US2266351A - Gun perforator construction - Google Patents

Description

- Dec. H56, i941. A. J. zscHoKKE 2,266,35

GUN PERFORATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1, 1940 INVENToR 4er/w@ JZSOHO/f/ff ATT RNEY Patented Dec. i6, 1941 UNITED STATES IPATENT OFFICE GUN PERFORATOR CONSTRUCTION Arthur J. Zschokke, Huntington Park, Calif.,

assgnor to Lane-Wells-Company, Los Angeles,v Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1940, Serial No. 363,831

9 Claims. (Cl. 164-05) My invention relates to gun perforator conas may appear hereinafter, reference is directed struction, that is, to devices which are adapted to the accompanying drawing, in which:

to be lowered within a well casing for firing pro- Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of jectiles through the casing and -thereby form a gun perforator construction embodying my inpassages for the flow of oil from the surround- 5 vention; ing formation into the well. Among the objects Figure2 is a transverse sectional View thereof of my invention are: through 2-2 of Figure 1, showing by dotted line First, to provide a gun perforator construction the relative positions of other gun units below of the general type disclosed in Patents Nos. that through which this section is taken; and 2,216,145 and 2,216,151 wherein a large number Figure 3 is a fragmentary 'sectional View of electrically fired gun units are incorporated through 3-3 of Figure 1, showing particularly in compact relation lin a common cylindrical gun the electrical connection between the distributor body; wire and the gun unit lead.

Second, to provide a gun body construction My gun perforator construction comprises a wherein the gun units are arranged helically to gun body I which is cylindrical and of uniform aiord a substantially uniform radial distribudiameter. A plurality of gun bores 2 are drilled tion so that the resulting perforations in the well laterally into the gun body. These extend alcasing are distributed circumferentially as well most the diameter of the gun body and' are as longitudinally; adapted to be closed at their outer ends by water- Third, to provide a gun perforator which inexcluding Caps 3- corporates a novel wiring system whereby the The gun bores are preferably arranged in two gun units may be red in sequence, the wiring sets which are disposed alternately along the system including an electrical connection begun body. The gun bores of one set are disposed tween the distributor wires of the system and almost dametrically ODDOSB the adjacent bOleS the individual leads to the several gun units; of the other set and both sets of gun bores spiral such connections, although exposed to well uid in the same direction around the gun b0dy pressures, are particularly secure against the Thus, with reference to Figure 2, the uppermost surge of liquid around the gun, either during gun bore, designated A, of the first set is directed movement of the gun through the well bore or to the left and the uppermost gun bore, desigupon discharge of the gun unit; nated B, of the second set is clockwise displaced Fourth, to provide a gun perforator construcapproximately 120 degrees, while the second gun tion wherein the distributor wire system for the bore, designated C, of the firstlset is clockwise gun unit, although exposed to all manner of well displacedabout 15 degrees from bore A. Similaruids and subjected to the extreme temperature ly, the second gun bore of the second series is conditions normally present within well bores, offset only a few degrees from the gun bore B,

has a particularly long service life; etc. Thus, by arranging each set of gun bores Fifth, to provide a gun perforator construction in a -helix having approximately one-half turn, wherein the gun muzzles are disposed circumfera substantially uniform radial distribution of the entially a maximum distance from the gun unit gun bores is provided, so that all sides of the leads so as to minimize the surge pressures casing in which the gun perforator \may be around the exposed parts of the wiring; mounted can be perforated.

Sixth, to provide a gun construction in which Each gun bore is intersected near its inner end the gun units are incorporated integrally in the by a cross bore 4 which is disposed at right angun body, the various cavities, channels, gun gles tol the gun bore and which defmes,'withthe bores and powder chambers being formed in the 15 axis of the gun bore, a plane at right angles to gun body and being so disposed with respect to the axis of the gun body. The cross borev reeach other that during the course of heat treatceives a main powder cartridge 5 which may ing the tendency for the gun body to warp is extend across the gun bore, and the inner end minimized; and of the gun bore beyond the cross bore may re- Seventh, to provide a gun perforator construcceive a supplemental cartridge 6. The car. tion which is readily and economically manutridges 5 and E contain a suitable high explofactured and contains a minimum number of sive. A bullet 'l is positioned in the gun bore parts as compared with the number of gun units outwardly of but adjacent the cross bore. incorporated therein. The cross bores or cartridge bores of the two sets With the foregoing and other objects in view, .of gun units are located at opposite sides of the axis of the gun body and their points of intersection with the periphery of the gun body dene a common helical path approximately 120 displaced from the two helical paths defined by the muzzle ends of the two sets of gun bores.

The outer end of the cross bore d is threaded to receive a plug 8. The plug 8 is adapted to receive a lead wire (to be described hereinafter) which extends to the inner end of the plug and coacts with an electrically responsive fuse (not shown) for igniting the cartridge. At the outer end of each cross bore, the gun body is provided with a recess 9 large enough to receive the head of the plug 8.

The gun body is provided with a longitudinal distributor wire channel I which extends longitudinally in a helical path so as to remain in the area between the outer or muzzle ends of the several gun bores and the inner ends of their respective cross bores, such position being approximately diametrically opposite from the helical path of the series of plug recesses 9. The distributor wire channel I0 is provided with a cover strip I I which fits into longitudinal grooves provided near the outer side of the passage, the cover being inserted endwise along the passage.

The base of the distributor wire channel is intersected by a plurality of conductor passages I2, one for each gun unit. These passages extend approximately diametrically in axially offset planes with respect; to the gun bores. At the end of each conductor passage, remote from the distributor wire channel, there is provided a counterbore I4 and outwardly from the counterbore a recess I5. Each counterbore I4 receives a connector I6 which comprises a sleeve I'I of insulating material having a bore therethrough which. is adapted to be closed at each end by a cork or stopper I8, so that a chamber is formed within the sleeve I'I. A conductive liquid I9 such as mercury fills the sleeve between the corks I8.

The distributor Wire channel I0 is adapted to receive a plurality of distributor wires 20, preferably one for each gun unit. For convenience, only one of said distributor wires is illustrated. Each distributor wire extends through its conductor passage I2 and is provided with a bare extremity which extends into the conductive liquid I9 through the inner cork of the connector. The outer cork of the connector receives a similar Wire 2I which constitutes a gun unit lead'. Each gun unit lead extends from its recess I through a slot 22 which connects recess I5 with the plug recess 9 and then extends downwardly through the corresponding plug 8 to the main cartridge.

The upper end of the distributor wire channel IIJ connects with a socket 23 formed in the upper end of the gun body. The socket receives a controller case (not shown) adapted to contain a multiple contact switch and suitable multiple contact terminals to which the distributor wires are connected. The socket and terminal construction is more fully disclosed in a copending application led November 1, 1940, vSerial No. 363,917.

VQy reason of the fact that the distributor channel is arranged along the opposite side of the gun from the points of connection with the several gun umts which it serves, it is possible to position-the connectors I6 so that the distributor wires 20 may be substantially permanent, the distributor-wires being entirely within the body of the gun or within the channel and therefore fully protected from the surge of fluids around the gun body as it is moved through the well or upon discharge of the gun unit. vThe only wires exposed to the surge of well liquid are the lead wires from the connectors I5 to their respective gun unit plugs; even these Wires are set relatively deep in slots 22. Furthermore, the lead wires are replaced with each firing of the gun inasmuch as they form a part of the electrical fuse provided at the inner 'end of the plug. In other words, the distributor wires form a permanent part of the gun, while the lead wires are replaced.

Also, the discharge or muzzle ends of the gun bores are positioned a maximum distance from 4lead wire of the adjacent gun unit. Tests have shown that the detrimental effect of liquid surge around the socket containing the lead wire is very materially reduced when the gun bore is displaced circumferentially therefrom. Apparently, the force of the surging liquid diminishes as much as the square of the distance fromthe muzzle.

Various changes and alternate arrangements may be made within the scope of the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as the prior art permits.

I claim:

1. A gun perforator construction comprising: a gun body having formed therein a plurality of laterally directed gun bores, each intersected by a laterally disposed cartridge bore; a terminal socket adjacent the outer end of each of said cartridge bores; a longitudinally extending distributor wire channel disposed approximately diametrically opposite the outer ends of said cartridge bores and wire passages connecting said channel with said terminal sockets.

2. A gun perforator construction comprising: an elongated cylindrical body member having gun bores and intersecting cartridge bores disposed transversely to the axis of the gun body, a longitudinally extending distributor wire channel approximately diametrically opposite the outer ends of said cartridge bores and wire passages traversing the body member from said channel to points adjacent the outer ends of said cartridge bores.

3. A gun perforator construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the different gun bores and different 4cartridge bores are relatively disposed circumferenti'ally to den'e helical courses along the gun body, and said distributor Wire channel likewise extends helically.

4. A gun perforator construction, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the different gun bores and different cartridge bores are relatively disposed circumferentially to define a helical course along the gun body, and said distributor wire channel likewise extends h'elically.

5. .A gun perforator construction comprising: a cylindrical gun body defining al plurality of laterally directed cartridge bores divided alternately into two sets, the cartridge bores of one set lying on the opposite side of the axis of said gun body from the adjacent bores of the other set; said gun body defining further two sets of laterally directed gun bores, one gun bore for each cartridge bore, each gun bore extending approximately diametrically opposite the adiacent gun bores of the other set. v

6. A gun perforator construction, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the outer ends of both sets of cartridge bores denne a single helical path along the body member, and the muzzle ends of the two sets of gun bores deilne double helical paths along the body member.

7. A gun perforator construction comprising: a cylindrical gun body dening a plurality of cartridge bores divided alternately into two sets, one set of cartridge bores extending on the opposite side of the ams of said gun body from the adjacent bores of the other set; said gun body deiining further a laterally directed gun bore for each cartridge, each gun bore extending approximately diametrically oDPOSite the adjacent gun bores of the other set; and said gun body member deiining further a longitudinal distributor wire channel disposed approximately diametrically opposite the outer ends of said cartridge bores: and traversing .passages extending from said channel to the outer ends of said cartridge bores.

8. A gun perforator construction, as set forth in claim 7, wh'erein the outer ends of both sets of cartridge bores dene a single helical path along the body member, said channel ueing disposed helically andthe mume ends of the gun bores defining double helical paths along said gun body on opposite sides of said channel'.

9. A gun perforator construction comprising: a cylindrical gun body defining a plurality oi laterally directed cartridge bores divided alternately' in two sets, the cartridge bores of one set lying on the opposite side of the axis of said gun body from the adjacent bores of the other set: said gun body deiining further two sets oi laterally Jdirected gun bores, one gun bore traversing each cartridge bore.

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