Seal section with parallel bag sections
A downhole pumping system includes a motor, a pump driven by the motor and a seal section positioned between the pump and the motor. The seal section preferably includes a first seal bag assembly, a second seal bag assembly and an interconnect module connected between the first seal bag assembly and the second seal bag assembly. The interconnect module includes a plenum, at least one fluid exchange passage connected to the plenum, and a shaft seal assembly. The shaft seal assembly is configured to divert fluid from the plenum into the at least one fluid exchange passage. In another aspect, a first group of interconnect modules within the seal section each includes a shaft seal assembly oriented in a first direction and a second group of the interconnect modules each includes a shaft seal assembly oriented in a second direction to selectively apply an axial force on the shaft.
1. A seal section for use in a downhole pumping system, wherein the seal section comprises:
a first seal bag assembly and a second seal bag assembly connected in a parallel arrangement, wherein each of the first and second seal bag assemblies comprises:
a bag support tube,
a seal bag retention mechanism, and
a seal bag that includes a non-turbulent interior space;
a shaft extending through the bag support tube of each of the first and second seal bag assemblies;
an annular space between the shaft and the bag support tube of each of the first and second seal bag assemblies, wherein the annular space comprises a turbulent region; and
an interconnect module, wherein the interconnect module comprises a fluid diverter to direct fluid from the turbulent annular space of the first seal bag assembly into the non-turbulent interior space of the seal bag of the second seal bag assembly.
2. The seal section of claim 1 , wherein the fluid diverter is a shaft seal assembly.
3. A seal section for use in a downhole pumping system, wherein the seal section comprises:
a first seal bag assembly, wherein the first seal bag assembly comprises:
a first seal bag support tube, and
a first seal bag surrounding the first seal bag support tube, wherein an annular space between the first seal bag support tube and the first seal bag provides a first non-turbulent region,
a second seal bag assembly, wherein the second seal bag assembly comprises:
a second seal bag support tube, and
a second seal bag surrounding the second seal bag support tube, wherein an annular space between the second seal bag support tube and the second seal bag provides a second non-turbulent region;
a shaft extending through the first seal bag support tube and the second seal bag support tube;
a first turbulent region between the shaft and the first seal bag support tube;
a second turbulent region between the shaft and the second seal bag support tube; and
an interconnect module connected between the first seal bag assembly and the second seal bag assembly, wherein the interconnect module includes a fluid diverter that is configured to direct fluid from the first turbulent region to the second non-turbulent region to place the first seal bag assembly in a parallel configuration with the second seal bag assembly.
4. The seal section of claim 3 , wherein the interconnect module comprises:
an inlet plenum in fluid communication with the first turbulent region; and
at least one fluid exchange passage connecting the inlet plenum and the second non-turbulent region of the second seal bag assembly.
5. The seal section of claim 4 , wherein the fluid diverter comprises a shaft seal assembly that is configured to divert fluid from the first turbulent region, through the at least one fluid exchange passage and into the second non-turbulent region.
6. A seal section comprising:
a shaft;
a first seal bag assembly, wherein the first seal bag assembly comprises:
a first bag support tube that includes vents, wherein the shaft extends through an inside of the first bag support tube,
a first turbulent region between the shaft and the first bag support tube,
a first seal bag,
a first non-turbulent region between the first bag support tube and the first seal bag, and
wherein the first turbulent region is in fluid communication with the first non-turbulent region through the vents of the first bag support tube;
a second seal bag assembly, wherein the second seal bad assembly comprises:
a second bag support tube that includes vents, wherein the shaft extends through an inside of the second bag support tube,
a second turbulent region between the shaft and the second bag support tube,
a second seal bag,
a second non-turbulent region between the second bag support tube and the second seal bag, and
wherein the second turbulent region is in fluid communication with the second non-turbulent region through the vents of the second bag support tube; and
an interconnect module connected between the first seal bag assembly and the second seal bag assembly, wherein the interconnect module includes a fluid diverter that places the first turbulent region in fluid communication with the second non-turbulent region.
7. The seal section of claim 6 , wherein the interconnect module comprises:
an inlet plenum in fluid communication with the first turbulent region; and
at least one fluid exchange passage connecting the inlet plenum and the non-turbulent interior of the second seal bag assembly.
8. The seal section of claim 7 , wherein the fluid diverter comprises a shaft seal assembly that is configured to divert fluid from the first turbulent region, through the at least one fluid exchange passage and into the second non-turbulent region.