Patent ID: 9103183
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A ball launcher for delivering balls into a wellbore comprising: a manifold body having an axial bore in communication with the wellbore; a generally planar magazine mounted on an end of the manifold body having a cylinder that rotates with respect to the manifold body; a chamber formed axially through the cylinder, so that when a ball is contained in the chamber and the cylinder is rotated, the chamber selectively registers with the axial bore in the manifold body and releases the ball into the axial bore; and a launch system projecting above the magazine having a reciprocating launch rod disposed substantially coaxial with the axial bore, so that when the chamber registers with the axial bore and the rod reciprocates through the axial bore, the ball is urged downward in the axial bore by the rod.