Downhole fluid motor and associated methods
A downhole fluid motor can include a tubular housing and multiple stator sections. Each of the stator sections has a helical stator profile formed therein. Deformation of the housing secures each respective stator section in the housing. A method of producing a downhole fluid motor can include securing multiple stator sections to each other, each of the stator sections having a stator profile formed therein, and securing the stator sections in a tubular housing. The securing steps can be performed without any welding. The step of the securing the stator sections in the housing can include deforming the housing toward the stator sections.
1 . A method of producing a downhole fluid motor for use with a subterranean well, the method comprising:
securing multiple stator sections to each other, each of the stator sections having a stator profile formed therein; and
securing the stator sections in a tubular housing,
in which the securing the stator sections in the housing comprises deforming the housing into recesses formed on each of the stator sections, and in which the recesses are aligned with internal helical lobes formed in each of the stator sections, whereby the recesses are formed only in relatively thicker portions of the stator profile.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming the stator sections comprising a non-elastomeric material.
3 . The method of claim 1 , in which the steps of securing the stator sections to each other and securing the stator sections in the housing are performed without any welding.
4 . The method of claim 1 , in which the securing the stator sections in the housing further comprises injecting a material between the housing and the stator sections.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising installing a lining in the stator sections.
6 . The method of claim 5 , in which the installing comprises injecting a material between the stator sections and an externally profiled mandrel in the stator sections.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to the securing the stator sections to each other, rotationally indexing the stator sections relative to each other.
8 . The method of claim 7 , in which the rotationally indexing comprises engaging index structures on respective adjacent ends of the stator sections.
9 . The method of claim 7 , in which the rotationally indexing comprises installing an alignment mandrel in the stator sections.
10 . A method of producing a downhole fluid motor for use with a subterranean well, the method comprising:
providing a stator having a stator profile formed therein; and
securing the stator in a tubular housing,
in which the securing the stator in the housing comprises deforming the housing into at least one recess formed on the stator, in which the recess is aligned with an internal helical lobe formed in the stator, whereby the recess is formed only in a relatively thicker portion of the stator profile.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising forming the stator comprising a non-elastomeric material.
12 . The method of claim 10 ,
in which the stator comprises multiple stator sections,
further comprising securing the stator sections to each other, and
in which the steps of securing the stator sections to each other and securing the stator in the housing are performed without any welding.
13 . The method of claim 10 , in which the securing the stator in the housing further comprises injecting a material between the housing and the stator.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising installing a lining in the stator.
15 . The method of claim 14 , in which the installing comprises injecting a material between the stator and an externally profiled mandrel in the stator.
16 . The method of claim 10 ,
in which the stator comprises multiple stator sections, and
further comprising rotationally indexing the stator sections relative to each other.
17 . The method of claim 16 , in which the rotationally indexing comprises engaging index structures on respective adjacent ends of the stator sections.
18 . The method of claim 16 , in which the rotationally indexing comprises installing an alignment mandrel in the stator sections.