Abstract: A rod guide molded in intimate contact with a sucker rod increases the amount of rod guide material available for wear. Adequate bypass area is provided so as not to impede the efficient movement of the rod and guide in tubing, yet more material for wear significantly lengthens the useful life of the rod guide. In a preferred embodiment, the rod comprises two guide elements, each with two lobes or vanes. The vanes of the two guide elements are opposed by ninety degrees for smooth operation and stability of the guide. Each lobe has an exterior contact surface with it circular radius of curvature that matches that of the tubing into which the guide is to be inserted.

Abstract: A rod guide with removable vanes provides the capability of using one wear-resistant material for the erodable volume of the rod guide and another, stock material for the body that holds the vanes. When the vanes of the rod guide are expended, they are removed and replaced and the body is reused. In this way, sucker rod segments can be quickly and easily refurbished in the field with significant savings in transport time. High value wear-resistant materials are placed where the wear occurs and the remainder of the rod guide is made of a material that can be used for an extended period of time in the harsh down-hole environment.

Abstract: A rod guide in the form of a substantially cylindrical body molded in intimate contact with a sucker rod includes at least three blades or fins projecting from the body to define a smoothly continuous concave surface of the body. The ends of the blades form knife blades to reduce resistance to fluid flow about and through the rod guide and to reduce turbulent flow behind each blade. The disclosed structure offers increased strength against bending moment subjected to the rod guide, thereby increasing resistance to bending fracture and tensile elongation. This structure also increases erodable volume of rod guide material while maintaining flow about and through the rod guide.