I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US010472938B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Parks et al.
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`(54) PERFORATION GUN COMPONENTS AND
`SYSTEM
`
`(71) Applicant: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG,
`Troisdorf (DE)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: David C. Parks, Calgary (CA); Frank
`Baron Preiss, Bonn (DE); Liam
`McNelis, Bonn (DE); Eric Mulhern,
`Edmonton (CA); Thilo Scharf, Donegal
`(IE)
`
`(73) Assignees: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG,
`Troisdorf (DE); JDP Engineering and
`Machine Inc, Calgary (CA)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 16/359,540
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 20, 2019
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2019/0219375 Al
`
`Jul. 18, 2019
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Continuation of application No. 15/920,812, filed on
`Mar. 14, 2018, which is a continuation of application
`(Continued)
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 18, 2013
`
`(CA) ...................................... 2821506
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E21B 4311185
`F42D 1102
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........ E21B 4311185 (2013.01); E21B 431119
`(2013.01); E21B 43111855 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ........... E21B 43/1185; E21B 43/11852; E21B
`43/11855; E21B 43/117; F42D 1/041;
`F42D 1/043; F42D 1/045; F42C 19/06
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,358,466 A
`2,889,775 A
`
`9/1944 Miller
`6/1959 Owen
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CA
`CN
`
`1/2015
`2821506 Al
`9/1986
`85107897 A
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Austin Powder Company, A-140 F & Block, Detonator & Block
`Assembly, 2 pgs.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Joshua T Semick
`Primary Examiner -
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Moyles IP, LLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Components for a perforation gun system are provided
`including combinations of components including a self(cid:173)
`centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector
`that can double as a spacer. Any number of spacers can be
`used with any number of holders for any desired specific
`metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun sys(cid:173)
`tem.
`
`20 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`102
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 001
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`No. 15/617,344, filed on Jun. 8, 2017, which is a
`division of application No. 15/287,309, filed on Oct.
`6, 2016, now Pat. No. 9,702,680, which is a division
`of application No. 14/904,788, filed as application
`No. PCT/CA2014/050673 on Jul. 16, 2014, now Pat.
`No. 9,494,021.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`F42D 1104
`F42C 19106
`E21B 431119
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................ F42C 19106 (2013.01); F42D 1102
`(2013.01); F42D 1104 (2013.01); F42D 11043
`(2013.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,170,400 A
`3,246,707 A
`3,374,735 A
`3,504,723 A
`3,859,921 A
`4,007,790 A
`4,058,061 A
`4,182,216 A
`4,491,185 A
`4,496,008 A
`4,574,892 A
`4,598,775 A
`4,747,201 A
`4,776,393 A
`4,790,383 A
`4,889,183 A
`5,027,708 A *
`
`5,052,489 A
`5,088,413 A
`5,105,742 A
`5,159,145 A
`5,322,019 A
`5,347,929 A
`5,436,791 A
`5,703,319 A
`5,775,426 A
`5,816,343 A
`6,006,833 A
`6,012,525 A
`6,085,659 A
`6,112,666 A
`6,305,287 Bl
`6,354,374 Bl
`6,418,853 Bl
`6,651,747 B2
`6,739,265 Bl
`6,742,602 B2
`6,752,083 Bl*
`
`7,107,908 B2 *
`
`7,193,527 B2
`7,278,491 B2
`7,347,278 B2
`7,568,429 B2
`7,762,172 B2
`7,762,351 B2
`7,778,006 B2
`7,810,430 B2
`7,908,970 Bl
`7,929,270 B2
`8,066,083 B2
`8,069,789 B2
`
`2/1965 Nelson
`4/1966 Bell
`3/ 1968 Moore
`4/1970 Cushman et al.
`11197 5 Stephenson
`2/1977 Henning
`11/ 1977 Mansur, Jr. et al.
`111980 DeCaro
`111985 McClure
`111985 Pottier et al.
`3/ 1986 Grigar et al.
`7/1986 Vann et al.
`511988 Donovan et al.
`10/1988 Forehand et al.
`12/1988 Savage et al.
`12/1989 Sommers et al.
`7/1991 Gonzalez ............ E21B 43/1185
`102/202.1
`
`10/ 1991 Carisella et al.
`211992 Huber
`411992 Sumner
`10/ 1992 Carisella et al.
`6/1994 Hyland
`9/1994 Lerche et al.
`7/1995 Turano et al.
`12/1997 Fritz et al.
`7/1998 Snider et al.
`10/ 1998 Markel et al.
`12/1999 Burleson et al.
`112000 Burleson et al.
`712000 Beukes et al.
`912000 Murray et al.
`10/2001 Capers et al.
`3/2002 Edwards et al.
`712002 Duguet et al.
`1112003 Chen et al.
`512004 Badger et al.
`6/2004 Trotechaud
`6/2004 Lerche ................ E21B 43/1185
`102/202.5
`912006 Forman ................... F42D 11055
`102/202.5
`
`3/2007 Hall
`10/2007 Scott
`3/2008 Lerche et al.
`8/2009 Hummel et al.
`7/2010 Li et al.
`7/2010 Vidal
`8/2010 Stewart et al.
`10/2010 Chan et al.
`3/2011 Jakaboski et al.
`4/2011 Hummel et al.
`1112011 Hales et al.
`12/2011 Hummel et al.
`
`8,074,737 B2
`8,157,022 B2
`8,181,718 B2
`8,182,212 B2
`8, 186,259 B2
`8,256,337 B2
`8,395,878 B2
`8,451,137 B2
`8,695,506 B2 *
`
`8,875,787 B2
`8,881,816 B2
`9,080,433 B2
`9,175,553 B2 *
`9,194,219 Bl*
`9,494,021 B2
`9,518,454 B2 *
`9,581,422 B2
`9,605,937 B2
`9,677,363 B2 *
`9,689,223 B2
`9,822,618 B2 *
`10,077,641 B2
`10,190,398 B2 *
`2002/0020320 Al
`2002/0062991 Al
`2003/0000411 Al
`2003/00017 53 Al
`2005/0178282 Al
`2005/0194146 Al
`2007/0158071 Al
`2008/0149338 Al
`2008/0173204 Al
`2008/0264639 Al
`2009/0050322 Al
`2010/0230104 Al
`2012/0199031 Al
`2012/0242135 Al
`2012/0247769 Al
`2012/0247771 Al
`2012/0298361 Al
`2013/0008639 Al
`2013/0118342 Al
`2015/0226044 Al
`2016/0061572 Al
`2016/0084048 Al
`2016/0168961 Al
`2017 /0030693 Al
`2017/0211363 Al*
`
`12/2011 Hill et al.
`412012 Bertoja et al.
`512012 Burleson et al.
`512012 Parcell
`512012 Burleson et al.
`9/2012 Hill
`3/2013 Stewart et al.
`512013 Bonavides et al.
`4/2014 Lanclos .............. E21B 43/1185
`102/206
`
`11/2014 Tassaroli
`11/2014 Glenn et al.
`7/2015 Lanclos et al.
`11/2015 McCann ............. E21B43/1185
`11/2015 Hardesty ................... F42D 1105
`11/2016 Parks et al.
`12/2016 Current ................... E21B 43/11
`2/2017 Preiss et al.
`3/2017 Eitschberger et al.
`612017 Schacherer ............. E21B 29/02
`612017 Schacherer et al.
`11/2017 Eitschberger ....... E21B 43/ 1185
`9/2018 Rogman et al.
`112019 Goodman ........... E21B43/1185
`212002 Lebaudy et al.
`512002 Farrant et al.
`112003 Cernocky et al.
`112003 Cernocky et al.
`8/2005 Brooks et al.
`912005 Barker et al.
`7/2007 Mooney et al.
`6/2008 Goodman et al.
`7 /2008 Anderson et al.
`10/2008 Parrott et al.
`212009 Hill et al.
`912010 Noelke et al.
`8/2012 Lanclos
`912012 Thomson et al.
`10/2012 Schacherer et al.
`10/2012 Black et al.
`11/2012 Sampson
`112013 Tassaroli
`512013 Tassaroli
`8/2015 Ursi et al.
`3/2016 Eitschberger et al.
`3/2016 Harrigan et al.
`612016 Parks et al.
`2/2017 Preiss et al.
`7/2017 Bradley .................... F42B 3/08
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`RU
`WO
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`101397890 A
`201620848 u
`2633904 Cl
`2001059401 Al
`2009091422 A2
`2015006869 Al
`2015134719 Al
`
`412009
`1112010
`10/2017
`8/2001
`712009
`112015
`9/2015
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Owen Oil Tools & Pacific Scientific; Side Block for Side Initiation,
`1 pg.
`SIPO, Office Action dated Jun. 27, 2018: See Office Action for CN
`App. No. 201580011132.7, which is in the same family as PCT App.
`No. PCT/US2015/18906, 9 pgs. & 5 pgs.
`Amit Govil, Selective Perforation: A Game Changer in Perforating
`Technology~ase Study, presented at the 2012 European and West
`African Perforating Symposium, Schlumberger, Nov. 7-9. 2012, 14
`pgs.
`Dynaenergetics, DYNAselect System, information downloaded from
`website, Jul. 3, 2013, 2 pgs., http://www.dynaenergetics.com/.
`GB Intellectual Property Office, Search Report for App. No. GB
`1700625.5, which is in the same family as U.S. Pat. No. 9,494,021,
`dated Jul. 7, 2017, 5 pgs.
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 002
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion of International
`Application No. PCT/US2015/018906, dated Jul. 10, 2015, 12 pgs.
`Dynaenergetics, Gun Assembly, Products Summary Sheet, May 7,
`2004, 1 pg.
`GB Intellectual Property Office, Office Action dated Feb. 27, 2018,
`See Office Action for App. No. GB 1717516.7, which is the same
`family as PCT App. No. PCT/CA2014/050673, 6 pg.
`Dynaenergetics, Selective Perforating Switch, information down(cid:173)
`loaded from website, Jul. 3, 2013, 2 pgs.,http://www.dynaenergetics.
`corn/.
`Hunting Titan, Wireline Top Fire Detonator Systems, Product
`Information Sheet, 1 pg.
`Hunting Titan Inc., Petition for Inter Parties Review of U.S. Pat. No.
`9,581,422, filed Feb. 16, 2018, 93 pgs.
`Dynaenergetics GmbH & Co. KG, Patent Owner's Response to
`Hunting Titan's Petition for Inter Parties Review, filed Dec. 6, 2018,
`73 pgs.
`Dynaenergetics GmbH & Co. KG, Patent Owner's Motion to
`Amend, filed Dec. 6, 2018, 53 pgs.
`U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Institution of Inter Partes
`Review, Case IPR2018-00600, issued on Aug. 21, 2018, 9 pgs.
`International Written Opinion of International Application No.
`PCT/CA2014/050673, dated Oct. 9, 2014, 4 pgs.
`International Search Report of International Application No. PCT/
`CA2014/050673, dated Oct. 9, 2014, 3 pgs.
`UK Examination Report of United Kingdom Patent Application No.
`GB1600085.3, which is in the same family as U.S. Pat. No.
`9,494,021, dated Mar. 9, 2016, 1 pg.
`FIIP, Search Report dated Feb. 1, 2018, in Russian: See Search
`Report for RU App. No. 2016104882/03, which is in the same
`family as PCT App. No. PCT/CA2014/050673, 7 pgs.
`FIIP, Search Report dated Feb. 1, 2018, in English See Search
`Report for RU App. No. 2016104882/03, which is in the same
`family as PCT App. No. PCT/CA2014/050673, 4 pages.
`Norwegan Industrial Property Office, Office Action for NO Patent
`App. No. 20160017, which is in the same family as PCT App No.
`PCT/CA2014/050673, dated Jun. 15, 2017, 3 pgs.
`Jet Research Center Inc., Red RF Safe Detonators Brochure, 2008,
`2 pgs., www.jetresearch.com.
`Jet Research Center Inc., JRC Catalog, 36 pgs., www.jetresearch.
`com.
`
`Horizontal Wireline Services, Presentation of a completion method
`of shale demonstrated through an example of Marcellus Shale,
`Pennsylvania, USA, Presented at 2012 International Perforating
`Symposium (Apr. 26-28, 2012), 17 pages.
`Smylie, New Safe and Secure Detonators for the Industry's con(cid:173)
`sideration, Presented at Explosives Safety & Security Conference
`Marathon Oil Co, Houston, Feb. 23-24, 2005, 20 pages.
`Schlumberger, Combining and Customizing Technologies for Per(cid:173)
`forating Horizontal Wells in Algeria, Presented at 2011 MENAPS
`Middle East and North Africa Perforating Symposium, Nov. 28-30,
`2011, 20 pages.
`Baker Hughes, Long Gun Deployment Systems IPS-12-28, Pre(cid:173)
`sented at 2012 International Perforating Symposium, Apr. 26-28,
`2011, 11 pages.
`Owen Oil Tools, Recommended Practice for Oilfield Explosive
`Safety, Presented at 2011 Menaps Middle East and North Africa
`Perforating Symposium, Nov. 28-30, 2011, 6 pages.
`Norwegan Industrial Property Office, Search Report for NO Patent
`App. No. 20160017, which is in the same family as PCT App No.
`PCT/CA2014/050673, dated Jun. 15, 2017, 2 pgs.
`Dynaenergetics, Selection Perforating Switch, Product Information
`Sheet, May 27, 2011, 1 pg.
`Dynaenergetics, Electronic Top Fire Detonator, Product Information
`Sheet, Jul. 30, 2013 1 pg.
`German Patent Office, Office Action dated May 22, 2014, in
`German: See Office Action for German Patent Application No. 10
`2013 109 227.6, which is in the same family as PCT Application No.
`PCT/EP2014/065752, 8 pgs.
`PCT Search Report and Written Opinion, dated May 4, 2015: See
`Search Report and Written opinion for PCT Application No. PCT/
`EP2014/065752, 12 pgs.
`SIPO, Search Report dated Mar. 29, 2017, in Chinese: See Search
`Report for CN App. No. 201480040456.9, which is in the same
`family as PCT App. No. PCT/CA2014/050673, 12 & 3 pgs.
`Jim Gilliat/Kaled Gasmi, New Select-Fire System, Baker Hughes,
`Presentation-2013 Asia-Pacific Perforating Symposium, Apr. 29,
`2013, 16 pgs., http://www.perforators.org/presentations.php.
`Dynaenergetics, DYNAselect Electronic Detonator 0015 SFDE
`RDX l.4S, Product Information, Dec. 16, 2011, 1 pg.
`Dynaenergetics, DYNAselect Electronic Detonator 0015 SFDE
`RDX l.4B, Product Information, Dec. 16, 2011, 1 pg.
`Intellectual Property India, Office Action of in Application No.
`201647004496, dated Jun. 7, 2019, which is in the same family as
`U.S. Appl. No. 16/359,540, 6 pgs.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 004
`
`

`

`26---
`
`14
`
`. '~
`
`'
`
`24'""\ 18-......
`
`1R-.....
`
`1 16
`
`18-......
`
`(10
`
`FIG. 2
`
`(10
`
`14-...._
`
`1~--
`
`18--...., 16, 18-.,.
`
`16....._
`
`1~-
`
`1C
`
`22_/
`
`....
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`z 0
`~ ....
`~
`N
`0 ....
`"°
`
`('D
`
`1J1 =-('D
`.....
`N
`0 .....
`....
`
`QO
`
`FIG. J
`
`18
`
`-....l
`N
`
`d
`rJl
`"'"" = ~
`\c w
`00 = N
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 3 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`32
`
`22
`
`""-30
`
`224
`
`30a
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 4of18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`44
`
`16
`
`40
`
`301
`
`52
`00
`0
`0
`0
`OOoOO
`
`FIG. 6
`
`44
`
`40
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 5of18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`44
`
`16
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 6of18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`242
`
`15A
`
`46
`
`~-+--248
`
`====== 0
`
`0 ;:=:====
`
`14
`
`FIG. 11
`
`(30
`
`,...---____,,,.,,.-
`
`··242
`
`15A
`
`46
`
`14
`
`244
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 7of18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. 1J
`
`241
`
`46
`
`15A
`
`242
`
`24/
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 8of18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. 15
`
`46
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 9of18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`46
`
`FIG. 17
`
`246
`
`FIG. 18
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 10 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. 19
`
`FIG. 20
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 11 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`I
`
`I I
`
`I
`I I
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 12 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`-
`= ====::-: -
`- - - - - - - -
`-
`
`- - /
`_,,,..
`
`-
`
`~
`
`~
`'
`
`24
`_j
`
`24
`
`L
`
`- ..... _ _
`-
`- _,
`-
`==-=~-=-~ - -
`- - - - - - - - -
`- '
`
`/
`
`I~
`
`: -
`
`~
`
`FIG. 23
`
`FIG. 24
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 13 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`48
`
`-... __ _
`
`60
`
`60
`
`FIG. 25
`
`60
`
`FIG. 26
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 016
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 14 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`102
`
`FIG. 27
`
`FIG. 28
`
`102
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 017
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 15 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. 29
`
`104
`
`\
`
`102
`
`100
`
`102
`
`100
`
`FIG. JO
`
`116
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 018
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 16 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`102
`
`FIG. J1
`
`FIG. J2
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 019
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 17 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`FIG. JJ
`
`150
`
`FIG. J4
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 020
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 18 of 18
`
`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`120B
`112
`
`100
`
`118
`
`102
`
`RED
`BLUE
`
`BLACK
`
`FIG. J5A
`
`48
`
`THROUGH WIRE
`
`26 106
`
`128A
`126A
`THROUGH WIRE TO
`128B
`BOTTOM CONNECTOR
`126B
`FIG. 358
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 021
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`2
`
`1
`PERFORATION GUN COMPONENTS AND
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 15/920,812 filed Mar. 14, 2018, which is a
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/617,344
`filed Jun. 8, 2017, which is a divisional patent application of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/287,309 filed Oct. 6,
`2016, which is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 14/904,788 filed Jan. 13, 2016, which
`claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/CA2014/
`050673 filed Jul. 16, 2014, which claims priority to Cana(cid:173)
`dian Patent Application No. 2,821,506 filed Jul. 18, 2013,
`each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
`entirety.
`
`FIELD
`
`A perforation gun system is generally described. More
`particularly, various perforation gun components that can be
`modularly assembled into a perforation gun system, the
`assembled perforated gun system itself, a perforation gun
`system kit, and a method for assembling a perforation gun
`system are generally described.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`30
`
`Perforation gun systems are used in well bore perforating
`in the oil and natural gas industries to tie a bore hole with a
`storage horizon within which a storage reservoir of oil or
`natural gas is located.
`A typical perforation gun system consists of an outer gun
`carrier, arranged in the interior of which there are perfora(cid:173)
`tors-usually hollow or projectile charges-that shoot radi(cid:173)
`ally outwards through the gun carrier after detonation.
`Penetration holes remain in the gun carrier after the shot.
`In order to initiate the perforators, there is a detonating 40
`cord leading through the gun carrier that is coupled to a
`detonator.
`Different perforating scenarios often require different
`phasing and density of charges or gun lengths. Moreover, it
`is sometimes desirable that the perforators shooting radially 45
`outwards from the gun carrier be oriented in different
`directions along the length of the barrel. Therefore, phasing
`may be required between different guns along the length.
`Onsite assembly of perforation gun systems may also be
`problematic under certain conditions as there are certain 50
`safety hazards inherent to the assembly of perforation guns
`due to the explosive nature of certain of its sub-components,
`including the detonator and the detonating cord.
`There is thus a need for a perforation gun system, which
`by virtue of its design and components would be able to 55
`address at least one of the above-mentioned needs, or
`overcome or at least minimize at least one of the above(cid:173)
`mentioned drawbacks.
`
`a top connector;
`at least one stackable charge holder for centralizing a
`single shaped charge within the gun carrier;
`a detonation cord connected to the top connector and to
`each stackable charge holder;
`at least one bottom connector for terminating the detona(cid:173)
`tion cord in the gun system; and
`a detonator energetically coupled to the detonation cord,
`wherein each of the top connector, at least one stackable
`10 charge holder and at least one bottom connector comprise a
`rotation coupling for providing a selectable clocking rotation
`between each of the top connector, at least one stackable
`charge holder and at least one bottom connector.
`In some embodiments, the bottom connector may double
`15 as a spacer for spacing a plurality of stackable charge
`holders, and may either act as a metric dimensioned spacer
`or as an imperial dimensioned spacer for any specific metric
`or imperial shot density, phase and length gun system.
`According to another aspect, there is also provided a
`20 perforation gun system kit having component parts capable
`of being assembled within an outer gun carrier, the kit
`comprising a combination of:
`a top connector;
`at least one stackable charge holder for centralizing a
`25 single shaped charge within the gun carrier;
`a detonation cord connectable to the top connector and to
`each stackable charge holder;
`at least one bottom connector adapted for terminating the
`detonation cord in the gun system; and
`a detonator energetically couplable to the detonation cord,
`wherein each of the top connector, at least one stackable
`charge holder and at least one bottom connector comprise a
`coupling having a plurality of rotational degrees of freedom
`for providing a selectable rotation between each of the top
`35 connector, at least one stackable charge holder and at least
`one bottom connector.
`According to another aspect, there is also provided a
`method for assembling a perforation gun system, comprising
`the steps of:
`providing a perforation gun system kit having component
`parts capable of being assembled within an outer gun carrier,
`the kit comprising a combination of:
`a top connector;
`at least one stackable charge holder for centralizing a
`single shaped charge within the gun carrier;
`a detonation cord connectable to the top connector and to
`each stackable charge holder;
`at least one bottom connector adapted for terminating the
`detonation cord in the gun system and adapted for doubling
`as a spacer for spacing a plurality of stackable charge
`holders; and
`a detonator energetically couplable to the detonation cord,
`wherein each of the top connector, at least one stackable
`charge holder and at least one bottom connector comprise a
`coupling having a plurality of rotational degrees of freedom
`for providing a selectable rotation between each of the top
`connector, at least one stackable charge holder and at least
`one bottom connector;
`assembling a plurality of the stackable charge holders in a
`60 predetermined phase to form a first gun assembly;
`running the detonation cord into a bottommost bottom
`connector;
`assembling the bottommost bottom connector onto the
`assembled plurality of stackable charge holders;
`running a through wire between the bottommost bottom
`connector and the top connector, so that the wire goes from
`the top connector to the bottom connector;
`
`SUMMARY
`
`According to an embodiment, an object is to provide a
`perforation gun system that addresses at least one of the
`above-mentioned needs.
`According to an embodiment, there is provided a perfo- 65
`ration gun system having an outer gun carrier and compris(cid:173)
`ing:
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 022
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`3
`clicking the detonation cord into recesses formed in captur(cid:173)
`ing projections, the captured projections being provided in
`each of the charge holders;
`running the detonation cord into the top connector;
`cutting the detonator cord; and
`installing charges into each of the charge holders.
`A number of optional steps that are detailed below may be
`added to the above-described steps of the method.
`According to another aspect, there is also provided a top
`connector for a perforation gun system comprising:
`a coupler for providing energetic coupling between a
`detonator and a detonating cord;
`at least one directional locking fin for locking the top
`connector within a gun carrier;
`a rotation coupling for providing a selectable clocking 15
`rotation between the top connector, and a charge holder
`wherein the top connector is configured to receive electrical
`connections therethrough.
`According to another aspect, there is also provided a
`stackable charge holder for a perforation gun system having 20
`an outer gun carrier, the charge holder comprising:
`a charge receiving structure for receiving a single shaped
`charge;
`a plurality of projections for centralizing the shaped
`charge within the gun carrier; and
`at least one rotation coupling for providing a selectable
`clocking rotation between the charge holder and an adjacent
`component in the perforation gun system;
`wherein a pair of the plurality of projections is configured
`for capturing a detonation cord traversing the charge holder. 30
`According to another aspect, there is also provided a
`bottom connector for a perforation gun system comprising:
`a terminating structure arranged for terminating a deto(cid:173)
`nation cord in the gun system;
`a plurality of wings or fins for axially locking the bottom 35
`connector to a snap ring fixed in the carrier.
`a rotation coupling for providing a selectable clocking
`rotation between the bottom connector and a charge holder;
`wherein the rotation coupling is arranged such that bottom
`connector doubles as a spacer for spacing a plurality of 40
`stackable charge holders.
`
`25
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`4
`FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the stackable charge
`holder shown in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the stackable charge
`holder shown in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the stackable charge holder
`shown in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 10 is a top view of the stackable charge holder shown
`in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a half-portion of a top
`10 connector in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 12 is a side view of the half-portion of the top
`connector shown in FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the half-portion of the
`top connector shown in FIG. 11;
`FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the half-portion
`of the top connector shown in FIG. 11;
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a top connector in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 16 is a front end view of the top connector shown in
`FIG. 15;
`FIG. 17 is a rear end view of the top connector shown in
`FIG. 15;
`FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the top connector
`shown in FIG. 15;
`FIG. 19 is an enlarged detailed side cut view of a portion
`of the perforation gun system including a bulkhead and
`stackable charge holders shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a bottom sub of a gun
`system in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 21 is a side view of a gun carrier of a gun system in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 22 is a side cut view of the gun carrier shown in FIG.
`21;
`FIG. 23 is a side view of a top sub of a gun system in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 24 is a side cut view of the top sub shown in FIG.
`23;
`FIG. 25 is a side view of a tandem seal adapter of a gun
`system in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the tandem seal adapter
`shown in FIG. 25;
`FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a detonator in accordance
`with an embodiment;
`FIG. 28 is a detailed perspective view of the detonator
`45 shown in FIG. 27;
`FIG. 29 is another detailed perspective view of the
`detonator shown in FIG. 27;
`FIG. 30 is another detailed perspective view of the
`detonator shown in FIG. 27;
`FIG. 31 is another detailed perspective view of the
`detonator shown in FIG. 27, with a crimp sleeve;
`FIG. 32 is a detailed side view of a tandem seal adapter
`and detonator in accordance with another embodiment;
`FIG. 33 is a side cut view of a portion of a perforation gun
`55 system illustrating the configuration of the top sub in accor(cid:173)
`dance with another embodiment;
`FIG. 34 is a side cut view of a portion of a perforation gun
`system illustrating the configuration of the bottom sub in
`accordance with another embodiment; and
`FIGS. 35A and 35B are electrical schematic views of a
`detonator and of wiring within a perforated gun system in
`accordance with another embodiment.
`
`These and other objects and advantages will become
`apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon
`referring to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated
`in the appended drawings. Understanding that these draw(cid:173)
`ings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore
`to be considered to be limiting of its scope, exemplary 50
`embodiments will be described and explained with addi(cid:173)
`tional specificity and detail through the use of the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a side cut view of a perforation gun system
`according to an embodiment;
`FIG. 2 is a side view of a top connector, bottom connector
`and stackable charge holders of a perforation gun system in
`accordance with another embodiment;
`FIG. 3 is a side view of a top connector, bottom connector
`and stackable charge holders of a perforation gun system in 60
`accordance with another embodiment;
`FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a bottom connector
`in accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the bottom connector
`shown in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a front view of a stackable charge holder in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`
`65
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description and accompanying FIGS., the
`same numerical references refer to similar elements through-
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1001
`Pg. 023
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`5
`out the FIGS. and text. Furthermore, for the sake of sim(cid:173)
`plicity and clarity, namely so as not to unduly burden the
`FIGS. with several reference numbers, only certain FIGS.
`have been provided with reference numbers, and compo(cid:173)
`nents and features of the embodiments illustrated in other
`FIGS. can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments,
`geometrical configurations, and/or dimensions shown in the
`FIGS. are for exemplification purposes only. Various fea(cid:173)
`tures, aspects and advantages of the embodiments will
`become more apparent from the following detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion.
`Moreover, although some of the embodiments were pri(cid:173)
`marily designed for well bore perforating, for example, they
`may also be used in other perforating scenarios or in other
`fields, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this
`reason, expressions such as "gun system", etc., as used
`herein should not be taken as to be limiting, and includes all
`other kinds of materials, objects and/or purposes with which
`the various embodiments could be used and may be useful.
`Each example or embodiment are provided by way of
`explanation, and is not meant as a limitation and does not
`constitute a definition of all possible embodiments.
`In addition, although some of the embodiments are illus(cid:173)
`trated in the accompanying drawings comprise various com(cid:173)
`ponents and although the embodiment of the adjustment
`system as shown consists of certain geometrical configura(cid:173)
`tions as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these
`components and geometries are essential and thus should not
`be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as
`to limit the scope. It is to be understood, as also apparent to 30
`a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components
`and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable
`geometrical configurations may be used for the adjustment
`systems, and corresponding parts, according to various
`embodiments, as briefly explained and as can easily be 35
`inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without
`departing from the scope.
`Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an object is to provide a
`perforation gun system 10 having an outer gun carrier 12.
`The gun system 10 includes a top connector 14. At least one 40
`stackable charge holder 16 is provided for centralizing a
`single shaped charge 18 within the gun carrier 12. A
`detonation cord 20 is connected to the top connector 14 and
`to each stackable charge holder 16.
`The gun system 10 includes at least one bottom connector 45
`22 for terminating the detonation cord 20 in the gun system.
`As better shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible that the bottom
`connector 22 double as or serve the function of a spacer 24
`for spacing a plurality of stackable charge holders 16.
`In an embodiment, the gun system also includes a deto- 50
`nator 26 energetically coupled to the detonation cord 20.
`As better shown in FIGS. 4 to 18, each of the top
`connector 14, stackable charge holder 16 and bottom con(cid:173)
`nector 22 includes a rotation coupling 30 for providing a
`selectable clocking rotation between each of the above- 55
`mentioned components. As seen, for instance, in FIGS. 4-5
`and 7-9, the rotation coupling 30 includes a first rotation
`coupling 30a and a second rotation coupling 30b.
`Hence, a user can build multiple configurations of gun
`systems using various combinations of basic components. A 60
`first of these basic components includes a top connector.
`Another basic component is a single charge holder that
`centralizes a single shaped charge. The holder is adapted to
`be stacked and configured into 0, 30, 60, up to 360 degrees
`or any other combination of these phases for any specified 65
`length. Another basic component is a bottom connector that
`terminates the detonation cord in the gun. The bottom
`
`6
`connector may carry as well an electrical connection there(cid:173)
`through. The bottom connector may also double as an
`imperial measurement stackable spacer to provide any gun
`shot density up to, for example, 6 sho