Patent ID: 7735548
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for retrieving at least balls carried within a fluid flow from a wellhead port comprising: a catcher body adapted to be fluidly connected to the wellhead port and having a flow outlet; and a diverter fit to the catcher body and having a wellhead end positioned to intercept the fluid flow from the wellhead port and to divert at least the balls carried therein into a ball recovery chamber, the diverter having a bore in fluid communication with the flow outlet and the wellhead end having flow passages formed therethrough to the bore for receiving the fluid flow free of at least the balls and discharging the fluid flow from the catcher body, wherein an annular chamber is formed between the catcher body and the wellhead end of the diverter and some of the flow passages being radial passages extending between the annular chamber and the bore, for directing at least some of the fluid flow.