CA2260710A1 - Sucker rod coupler - Google Patents
Sucker rod coupler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2260710A1 CA2260710A1 CA002260710A CA2260710A CA2260710A1 CA 2260710 A1 CA2260710 A1 CA 2260710A1 CA 002260710 A CA002260710 A CA 002260710A CA 2260710 A CA2260710 A CA 2260710A CA 2260710 A1 CA2260710 A1 CA 2260710A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sucker rod
- coupling
- guide
- exterior surface
- coupling members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
- E21B17/1071—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers specially adapted for pump rods, e.g. sucker rods
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Sewage (AREA)
Abstract
A sucker rod coupler includes an elongate coupling body less then three feet in length having an exterior surface and opposed ends. Coupling members are positioned at each of the opposed ends of the elongate coupling body. Each of the coupling members have an exterior surface. The elongate coupling body has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members. A guide body is positioned on the exterior surface of the elongate coupling body. The guide body has a plurality of guide vanes with flow channels positioned between the guide vanes. The guide vanes extend radially from the guide body past the exterior surface of each of the coupling members.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Sucker Rod Coupler NAMES) OF INVENTOR(S):
Thomas Hubert Vermeeren FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a Sucker Rod Coupler BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sucker rods come in standard lengths. For example, a large proportion of the sucker rods used in wells in North America comes in standard 25 foot lengths. When a length in excess of 25 feet is required, two 25 foot lengths of sucker rod are connected using a sucker rod coupler. A sucker rod coupler is a short length of steel tube, typically 4 inches in length. The tube is of consistent cross-sectional dimension and has internal threads at either end for the sucker rod to thread into.
When a length of sucker rod is in a well, it tends to deflect as it rotates due to compression or deviations in the borehole. Wear occurs should the sucker rod rub against the well tubing. To prevent such contact from occurring rod guides are provided. Rod guides are members that attach to the sucker rod to centralize the sucker rod as it rotates within the well tubing. The rod guides generally consist of a plurality of vanes with flow channels inbetween, in order to provide a path for the flow of fluids past the rod guide.
Where wear due to rubbing in the vicinity of the sucker rod coupler is of concern, two sucker rod couplers are utilized with a rod guide positioned between them. While this configuration addresses the rubbing problem it has a number of inherent drawbacks. When two sucker rod couplers are used with a rod guide positioned inbetween, it requires several additional joints and creates constriction with diminished fluid flow. The trend in the industry has, therefore, been to place rod guides onto the sucker rods, so that there is no need for rod guides in the vicinity of the sucker rod couplers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is an alternative sucker rod coupler construction.
According to the present invention there is provided a sucker rod coupler which includes an elongate coupling body less then three feet in length having an exterior surface and opposed ends. Coupling members are positioned at each of the opposed ends of the elongate coupling body. Each of the coupling members has an exterior surface. The elongate coupling body has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members. A guide body is positioned on the exterior surface of the elongate coupling body. The guide body has a plurality of guide vanes with flow channels positioned between the guide vanes. The guide vanes extend radially from the guide body past the exterior surface of each of the coupling members.
The sucker rod coupler, as described above, is specifically designed to perform the function of centralizing the joint between two sucker rods while providing improved fluid flow. Field installation of rod guides or replacement of worn rod guides is simplified, when installation or repair can be effected merely by substituting sucker rod couplers.
This is in marked contrast to rod guides positioned on the sucker rods, which in most cases requires removal to the sucker rods to remote repair facilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
Sucker Rod Coupler NAMES) OF INVENTOR(S):
Thomas Hubert Vermeeren FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a Sucker Rod Coupler BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sucker rods come in standard lengths. For example, a large proportion of the sucker rods used in wells in North America comes in standard 25 foot lengths. When a length in excess of 25 feet is required, two 25 foot lengths of sucker rod are connected using a sucker rod coupler. A sucker rod coupler is a short length of steel tube, typically 4 inches in length. The tube is of consistent cross-sectional dimension and has internal threads at either end for the sucker rod to thread into.
When a length of sucker rod is in a well, it tends to deflect as it rotates due to compression or deviations in the borehole. Wear occurs should the sucker rod rub against the well tubing. To prevent such contact from occurring rod guides are provided. Rod guides are members that attach to the sucker rod to centralize the sucker rod as it rotates within the well tubing. The rod guides generally consist of a plurality of vanes with flow channels inbetween, in order to provide a path for the flow of fluids past the rod guide.
Where wear due to rubbing in the vicinity of the sucker rod coupler is of concern, two sucker rod couplers are utilized with a rod guide positioned between them. While this configuration addresses the rubbing problem it has a number of inherent drawbacks. When two sucker rod couplers are used with a rod guide positioned inbetween, it requires several additional joints and creates constriction with diminished fluid flow. The trend in the industry has, therefore, been to place rod guides onto the sucker rods, so that there is no need for rod guides in the vicinity of the sucker rod couplers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is an alternative sucker rod coupler construction.
According to the present invention there is provided a sucker rod coupler which includes an elongate coupling body less then three feet in length having an exterior surface and opposed ends. Coupling members are positioned at each of the opposed ends of the elongate coupling body. Each of the coupling members has an exterior surface. The elongate coupling body has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members. A guide body is positioned on the exterior surface of the elongate coupling body. The guide body has a plurality of guide vanes with flow channels positioned between the guide vanes. The guide vanes extend radially from the guide body past the exterior surface of each of the coupling members.
The sucker rod coupler, as described above, is specifically designed to perform the function of centralizing the joint between two sucker rods while providing improved fluid flow. Field installation of rod guides or replacement of worn rod guides is simplified, when installation or repair can be effected merely by substituting sucker rod couplers.
This is in marked contrast to rod guides positioned on the sucker rods, which in most cases requires removal to the sucker rods to remote repair facilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1, labelled as PRIOR ART is a perspective view of two sucker rod couplers coupling two sucker rods, with a rod guide disposed between the two sucker rod couplers.
FIGURE 2, labelled as PRIOR ART is a side elevation view, in section, of the flow channels provided by the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 1, when positioned within well tubing.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a sucker rod coupler constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view, in section, perspective view of the flow channels provided by sucker rod coupler illustrated in FIGURE 3, when positioned within well tubing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a sucker rod coupler, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 4.
Referring to FIGURE 1, a PRIOR ART configuration for coupling two lengths of sucker rod is illustrated, which configuration is generally identified by reference numeral 12.
Coupling configuration 12 includes a first sucker rod coupler 14 and a second sucker rod coupler 16 with a rod guide 18 positioned inbetween. Each of first sucker rod coupler 14 and second sucker rod coupler 16 has a threaded female socket 20 which mates with a threaded male member 22 from a sucker rod 24. Rod guide 18 has a plurality of guide vanes 26 that extend radially from rod guide 18 past first coupling member 14 and second coupling member 16. Referring to FIGURE 2, which is labelled PRIOR ART, when positioned in well tubing 27, configuration 12 provides flow channels 28 between guide vanes 24.
Referring to FIGURE 3, sucker rod coupler 10 includes an elongate coupling body 30 less then three feet in length having an exterior surface 32 and opposed ends 34. Female coupling members 36 are positioned at each of opposed ends 34 of elongate coupling body 30. Each of coupling members 36 has an exterior surface 38. Elongate coupling body 30 has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members 36. A guide body 44 is positioned coaxially on exterior surface 32 of elongate coupling body 30 at a position between coupling members 36.
Guide body 44 has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members 36. Guide body 44 has a plurality of guide vanes 46. Referring to FIGURE
4, flow channels 48 are positioned between guide vanes 46.
Referring to FIGURE 3, Guide vanes 46 extend radially from guide body 44 past exterior surface 38 of each of coupling members 36. Each coupling member 36 mates with one of threaded male members 22 from sucker rods 24.
The use and operation of sucker rod coupler 10 will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 4. Sucker rod coupler 10 couples two sucker rods 24, as illustrated in FIGURE
3. Sucker rod coupler 10 is, however, specifically designed to provide improved flow when compared with PRIOR ART coupling configuration 12, illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. The flow area provided by coupling configuration 12 represents approximately 20% of the total area of well tubing 27.
Referring to FIGURE 4, flow channels 48 of sucker rod coupler 10 provide a flow area which is approximately 36% of the total area of well tubing 27. This increase of 16% almost doubles the flow area available. In addition, two joints required by coupling configuration 12 are eliminated. Field installation of sucker rod couplers 10, or replacement of guide vanes 46 can be effected merely by substituting a new sucker rod coupler 10 for the existing sucker rod coupler.
With PRIOR ART coupling configuration 12, illustrated in FIGURE 2, a restriction in the flow area is created as a result of the diameter of rod guide 18, which is always equal to or greater than the diameter of coupling bodies 14 and 16. In contrast, with sucker rod coupler 10, the diameter of coupling body 30 is always less than the diameters of coupling members 36. The greatest flow restriction is, therefore, at coupling members 36. The diameter of guide body 44 is always smaller than the diameter of coupling members 36.
FIGURE 2, labelled as PRIOR ART is a side elevation view, in section, of the flow channels provided by the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 1, when positioned within well tubing.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a sucker rod coupler constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view, in section, perspective view of the flow channels provided by sucker rod coupler illustrated in FIGURE 3, when positioned within well tubing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a sucker rod coupler, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 4.
Referring to FIGURE 1, a PRIOR ART configuration for coupling two lengths of sucker rod is illustrated, which configuration is generally identified by reference numeral 12.
Coupling configuration 12 includes a first sucker rod coupler 14 and a second sucker rod coupler 16 with a rod guide 18 positioned inbetween. Each of first sucker rod coupler 14 and second sucker rod coupler 16 has a threaded female socket 20 which mates with a threaded male member 22 from a sucker rod 24. Rod guide 18 has a plurality of guide vanes 26 that extend radially from rod guide 18 past first coupling member 14 and second coupling member 16. Referring to FIGURE 2, which is labelled PRIOR ART, when positioned in well tubing 27, configuration 12 provides flow channels 28 between guide vanes 24.
Referring to FIGURE 3, sucker rod coupler 10 includes an elongate coupling body 30 less then three feet in length having an exterior surface 32 and opposed ends 34. Female coupling members 36 are positioned at each of opposed ends 34 of elongate coupling body 30. Each of coupling members 36 has an exterior surface 38. Elongate coupling body 30 has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members 36. A guide body 44 is positioned coaxially on exterior surface 32 of elongate coupling body 30 at a position between coupling members 36.
Guide body 44 has a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members 36. Guide body 44 has a plurality of guide vanes 46. Referring to FIGURE
4, flow channels 48 are positioned between guide vanes 46.
Referring to FIGURE 3, Guide vanes 46 extend radially from guide body 44 past exterior surface 38 of each of coupling members 36. Each coupling member 36 mates with one of threaded male members 22 from sucker rods 24.
The use and operation of sucker rod coupler 10 will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 4. Sucker rod coupler 10 couples two sucker rods 24, as illustrated in FIGURE
3. Sucker rod coupler 10 is, however, specifically designed to provide improved flow when compared with PRIOR ART coupling configuration 12, illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. The flow area provided by coupling configuration 12 represents approximately 20% of the total area of well tubing 27.
Referring to FIGURE 4, flow channels 48 of sucker rod coupler 10 provide a flow area which is approximately 36% of the total area of well tubing 27. This increase of 16% almost doubles the flow area available. In addition, two joints required by coupling configuration 12 are eliminated. Field installation of sucker rod couplers 10, or replacement of guide vanes 46 can be effected merely by substituting a new sucker rod coupler 10 for the existing sucker rod coupler.
With PRIOR ART coupling configuration 12, illustrated in FIGURE 2, a restriction in the flow area is created as a result of the diameter of rod guide 18, which is always equal to or greater than the diameter of coupling bodies 14 and 16. In contrast, with sucker rod coupler 10, the diameter of coupling body 30 is always less than the diameters of coupling members 36. The greatest flow restriction is, therefore, at coupling members 36. The diameter of guide body 44 is always smaller than the diameter of coupling members 36.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Claims
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A sucker rod coupler, comprising:
an elongate coupling body less then three feet in length having an exterior surface and opposed ends;
coupling members at each of the opposed ends of the elongate coupling body, each of the coupling members having an exterior surface;
the elongate coupling body having a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members;
a guide body positioned on the exterior surface of the elongate coupling body, the guide body having a plurality of guide vanes with flow channels positioned between the guide vanes, the guide vanes extending radially from the guide body past the exterior surface of each of the coupling members.
an elongate coupling body less then three feet in length having an exterior surface and opposed ends;
coupling members at each of the opposed ends of the elongate coupling body, each of the coupling members having an exterior surface;
the elongate coupling body having a cross-sectional thickness that is less than the cross-sectional thickness of the coupling members;
a guide body positioned on the exterior surface of the elongate coupling body, the guide body having a plurality of guide vanes with flow channels positioned between the guide vanes, the guide vanes extending radially from the guide body past the exterior surface of each of the coupling members.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002260710A CA2260710A1 (en) | 1999-02-04 | 1999-02-04 | Sucker rod coupler |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002260710A CA2260710A1 (en) | 1999-02-04 | 1999-02-04 | Sucker rod coupler |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2260710A1 true CA2260710A1 (en) | 2000-08-04 |
Family
ID=29555082
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002260710A Abandoned CA2260710A1 (en) | 1999-02-04 | 1999-02-04 | Sucker rod coupler |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2260710A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7731885B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2010-06-08 | Robbins & Myers Energy Systems L.P. | Method of forming and securing a rod guide on a sucker rod |
| US8276668B2 (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2012-10-02 | Reelwell As | Method and device for cleaning and sealing a well |
| CN106194051A (en) * | 2016-10-09 | 2016-12-07 | 大庆市华禹石油机械制造有限公司 | A kind of multi-layer wear-resistant wipes carbon fibre pumping rod box cupling |
-
1999
- 1999-02-04 CA CA002260710A patent/CA2260710A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7731885B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2010-06-08 | Robbins & Myers Energy Systems L.P. | Method of forming and securing a rod guide on a sucker rod |
| US8276668B2 (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2012-10-02 | Reelwell As | Method and device for cleaning and sealing a well |
| CN106194051A (en) * | 2016-10-09 | 2016-12-07 | 大庆市华禹石油机械制造有限公司 | A kind of multi-layer wear-resistant wipes carbon fibre pumping rod box cupling |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5908212A (en) | Ultra high torque double shoulder tool joint | |
| US5810401A (en) | Threaded tool joint with dual mating shoulders | |
| US6264244B1 (en) | End connector for composite coiled tubing | |
| JP4856841B2 (en) | Threaded joint integrated with pipe | |
| US4844516A (en) | Connector for coil tubing or the like | |
| CA2391158C (en) | A thread joint, a male portion and a female portion | |
| CA2525958C (en) | Composite coiled tubing end connector | |
| CA1230359A (en) | Pipe joint | |
| FI87829B (en) | GAENGKONSTRUKTION FOER SLAGBERGBORRMASKIN | |
| US6367845B1 (en) | Control line coupling and tubular string-control line assembly employing same | |
| US6464013B2 (en) | Oil well casing centralizer coupling | |
| WO1986003274A1 (en) | Oilwell tubing connector | |
| US7093654B2 (en) | Downhole component with a pressure equalization passageway | |
| AU2002363701B2 (en) | Thread joint | |
| CA2469875A1 (en) | Modular thread connection with high fatigue resistance | |
| EP1224417B1 (en) | Composite coiled tubing end connector and pipe-to-pipe connector | |
| CA2260710A1 (en) | Sucker rod coupler | |
| US7014212B2 (en) | Tubular joint wear indicator | |
| GB2104606A (en) | Self aligning pipe connector | |
| US4640349A (en) | Flexible sucker rod unit | |
| RU2231616C1 (en) | Detachable connection of flexible continuous pipes | |
| SE9904323D0 (en) | A gang and a trade | |
| GB2226379A (en) | A washing pipe connection for a wash drilling string | |
| CA2385237A1 (en) | Composite coiled tubing end connector | |
| RU2003121371A (en) | JOINT COLUMN, PUMP AND COMPRESSOR PIPES IN OIL AND GAS WELLS |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |