Shaped charge retainer system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-RE49910-E
Application number	US-201517535500-A
Country	US
Kind code	E1
Filing date	May 21, 2015
Priority date	May 21, 2014
Publication date	Apr 9, 2024
Grant date	Apr 9, 2024

Abstract

An apparatus and method for locking a detonating cord against a shaped charge.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cylindrical charge holder for use in a perforating gun comprising:
at least one charge hole located axially about the center of the cylindrical charge holder adapted to fit at least one shaped charge disposed therein;
at least one retainer cutout located axially about the center of the cylindrical charge holder and opposite of the at least one charge hole and having an irregular rectangular shape, wherein the retainer cutout is adapted to accept a retainer fitting adapted to couple to the end of a shaped charge and inserted or removed therethrough in only a first angular orientation, and once inserted may be locked into position by rotating it to a second angular orientation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first locking cutout located adjacent to the at least one retainer cutout, wherein the first locking cutout locks with a portion of a retainer fitting at the second angular orientation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of charge hole cutouts and a plurality of corresponding retainer cutouts.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of corresponding first locking cutouts, each located adjacent to its corresponding retainer cutout.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first locking cutouts have a rectangular shape.

6. A retainer fitting for use on a shaped charge in a perforating gun comprising:
a base portion having an opening adapted to attached attach to a shaped charge, a cutout adapted to allow the base portion to snap onto a shaped charge, and having an overall irregular rectangular shape adapted to fit into a corresponding irregular rectangular shaped retainer cutout on a charge holder in only a first angular orientation and locking into position at a second angular orientation; and
a detonating cord retainer portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the base portion is integral to a charge case.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the overall irregular rectangular shape of the body portion further comprises a first rectangular portion and a second rectangular portion substantially parallel to the first rectangular portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , the detonating cord retainer portion further comprising a first detonating cord retainer.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , the detonating cord retainer portion further comprising a second detonating cord retainer.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first detonating cord retainer comprises an arch.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second detonating cord retainer comprises an arch.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first detonating cord retainer and the second detonating cord retainer are adapted to accept a detonating cord at the first angular orientation and to substantially restrain the detonating cord when rotated to the second angular orientation.

14. A method for installing a shaped charge onto a charge holder comprising:
with an irregular rectangular shape attached thereto inserting the a retainer fitting with an irregular rectangular shape through an opening in the charge holder adapted to receive the irregular rectangular shape at only a first angular orientation;
rotating the retainer fitting to a second angular orientation; and
locking the retainer fitting at the second angular orientation.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the charge holder is a charge tube with a charge hole.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising inserting the shape charge through a charge hole.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising installing a the retainer fitting onto the end of the shaped charge.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second angular orientation is approximately 45 degrees.

19. The method of claim 14 , mer further comprising snapping the retainer fitting onto the shaped charge.

20. A shaped charge retention system comprising:
a shaped charge case with a first end and an explosive discharge end; a charge tube with a center axis, having a first plurality of circular cutouts adapted for interfacing with a shaped charge case first end and a second plurality of circular cutouts located 180 degrees opposite of the first plurality of cutouts about the charge tube axis; a detonating cord; and a retainer, separate from the charge case with a channel adapted to accept a detonating cord, coupled to the first end of the charge case;
wherein the retainer comprises two retaining ends defining a gap smaller that the width of the channel and the width of the detonating cord, capturing the detonating cord within the channel;
wherein the shaped charge case is located within the charge tube such that the first end is coupled to a first circular cutout with the retainer and the explosive discharge end is located adjacent to a second circular cutout.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the retainer is composed of plastic.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the retainer can pivot about the shaped charge case first end in 360 degrees.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the retainer is further coupled to the detonating cord.

24. The system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of shaped charges.

25. The system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of retainers.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the channel is a u-shaped cutout.

Assignees

• Hunting Titan Inc

Inventors

• Collins William Richard
• Mcdonald Debra Christine
• Schulte Bradley Dean

Classifications

• F42B1/02 Primary

  Shaped or hollow charges (blasting cartridges with cavities in the charge F42B3/08; oil winning using shaped-charge perforators E21B43/116) · CPC title

• E21B43/116

  Gun or shaped-charge perforators · CPC title

• F42B1/036

  Manufacturing processes therefor {(F42B33/0214 - F42B33/0292 take precedence)} · CPC title

• F42B33/0207

  Processes for loading or filling propulsive or explosive charges in containers · CPC title

• F42D1/043

  Connectors for detonating cords and ignition tubes, e.g. Nonel tubes (mounting of detonators in blasting cartridges F42B3/26) · CPC title