Perforation Gun Bulkhead Electrical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional perforation gun systems are cost-prohibitive, difficult to manufacture, and challenging to work with in the field due to numerous threaded joints, which complicates assembly and increases the risk of fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
The design features a perforation gun system with fewer threaded joints, utilizing a coupler without external threads and a direct outer conduit to outer conduit connection, which reduces assembly complexity and minimizes fluid leakage, while using resiliently coupled electric contacts and a bulkhead with no resilient members for enhanced reliability in caustic and magnetic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional perforation gun systems use numerous threaded joints for assembly, then the system can be manufactured with standard components, but the assembly becomes complex and costly, and fluid leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler integrates multiple functions (threaded connection, bulkhead, electrical contacts) into a single unified component. The outer conduit directly connects to the inner conduit without intermediate threaded joints, merging what were previously separate assembly steps into one integrated structure, thereby reducing assembly complexity and cost
2Reliability
If conventional systems use multiple threaded joints, then components can be securely connected, but fluid leakage risk increases and assembly becomes more difficult in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates the threaded joints from the system entirely. By removing this source of potential leakage and assembly difficulty, the patent achieves both improved reliability (fewer leakage points) and easier field operation (simpler assembly procedure)
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into modular components (outer conduit, inner conduit, coupler) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled through simple direct connections rather than complex threaded joints, making field assembly easier while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If resilient members are used in electrical contacts, then electrical connection is maintained under vibration, but the system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive electrical contacts without complex resilient members. The contacts are designed to be straightforward conductive elements that provide reliable electrical connection through their simple geometry and material properties rather than through complex spring mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical resilient members with a simpler direct contact system. Instead of using springs or elastic elements to maintain electrical contact under vibration, the design uses the structural rigidity of the coupler and outer conduit to maintain stable electrical connections between contacts
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 design simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and enhances system reliability by minimizing fluid leakage and maintaining a reliable electrical path despite vibrations, making it easier to use in the field.
Implementation Method 1
resiliently coupled electric contacts
Data Source
AI summary
A perforation gun that includes a monolithic bulkhead electrical contact that includes no resilient members but that is resiliently coupled to two perforating guns. The bulkhead electrical contact is configured to transmit a signal across a bulkhead from one gun to another gun.