US 12,421,997 B2
Retaining plate system for ESP motor radial bearing anti-rotation tab retention
Michael Rimmer, Frimley (GB)
Assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on May 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/203,900.
Prior Publication US 2024/0401447 A1, Dec. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/12 (2006.01); F04D 13/10 (2006.01); F16C 17/02 (2006.01); F16C 27/02 (2006.01); F16C 35/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 17/02 (2013.01) [E21B 43/128 (2013.01); F04D 13/10 (2013.01); F16C 27/02 (2013.01); F16C 35/02 (2013.01); F16C 2226/72 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly for an ESP motor, comprising:
a cylindrical motor element of the ESP motor;
a spring-loaded anti-rotation tab biased radially away from a surface of the cylindrical motor element;
a retaining groove; and
a cylindrical retaining plate with an open bore, wherein the retaining plate is configured to fit within the retaining groove and to affix the anti-rotation tab to the cylindrical motor element, while allowing radial movement of the anti-rotation tab between an extended position and a retracted position;
wherein the retaining plate comprises a ring portion, spanning a full circumference, which is configured to have a constant diameter throughout installation onto the cylindrical motor element.
 
4. A bearing bushing assembly for an electric submersible pump (ESP) motor, comprising:
a substantially cylindrical bearing bushing comprising:
a spring recess extending inward from an outer surface of the bearing bushing;
a tab axial slot in the outer surface of the bearing bushing, wherein the tab axial slot intersects the spring recess; and
a circumferential retaining groove in the outer surface of the bearing bushing, wherein the retaining groove intersects the tab axial slot;
an anti-rotation tab configured to fit and extend axially in the tab axial slot, the anti-rotation tab being radially slidable within the tab axial slot;
a biasing element configured to fit in the spring recess and to push radially outward on the anti-rotation tab in the tab axial slot; and
a cylindrical retaining plate with an open bore, wherein the retaining plate is configured to fit within the retaining groove and to retain the anti-rotation tab within the tab axial slot;
wherein the retaining plate comprises a solid ring portion, spanning a full circumference, which is configured to be disposed on the bearing bushing without changing a diameter of the ring portion.
 
11. A bearing bushing assembly for an electric submersible pump (ESP) motor, comprising:
a substantially cylindrical bearing bushing comprising:
a spring recess extending inward from an outer surface of the bearing bushing;
a tab axial slot in the outer surface of the bearing bushing, wherein the tab axial slot intersects the spring recess; and
a circumferential retaining groove in the outer surface of the bearing bushing, wherein the retaining groove intersects the tab axial slot;
an anti-rotation tab configured to fit and extend axially in the tab axial slot, the anti-rotation tab being radially slidable within the tab axial slot;
a biasing element configured to fit in the spring recess and to push radially outward on the anti-rotation tab in the tab axial slot; and
a cylindrical retaining plate with an open bore, wherein the retaining plate is configured to fit within the retaining groove and to retain the anti-rotation tab within the tab axial slot;
wherein:
the retaining plate comprises a ring portion, spanning a full circumference;
the bearing bushing comprises one or more passage axial slot in the outer surface of the bearing bushing which is circumferentially offset from but substantially parallel to the tab axial slot, wherein the passage axial slot is wider than the tab axial slot, the retaining groove intersects the passage axial slot, and the passage axial slot is deeper than the retaining groove; and
the retaining plate comprises at least one tang extending radially inward from the ring portion, wherein the tang comprises a gap extending from a tang distal end towards the ring portion, and the tang is configured to slidably fit within the passage axial slot.
 
18. An assembly for an ESP motor, comprising:
a cylindrical motor element of the ESP motor;
a spring-loaded anti-rotation tab biased radially away from a surface of the cylindrical motor element;
a retaining groove; and
a cylindrical retaining plate with an open bore, wherein the retaining plate is configured to fit within the retaining groove and to affix the anti-rotation tab to the cylindrical motor element, while allowing radial movement of the anti-rotation tab between an extended position and a retracted position;
wherein:
the retaining plate comprises a solid ring portion, spanning a full circumference;
the retaining groove is circumferentially disposed on the surface of the cylindrical motor element;
the anti-rotation tab fits and extends axially in a tab axial slot disposed on the surface of the cylindrical motor element, wherein the tab axial slot intersects the retaining groove, and the anti-rotation tab is radially slidable within the tab axial slot between the extended position and the retracted position;
the surface of the cylindrical motor element comprises a passage axial slot which is circumferentially offset from but substantially parallel to the tab axial slot, wherein the passage axial slot is wider than the tab axial slot, and the retaining groove intersects the passage axial slot; and
the retaining plate comprises at least one tang extending radially from the ring portion of the retaining plate, wherein the tang comprises a gap, the tang is wider than the tab axial slot, the tang is configured to slidably fit within the passage axial slot, and the tang gap comprises a depth to interface with the anti-rotation tab to allow radial movement of the anti-rotation tab between the extended position and the retracted position.