Fluid pump drive

Abstract

An apparatus and method for powering a fluid pump used in connection with drilling operations. The apparatus has an electric motor with a rotor that connects directly to the drive means of the fluid pump in a direct drive configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for powering the drive means of a fluid pump, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) an electric motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being releasably attached to the drive means of the fluid pump such that the drive means is directly driven by the rotor;   (b) restraint means attached to electric motor to restrain rotational movement of the stator; and   (c) means for connecting the electric motor to a source of electricity.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fluid pump is a mud pump. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rotor is hollow and the drive means of the fluid pump comprises a drive shaft, and wherein the hollow rotor slides onto and attaches to the drive shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rotor is hollow and the drive means of the fluid pump comprises a crank shaft, and wherein the hollow rotor slides onto and attaches to the crank shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is supported by the drive means of the fluid pump. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the restraint means comprises a torque arm being attached at one end to the electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising means for restraining movement of the distal end of the torque arm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the motor is an AC induction electric motor, or a DC traction electric motor, or a DC switch reluctant electric motor, or a permanent magnet electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rotor is hollow, the interior of the hollow rotor being tapered, and the rotor is attached to the drive means using a taper lock. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for powering the drive shaft of a fluid pump, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) an electric motor having a stator and a hollow rotor, the interior of the hollow rotor being tapered, the rotor being releasably attached to the drive shaft of the fluid pump by a taper lock and a key, the key inserting into a complimentary recess on the drive shaft, such that the drive means is directly driven by the rotor;   (b) restraint means attached to electric motor to restrain rotational movement of the stator; and   (c) means for connecting the electric motor to a source of electricity.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for powering a mud pump, the mud pump having a base and a drive shaft, the drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) an electric motor mounted on the drive shaft, the electric motor comprising:
 (i) a stator; 
 (ii) a hollow rotor having a longitudinal axis, the hollow rotor being adapted to slide onto and attach to the drive shaft such that the longitudinal axis of the hollow rotor and the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft are aligned, whereby the drive shaft is directly driven by the rotor; and 
 (iii) a torque arm attached to the stator, the torque arm extending out and away from the electric motor in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotor; 
   (b) means for restraining movement of the distal end of the torque arm; and   (c) means for connecting the electric motor to a source of electricity.   
     
     
         12 . A method of powering the drive means of a fluid pump using an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) releasably attaching the rotor of the electric motor to the drive means of the fluid pump such that the rotor directly drives the drive means;   (b) supplying electrical power to the electric motor; and   (c) restraining rotational movement of the stator.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the fluid pump is a mud pump.