US 12,359,546 B2
Downhole centrifugal pumps including locking features and related components and methods
David Baillargeon, Broken Arrow, OK (US); Scott Asmussen, Broken Arrow, OK (US); and Michael Rumbaugh, Broken Arrow, OK (US)
Assigned to CHAMPIONX LLC, Sugar Land, TX (US)
Filed by CHAMPIONX LLC, Sugar Land, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,920.
Prior Publication US 2024/0229624 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/12 (2006.01); F04D 13/10 (2006.01); F04D 29/42 (2006.01); F04D 29/44 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/128 (2013.01) [F04D 13/10 (2013.01); F04D 29/426 (2013.01); F04D 29/448 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A downhole centrifugal pump comprising:
impellers;
a rotational shaft passing through the impellers to impart rotation to the impellers;
stationary diffusers housing the impellers, the stationary diffusers comprising radial sidewalls defining a radially outermost portion of each of the stationary diffusers, the radial sidewalls of adjacent stationary diffusers of the stationary diffusers being abutted at axial ends of the adjacent stationary diffusers;
an outer housing radially encompassing the impellers, the rotational shaft, and the stationary diffusers; and
coupling pins extending between and engaged with the radial sidewalls of each of the stationary diffusers, the coupling pins configured to at least partially transfer a rotational force applied to one or more of the stationary diffusers to the remaining stationary diffusers;
wherein an end diffuser of the stationary diffusers is coupled to an adjacent component to at least partially transfer the rotational force applied to the one or more of the stationary diffusers through the stationary diffusers to the adjacent component;
wherein the adjacent stationary diffusers each comprise complementary stepped surfaces on the axial ends of the radial sidewalls, the stepped surfaces of the adjacent stationary diffusers interlocking with one another at an interlocking portion; and
wherein each coupling pin of the coupling pins extends through both of the complementary stepped surfaces of two of the adjacent stationary diffusers at the interlocking portion; and wherein the complementary stepped surfaces are formed by a radially extending end surface of the radial sidewalls and an axially extending flange extending from the radially extending end surface.