US Patent 12091939 Dart and clutch assembly

Described herein are embodiments of systems and apparatuses that include a dart and/or a clutch for a dart plunger. In an exemplary embodiment, the dart plunger includes a dart adapted to move between a first position and a second position and also between a maximum closed position and a minimum closed position. Varying diameters of the dart, and/or the opening in which the clutch is retained, enable the clutch to variably retard movement of the dart between its first, second, maximum, and minimum positions.