US Patent 9784055 Polish rod alignment device/stuffing box packing preserver

A polish rod alignment and stabilization device preserves stuffing box packing and protects the polish rod of an oil well sucker rod string by guiding and aligning the polish rod as it reciprocates within the stuffing box thereby reducing lateral motion of the polish rod reciprocates up and down. Embodiments of the invention may also wipe the polish rod of debris as it reciprocates within the device. The alignment device utilizes a rod centralizer to which a stuffing box is made up. The centralizer has a second end to which an alignment barrel depends, either by direct connection or by utilization of a barrel adapter. The alignment barrel is disposed within the uppermost portion of the tubing string of the well.