Perforating Gun Charge Holder Orientation Without Locking Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for orienting perforating guns in a gun string are inefficient, prone to loosening, and create sealing issues, making hydraulic fracturing less effective due to inconsistent perforation orientations.
Innovation Solution
A perforating gun system with a housing, charge holder, and end fittings that allow for adjustable radial orientation of shaped charges using mating features on the end fittings, enabling precise alignment and electrical connections without wires, facilitating quick assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If locking rings are used to lock the radial orientation of gun housing relative to tandem sub, then the orientation can be adjusted, but the locking rings may loosen and create sealing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the locking ring component entirely and replaces it with an integrated orientation feature. The tandem sub includes an orientation feature that directly engages with the gun housing to lock radial orientation, eliminating the separate locking ring that was prone to loosening and sealing problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation locking function is merged into the tandem sub structure itself. The orientation feature is an integral part of the tandem sub, combining the alignment and locking functions into a single integrated component rather than using separate locking rings.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional orientation features are used to align multiple guns, then consistent perforation direction can be achieved, but the assembly process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation features are pre-configured on the tandem subs during manufacturing. The orientation features are built into the tandem sub structure before assembly, so that when guns are assembled, the correct radial orientation is automatically achieved without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional adjustment steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple perforating guns are connected together to form a gun string, then perforations can be made at selected depths, but consistent orientation and sealing between guns becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tandem sub is designed as a universal connecting component that performs multiple functions: it connects adjacent guns together, provides the orientation feature to lock radial orientation, and incorporates sealing elements. This multi-functional design ensures that both depth selection and orientation consistency are maintained throughout the entire gun string.
Data Source
AI summary
A perforating gun includes a charge holder that is positioned in a housing. End fittings are affixed to the ends of the holder and support the holder in the housing. Both end fittings have electrical conductors disposed therethrough. One end fitting has two supports. A first support is affixed to the holder's end and has a mating surface. A second support is disposed adjacent to the first support and has another mating surface. The second support is configured to support the holder's end in the housing. The mating surfaces of the supports have mating features configured to mate at different radial orientations relative to one another. This allows the orientation of the holder and its charge(s) to be adjusted inside the housing when the gun is connected to other components of a gun string.