Roller coupling apparatus and method therefor

A roller coupling apparatus comprising, in combination:

• a body comprising:
• a threaded upper end;
• a threaded lower end;
• a plurality of alternating curved outer surfaces and flat outer surfaces;
• a first plurality of partial circumferential grooves positioned proximate the upper end and a second plurality of partial circumferential grooves positioned proximate the lower end;
• wherein an upper portion and a lower portion of each of the plurality of flat outer surfaces is T-shaped;
• a plurality of wheel wells positioned between the upper end and the lower end;
• and
• a plurality of aligned pairs of openings;
• a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body;
• a plurality of inserts, each insert having an opening configured to receive an axle, and wherein each insert is configured to be positioned in an opening in one of the plurality of wheels;
• a plurality of axles, wherein each axle is configured to be positioned through one of the plurality of aligned pairs of openings in the body and in one of the plurality of inserts;
• wherein each wheel well of the plurality of wheel wells is configured to receive one of the plurality of wheels;
• wherein the wheels are positioned radially around the body;
• and
• wherein the wheels are spaced-apart equidistantly from each other.

A method for protecting pumping system components from wear during pumping operations, comprising the steps of:

• providing a pumping unit;
• providing a roller coupling apparatus comprising, in combination:
• a body having a threaded upper end, a threaded lower end, and a plurality of alternating curved outer surfaces and flat outer surfaces;
• a first plurality of partial circumferential grooves positioned proximate the upper end of the body and a second plurality of partial circumferential grooves positioned proximate the lower end of the body;
• wherein an upper portion and a lower portion of each of the plurality of flat outer surfaces is T-shaped;
• and
• a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body;
• wherein the wheels are positioned radially around the body;
• and
• wherein the wheels are spaced-apart equidistantly from each other;
• providing a first threaded component;
• providing a second threaded component;
• securing together the first and second threaded components by threadably coupling the upper end of the roller coupling apparatus to a lower end of the first threaded component and threadably coupling the lower end of the roller coupling apparatus to an upper end of the second threaded component to form an assembly;
• positioning the assembly within tubing of a wellbore;
• causing the assembly to move up with an upstroke of the pumping unit and down with a downstroke of the pumping unit;
• and
• during the movement with the upstroke and the downstroke, causing the wheels of the roller coupling apparatus to contact and roll along an interior diameter surface of the tubing.

A roller coupling apparatus comprising, in combination:

• a body having a threaded upper end and a threaded lower end;
• and
• a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels comprises:
• a convex outer wall having only one circumferential wear groove, the circumferential wear groove centrally positioned on the outer wall;
• a pair of sidewalls having a plurality of wear grooves positioned on the sidewalls;
• and
• an opening wall defining a central opening, wherein the opening wall is configured to receive an insert;
• wherein the plurality of wheels are positioned radially around the body;
• wherein the plurality of wheels are horizontally coplanar with each other;
• and
• wherein the plurality of wheels are spaced-apart equidistantly from each other.

A method for protecting pumping system components from wear during pumping operations, comprising the steps of:

• providing a pumping unit;
• providing a roller coupling apparatus comprising, in combination:
• a body having a threaded upper end and a threaded lower end;
• and
• a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels comprises:
• a convex outer wall having only one circumferential wear groove, the circumferential wear groove centrally positioned on the outer wall;
• a pair of sidewalls having a plurality of wear grooves positioned on the sidewalls;
• and
• an opening wall defining a central opening, wherein the opening wall is configured to receive an insert;
• wherein the plurality of wheels are positioned radially around the body;
• wherein the plurality of wheels are horizontally coplanar with each other;
• and
• wherein the plurality of wheels are spaced-apart equidistantly from each other;
• providing a first threaded component;
• providing a second threaded component;
• securing together the first and second threaded components by threadably coupling the upper end of the roller coupling apparatus to a lower end of the first threaded component and threadably coupling the lower end of the roller coupling apparatus to an upper end of the second threaded component to form an assembly;
• positioning the assembly within tubing of a wellbore;
• causing the assembly to move up with an upstroke of the pumping unit and down with a downstroke of the pumping unit;
• and
• during the movement with the upstroke and the downstroke, causing the wheels of the roller coupling apparatus to contact and roll along an interior diameter surface of the tubing.