Abstract: A sleeve is retained to a shaft without the use of a keyway through at least one end connection that has a preferably flat face with one or more projections from the flat face. Rounded projections are preferred. The projections go into shape matching depressions on the sleeve. Alternatively the sleeve can have the projections and the end retainer can have the depressions. The end retainer is spring loaded for axial deflection in the event of an over-torque. If that happens there is planned for slippage until the condition is alleviated at which point the spring bias is able to again match a projection to a depression for continuing tandem driving of the shaft and the sleeve. The sleeve is preferably carbide and resides in a carbide bushing.

Abstract: A sleeve is retained to a shaft without the use of a keyway through at least one end connection that has a preferably flat face with one or more projections from the flat face. Rounded projections are preferred. The projections go into shape matching depressions on the sleeve. Alternatively the sleeve can have the projections and the end retainer can have the depressions. The end retainer is spring loaded for axial deflection in the event of an over-torque. If that happens there is planned for slippage until the condition is alleviated at which point the spring bias is able to again match a projection to a depression for continuing tandem driving of the shaft and the sleeve. The sleeve is preferably carbide and resides in a carbide bushing.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing has a tubular portion that inserts into the bore. The thrust bearing has an external shoulder that contacts a support surface in the bore of the diffuser for transmitting downward thrust from an upstream impeller to the diffuser. The thrust bearing has an internal shoulder for transmitting upward thrust from a downstream impeller to the diffuser.

Abstract: A well has a downhole flow meter that is installed in a sub in a string of tubing. The flow meter has a body having an external profile that lands on a landing profile in the sub. The body has a passage with a throat area of reduced diameter. Upstream and downstream body ports in a side wall of the body are in fluid communication with the throat area and a downstream portion of the passage downstream of the throat area. Seals are located between the body and the sub, defining an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber surrounding the body, the chambers being in communication with the upstream and downstream body ports. Upstream and downstream sub ports in a side wall of the sub are in fluid communication with the upstream and downstream chambers. A sensor circuit is in operative engagement with the sub ports for determining a flow rate based on a pressure difference sensed between the throat area and the downstream portion of the passage in the body.

Abstract: A thrust chamber for use in a horizontal hurst apparatus or other pump apparatus is disclosed. The thrust chamber includes a housing, a rotatable shaft mounted within the housing, a first downthrust bearing section connected to the shaft and to the housing, and a second downthrust bearing section also connected to the shaft and the housing. The two downthrust bearing sections are interconnected so that as a downthrust load is placed on the shaft, the first downthrust bearing section receives the load and engages the second downthrust bearing section so as to share the load substantially equally between the first downthrust bearing section and the second downthrust bearing section. Each downthrust bearing section is substantially alike and additional downthrust bearing sections may be added as desired. The thrust chamber further includes an upthrust bearing section, connected to the shaft and the housing.