Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has first and second modular component sections, each of the sections having an outer housing and an inner shaft member. A coupling sleeve having a bore is disposed between the modular component sections and receives the shaft member of each of the component sections. The bore of the coupling sleeve and the shaft members have mating drive shoulders for transmitting torque. An axial tension transmitting shoulder is affixed to the shaft member of the first modular component section and located in the bore of the coupling sleeve. A latch member carried by the shaft member of the second modular component section engages the axial tension transmitting shoulder as the modular components are moved together to secure the shaft members to one another for transferring axial tension from one of the shaft members to the other. A retainer prevents disengagement of the latch member.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly for a well is lowered into the well on a string of tubing. A packer mounts to the pump assembly below an intake of the pump and is lowered in with the pump assembly. The packer is radially expansible to seal against the casing in the well. A conduit leads from the pump assembly to the packer for diverting a portion of the well fluid being pumped through the pump assembly. This pressurized fluid causes the packer to expand and seal against casing.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has first and second modular component sections, each of the sections having an outer housing and an inner shaft member. A coupling sleeve having a bore is disposed between the modular component sections and receives the shaft member of each of the component sections. The bore of the coupling sleeve and the shaft members having mating radial load transmitting shoulders for transmitting torque. An axial load transmitting shoulder is affixed to the shaft member of the first modular component section and located in the bore of the coupling sleeve. A locking element is carried by the shaft member of the second modular section and engages the axial load transmitting shoulder to secure the shaft members to one another for transferring axial tension from one of the shaft members to the other.

Abstract: An intake assembly for a well pump restricts gas entry into the pump when the pump is located in a horizontal section of the well bore. The restrictor is located within a tubular intake housing. The intake housing has apertures for receiving the flow of well fluid. The apertures are spaced circumferentially around the housing. Once installed in the well, some of the apertures will be at higher elevations than others. The restrictor partially blocks at least one of the higher elevation apertures and opens at least one of the lower elevation apertures. The gas will be at the higher elevations, thus it is restricted from flowing in through the higher elevation aperture while the liquid freely flows into the lower elevation aperture. The restrictor may be of a buoyant material to float upward in the well fluid. The restrictor may also be open in response to contact with the casing wall.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly has a release adapter on a string of coiled tubing. Power cables and a hydraulic capillary tube extend through the coiled tubing to the release adapter where each terminates at a coupling. The release adapter has a locking mechanism that is located in a chamber adjacent to a fishing neck at the upper end of the pump. The locking mechanism has a collet that is latched to the fishing neck. A piston captures the collet against the neck, and is restrained from movement by shear pins. The locking mechanism is actuated from the surface by pumping hydraulic fluid down through the capillary tube to the chamber to stroke the piston downward and shear the pins. When the piston moves, the lower end of the collet releases the fishing neck and is free to be retracted axially upward into the wellbore toward the surface. As the coiled tubing lifts the release adapter away from the fishing neck, tension develops in the wires and tubing until those components detach from their respective couplings.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly using threaded connections, the submersible well pump assembly having a first housing, a second housing, a clamp ring, and at least one anti-rotation member. The first housing has an end having an outer surface, an end face, and a shoulder on that outer surface. The second housing has an end having an outer surface and an end face. The outer surface of the second housing has external threads formed thereon and the end face of the second housing abuts the end face of the first housing. The clamp ring is rotatably and slidably carried on the first housing and has internal threads that engage the external threads of the second housing. The clamp ring also has an internal shoulder that engages the shoulder of the first housing. To keep the connection secure, the assembly has at least one anti-rotation member having a cooperative element on each end of each housing to inhibit rotation of one housing relative to the other.

Abstract: An intake assembly for a well pump restricts gas entry into the pump when the pump is located in a horizontal section of the well bore. The restrictor is located within a tubular intake housing. The intake housing has apertures for receiving the flow of well fluid. The apertures are spaced circumferentially around the housing. Once installed in the well, some of the apertures will be at higher elevations than others. The restrictor partially blocks at least one of the higher elevation apertures and opens at least one of the lower elevation apertures. The gas will be at the higher elevations, thus it is restricted from flowing in through the higher elevation aperture while the liquid freely flows into the lower elevation aperture. The restrictor may be of a buoyant material to float upward in the well fluid. The restrictor may also be open in response to contact with the casing wall.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has first and second modular component sections, each of the sections having an outer housing and an inner shaft member. A coupling sleeve having a bore is disposed between the modular component sections and receives the shaft member of each of the component sections. The bore of the coupling sleeve and the shaft members having mating radial load transmitting shoulders for transmitting torque. An axial load transmitting shoulder is affixed to the shaft member of the first modular component section and located in the bore of the coupling sleeve. A locking element is carried by the shaft member of the second modular section and engages the axial load transmitting shoulder to secure the shaft members to one another for transferring axial tension from one of the shaft members to the other.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly using threaded connections, the submersible well pump assembly having a first housing, a second housing, a clamp ring, and at least one anti-rotation member. The first housing has an end having an outer surface, an end face, and a shoulder on that outer surface. The second housing has an end having an outer surface and an end face. The outer surface of the second housing has external threads formed thereon and the end face of the second housing abuts the end face of the first housing. The clamp ring is rotatably and slidably carried on the first housing and has internal threads that engage the external threads of the second housing. The clamp ring also has an internal shoulder that engages the shoulder of the first housing. To keep the connection secure, the assembly has at least one anti-rotation member having a cooperative element on each end of each housing to inhibit rotation of one housing relative to the other.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump (ESP) having tubing for recirculating fluid below the motor of the ESP for cooling purposes. By recirculating fluid below the motor, an ESP can then be placed below the perforations in a well casing, thereby taking advantage of gas separation from the fluid before the fluid enters the pump intake. Three embodiments are disclosed: a fluid tap in the production pump housing to which tubing is connected to recirculate the fluid; a recirculation pump that shares an intake with the production pump wherein the recirculation pump is used to recirculate the fluid; and a recirculation pump and a production pump that each have a separate intake wherein the recirculation pump is used to recirculate the fluid.

Abstract: A sliding drag assembly for a spin casting style fishing reel comprising a clutch ring, disposed between a deck plate, associated with the reel body, and a line-carrying spool. Brake washers may be mounted between the clutch ring and the spool. The clutch ring comprises a substantially flat body with a plurality of legs or cam followers extending angularly from the plane of the body and toward the deck plate. The deck plate has a plurality of ramps or cams corresponding in number and location with the legs or cam followers. Translation of the clutch ring guides the legs or cam followers on the ramps or cams, moving the body forwardly or rearwardly of the reel, depending on the direction of movement of the clutch ring. Preferably, the body and legs are formed as a single piece from a sheet of resilient material, as is a tab, which is folded at a right angle to the plane of the body and through which the ring is manipulated.