Patent ID: 8147228
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: F04C,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A progressing cavity pump/motor for positioning along a tubular string in a well to pump fluids to the surface through the tubular string or to create downhole mechanical energy from fluid transmitted downhole to the pump/motor, comprising: a stator tube having a contoured interior surface along an axial length thereof; a rotor extending axially within the stator tube, the rotor having a contoured exterior surface creating progressing cavities between the contoured interior surface and the contoured exterior surface when the rotor rotates with respect to the stator tube; and a coupling for axially interconnecting a lower end of an upper rotor section having the contoured exterior surface and an upper end of a lower rotor section having contoured exterior surface, the coupling maintaining the upper and lower rotor sections in phased relationship for cooperating with the stator tube, including (a) a drive adapter secured to one of the upper rotor section and the lower rotor section and having a male member with a non-cylindrical exterior surface, (b) a socket adapter secured to the other of the upper rotor section and the lower rotor section and having a non-cylindrical interior surface forming a pocket for receiving the male member therein, such that torque is transmitted between the drive adapter and the socket adapter, (c) at least one alignment surface secured to one of the drive adapter and the socket adapter for cooperation with at least one mating surface secured to the other of the drive adapter and the socket adapter to rotationally position the drive adapter within the socket adapter at a selected circumferential position to rotationally align the upper rotor section and the lower rotor section, and (d) a lock member for axially interconnecting the drive adapter and the socket adapter and maintaining a desired axial spacing between the upper rotor section and lower rotor section.