Grounded Detonator Assembly for Side-by-Side Cord Initiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing perforating gun systems face issues such as detonation failure, poor ergonomics during assembly, and high manufacturing costs, particularly due to the risk of accidental detonation during transportation and assembly of unassembled components.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a detonator assembly with a skeletonized body, interlocking features, and a grounding clip to ensure reliable side-by-side detonation, reduce material usage, and improve assembly ergonomics, while allowing for safe transportation and assembly of perforating guns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If perforating guns are transported in a partially unassembled state to prevent accidental detonation, then safety is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase at the wellsite

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The perforating gun system is divided into separable components (detonator assembly, charge tubes, connector assemblies) that can be transported independently in a partially unassembled state. This segmentation allows safe transportation while enabling quick reassembly at the wellsite through simple interlocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Components are pre-assembled to a partially unassembled state during manufacturing, with interlocking features and alignment mechanisms pre-configured. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity and time required for final assembly at the wellsite while maintaining safety during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If traditional detonator assemblies are used without skeletonization, then structural integrity is maintained, but material usage and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The detonator housing employs a skeletonized structure with strategic open spaces and reduced material sections. This porous-like design removes unnecessary material while maintaining structural integrity through strategically placed support elements, achieving both material reduction and sufficient strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The detonator assembly utilizes composite construction combining different materials (metal components, plastic housing elements, grounding clip materials) to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio. This allows structural integrity with reduced overall material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If grounding clip is not included in the detonator assembly, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but risk of accidental detonation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidaccidental detonation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grounding clip is integrated as a self-contained component within the detonator assembly, providing essential grounding functionality without requiring external systems or complex installation procedures. This self-service approach ensures safety while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If interlocking features are added to the detonator assembly, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions (alignment, connection, positioning) are merged into single interlocking features. The interlocking mechanism simultaneously achieves precise alignment and secure connection, reducing the number of separate components needed and offsetting the added complexity with functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enhances the reliability of detonation, reduces the risk of accidental detonation, improves assembly efficiency, and lowers manufacturing costs by ensuring proper grounding and alignment of components, thereby enhancing the safety and productivity of perforating operations.

Implementation Method 1

a grounding clip that extends lengthwise along a substantial portion of the detonator housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical grounding: Earthing

Implementation Method 2

a detonator seated within the detonator receptacle; a detonating cord side-by-side the detonator and seated within the detonating cord receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentUS12509970B2Detonator assembly for a perforating gun assembly

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

In general, in one aspect, embodiments relate to a detonator assembly that includes a detonator housing that includes a detonating cord receptacle and a detonator receptacle, a detonator seated within the detonator receptacle, a detonating cord seated within the detonating cord receptacle side-by-side the detonator, and a grounding clip that extends lengthwise along a substantial portion of the detonator housing, where the grounding clip extends beyond an axial end of the detonator housing.