Flexible joint connection

Abstract

A pumping system is configured for deployment in a non-vertical wellbore. The pumping system includes a plurality of articulating components. Each of the plurality of articulating components is connected to an adjacent other of the plurality of articulating components with an articulating joint. In preferred embodiments, the articulating joint is a ball-and-socket mechanism. The articulating components include a body having a first end and a second end, a ball connected to the first end the body and a socket connected to the second end of the body. A locking collar is connected to the socket to secure the ball portion of an adjacent articulating component to the socket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An articulating component for use in a downhole pumping system, the articulating component comprising:
 a body having a first end and a second end;   a ball connected to the first end the body;   a socket connected to the second end of the body; and   a locking collar connected to the socket.   
     
     
         2 . The articulating component of  claim 1 , wherein the locking collar is a unitary locking collar that is configured for threaded engagement with the socket. 
     
     
         3 . The articulating component of  claim 1 , wherein the locking collar is a split-ring locking collar that is configured for threaded engagement with the socket. 
     
     
         4 . The articulating component of  claim 3 , wherein the split-ring locking collar includes two halves and fasteners that releasably join the two halves. 
     
     
         5 . The articulating component of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of rollers connected to the body. 
     
     
         6 . The articulating component of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of rollers is selected from the group consisting of casters, bearings and roller balls. 
     
     
         7 . The articulating component of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating component is selected from the group consisting of pumps, motors, seal sections, intakes, sensor modules, pump discharges and fluid conduits. 
     
     
         8 . The articulating component of  claim 7 , wherein the articulating component further comprises:
 an upstream shaft;   a downstream shaft; and   an articulating shaft coupler.   
     
     
         9 . The articulating component of  claim 8 , wherein the articulating component further comprises an internal fluid path. 
     
     
         10 . The articulating component of  claim 7 , wherein the articulating component further comprises an internal fluid path. 
     
     
         11 . A pumping system for use in a downhole well, the pumping system comprising a plurality of articulating components, wherein each of the plurality of articulating components is connected to another of the plurality of articulating components with an articulating joint. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping system of  claim 11 , where each of the plurality of articulating components is connected to another of the plurality of articulating components with an articulating ball-and-socket joint. 
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of interconnected articulating components is selected from the group consisting of pumps, motors, seal sections, intakes, sensor modules, pump discharges and fluid conduits. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of articulating components comprises:
 a body having a first end and a second end;   a ball connected to the first end the body;   a socket connected to the second end of the body; and   a locking collar connected to the socket.   
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of articulating components further comprises a plurality of rollers connected to the body. 
     
     
         16 . A pumping system comprising:
 a first articulating component, wherein the first articulating component comprises:
 a body; and 
 a ball extending from the body; and 
   a second articulating component, wherein the second articulating component comprises:
 a body; 
 a socket extending from the body of the second articulating component, wherein the socket receives the ball of the first articulating component; and 
 a locking collar that captures the ball of the first articulating component within the socket of the second articulating component. 
   
     
     
         17 . The pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein the locking collar is a unitary locking collar that is configured for threaded engagement with the socket. 
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein the locking collar is a split-ring locking collar that is configured for threaded engagement with the socket. 
     
     
         19 . The pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein the first articulating component further comprises one or more rollers connected to the body of the first articulating component. 
     
     
         20 . The pumping system of  claim 16 , wherein the first articulating component includes a first shaft and the second articulating component includes a second shaft, and wherein the first and second shaft are connected by an articulating shaft coupler within the body of the first articulating component.