Physics of failure analysis of power section assembly for positive displacement motor

Power section assembly is the core part of positive displacement motor (PDM), and its mechanical behavior and service life determine the drilling efficiency and cycle. In this paper, fault tree of power section assembly was established, failure reasons were analyzed and improvement measures were put forward. Finite element models of conventional lining and uniform wall thickness lining of 5/6 PDM were established, and the mechanical behaviors were investigated. Working parameters such as drilling fluid pressure, rubber hardness, downhole temperature and pressure difference were discussed. The results show that wear and rust are the main failure modes of the rotor. Failure modes of rubber lining are wear, tear, rupture, peeling off, thermal failure and fatigue failure. Under the action of drilling fluid pressure, the maximum effective stress of rubber lining appears in the bottom of arc, and the minimum stress appears at the top of arc. But deformation distribution is opposite to the effective stress. Deformation of uniform wall thickness lining is more uniform. Effective stress of the lining increases with the increasing of drilling fluid pressure and rubber hardness, but it decreases with the downhole temperature increases. Deformation of the lining increases with the drilling fluid pressure increases, but it decreases with the increasing of rubber hardness and downhole temperature. Effective stress and deformation distribution of rubber lining are more uneven with the pressure difference increases. High stress area lies between the two smallest chambers.