Rod Guide With Wrapping Vanes

Abstract

A sucker rod guide includes a pair of vanes, offset from one another by 180°, with each vane wrapping approximately 180° around the rod guide. The vanes wrap around the body of the guide, and are neither spiral nor helical because the surfaces of the vanes extending radially outwardly from the body of the rod guide define two dimensional planar surfaces, i.e. flat planes. The vane thickness varies from a maximum at each end of the vane to a minimum at a midway point along the vane. This shape assists in moving fluid up the production tubing when the guide is applied to a rotary system, such as a progressive cavity pump. This shape also enhances the erodable volume of the vanes at the extremities, while providing a less inhibiting path for the flow of fluid in reciprocating applications.

1 . A rod guide comprising:
 an elongate cylindrical body;   a first vane extending radially outwardly from the body, the first vane defining opposing, parallel, flat, two-dimensional first and second side walls, the first vane wrapping substantially half-way around the body; and   a second vane extending radially outwardly from the body, the second vane defining opposing, parallel, flat, two-dimensional third and fourth side walls, the first vane wrapping substantially half-way around the body.   
     
     
         2 . The rod guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vanes are offset from one another by substantially 180°. 
     
     
         3 . The rod guide of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a first end and a second end, and further comprising:
 a first conical end cap extending from the first end of the body; and   a second conical end cap extending from the second end of the body.   
     
     
         4 . The rod guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first vane defines a first end, a second end, and a middle, and wherein the first vane defines a maximum width and the first end and the second end and a minimum width at the middle. 
     
     
         5 . The rod guide of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first conical end cap extending from the first end of the body;   a second conical end cap extending from the second end of the body;   a first angled edge between the first end of the first vane and the first conical end cap; and   a second angled edge between the second end of the first vane and the second conical end cap.   
     
     
         6 . The rod guide of  claim 5 , wherein the first angled edge defines a first straight, non-wrapping vane segment and further wherein the second angled edge defines a second straight, non-wrapping vane segment.