Analysis and design of tilted pad for the thrust bearing at the high temperature and load in submersible motor

Abstract

With the application of the large capacity ESP in deep well and high temperature well, first to raise the submersible motor power, next also to improve thrust bearing load and temperature capability. This development tilted pad thrust bearing to replace the original fixed pad thrust bearing, because of oil film produced on the surface of tilted pad through adjusting the angle of tilted pad to ensure operation of motor at high temperature and load. While the tilted pad can not generate oil film, and locking burned. The operation problem of submersible motor at high temperature and load has been solved by adopting tilted pad thrust bearing, according to structural characteristics of submersible motor, The principle of oil film formed on surface of tilted pad is analyzed and all parameters such as oil film thickness, oil film pressure, friction resistance, motor oil flow rate and temperature rise and so on are calculated through the system model of tilted pad bearing, According to the data, this thrust bearing designed and manufactured has been tested in laboratory and field, test prove: the performance of tilted pad than the fixed pad thrust bearing has been greatly improved to meet demand of high-end ESP for long-term stable operation.