Oriented Perforation Gun Rotating Tube Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well perforation methods face challenges in achieving accurate and reliable orientation of perforating charges due to contact friction and sagging of the loading tube, leading to inaccurate orientation and increased debris, which can damage completion equipment and limit the length of the perforation area.

Innovation Solution

A perforating gun with a stiff orienting tube that rotates inside the gun carrier, reducing sagging and deflection, and allowing for precise orientation of charges without contacting the carrier's interior, using a rotatable assembly with reduced support structures and optional weight balancing or positioning devices to maintain orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a loading tube with holes or openings is used to mount charges, then the charges can be held in place, but the stiffness of the tube is significantly reduced causing sagging and contact with the gun carrier interior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge mounting capabilityVSAvoidloading tube stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The loading tube is segmented into multiple sections with holes or openings only in specific regions where charges are mounted, rather than having holes throughout the entire tube. This segmentation allows the tube to maintain stiffness in non-charged regions while still providing charge mounting capability in required locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If multiple rotational supports are used along the loading tube to prevent sagging, then the loading tube stiffness is improved, but the device complexity and number of moving parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading tube stiffnessVSAvoidnumber of rotational supports

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the multiple rotational support structures from the loading tube design. Instead of adding these supportive elements, the solution relies on the inherent stiffness of the loading tube itself, achieved through proper structural design and material selection, thereby simplifying the device and reducing the number of moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of moving object

If the loading tube is made longer to increase the perforation area, then the perforation length is increased, but the tube sags more and may cause charges to rest on the gun carrier creating friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation area lengthVSAvoidloading tube orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The loading tube is designed with varying local properties along its length - thicker walls or reinforced sections in regions where charges are mounted to prevent local sagging, while maintaining a lighter overall structure for the full length. This local quality enhancement allows the tube to maintain orientation stability throughout its entire length without excessive sagging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If contact friction between the gun carrier and casing is reduced to improve orientation accuracy, then the orientation precision improves, but additional support structures are needed increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge orientation accuracyVSAvoidsupport structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading tube is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape or asymmetric charge distribution that creates a preferred orientation position. This asymmetry allows the tube to self-align and maintain accurate charge orientation relative to the gun carrier without requiring additional symmetric support structures at multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 enables accurate and reliable orientation of perforating charges, reduces debris, and minimizes damage to completion equipment, while allowing longer perforation lengths and reducing the risk of leaks by maintaining the assembly's stability and orientation without additional support structures.

Implementation Method 1

the orienting tube is configured to provide stiffness to the rotatable assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStiffness:

Implementation Method 2

mounting fixture configured to rotate inside a gun carrier and orientate the charges to a predetermined direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 3

the charges fire almost instantaneously and shoots a jet out through the gun carrier, the liner of the bore hole, the cement surrounding the liner, and some distance into the formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosion: Explosion

Data Source

PatentUS11168546B2Gun for oriented perforation

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 TCO AS

AI summary

A gun for perforating a casing, liner or tubing of a well comprising multiple perforating charges in a mounting fixture configured to rotate inside a gun carrier and orientate the charges to a predetermined direction relative to the casing, liner or tubing. The mounting fixture and the charges are carried by an orienting tube, and the orienting tube is rotatably supported inside the gun carrier, thereby creating a rotatable assembly for orienting the charges into a predetermined direction.