# US 2021/0079751 A1 · Tool catcher system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0079751 A1 - Document ID: US20210079751A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/569,423 - Filed: 2019-09-12 - Published: 2021-03-18 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-12 - Assignees: Cameron International Corporation - Applicants: Cameron International Corporation - Inventors: Ian McDaniel; Jesse Garcia; Jeffrey Lambert; Nathaniel Pettibone; Ross Stevenson; Kody Carrillo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210079751A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/0407: {with a suspended electrical cable} - E21B 33/072: for cable-operated tools (E21B33/076 takes precedence) - E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A tool catcher system that includes a housing. The housing defines a bore that receives a tool. The tool catcher system includes a plurality of ring segments that move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool. A spring plate supports the plurality of ring segments. An actuator plate couples to the spring plate. A plurality of shafts couple the actuator plate to the spring plate. An actuator system moves the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool catcher system, comprising: a housing, the housing defining a bore through the housing, the housing is configured to receive a tool; a plurality of ring segments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool; a spring plate configured to support the plurality of ring segments; an actuator plate configured to couple to the spring plate; a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to couple the actuator plate to the spring plate; and an actuator system configured to move the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool catcher system of claim 1, wherein the actuator system comprises a cam configured to contact and move the actuator plate in the first direction to release the tool. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tool catcher system of claim 2, comprising an electric actuator coupled to the cam, wherein the electric actuator is configured to rotate the cam to lift the actuator plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The tool catcher system of claim 2, comprising a manual actuator coupled to the cam, wherein the manual actuator is configured to rotate the cam to lift the actuator plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tool catcher system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to extend into the bore and are pressure balanced. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool catcher system of claim 1, comprising a spring configured to bias the spring plate in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the spring is configured to bias the tool catcher system to a closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tool catcher system of claim 1, comprising an angled surface configured to contact and drive the plurality of ring segments radially inward to capture the tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tool catcher system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ring segments define a flange, wherein the flange is configured to support the tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tool catcher system of claim 1, comprising a position sensor coupled to the actuator plate, wherein the position sensor is configured to sense changes in a position of the actuator plate, and wherein the position sensor is outside of the bore. ### Claim 10 A tool catcher system, comprising: a plurality of ring segments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to a tool; a spring plate configured to couple to and move with the plurality of ring segments; an actuator system configured to move the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool; and a spring configured to bias the spring plate in a second direction opposite the first direction to capture the tool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The tool catcher system of claim 10, comprising an actuator plate configured to couple to the spring plate, wherein the actuator system is configured to move the actuator plate in the first direction to release the tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tool catcher system of claim 11, comprising a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to couple the actuator plate to the spring plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The tool catcher system of claim 11, wherein the actuator system comprises a cam configured to contact and move the actuator plate in the first direction to release the tool. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The tool catcher system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of shafts are configured to extend into a bore of a housing, and wherein the plurality of shafts are pressure balanced. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The tool catcher system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of ring segments define a flange, wherein the flange is configured to support the tool. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The tool catcher system of claim 10, comprising a housing defining a bore that receives the plurality of ring segments. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The tool catcher system of claim 10, comprising a position sensor coupled to an actuator plate, wherein the position sensor is configured to sense changes in a position of the actuator plate, and wherein the position sensor is outside of a bore defined by a housing. ### Claim 18 A tool catcher system, comprising: a housing, the housing defining a bore through the housing, the housing is configured to receive a tool; a plurality of ring segments, the plurality of ring segments are configured to move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool; a support plate configured to support the plurality of ring segments; a spring plate configured to support a spring, wherein the spring plate is configured to drive the plurality of ring segments radially inward; an actuation plate configured to contact and drive the plurality of ring segments radially outward; and an actuator system configured to move the actuator plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The tool catcher system of claim 18, wherein the actuator system comprises a cam configured to rotate to lift the actuation plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The tool catcher system of claim 18, wherein the actuator plate defines an aperture configured to receive the tool and enable the tool to couple to the plurality of ring segments.