Orientable Perforating Gun Assembly Without Manual Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of perforating guns is challenging due to the risk of wire twisting, crimping, and manual connection of electrical detonators, leading to safety hazards and delays, and there is a need for orientation verification of perforations to ensure they are aligned with the preferred fracture plane for optimal hydraulic fracturing results.
Innovation Solution
An orientable perforating gun assembly with a gun housing, charge carrier, and orientation alignment ring that allows for rotatable connection and fixed orientation, incorporating an initiator assembly with an orientation sensor for precise alignment and automated detonation initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual wiring of electrical detonators is used during assembly, then the perforating gun can be assembled, but safety hazards and assembly delays occur due to wire twisting, crimping, and manual connection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electrical wire and manual wiring step from the assembly process by integrating the initiator directly into the detonator housing. The initiator is pre-positioned and electrically connected within the sealed housing before assembly, eliminating the need for field wiring operations that cause safety hazards and delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the initiator, detonator housing, and electrical connection into a single integrated assembly. The initiator is housed within the detonator housing with pre-established electrical connections, merging multiple components and operations into one unified unit that eliminates manual wiring steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If orientation verification of perforations is performed, then perforation alignment with preferred fracture plane is ensured for optimal hydraulic fracturing, but additional time and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an orientation sensor and alignment ring that verify perforation orientation during the assembly process itself, before the perforating gun is deployed. The alignment ring with indicia allows visual confirmation of correct orientation, and the sensor can detect orientation automatically, eliminating the need for separate verification steps after deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment ring with visual indicia enables the assembly operator to self-verify the orientation of the perforating gun during assembly without requiring additional equipment or expertise. The system provides its own orientation verification capability through the visual alignment features on the alignment ring.
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
Facilitates reliable and safe detonation of perforating guns without manual wiring, ensuring accurate orientation of perforations in the preferred fracture plane, reducing assembly errors and enhancing hydrocarbon extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an initiator assembly with an orientation sensor for precise alignment
Implementation Method 2
The perforating gun may have explosive charges which are ignited to create holes in the casing and to blast through the formation
Implementation Method 3
detonates the shaped charges to penetrate/perforate the casing
Data Source
AI summary
An orientable perforating gun assembly includes a gun housing and a charge carrier positioned within an interior space of the gun housing. The charge carrier supports a shaped charge in a fixed rotational orientation relative to the gun housing. The orientable perforating gun assembly further includes an orientation alignment ring rotatably connected to a first end of the gun housing.