Fluid flow control device having a particle catcher

A fluid flow control device comprising:

• a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet;
• a valve seat ring coupled to the valve body and defining an orifice through which the fluid flow path passes;
• a cage coupled to the valve body and defining an interior bore, the cage including at least one cage passage through which the fluid flow path passes;
• a control element slidably disposed within the interior bore of the cage, the control element defining an interior bore, the control element and the valve seat ring cooperating to control fluid flow through the valve body, wherein in a first, open position, the control element is spaced from the valve seat ring to permit fluid flow and in a second, closed position, the control element abuts the valve seat ring to restrict fluid flow;
• and
• a particle catcher at least partially disposed within the interior bore of the control element, the particle catcher having a particle catcher body defining an inner flow path and further defining at least one particle catcher passage through which the fluid flow path passes;
• wherein an outer surface of the particle catcher and an inner surface of the control element form a particle catching portion, and wherein the at least one particle catcher passage directs the fluid flow path downwardly into the particle catching portion such that particles contained in a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path are retained in the particle catching portion.