Combined rod guide and rod rotator device

Abstract

A combined guide and automatic rod rotator device for a downhole sucker rod which is reciprocating axially. The sucker rod is connected with a swivel mechanism to allow rotational movement of the sucker rod. The combined guide and automatic rod rotator device includes a cylindrical body and at least two vanes extending radially from the cylindrical body, wherein the vanes are helically arranged on the body.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combined guide and automatic rod rotator device for a downhole sucker rod which is reciprocated axially, wherein said sucker rod is connected with a swivel mechanism to allow rotational movement of said sucker rod, which device comprises: 
 a cylindrical body; and    at least two vanes extending radially from said cylindrical body, wherein said vanes are helically arranged on said body.    
     
     
         2 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  having three said vanes.  
     
     
         3 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  having four said vanes.  
     
     
         4 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said vane extends helically approximately ninety degrees (90°).  
     
     
         5 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said swivel mechanism is chosen from the group consisting of a bearing block at the wellhead, a swivel coupling in said sucker rod, and another existing means of rotation of said sucker rod.  
     
     
         6 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said downhole sucker rod communicates with a limiter device to allow rotation of said sucker rod in one direction only and prevent rotation in an opposite direction.  
     
     
         7 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said vane has a pair of planar sidewalls parallel to each other.  
     
     
         8 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 7  wherein each said vane includes a radiused face between said sidewalls.  
     
     
         9 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein each said vane tapers toward said cylindrical body.  
     
     
         10 . A combined device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical body is adhesively bonded to said rod.  
     
     
         11 . A method to guide a downhole sucker rod in reciprocating axial movement and to radially rotate said sucker rod, which method comprises: 
 guiding a sucker rod through said axial movement in a well tubing with at least two vanes extending from a cylindrical body; and    rotating said sucker rod radially in said well tubing by force of fluid against said vanes, each of which is helically arranged about said body.    
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said sucker rod is permitted to rotate by a swivel mechanism chosen from the group consisting of a bearing block at the wellhead, a swivel coupling in said sucker rod, and another existing means of rotation of said sucker rod.  
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 12  including the additional step of limiting rotation in an opposite direction by a limiter device.  
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said swivel mechanism is a swivel coupling and wherein only a portion of said sucker rod is rotated radially.