EP3698045A1

EP3698045A1 - Double-plate rotary barrel pump

Info

Publication number: EP3698045A1
Application number: EP18779728.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Tricard; Julien TROST; Philippe Pagnier
Original assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles IFPEN
Current assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles IFPEN
Priority date: 2017-10-20
Filing date: 2018-10-08
Publication date: 2020-08-26
Also published as: FR3072735A1; CA3078594A1; WO2019076671A1; US20210164456A1; CN111212977A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotary barrel pump (6) comprising two plates: a movable plate (2) also driven by the drive shaft (5), and a plate (7) with variable inclination, wherein the two plates (2, 7) are connected to one another such that they can pivot.

Description

ROTARY BARREL PUMP WITH DOUBLE TRAYS

The present invention relates to the field of pumps, in particular for high-pressure pumping, in particular for drilling operations.

Nowadays, crankshaft pumps are the most widespread in all sectors of the industry: capital goods, oil, gas and agri-food industries, the automotive sector, building (heating, well, air conditioning, water pumps, etc.) and more specifically for the treatment of water and waste (water and sanitation network). Nevertheless, they are still built from concepts dating from the 1930s, and are the subject of very few research and development studies to improve their performance, reduce their cost, minimize maintenance costs or reduce their environmental footprint. These pumps have limits in terms of power, torque pressure / flow (that is to say, the limits that result in phenomena related to "water hammer" generated by the sinusoidal response of the pressure produced by the crankshaft ), weight, yield and shelf life. In addition, they do not allow to have a variable displacement and therefore lack flexibility of use. In addition, in the field of hydrocarbon production, it is currently observed that drilling must reach deeper and deeper depths, which means working with ever higher injection pressures. Oil companies therefore need very high pressure pumps to reach the depths required for the injection of, for example, drilling muds. The latter must also be reliable, economical, flexible and compact, in order to meet the ever more demanding demands of the energy sector.

Another positive displacement pump technology is the barrel pump. Mainly intended for pumping at lower pressure and flow (they are mainly used in the pumping of hydraulic oils), they offer many advantages:

• Excellent weight / power ratio

• Very good value for money

• Attractive mechanical and volumetric efficiencies

• Possibility of variable displacement by adjusting the inclination of the tray

Pumps designed with a barrel operate using a turntable system that actuates the various pistons one after the other. When a piston is in the intake phase, the opposite piston is in discharge mode, which provides a constant flow upstream and downstream of the pump. The distribution of the positions of the pistons with a guide by the barrel ensures a progressive distribution of forces during the rotation of the shaft driven by the engine.

There are three main architectures of barrel pumps:

• Fixed barrel pumps (Figure 1): in this pump configuration 1, where the barrel is fixed, it is the inclined plate 2 which rotates (driven by the shaft 5) to generate the movement of the pistons 3 in their shirts 4 (compression chamber). The connection between the pistons 3 and the plate 2 is then provided by rotatable pads which rub on the plate 2. The advantage here is to have a very low inertia of rotating parts. However, this configuration makes it difficult to set up variable displacement. In addition, in the case of high pressures and flows, the friction forces between the plate and the pads are not negligible, and make it difficult or impossible to achieve the pump.

• Barrel pumps with oscillating plate: the barrel is fixed in this architecture and one has two plates, a first inclined plate is in rotation and transfers to the second plate only the oscillation movement. Thus one can bind the pistons to the second swash plate without the need for friction elements, for example with a rod connected to the piston and the plate by ball joints. This architecture is suitable for high-pressure pumping due to the absence of rubbing elements (some of them are also found on the geothermal market). It also offers excellent mechanical performance. This configuration makes it possible to achieve a variable displacement, but it remains difficult to integrate and design.

• The rotary barrel pumps (Figure 2): within the pump 1 is the plate 2 which is fixed and the barrel 6 carrying the pistons 3 is rotated, thus ensuring the movement of the pistons 3 in their shirts 4 (compression chamber). The piston 3 - plate 2 connection is provided in the same way as for the first configuration. The advantage of this architecture is that it can easily make the adjustable tray tilt and thus have the possibility of variable displacement. On the other hand, the inertia of the rotating parts increases significantly since the barrel and the set of pistons are rotated. In addition, for this configuration, there is significant friction between the plate and the rods connected to the pistons. This friction generates losses in the yield.

To overcome these drawbacks, the present invention relates to a rotary barrel pump, which comprises two plates: a movable plate also driven by the drive shaft, and a variable inclination plate, the two plates being in pivot connection one compared to each other. Thus, the drive of the movable plate by the drive shaft allows contact between two rotating parts: the connecting rods and the movable plate, which allows to limit the losses by friction between these parts. The variable inclination allows a variable displacement of the pump.

The device according to the invention

The present invention relates to a barrel pump comprising a housing, and comprising within said housing:

- a drive shaft,

a cylinder block comprising at least two circumferentially distributed compression chambers, said cylinder block being driven by said drive shaft, a movable plate,

at least two pistons in translation respectively in said compression chambers of said cylinder block, said pistons being driven by said movable plate by means of connecting rods.

Said movable platen is driven by said drive shaft, and said barrel pump comprises a variable inclination plate relative to said drive shaft, said movable platen being pivotally connected relative to said variable inclination plate about the axis said variable inclination plateau.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said pivot connection between said movable plate and said variable inclination plate is formed of means for supporting the loads and means for holding all of the two plates.

Advantageously, said pivot connection between said movable plate and said variable inclination plate is formed of a conical roller stop and a ball bearing.

Preferably, said tapered roller stopper is disposed between an outer shoulder of said movable platen and an inner shoulder of said variable tilt platen.

Advantageously, said ball bearing is disposed between an outer shoulder of said movable plate and an internal shoulder of said variable inclination plate.

According to one embodiment, said movable plate is driven by said drive shaft by a finger ball joint.

According to one aspect, said finger ball comprises a device for forming a finger-ball joint connection in the form of a hollow part of revolution comprising a substantially cylindrical inner surface and an outer surface having substantially the shape of a truncated sphere at its two ends. and said inner surface has at least one groove or female groove, and said outer surface has at least one domed groove. Advantageously, the device for forming a finger ball joint is mounted on said drive shaft by means of a key or a splined shaft, and said movable plate is mounted on said device by means of at least one cooperating groove. with said at least one domed groove.

Preferably, said movable platen has a partially spherical inner surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said barrel pump comprises means for controlling the inclination of said variable inclination plate.

Advantageously, said inclination control means comprises a wheel and worm system.

Preferably, said connecting rods are connected to said movable plate without friction pads.

In addition, the invention relates to the use of said barrel pump according to one of the preceding features for a drilling operation, in particular for the injection of drilling muds into a wellbore.

Brief presentation of the figures

Other features and advantages of the device according to the invention will appear on reading the following description of nonlimiting examples of embodiments, with reference to the appended figures and described below.

Figure 1, already described, illustrates a fixed barrel pump according to the prior art.

Figure 2, already described, illustrates a rotary barrel pump according to the prior art.

Figure 3 illustrates a barrel pump according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device for forming a finger-ball joint connection necessary for the rotation and the inclination of the mobile plate according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the pivot connection between the mobile plate and the variable inclination plate according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a rotary barrel pump. The purpose of the barrel pump is to pump a fluid (eg water, oil, gas, drilling muds, etc.) by means of a linear displacement of several pistons. This type of pump has the advantage of being compact, having interesting mechanical and volumetric efficiencies, an excellent weight / power ratio. In addition, rotary barrel pumps are suitable for high pressure pumping. The cylinder pump according to the invention comprises a housing and comprises within the housing:

- A drive shaft: it is driven in rotation, relative to the housing by an external energy source, including a driving machine (for example thermal or electrical), in particular by means of a transmission (for example a gearbox),

a movable (rotary) plate driven by the drive shaft: the movable plate is driven relative to the drive shaft, this plate is therefore rotatable, moreover, the mobile plate is inclined with respect to the drive shaft,

a cylinder block (called a barrel), comprising at least two compression chambers (also called jackets) distributed circumferentially (in other words the compression chambers are distributed in a circle), the cylinder block is rotatable, and driven by the drive shaft,

- At least two pistons in translation respectively in the compression chambers, the pistons are driven by the movable plate by means of rods (the connecting rods connect, by means of ball joints, the movable plate and the pistons so as to transform the movement of the movable plate in translational movement of the pistons), and the translation of the pistons within the compression chambers perform the pumping of the fluid, and

- A variable inclination plate relative to the drive shaft, apart from the adjustment of its inclination, this plate is fixed relative to the housing, and the movable plate is in pivot connection relative to the variable inclination plateau around the axis of the variable inclination plate (this axis corresponding to a normal direction to the plate, and which may correspond to the axis of revolution of the variable inclination plate in the case where the plate has a disc shape), thus, the Tilting of the movable platen is identical to the inclination of the variable inclination platter.

The variable inclination of the variable inclination platform allows a variable displacement of the pump, modifying the stroke of the pistons.

Advantageously, the ball joints between the connecting rods and the movable plate are implemented without friction pads (there is no frictional connection between the connecting rods and the movable plate), this is made possible by the movable plate. Indeed, one of the features of the invention is based on the design of the double plate, and more specifically the connection of the movable plate with the variable inclination plate and its drive via the power input shaft. The majority of plate pumps on the market are designed for activities with lower flow rates and pressures, and the mechanical stress on the different components of the pump is therefore more limited. In the context of high-speed and high-pressure use of these pumps on the market, the mechanical forces involved are considerable and, for these pumps, the friction pads are essential. In addition, the design of friction pads between the rods and the inclined plate becomes critical, in addition to amputating by a few points the final performance of the pump. The design of a double plate, one fixed and the other rotatable thus allows an increase in the final output of the pump, passing rubbing pads, and allows use of the high-flow pump and high pressure.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot connection between the movable plate and the variable inclination plate may be formed of means for supporting the loads and means for holding all of the two plates. For example, this pivot connection may be formed of a tapered roller stopper and a ball bearing. The tapered roller stopper is able to withstand the axial and radial loads exerted on the trays, the ball bearing can hold all of the two trays (mobile and variable inclination).

According to one aspect of this embodiment, the movable platen may comprise two outer shoulders for the arrangement of the conical roller thrust bearing and the ball bearing. The shoulder with the smallest diameter may be intended to receive the tapered roller stop and may be located on the moving plate side away from the connecting rods. In addition, the shoulder with the largest diameter may be intended to receive the ball bearing, and may be located near the side of the movable plate near the connecting rods.

In addition, the variable inclination plate may have two internal shoulders for the arrangement of the tapered roller stopper and the ball bearing. The shoulder with the smaller diameter may be intended to receive the tapered roller stop, and may be located towards the center of the variable inclination plate. In addition, the shoulder with the largest diameter may be for receiving the ball bearing, and may be located on the side of the variable inclination plate near the movable platen.

This installation of the tapered roller thrust bearing and the ball bearing by means of the internal and external shoulders, allows a simple assembly of the two plates. According to an implementation of the invention, the movable plate can be driven by the drive shaft by a finger ball joint. A finger-jointed connection is a connection between two mechanical elements, which has four degrees of connection and two degrees of relative movement; only two relative rotations are possible, the three translations and the last rotation being linked. In general, it is a ball with a finger impeding rotation. The operating principle of this type of connection is to ensure the transmission of torque between two rotating assemblies whose axes are not collinear. The finger ball joint connection makes it possible to synchronize the rotation of the mobile plate and the cylinder block (barrel).

According to one aspect of this implementation of the invention, the finger joint can be formed by means of a specific device to form a finger ball joint. The device for forming the finger joint can be a piece of hollow revolution. We recall that in geometry, a piece of revolution is a piece generated by a closed flat surface rotating around an axis located in the same plane as it and not having in common with it any point or only points on its border .

For the sake of clarity of the description, the term "device is used in the following description to designate the specific device to form a finger joint connection.

The device for forming the finger ball comprises a substantially cylindrical inner surface. Thus, the hollow of the device is substantially cylindrical. In this way, the device is adapted to be mounted on a cylindrical shaft. The inner surface includes at least one groove for inserting a key or at least one female spline for insertion of a splined shaft, for the purpose of transmitting the torque between a shaft and the device. The use of a transmission key or splines allows the transmission of significant torque.

The device according to the invention comprises an outer surface having substantially the shape of a truncated sphere at its ends. The sphere is truncated by two planes perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the device. This partially spherical shape of the outer surface allows a ball joint connection. In addition, the outer surface has at least one curved groove. The convex groove makes it possible on the one hand to form the finger of the finger ball joint, and on the other hand allows the transmission of significant torque between the device and an element positioned on the external surface of the device (for example a plate or a disk).

This design of the device to form a finger joint connection allows high compactness, large angular movement, and ease of implementation.

Advantageously, the groove or grooves and grooves are parallel to the axis of revolution of the device.

Preferably, the groove or grooves of the outer surface have a curved shape parallel to the generally spherical shape of the outer surface of the device. Thus, it can be involute splines in order to have the largest transmissible torque.

According to one aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the outer surface comprises a plurality of curved flutes regularly distributed over the circumference of the spherical surface. In this way, a larger torque can be transmitted between the device according to the invention, and the element positioned on the outer surface of the device. The grooves are preferably parallel to each other. For example, the outer surface of the device may comprise between five and nineteen corrugated grooves, preferably between seven and thirteen, in order to optimize the manufacturing and the torque transmissible by the device, as well as to optimize the distribution of forces in the splines.

Thus, for the finger ball connection between the drive shaft and the movable platen, the device for forming a finger ball joint is mounted on the drive shaft by means of at least one key or by means of a splined tree. In addition, the movable plate is mounted on the outer surface of the device to form a connection finger ball joint by means of at least one groove (female groove) curved cooperating with the curved groove or grooves.

Thanks to the invention, a finger ball joint is formed between the drive shaft and the movable platen: the movable platen is rotatable by means of the spherical outer surface of the device, and the torque can be transmitted from the shaft to the plate by the key or the splines of the drive shaft and the curved groove or grooves.

This is a spherical connection finger constant speed without slip. This means that the rotation speed at the input of the link is identical to the rotational speed at the output of the link, and that this connection is done without slip but by a direct mechanical drive.

This design of the connection allows a finger-to-finger connection having a high compactness, a large angular displacement, and a simplicity of implementation.

To achieve the finger joint connection, the movable plate may comprise a substantially spherical inner surface, provided with female flutes.

In order to facilitate assembly of the connection, the mobile plate may consist of two half-shells. Alternatively, the movable plate can be made in one piece.

According to one aspect of the invention, the movable plate may comprise means forming an angular stop. It may be a surface coming into contact with the shaft, for example, the plate may comprise a conical inner surface coming into contact with the shaft for the maximum deflection angle.

Alternatively to this embodiment of a finger ball joint, the finger ball can be a ball joint. The trays can be substantially disk-shaped. However, the trays can have any shape. Only the compression chambers (and the pistons) are distributed on a circle. Advantageously, the pump according to the invention may comprise a number of pistons of between three and fifteen, preferably between five and eleven. Thus, a large number of pistons provides a continuous flow upstream and downstream of the pump.

In a conventional manner, the pump further comprises an inlet and an outlet of the fluid to be pumped. The fluid passes through the inlet of the pump, enters a compression chamber, is compressed, and is discharged from the pump through the outlet by means of the piston. According to one embodiment of the invention, the inclination angle of the variable inclination plate relative to the axial direction of the drive shaft may be between 70 ° and 90 °. In other words, the variable inclination plate (and a fortiori the turntable) can be inclined at an angle between 0 and 20 ° with respect to a radial direction of the drive shaft.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the barrel pump may comprise a means for controlling the inclination of the variable inclination plate. For example, this control means may comprise a wheel and worm system.

According to one aspect of the invention, the barrel can be made in two parts, a first part being intended for guiding, and the second part being intended for sealing.

FIG. 3 illustrates, schematically and in a nonlimiting manner, a kinematic diagram of a rotary barrel pump according to one embodiment of the invention. The rotary barrel pump 1 comprises a drive shaft 5. The rotation of the drive shaft 5 is performed by an external source not shown, for example an electric machine and a gearbox. The drive shaft 5 is rotated relative to the housing 15. In addition, the drive shaft 5 rotates the barrel 6 which has compression chambers 4.

The drive shaft 5 also drives a movable plate 2 by means of a finger-joint connection 9.

The pump 1 further comprises a variable inclination plate 7, which, apart from its adjustment of the inclination, is fixed relative to the housing 15. The means for adjusting the inclination of the variable inclination plate 7 is not represented.

The movable plate 2 is pivotally connected with respect to the variable inclination plate 7 around the axis of the variable inclination plate 7. The pump 1 comprises a piston 3 driven by a translation movement (reciprocating movement) within a compression chamber 4.

The movement back and forth of the piston 3 is achieved by means of a rod 8 which connects the movable plate 2 and the piston 3 by means of ball joints. This movement back and forth of the piston 3 in the compression chamber 4 allows to pump the fluid.

FIG. 4 illustrates, schematically and in a nonlimiting manner, a device for forming a finger-joint connection according to one embodiment of the invention. The device 10 is a piece of revolution about the axis XX. The device 10 is hollow, and has a cylindrical inner surface 1 1. The inner surface 1 1 has a groove 14. The section of the groove 14 is substantially rectangular. The device 10 comprises an outer surface 12 having the shape of substantially a truncated sphere at its two ends, the truncation being carried out at two planes perpendicular to the axis XX. The outer surface 12 has a plurality of curved splines 13, in the case shown nine curved splines 13. The curved splines 13 have an outer surface substantially parallel to the outer surface 12 of the device. It is about 13 involute flutes of circle.

Figure 5 illustrates, schematically and in a non-limiting manner the pivot connection between the two plates (mobile and variable inclination). FIG. 5 is a sectional view along a plane containing the axis of the drive shaft 5. In this figure are represented the variable inclination plate 7, the movable plate 2, and connecting rods 8. The rods 8 are in ball joint connection in the mobile plate 2 without rubbing pads.

The YY axis represents the axis of the variable inclination plate 7. The movable plate 2 is pivotally connected to the variable inclination plate 7 around the inclination axis YY of the variable inclination plate 7. Thus, the inclination of the movable plate 2 is identical to the inclination of the variable inclination plate 7. This pivot connection is formed of a conical roller stopper 16 and a ball bearing 18.

The movable plate 2 has two outer shoulders 20 and 22 for the arrangement of the tapered roller stop 16 and the ball bearing 18. The shoulder 20 with the smaller diameter is intended to receive the conical roller stopper 16 and is located on the side of the movable plate 2 remote rods 8. In addition, the shoulder 22 with the largest diameter is intended to receive the ball bearing 18, and is located near the side of the movable plate 2 close to the connecting rods 8.

In addition, the variable inclination plate 7 has two internal shoulders 19 and 21 for the arrangement of the tapered roller stop 16 and the ball bearing 18.

The shoulder 19 with the smallest diameter is intended to receive the tapered roller stop 16, and is located towards the center of the variable inclination plate 7. Moreover, the shoulder 21 with the largest diameter is intended to receive the ball bearing 18, and is located on the side of the variable inclination plate 7 near the movable plate 2.

FIG. 5 further illustrates the device for forming a finger ball 10. This device 10 conforms to the device for forming a finger ball joint illustrated in FIG. 4. The device 10 is mounted on the drive shaft 5 by means of a key 17.

The invention also relates to the use of the pump according to the invention for a drilling operation, in particular for the injection of drilling muds into a wellbore. Indeed, the pump according to the invention is well suited to this use, for its flexibility, compactness, and resistance to high pressures.

For example, the pump according to the invention can be sized to operate up to pressures of the order of 1500 bars, that is to say 150 MPa. In addition, the pump according to the invention can be sized to operate at flow rates ranging from 30 to 600 m ³ / h.

Claims

claims

1) Barrel pump comprising a casing (15), and comprising within said casing (15):

a drive shaft (5),

a cylinder block (6) comprising at least two compression chambers (4) distributed circumferentially, said cylinder block (6) being driven by said drive shaft (5),

a movable plate (2),

at least two pistons (3) in translation respectively in said compression chambers (4) of said cylinder block (6), said pistons (3) being driven by said movable plate (2) by means of connecting rods (8),

characterized in that said movable platen (2) is driven by said drive shaft (5), and said barrel pump (1) has a variable inclination platen (7) with respect to said drive shaft ( 5), said movable platen (2) being pivotally connected to said variable inclination platen (7) about the axis (YY) of said variable inclination platen (7).

2) Pump according to claim 1, wherein said pivot connection between said movable plate (2) and said variable inclination plate (7) is formed of means for supporting the loads and means for holding all of the two trays.

3) A pump according to claim 2, wherein said pivot connection between said movable platen (2) and said variable inclination platen (7) is formed of a tapered roller stop (16) and a ball bearing (18). ). 4) A pump according to claim 3, wherein said tapered roller stop (16) is disposed between an outer shoulder (20) of said movable platen (2) and an inner shoulder (19) of said variable tilt platen (7).

5) Pump according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein said ball bearing (18) is disposed between an outer shoulder (22) of said movable plate (2) and an inner shoulder (21) of said variable inclination plate ( 7).

6) Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said movable platen (2) is driven by said drive shaft (5) by a finger joint (9).

7) Pump according to claim 6, wherein said finger ball joint (9) comprises a device (10) for forming a finger ball joint connection in the form of a piece of revolution. hollow member comprising a substantially cylindrical inner surface (1 1) and an outer surface (12) having substantially the shape of a truncated sphere at both ends, and wherein said inner surface (1 1) has at least one groove (14) or a female groove, and in that said outer surface (12) comprises at least one curved groove (13).

8) Pump according to claim 7, wherein the device (10) for forming a finger ball joint connection is mounted on said drive shaft (5) by means of a key (17) or a splined shaft, and said movable platen (2) is mounted on said device (10) by means of at least one groove cooperating with said at least one curved groove (13).

9) Pump according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein said movable platen (2) has a partially spherical inner surface.

10) Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said pump barrel (1) comprises means for controlling the inclination of said variable inclination plate.

The pump of claim 10, wherein said inclination control means comprises a wheel and worm system.

12) Pump according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said rods (8) are connected to said movable platen (2) without friction pads. 13) Use of said barrel pump (1) according to one of the preceding claims for a drilling operation, in particular for the injection of drilling muds in a wellbore.