Tubing Pipe Centralizer

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention generally provide a tube centralizer. The tube centralizer generally includes a base structure, and at least one rubber fin formed on the base structure, wherein the at least one rubber fin is configured to separate an inner pipe to which the tube centralizer is attached from an outer pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tube centralizer, comprising
 a base structure; and   at least one rubber fin formed on the base structure, wherein the at least one rubber fin is configured to separate an inner pipe to which the tube centralizer is attached from an outer pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The tube centralizer of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is made of a metallic material. 
     
     
         3 . The tube centralizer of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber fin is made of nitrile rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The tube centralizer of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is an annular sleeve configured to wrap around the inner pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The tube centralizer of  claim 1 , wherein the rubber fin comprises a substantially hydrodynamic profile. 
     
     
         6 . The tube centralizer of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pipe comprises at least a first segment and a second segment, wherein the centralizer couples with an end of the first segment and an end of the second segment, thereby coupling the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         7 . The tube centralizer of  claim 6 , wherein the centralizer couples with the end of the first segment via a first coupler and the end of the second segment via a second coupler. 
     
     
         8 . An oil well comprising:
 a casing pipe string;   a tubing pipe string; and   at least one centralizer attached to the tubing pipe string, comprising:
 a base structure; and 
 at least one rubber fin formed on the base structure, wherein the at least one rubber fin is configured to separate the tubing pipe string from the casing pipe string. 
   
     
     
         9 . The oil well of  claim 8 , wherein the base structure is made of a metallic material. 
     
     
         10 . The oil well of  claim 8 , wherein the base structure is an annular sleeve configured to wrap around the inner pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The oil well of  claim 8 , wherein the rubber fin comprises a substantially hydrodynamic profile. 
     
     
         12 . The oil well of  claim 8 , wherein the tubing pipe string comprises at least a first segment and a second segment, wherein the centralizer couples with an end of the first segment and an end of the second segment, thereby coupling the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         13 . The oil well of  claim 12 , wherein the centralizer couples with the end of the first segment via a first coupler and the end of the second segment via a second coupler. 
     
     
         14 . The oil well of  claim 8 , wherein the rubber fin is made of nitrile rubber. 
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a pipe centralizer, comprising:
 providing a base structure;   sand blasting an outer surface of the base structure;   coating the outer surface with a primer;   applying a bonding agent to the outer surface; and   molding at least one rubber fin on the outer surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising trimming and polishing the at least one rubber fin.