Ball Injector System Apparatus and Method

摘要

A ball launching system includes a ball launcher with a removable ball pod and sleeve assembly that retains balls prior to injection. An interchangeable ball pod with a chamber corresponding to the ball diameter, fits into a pod sleeve and comprise the ball pod and sleeve assembly. The ball launcher further includes a housing with a moveably disposed piston that engages with the ball thereby launching it. The housing also includes a thru hole through which the piston may travel to externally indicate its position within the housing. The ball launching system also includes a control system having control inputs, which may be located remote to the ball launcher. By applying a pre-determined sequence of control inputs, the piston may engage with the balls retained in the ball pod and sleeve assembly to force the balls to be launched from the ball launcher.

主权项

1. A ball pod apparatus comprising:
a ball pod sleeve having an axial sleeve bore; a ball pod disposed within the axial sleeve bore and having a cylindrical ball pod bore; a ball pod cover removably attached to the ball pod sleeve; and a retainer within the cylindrical ball pod bore, wherein the retainer prevents undesired gravity exit of a frac ball from the ball pod apparatus.