Perforating Gun Interlocking Assembly and Skeletonized Body
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing perforating gun systems face issues such as detonation failure, poor ergonomics during assembly, and high manufacturing costs, primarily due to complex assembly requirements and the need for external fasteners.
Innovation Solution
The perforating gun assembly incorporates a bulkhead, electrical feedthrough, charge tube, end alignment, and detonator housing, featuring interlocking joining features, a skeletonized body for material reduction, and a grounding clip to enhance reliability and ergonomics, while minimizing the need for external fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external fasteners are used to assemble the perforating gun components, then the structural integrity is ensured, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fastening function directly into the perforating gun components by incorporating threaded boreholes and corresponding threaded fasteners within the gun body itself, eliminating the need for separate external fasteners. This merging of functions reduces assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity through internal reinforcement structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforating gun is divided into modular sections (gun body, charge tube, detonator housing, bulkhead) that can be assembled separately using integrated connection features. Each segment contains its own fastening mechanisms, allowing for simplified assembly while maintaining overall structural strength through standardized interface designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional assembly methods are used for the perforating gun, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the ergonomics of assembly are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features such as alignment pins, locating surfaces, and pre-threaded boreholes that guide components into proper positioning during assembly. These pre-prepared features eliminate the need for complex alignment procedures and improve ergonomics by reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as alignment fixtures, locating pins, and guided connection features that facilitate the assembly process. These intermediary components act as mediators between the various gun sections, making assembly more ergonomic and easier to perform while not significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
3Productivity
If a complete perforating gun string is transported to the wellsite, then the equipment is ready for immediate use, but the risk of accidental detonation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perforating gun string is segmented into modular components (gun body, charge tube with explosive, detonator housing, bulkhead) that can be transported separately in a disassembled state. This segmentation eliminates the risk of accidental detonation during transport while allowing for rapid assembly at the wellsite, maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary safety features such as safety pins, locking mechanisms, and designated assembly locations that must be engaged before the gun becomes operational. These pre-prepared safety measures ensure that the gun cannot be accidentally detonated during transport or storage, while still enabling quick assembly when needed.
4Reliability
If more material is used in the perforating gun construction, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by concentrating material and structural reinforcement only at critical locations such as the bulkhead, charge tube interfaces, and detonator housing areas. This localized approach improves reliability where needed without unnecessarily increasing material usage and manufacturing cost throughout the entire gun structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction using combinations of high-strength metals, alloys, and reinforced materials in specific sections of the gun. This allows for optimized material usage that maximizes reliability and detonation performance while controlling manufacturing costs through selective material application rather than uniform high-cost materials throughout.
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 improves the reliability of detonation, enhances the ergonomics of assembly, and reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for external fasteners and optimizing material usage.
Implementation Method 1
detonating a series of explosive shaped charges adjacent to the production zone
Implementation Method 2
explosive shaped charges
Implementation Method 3
grounding clip to enhance reliability
Data Source
AI summary
In general, in one aspect, embodiments relate to a perforating gun that includes a gun body, a bulkhead assembly for coupling the perforating gun to an uphole perforating gun, where the bulkhead assembly is at least partially disposed in the gun body, and where the bulkhead assembly includes a bulkhead and electrical feedthrough formed in the bulkhead, and a charge tube assembly attached to the bulkhead assembly, where the charge tube is disposed in the gun body, and where the charge tube assembly includes a charge tube, a detonator housing interlocked with the charge tube, an end alignment interlocked with the charge tube, and a detonation cord extending from the detonator housing to the charge tube.