Abstract: A reciprocating downhole pump has a gas separator located at its bottom end. The separator forms a chamber that is expanded and contracted when the pump is reciprocated. Expansion and contraction of the chamber occurs by either the plunger reciprocating in the chamber or a piston coupled to the plunger reciprocating in the chamber. The chamber has an orifice therein so that during reciprocation fluid flows in and out of the orifice. The orifice is sized so as to subject the fluid to a pressure drop, wherein gas in the fluid is separated from the liquid.

Abstract: The separator has a vane assembly made up of a number of corrugated vanes that are oriented with respect to each other so as to provide serpentine paths for the gas stream therethrough. As the gas stream flows through the serpentine paths, it changes direction and liquid in the gas stream impacts the surfaces of the vanes. The upstream section of the vane assembly has roughened surfaces to decrease the surface tension of the liquid, thereby causing the liquid to coalesce. The downstream section of the vane assembly has smooth surfaces so as to increase the surface tension of the liquid. Thus, the coalesced liquid flows from the roughened surfaces to the smooth surfaces where the liquid forms beads and drains by gravity.

Abstract: The guide has a barrel segment and a bushing segment. The barrel segment couples to the upper end of the pump barrel. The bushing segment has a bushing stop. The length of the guide is adjustable so as to vary the length of the bushing stop from the barrel. By varying the length of the guide, the travel of the plunger is adjusted to provide for a small compression chamber without the plunger contacting the barrel.

Abstract: A guide to support a shaft such as a pump pull rod (11) which is capable of both rotary and reciprocal motion. The guide prevents any misalignment of rod (11) damaging a seal, e.g. a stuffing box, held in space (24). Guide element (18) has central portion (19) and annular flange (25). Element (18) can move laterally with respect to housing (12) and can also pivot, along with the cap (15) of the housing (12), with respect to the lower portion (14) thereof. The latter is achieved via movements of part-spherical bearing element (28) and similarly shaped faces (26, 37, 38) of housing 9120. Further seals (33, 34) prevents entry of pumped fluid into chamber (13).