Seal section with sand trench
View Patent ↗A seal section for use with a downhole pumping system includes a rotatable shaft, a seal section head and a mechanical seal chamber inside the seal section head. The mechanical seal chamber is bounded by a floor and a wall. The mechanical seal chamber includes a trench disposed in the floor that is configured to entrap solid particles in the mechanical seal chamber at a distance spaced apart from the mechanical seal.
1. A seal section for use with a downhole pumping system, the seal section comprising:
a rotatable shaft;
a seal section head; and
a mechanical seal chamber inside the seal section head, wherein the mechanical seal chamber includes a floor, a wall and a trench, wherein the trench is recessed within the floor and spaced apart from the rotatable shaft.
2. The seal section of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical seal located inside the mechanical seal chamber, wherein the mechanical seal includes a rotation portion connected to the rotatable shaft and a stationary portion connected to the seal section head.
3. The seal section of claim 2 , wherein the trench is disposed along the periphery of the floor adjacent the wall.
4. The seal section of claim 3 , wherein the trench extends below the stationary portion of the mechanical seal.
5. The seal section of claim 4 , wherein the rotation portion of the mechanical seal further comprises a runner, a spring and a spring retainer.
6. The seal section of claim 5 , further comprising:
a plurality of elastomeric seal bags;
thrust bearings; and
a plurality of support bearings.
7. A pumping system configured for use in a downhole application, the pumping system comprising:
a motor assembly;
a pump assembly; and
a seal section disposed between the motor assembly and the pump assembly, wherein the seal section comprises:
a rotatable shaft;
a seal section head; and
a mechanical seal chamber inside the seal section head, wherein the mechanical seal chamber includes a floor, a wall and a trench, wherein the trench is recessed within the floor and spaced apart from the rotatable shaft.
8. The pumping system of claim 7 , wherein the seal section further comprises a mechanical seal located inside the mechanical seal chamber, wherein the mechanical seal includes a rotation portion connected to the rotatable shaft and a stationary portion connected to the seal section head.
9. The pumping system of claim 8 , wherein the trench is disposed along the periphery of the floor adjacent the wall.
10. The pumping system of claim 9 , wherein the trench extends below the stationary portion of the mechanical seal.
11. The pumping system of claim 10 , wherein the rotation portion of the mechanical seal further comprises a runner, a spring and a spring retainer.
12. A seal section for use with a downhole pumping system, the seal section comprising:
a rotatable shaft;
a seal section head;
a mechanical seal chamber inside the seal section head;
a mechanical seal inside the mechanical seal chamber; and
means for entrapping solid particles in mechanical seal chamber at a distance spaced apart from the mechanical seal.