Patent ID: 7543633
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A well pump apparatus having a progressing cavity pump stator secured to a lower end of a string of tubing, and a rotor carried on a lower end of a string of drive rods lowered through the tubing and into engagement with the stator, the improvement comprising: a gas separator secured to a lower end of the stator for separating liquid and gas components of the well fluid, the gas separator having a rotary member for imparting centrifugal force to well fluid flowing into the gas separator; a drive shaft within the gas separator and operatively engaged by the rotor for rotating the rotary member; wherein the rotor is axially movable a limited amount relative to the stator during operation of the pump apparatus resulting from stretch of the rods; the drive shaft is axially movable in unison with the rotor after it is in operative engagement with the rotor; a flex shaft is secured to a lower end of the rotor for being lowered through the tubing with the rotor during installation; and wherein the flex shaft stabs into operative engagement with the drive shaft when reaching a lowest position.