Detonator Assembly with Ballistic Interrupt Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing downhole perforating guns require manual removal of ballistic interrupts before deployment, adding operational steps and handling risks during transport and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A detonator assembly with a ballistic interrupt and actuator that remains in a failsafe state during transport, automatically transitioning to an armed state when embedded digital logic or environmental conditions indicate the correct location, allowing for attached transport and reduced manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual removal of ballistic interrupt is required before deployment, then safety during transport is improved, but operational complexity and handling steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic interrupt is pre-positioned within the detonator assembly housing, and the system is pre-configured with an actuator mechanism that automatically removes or repositions the interrupt when deployment conditions are met, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining safety during transport
Solution Approach 2:
The detonator assembly is designed to automatically manage its own safety mechanism through environmental sensing or deployment-triggered actuators that remove or bypass the ballistic interrupt without requiring external manual handling, making the system self-sufficient in managing its safety state
2Reliability
If manual removal of ballistic interrupt is required, then safety control is improved, but time and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with sensors and actuators that automatically manage the ballistic interrupt based on deployment conditions, eliminating time-consuming manual steps while maintaining safety control through pre-programmed response to environmental or operational triggers
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical removal of the ballistic interrupt is replaced with an automated actuator system controlled by environmental sensors or deployment triggers, substituting human operation with mechanical automation that maintains safety while improving deployment speed and efficiency
3Ease of operation
If ballistic interrupt is removed manually, then arming process is simplified, but handling risks are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The detonator assembly automatically manages its own arming state by using environmental sensors or deployment triggers to remove or reposition the ballistic interrupt, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle the armed component and thereby reducing handling risks while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
An actuator mechanism serves as an intermediary between the deployment trigger and the ballistic interrupt, automatically performing the removal or repositioning action that would otherwise require manual handling, thereby mediating the transition from safe to armed state without exposing operators to handling risks
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Also included in the perforating gun assembly is a detonator assembly disposed in line or adjacent to the detonating cord. The detonator assembly includes a detonator, a ballistic interrupt, an actuator to remove the ballistic interrupt from a line of fire of the detonator, and a detonator control board to control the actuator and firing of the detonator.