Mud pump systems for drilling operations

Abstract

A system for pumping fluid (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid), the system having pump apparatus with a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having an inlet and an outlet, the motor section having a shaft for reciprocating in and out of the pumping section to alternately suck fluid into the inlet and pump fluid out the outlet, and the motor being a permanent magnet linear motor for moving the shaft in a reciprocating motion, e.g., but not limited to, vertically or horizontally; and methods for using such a system.

1 . A system for pumping fluid, the system comprising 
 a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section,    the pumping section having a body with an inlet and an outlet,    the motor section having a shaft for reciprocating in and out of the pumping section to alternately suck fluid into the inlet and pump fluid out the outlet, and    the motor comprising a permanent magnet linear motor for moving the shaft in a reciprocating motion.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump apparatus is single acting.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump apparatus is double acting.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a control system for controlling the pump apparatus.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the control system maintains a flow at a constant rate from the pump apparatus.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the control system maintains a constant pressure of fluid output from the pump apparatus.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section and a permanent magnet linear motor each with a shaft.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the permanent magnet linear motor is supported by a substantially flat support so that the shaft is reciprocal substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the permanent magnet linear motor is supported so that the shaft is reciprocal substantially vertically.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each permanent magnet linear motor is supported by a substantially flat support so that the shaft of each of said motors is reciprocal substantially horizontally.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein each permanent magnet linear motor is supported so that the shaft of each of said motors is reciprocal substantially vertically.  
   
   
       12 . A system for pumping drilling fluid for wellbore operations, the system comprising 
 a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section,    the pumping section having a body with an inlet and an outlet,    the motor section having a shaft for reciprocating in and out of the pumping section to alternately suck drilling fluid into the inlet and pump drilling fluid out the outlet,    the motor comprising a permanent magnet linear motor for moving the shaft in a reciprocating motion.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the pump apparatus is single acting.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the pump apparatus is double acting.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a control system for controlling the pump apparatus.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the control system maintains a flow at a constant rate from the pump apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the control system maintains a constant pressure of fluid output from the pump apparatus.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the pump apparatus includes a plurality of pump apparatuses each with a pumping section and a permanent magnet linear motor.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the permanent magnet linear motor is supported by a substantially flat support so that the shaft is reciprocal substantially horizontally, or wherein the permanent magnet linear motor is supported so that the shaft is reciprocal substantially vetrically.  
   
   
       19 . A method for pumping fluid, the method comprising comprising 
 sucking fluid into an inlet of a pumping section of a system, the system comprising a pump apparatus including a pumping section and a motor section, the pumping section having a body with an inlet and an outlet, the motor section having a shaft for reciprocating in and out of the pumping section to alternately suck fluid into the inlet and pump fluid out the outlet, the motor comprising a permanent magnet linear motor for moving the shaft in a reciprocating motion and    with the pump apparatus, pumping fluid out the outlet.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the fluid is drilling fluid.