Gun-to-Gun Detonation Transfer Delay Fuse for Perforating Guns
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Solution Overview
Problem
In well perforation processes, ensuring reliable electrical connectivity and delayed explosive energy transfer between perforating guns is challenging, particularly due to the need for insulated connections and the difficulty in confirming the firing status of each gun in a string, which can lead to unfired guns being retrieved.
Innovation Solution
A delay fuse assembly with a cylindrical housing and frusto-conical features for centralization, combined with a gun-to-gun transfer system using a 6-minute delay fuse, allows for controlled explosive energy transfer and repositioning of the perforating gun string, enabling sequential firing and ensuring all guns are activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical igniters are used to detonate shaped charges, then reliable detonation is achieved, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates due to insulation requirements and signal transmission through multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical ignition system with a mechanical impact ignition system. A firing pin mechanically impacts an initiator to trigger the detonation sequence, eliminating the need for electrical connectors, insulation, and signal transmission through multiple components. This mechanical substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining detonation reliability while removing electrical connection complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple perforating guns are fired simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but the ability to confirm firing status of each gun deteriorates, leading to potential retrieval of unfired guns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simultaneous firing process into sequential individual firings using delay fuses. Each perforating gun is equipped with a delay fuse that triggers detonation at different time intervals. This segmentation allows operators to confirm the firing status of each gun individually while maintaining overall productivity, as the sequential process can still complete all perforations in a single operation.
3Loss of information
If delay fuses are used for sequential firing, then firing status confirmation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the delay fuse functionality directly into the gun-to-gun transfer mechanism itself. The transfer mechanism that moves the explosive charge from one gun to another also serves as the delay fuse assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate, complex delay fuse components while providing sequential firing capability and firing status confirmation through the transfer process itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures reliable and controlled perforation by allowing for the repositioning of the perforating gun string between firing, enabling confirmation of each gun's activation and preventing the retrieval of unfired guns, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A delay fuse assembly with a first perforating gun and a second perforating gun are provided. The first perforating gun may be coupled to the delay fuse assembly and the second perforating gun may be coupled to the delay fuse assembly. Energy from detonation of the first perforating gun may cause detonation of the second perforating gun.
Implementation Method 2
A shaped charge is a term of art for a device that when detonated generates a focused explosive output. This is achieved in part by the geometry of the explosive in conjunction with an adjacent liner. When the explosive detonates the liner metal is compressed into a super-heated, super pressurized jet that can penetrate metal, concrete, and rock.
Implementation Method 3
A delay fuse assembly with a cylindrical housing and frusto-conical features for centralization
Data Source
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AI summary
A gun to gun transfer delay fuse that includes a delay housing, a first cylindrical cavity housing a firing pin and igniter, and a second cylindrical cavity housing a delay fuse with a centralizer feature.