The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1992
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1991
Brock W Watson, Duncan, OK (US);
Joseph S Squyres, Lafayette, LA (US);
Alfred H Jones, Lafayette, LA (US);
William J May, Jr, Morgan City, LA (US);
T Austin Freeman, Wassenaar, NL;
Halliburton Company, Duncan, OK (US);
Abstract
An indicating ball catcher for use in a downhole drill pipe or tool string. The ball catcher comprises an upper body portion having an inlet opening smaller than any ball pumped thereto and a lower body portion. An elongated case interconnects the upper and lower body portions. A bypass is provided for allowing fluid flow around any ball caught in the apparatus and preventing the ball from being pumped therefrom. A reverse bypass may be provided so that fluid back flow is allowed without pumping the balls therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus can accommodate balls which have a larger cross-sectional area than an inner cross-sectional area of the case. The apparatus provides pressure indications at the surface when a ball reaches the upper body portion and when the ball enters the case.