US Patent 12065903 Choke mechanism for a plunger catcher

A lubricator and plunger catcher used in conjunction with an oil or gas well includes a manifold positioned between the wellhead and the plunger catcher. The manifold includes a plunger passageway that extends from the bottom of the manifold to the top of the manifold, with the plunger catcher being mounted to the top of the manifold. The manifold also includes a production passageway through which oil or gas leaving the wellhead is routed. A choke mechanism for at least partially blocking the production passageway is provided on the manifold to selectively vary the volume of the oil or gas leaving the wellhead that is routed through the plunger catcher. This, in turn, can selectively vary a force imparted to a plunger by the oil or gas leaving the wellhead to ensure the plunger is fully seated in the catcher when it arrives at the wellhead.