Downhole mud motor and method of improving durabilty thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a downhole mud motor. The mud motor includes, a stator, a rotor in operable communication with the stator, a polymer in operable communication with the stator and the rotor, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes embedded in the polymer.

1 . A downhole mud motor, comprising
 a stator;   a rotor in operable communication with the stator; and   a plurality of carbon nanotubes embedded in at least a portion of the stator.   
   
   
       2 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 1 , wherein the stator includes a polymer. 
   
   
       3 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is positioned between the stator and the rotor. 
   
   
       4 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are configured to increase heat transfer through the polymer. 
   
   
       5 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes are configured to increase heat transfer from the polymer to matter that comes into contact therewith. 
   
   
       6 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes interface with a surface of the polymer to reduce friction between the polymer and matter engagable therewith. 
   
   
       7 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes decreases heat generated related to deformation of the polymer. 
   
   
       8 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of carbon nanotubes allows the downhole mud motor to have a greater power density. 
   
   
       9 . A method of improving durability of a mud motor stator, comprising:
 dissipating heat through the mud motor stator with carbon nanotubes embedded in at least a portion of the stator; and   maintaining temperature of the mud motor stator below a threshold temperature.   
   
   
       10 . The method of improving durability of a mud motor stator of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 interfacing a surface of at least a portion of the mud motor stator with the carbon nanotubes; and   decreasing friction between the surface and matter in contact therewith.   
   
   
       11 . The method of improving durability of a mud motor stator of  claim 9 , further comprising decreasing heat generated in relation to deformation of at least a portion of the mud motor stator with the carbon nanotubes embedded therein. 
   
   
       12 . The method of improving durability of a mud motor elastomer of  claim 9 , wherein the at least a portion of the stator is an elastomer. 
   
   
       13 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the carbon nanotubes are embedded in the polymer. 
   
   
       14 . The downhole mud motor of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is an elastomer.