Abstract: Methods of making composite articles wherein at least a portion of a hardsurface wear protection applied to a composite article includes matrix composite and hard elements with channels between the hard elements. A layered preform coating mat may be applied over a substrate of the composite article and then fused thereto to form channels between hard elements in the coating mat. The channels may extend over the entire outer surface of the composite article or only over a portion thereof. A hybrid layered preform coating mat may include a depressed section adapted for receiving a perforated braze preform inlay. When the coating mat is fused to the substrate, channels may be formed between the hard elements in the depressed section, but not in a non-depressed section.

Abstract: A pumping system 10 is provided for pumping fluid from a downhole well to the surface through a production tubing string well. A rotatable drive rod 18 extends from the surface to power the downhole pump, and includes a plurality of rod couplings. The downhole pump includes a pump stator 22 and a rotor 24 rotatable within the pump stator. A lifting member 36 provided at the upper end of the stator is engaged by a drive coupling 34 to retrieve the pump from the well. The lifting member has an internal shoulder 44 tapered radially inwardly and upwardly, such that a rod coupling engages the internal shoulder and passes through the lifting member as the rotor is pulled upward.