Hydraulic actuated tool catcher

A method, comprising:

• pulling a tool in an upward direction into a central opening of a tool catcher system using a cable, the tool catcher system comprising:
• a housing comprising an upper body connected to a lower body, wherein the housing defines the central opening for receipt of the tool, the upper body comprising a nose having a tapered surface;
• a plurality of ring segments comprising a plurality of angled surfaces, the plurality of ring segments being disposed between the upper body and the lower body, the plurality of ring segments abutting against the tapered surface of the nose of the upper body, such that the plurality of ring segments is prevented from pivoting as the plurality of ring segments moves between a closed position and an open position;
• a spring plate coupled to and movable with the plurality of ring segments;
• a hydraulic piston disposed between the upper body and the lower body, wherein the hydraulic piston engages the plurality of ring segments;
• a first spring biasing the spring plate in a downward direction to catch the tool;
• and
• a second spring abutting against the hydraulic piston,
• a wear band disposed between the hydraulic piston and the lower body, the wear band configured to inhibit contact between the hydraulic piston and the lower body and maintain alignment between the hydraulic piston and the lower body as the hydraulic piston moves;
• wherein the tool comprises a tool head having an angled surface, and a neck portion beneath the angled surface;
• contacting the plurality of ring segments with the tool head;
• engaging the plurality of angled surfaces of the plurality of ring segments with the angled surface of the tool head, thereby driving the plurality of ring segments in a radially outward direction, and driving the spring plate in an upward direction, compressing the first spring;
• pulling the angled surface of the tool head past the plurality of angled surfaces of the plurality of ring segments, causing the first spring to drive the spring plate in the downward direction, thereby driving the plurality of ring segments in a radially inward direction;
• and
• contacting the plurality of ring segments with the neck portion of the tool head, thereby catching the tool and preventing movement of the tool in the downward direction.

A tool catcher system, comprising:

• a housing comprising an upper body connected to a lower body, wherein the housing defines a central opening that is configured to receive a tool, the upper body comprising a nose having a tapered surface;
• a plurality of segments disposed between the upper body and the lower body, wherein the plurality of segments is configured to move between a closed position in which the plurality of segments catches the tool, and an open position in which the plurality of segments releases the tool, the plurality of segments abutting against the tapered surface of the nose of the upper body, such that the plurality of segments is prevented from pivoting as the plurality of segments moves between the closed position and the open position;
• a spring plate coupled to and movable with the plurality of segments;
• a hydraulic piston disposed between the upper body and the lower body, wherein the hydraulic piston engages the plurality of segments;
• a spring biasing the spring plate in a first direction to catch the tool;
• a seal disposed between the upper body and the lower body of the housing;
• and
• a wear band disposed between the hydraulic piston and the lower body, the wear band configured to inhibit contact between the hydraulic piston and the lower body and maintain alignment between the hydraulic piston and the lower body as the hydraulic piston moves,
• wherein the hydraulic piston is configured to move the plurality of segments, which pushes the spring plate in a second direction opposite the first direction to release the tool, and to move the spring plate in the first direction to catch the tool.