Centralizer and associated devices

1. A centralizer having a longitudinal axis, the centralizer comprising:

first and second opposing end collars positioned around the axis of the centralizer; and

a plurality of spring bows extending from the first end collar via a generally convex curved portion to the second end collar;

wherein a radial distance from at least a portion of a protrusion of the first end collar to the axis is:

greater than a radial distance from a first outwardly facing portion of a spring bow of the plurality of spring bows to the axis at a longitudinal axial position where the spring bow extends from the first end collar; and

less than a radial distance from a second outwardly facing portion of the spring bow to the axis at a longitudinal axial position between the first end collar and the second end collar that is farthest from the axis; and

the centralizer is made from a single piece of material.

2. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the radial distance from the at least a portion of the protrusion of the first end collar to the axis is greater than the radial distance from a third outwardly facing portion of the spring bow to the axis at a longitudinal axial position where the spring bow extends from the second end collar.

3. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed from the first end collar.

4. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is in the form of a bow.

5. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed through a process or processes involving one or more of a pressing process, a bending process, and a cutting process.

6. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has a length and a width less than the length, wherein the length is angled to the longitudinal axis of the centralizer.

7. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion of a plurality of protrusions and the plurality of protrusions are uniformly distributed about a perimeter of the first end collar.

8. The centralizer according to claim 1 , wherein the outwardly facing portion of the first end collar has a shape configured to direct fluid flow into a turbulent flow.

9. A device having a longitudinal axis, the device configured to cooperate with a centralizer having a longitudinal axis, the centralizer comprising first and second opposing end collars positioned around the axis of the centralizer, and a plurality of spring bows extending from the first end collar via a generally convex curved portion to the second end collar, the device comprising:

a protrusion, wherein, when the axis of the device and the axis of the centralizer are substantially aligned co-axially, a radial distance from at least a portion of the protrusion of the device to the axis is:

greater than a radial distance from a first outwardly facing portion of a spring bow of the plurality of spring bows to the axis at a longitudinal axial position where the spring bow extends from the first end collar, and

less than a radial distance from a second outwardly facing portion of the spring bow to the axis at a longitudinal axial position between the first end collar and the second end collar, and wherein the device is made from a single piece material.

10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the radial distance from the at least a portion of the protrusion of the device to the axis is greater than the radial distance from a third outwardly facing portion of the spring bow to the axis at a longitudinal axial position where the spring bow extends from the second end collar.

11. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is formed from the device.

12. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is in the form of a bow.

13. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the protrusion has a length and a width less than the length, wherein the length is angled to the longitudinal axis of the device.

14. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion of a plurality of protrusions and the plurality of protrusions are uniformly distributed about a perimeter of the device.

15. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the outwardly facing surface of the device has a shape configured to direct fluid flow into a turbulent flow.

16. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the device has one or more connecting portions for connecting to a centralizer.

17. A system comprising:

a device having a longitudinal axis, the device configured to cooperate with a centralizer having a longitudinal axis, the centralizer comprising first and second opposing end collars positioned around the axis of the centralizer, and a plurality of spring bows extending from the first end collar via a generally convex curved portion to the second end collar, the device comprising:

a protrusion, wherein, when the axis of the device and the axis of the centralizer are substantially aligned co-axially, a radial distance from at least a portion of the protrusion of the device to the axis is:

greater than a radial distance from a first outwardly facing portion of a spring bow of the plurality of spring bows to the axis at a longitudinal axial position where the spring bow extends from the first end collar, and

less than a radial distance from a second outwardly facing portion of the spring bow to the axis at a longitudinal axial position between the first end collar and the second end collar, and wherein the device is made from a single piece of material; and

a centralizer having a longitudinal axis, the centralizer comprising first and second opposing end collars positioned around the axis of the centralizer, and a plurality of spring bows extending from the first end collar via a generally convex curved portion to the second end collar.