Abstract: A ball dropping tool includes an outer and inner body, side bore, ball and an actuator. The outer body has an axial bore extending between a first and second end of the outer body and forming a flow path. The inner body forms a bypass passage extending between a first and second end of the inner body. The side bore is defined by the inner body and is disposed at an angle relative to the axial bore of the outer body. The bypass passage is disposed in a portion of the flow path and is in communication with the side bore. The ball is disposed within the side bore. The actuator, disposed within the outer body, is movable between a retaining position wherein the ball is retained within the side bore and a release position wherein the ball is released from the side bore and into the bypass passage.

Abstract: Drill strings and related ball dropping tools are provided. In accordance with an example, a ball dropping tool 102 includes an outer body 116, an inner body 126, a side bore 132, 133, a ball 112, 114, and an actuator 146. The outer body 116 has a first end 118, a second end 120, and an axial bore 122 extending between the first end 118 and the second end 120 and forming a flow path 123. The inner body 126 has a first end 128 and a second end 130 and forms a bypass passage 131 extending between the first end 128 and the second end 130 of the inner body 126. The side bore 132, 133 is defined by the inner body 126 and is disposed at an angle relative to the axial bore 122 of the outer body 116. The bypass passage 131 is disposed in a portion of the flow path 123 and is in communication with the side bore 132, 133. The ball 112, 114 is disposed within the side bore 132, 133. The actuator 146 is disposed within the outer body 116.