US Patent 8197241 - Nanocomposite Moineau pump

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8197241.html

Moineau pumps are commonly used to extract oil from wells in addition to other areas of fluid transport. This patent from Schlumberger Technology Corporation teaches the use of carbon nanotube materials to increase the durability of these devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus for use with a fluid, comprising:

a stator with a profiled helical inner surface; and

a rotor with a profiled helical outer surface that interfaces to said profiled helical inner surface of said stator to form cavities for the fluid between said stator and said rotor, said cavities progressing axially as said rotor is rotated relative to said stator,

wherein at least one of said stator or said rotor comprises a nanocomposite material that includes a polymeric matrix with carbon nanotubes dispersed therein wherein the nanocomposite material improves thermal conductivity,

the improved thermal conductivity inhibiting excessive build up of heat in said stator or said rotor.