 7 that is situated opposite, a lower sealing arrangement 8.

[0048] In the inventive borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b, the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b is arranged in the receiving housing 10 in such a way that the lower sealing arrangement of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to the lower sealing region 11 of the receiving housing 10. In addition, the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to one of the at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 of the receiving housing 10.

[0049] The at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 of the receiving housing 10 are cylindrical in shape and each comprise a contact surface 16 for the upper sealing arrangement 6 that is arranged in the upper end region 5 of the respective eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b. In particular, the at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2, thanks to their inner wall, offer a smooth contact surface 16 for the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b. The upper sealing arrangement 6 preferably comprises a sealing element 61 in the form of a lamellar elastomer sealing 62 or the like, which seals off the pump body of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b from the receiving housing 10.

[0050] In the embodiment of a long pipe described above, which is not illustrated, the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b, depending on its respective length L, La, Lb, is assigned in a form- and/or force-fitting manner to one of the at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2 of the receiving housing 10 or else to the identically formed region situated between the two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2.

[0051] FIGS. 2 through 4 show various enlarged views of a first embodiment of a borehole pump 1, 1a according to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the receiving housing 10 of an inventive borehole pump 1, 1a. FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through a first long eccentric screw pump 2a of an inventive borehole pump 1a, and FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a first eccentric screw pump 2a of an inventive borehole pump 1a that is arranged in the receiving housing 10.

[0052] The receiving housing 10 consists of a number of essentially pipe-shaped segments, arranged axially with one another, which have an inner diameter that is at least slightly greater than a maximum outer diameter of the eccentric screw pump 2a. In the region of the at least two upper sealing regions 12-1, 12-2, the inner diameter is preferably reduced, to establish a form- and/or force-fitting operative connection between the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2a and the upper sealing region 12-1 of the receiving housing 10.

[0053] The first long eccentric screw pump 2a, shown in FIG. 3, has a length La, which corresponds essentially to the distance A1 between the lower sealing region 11 and the higher of the two upper sealing regions 12-1. In particular, the distance between the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2a and the lower sealing arrangement 8 corresponds to the distance A1 between the lower sealing region 11 and the higher of the two upper sealing regions 12-1.

[0054] The lower sealing arrangement 8 of the eccentric screw pump 2a comprises at least one sealing element 30 and first anchoring elements 31. The lower sealing region 11 of the receiving housing 10 comprises at least one contact surface 13 for the at least one lower sealing element 30 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, so that upon arranging the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a inside the receiving housing 10 in addition to the sealing already described above in the upper end region 5 a sealing operative connection is established between the lower sealing element 30 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a and the lower sealing region 11 of the receiving housing 10, so that the pump body of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a in the lower region of the receiving housing 10 is sealed off from the latter. Analogously to the upper sealing element 61 described above, the lower sealing element 30 of the lower sealing arrangement 8 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a can likewise be configured as a lamellar elastomer sealing 35, which seals off the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a from the contact surface 13 of the receiving housing 10.

[0055] It is also foreseen that second anchoring elements 14 are assigned to the lower sealing region 11 of the receiving housing 10 and establish a form- and force-fitting operative connection with the first anchoring elements 31 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a in order to hold the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a securely inside the receiving housing 10. For example, the first anchoring elements 31 are configured as catch hooks or pro-truding hooks 32 and the second anchoring elements 14 as corresponding recesses 15.

[0056] The catch hooks 32 engage in the recesses 15 and lock the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a inside the receiving housing 10. This serves to apply the necessary holding force in order to fix the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a securely in the receiving housing 10.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the anchoring elements 14, 31 stand in a breakable operative connection and can easily be separated from one another in a determined operating position of the borehole pump 1, 1a, in particular during a production standstill.

[0058] In the first embodiment of a borehole pump 1, 1a, illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a arranged in the receiving housing 10 comprises, in particular, a long stator 3a. This long stator 3a is constructed, for example, of elastomer and is used for preliminary drainage of the borehole, in particular before the conveying of oil begins. For long-term conveyance, however, it can be advantageous to employ a different stator, in particular a shorter corrosion-resistant all-metal stator 3b according to a second embodiment of a borehole pump 1, 1b, illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7. Replacing the eccentric screw pump 2a, 2b of a borehole pump 1a, 1b can be a simple matter, thanks to the breakable connection, as described above, between the receiving housing 10 and the respective eccentric screw pump 2a, 2b, without any need to dismantle the riser pipe 20.

[0059] FIGS. 5 through 7 present various enlarged views of a second embodiment of a borehole pump 1, 1b according to FIGS. 1A, 10 and 1E. FIG. 5, in particular, shows the receiving housing 10 of an inventive borehole pump 1, 1b. FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a second short eccentric screw pump 2b of an inventive borehole pump 1b, and FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through a second eccentric screw pump 2b of an inventive borehole pump 1b, arranged in the receiving housing 10.

[0060] The second short eccentric screw pump 2b, shown in FIG. 5, has a length Lb that essentially corresponds to the distance A2 between the lower sealing region 11 and the lower of the two upper sealing regions 12-2. In particular, the distance between the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2b and the lower sealing arrangement 8 corresponds to the distance A2 between the lower sealing region 11 and the lower of the two upper sealing regions 12-2.

[0061] In FIGS. 5 through 7 the same reference numbers are used as those used in FIGS. 2 through 4 for the same technical features, so that it becomes possible to dispense with repeated description of these features and instead reference can be made to the description of FIGS. 1 through 4.

[0062] Instead, with reference to FIGS. 5 through 7 in connection with FIGS. 1A through 1E, a procedure is described for installing a borehole pump 1, 1b inside a borehole, in particular at a lower end of a riser pipe 20 or a procedure for replacing a borehole pump 1, 1b arranged at a lower end of a riser pipe 20.

[0063] In the context of one of the first working steps for arranging the riser pipe 20 in the borehole, the receiving housing 10 of the borehole pump 1, 1b is fastened at the lower end of the riser pipe 20, for example, by means of a screw connection, a soldering connection or the like. From here on, the riser pipe is extended in segments and thereby is lowered into the borehole. Upon complete installation of the riser pipe 20 in the borehole, the eccentric screw pump 2, 2b is fastened on a pump rod (not illustrated) and lowered into the receiving housing 10 through the riser pipe 20. The eccentric screw pump 2, 2b is thus arranged in the receiving housing 10 in such a way that the upper sealing arrangement 6 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2b is assigned to the lower of the two upper sealing regions 12-2 of the receiving housing 10 in a sealing manner and that the lower sealing arrangement 8 of the eccentric screw pump 2, 2b is assigned to the lower sealing region 11 of the receiving housing 10 in a sealing manner.

[0064] In replacing a borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b arranged at a lower end of a riser pipe 20, in particular only the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b is separated from the receiving housing 10 of the borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b fastened at the lower end of the riser pipe 20 and removed through the riser pipe 20 by means of the pump rod. Thereafter a new eccentric screw pump 2, 2a, 2b is fastened on the pump rod, inserted through the riser pipe 20 and arranged in a sealing manner inside the receiving housing between the lower sealing region and one of the at least two upper sealing regions of the receiving housing.

[0065] Depending on whether the length of the eccentric screw pump corresponds to the distance between the lower sealing region and the first upper sealing region or else to the distance between the lower sealing region and the second upper sealing region, it can be necessary for the pump rod to be lengthened or shortened accordingly.

[0066] If a borehole pump 1, 1a had already been present in the borehole and is to be replaced by a borehole pump 1b, then at first only the eccentric screw pump 2, 2a of the borehole pump 1, 1a is released from the receiving housing 10 of the borehole pump 1, 1a fastened at the lower end of the riser pipe 20 and removed by means of the pump rod through the riser pipe 20. Thereafter, a new eccentric screw pump 2, 2b is fastened on the pump rod, inserted through the riser pipe 20 into the borehole and arranged in a sealing manner inside the receiving housing 10, thus forming a new borehole pump 1, 1a, 1b.

[0067] The embodiments, examples and variants of the forgoing paragraphs, the claims or the following description and drawings, including their various views or respective individual features, can be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable for all embodiments, provided the features are not incompatible. In addition, it is understood that, although a certain arrangement of the components is disclosed in the embodiment presented, other arrangements can make use of them.

[0068] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is possible, for a person skilled in the art, that variations or modifications of the invention can be made without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the following patent claims. It is possible to apply some of the components or features of one of the examples in combination with features or components of a different example.