Lubricating downhole rotating machine
An electric machine is configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The electric machine enclosed within a housing isolates the electric machine from fluids within the wellbore. A first lubrication circuit includes a lubrication reservoir within the housing. The lubrication reservoir is fluidically connected to the electric machine. The first lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing within the electric machine. A fluid rotor is configured to move or be moved by a fluid within the wellbore. A magnetic coupling couples the fluid rotor and a rotor of the electric machine to rotate in unison. A second lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing supporting the fluid rotor.
1. A well tool comprising:
an electric machine configured to be positioned within a wellbore, the electric machine enclosed within a housing isolating the electric machine from fluids within the wellbore;
a first lubrication circuit comprising a lubrication reservoir within the housing, the lubrication reservoir fluidically connected to the electric machine, the first lubrication circuit comprising a downhole lubrication pump connected to the lubrication reservoir and configured to provide lubrication to a first bearing within the electric machine;
a fluid rotor configured to move or be moved by a fluid within the wellbore;
a magnetic coupling that couples the fluid rotor and a rotor of the electric machine to rotate in unison; and
a second lubrication circuit configured to provide lubrication to a second bearing supporting the fluid rotor.
2. The well tool of claim 1 , where the lubrication pump is configured to be driven by a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor being driven by a fluid flow provided by the second lubrication circuit.
3. The well tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
an electric motor that is separate from the electric machine; and
the lubrication pump is coupled to and driven by the electric motor.
4. The well tool of claim 1 , further comprising a speed reducer between the electric machine and the lubrication pump.
5. The well tool of claim 1 , where the lubrication reservoir comprises a pressure relief valve configured to release fluid into the wellbore when a pressure within the lubrication reservoir exceeds a pressure within the wellbore.
6. The well tool of claim 1 , where the fluid rotor and a first portion of the magnetic coupling are configured to be retrieved from the wellbore while the electric machine and a second portion of the magnetic coupling remain within the wellbore.
7. An artificial lift system comprising:
an electric machine configured to be positioned within a wellbore;
a housing configured to pressurize and isolate the electric machine from fluid within the wellbore;
a first lubrication circuit comprising a lubrication reservoir within the housing, the lubrication reservoir fluidically connected to the electric machine, the first lubrication circuit comprising a downhole lubrication pump connected to the lubrication reservoir and configured to provide a first lubricant to a first bearing within the electric machine;
a fluid rotor configured to move or be moved by fluid within the wellbore;
a magnetic coupling that couples the fluid rotor and a rotor of the electric machine to rotate in unison; and
a second lubrication circuit configured to provide a second lubricant to a second bearing supporting the fluid rotor, the second lubrication circuit comprising a topside lubrication pump.
8. The artificial lift system of claim 7 , where the topside lubrication pump drives the second lubricant to a hydraulic motor driven by the second lubricant, the hydraulic motor driving the downhole lubrication pump.
9. The artificial lift system of claim 7 , where the fluid rotor and a portion of the magnetic coupling are configured to be retrieved from the wellbore while the electric machine remains within the wellbore.