Patent ID: 7306032

Claim:
An apparatus for collecting fluid from a drill string comprising, a plurality of frame members ( 1010 , 1011 , 1012 , 1013 , 1014 , 1015 , 1016 , 1017 , 1018 , 1019 , 1030 , 1031 , 1032 ) connected to form a rigid frame ( 120 ) defining generally planar vertically-oriented first and second sides ( 1000 , 1001 ), said first side ( 1000 ) of said frame formed by connecting together a first set ( 1010 , 1016 , 1012 , 1017 ) of said plurality of frame members into a first shape of a closed polygon ( 1020 , 1021 , 1022 , 1023 ), said second side ( 1001 ) of said frame formed by connecting together a second set ( 1012 , 1015 , 1013 , and 1018 ) of said plurality of frame members into a second shape of a closed polygon ( 1022 , 1026 , 1024 , 1025 ), first and second shells, said first shell designed and arranged to be moved from an open position to a closed position with the first and second shells sealingly mating with each other around the circumference of a pipe of a predetermined diameter, said first and second shells coupled to said frame, the range of motion of said first and second shells limited by said frame, and an actuator assembly coupled to said first shell and said second shell and designed and arranged to move said first shell and said second shell from said open position to said closed position, said actuator assembly characterized by a mechanical advantage which increases as said first shell and said second shell approach said closed position.