I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US009080433B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Lanclos et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,080,433 B2
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`(54) CONNECTION CARTRIDGE FOR
`DOWNHOLE STRING
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Ronald Lanclos, Katy, TX (US); James
`Weekley, Katy, TX (US); Jason
`McCann, Cypress, TX (US); Mark
`Sloan, Magnolia, TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston,
`TX (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 355 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/365,966
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.3,2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0199352Al
`
`Aug. 9, 2012
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 61/439,217, filed on Feb.
`3, 2011.
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2012.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`E21B 4311185
`E21B 431117
`F42D 1105
`F42D 11055
`E21B 47112
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. E21B 4311185 (2013.01); F42D 1105
`(2013.01); E21B 431117 (2013.01); E21B 47112
`(2013.01)
`
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ..... E21B 43/1185; E21B 43/117; F42D 1/05;
`F42D 1/055
`USPC ........ 166/298, 55, 65.1; 175/2, 4.55; 89/1.15;
`
`A
`
`627
`
`76
`
`70
`
`71
`
`80 90 82
`
`0
`
`361/248, 249; 102/308, 310, 311, 217,
`102/218, 220, 320, 322, 202.5, 202.12,
`102/202.14, 206
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`175/4.55
`111958 Castel .
`2,871,784 A * 2/1959 Blair .
`175/4.55
`3,010,396 A * 1111961 Coleman.
`175/4.55
`3,086,589 A * 4/1963 McGowen, Jr.
`166/65.l
`3,208,378 A * 9/1965 Boop
`175/4.55
`3,246,707 A * 4/1966 Bell
`175/4.54
`3,517,758 A * 6/1970 Schuster
`175/4.55
`3,768,408 A * 10/1973 Hallmark.
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`3,773,120 A * 1111973 Stroud et al.
`175/4.55
`3,860,865 A *
`111975 Stroud et al. .................. 324/508
`4,007,796 A * 2/1977 Boop
`175/4.55
`4,852,494 A * 8/1989 Williams
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`4,886,126 A * 12/1989 Yates, Jr.
`175/4.54
`5,436,791 A * 7/1995 Turano et al. ................. 3611253
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`102/215
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`102/206
`6,164,375 A * 12/2000 Carisella .
`166/65.l
`2/2001 Edwards et al.
`6,182,750 Bl
`6,213,203 Bl
`4/2001 Edwards et al.
`(Continued)
`Jennifer H Gay
`Primary Examiner -
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A cartridge assembly for use with a perforating system having
`a contact terminal that connects to a perforating signal line
`when inserted into a receptacle end of a perforating gun. A
`detonator may be included in an end of the cartridge assembly
`for initiating a detonating cord in the perforating gun. The
`cartridge assembly is a modular unit that replaces the manual
`connections made when assembling a string of perforating
`guns. The cartridge assembly may optionally include a con(cid:173)
`troller switch for controlling current flow through the car(cid:173)
`tridge assembly.
`
`12 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`A
`
`60 I
`
`622
`
`64
`
`78
`
`74
`
`72 84 86 88
`
`91
`
`66
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 001
`
`

`

`US 9,080,433 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`175/4.55
`
`175/4.55
`102/202.7
`
`6,283,227 Bl *
`9/2001 Lerche et al.
`6,354,374 Bl
`3/2002 Edwards et al.
`6,604,584 B2 *
`8/2003 Lerche et al.
`6,752,083 Bl*
`6/2004 Lerche et al.
`8/2004 Alldredge
`6,779,202 Bl
`1112005 Bell et al.
`6,962,202 B2
`7,301,750 B2 * 1112007 DeVries et al. ............... 3611248
`6/2008 Mooney, Jr. et al.
`7,387,162 B2
`212009 Grigar et al.
`7,487,833 B2
`7,536,942 B2 *
`512009 Bell ............................. 89/1.151
`7,565,927 B2 *
`712009 Gerez et al.
`166/250.01
`7,565,930 B2 *
`712009 Seekford .
`166/297
`7,600,562 B2
`10/2009 Christian
`7,902,469 B2 *
`3/2011 Hurst
`7,913,603 B2
`3/2011 LaGrange et al.
`8,006,779 B2
`8/2011 Moore et al.
`8,061,431 B2
`1112011 Moore et al.
`8,074,737 B2
`12/2011 Hill et al.
`8,079,296 B2 * 12/2011 Barton et al.
`
`200/81 R
`
`.................. 89/1.15
`
`8,136,439 B2 *
`3/2012 Bell ............................... 89/1.15
`8, 186,435 B2 *
`5/2012 Seekford .
`166/298
`8,302,523 B2 * 1112012 Bell ............................... 89/1.15
`8,369,063 B2 *
`212013 Vicente ......................... 3611250
`8,490,686 B2 *
`7/2013 Rodgers et al.
`166/55.l
`8,661,978 B2 *
`3/2014 Backhus et al.
`102/202.3
`2002/0062991 Al *
`512002 Farrant et al.
`175/4.55
`2005/0252403 Al* 11/2005 De Vries et al.
`102/200
`2007 /0074624 Al *
`4/2007 Bell ............................... 89/1.15
`2007/0125540 Al*
`6/2007 Gerez et al.
`166/298
`2008/0202325 Al*
`8/2008 Bertoja et al.
`.. ............. 89/1.151
`2010/0000789 Al *
`1/2010 Barton et al.
`175/2
`2010/0212480 Al *
`8/2010 Bell ............................... 89/1.15
`201110024116 Al*
`212011 McCann eta!.
`166/297
`201110271823 Al * 1112011 Vicente .
`89/1.15
`2012/0111217 Al*
`5/2012 Bell
`102/262
`2012/0181012 Al*
`7/2012 Strickland .
`166/55
`2012/0199031 Al*
`8/2012 Lanclos
`102/206
`2012/0199352 Al*
`8/2012 Lanclos et al.
`166/297
`2013/0014990 Al*
`112013 Barton et al.
`175/2
`2013/0125772 Al*
`5/2013 Backhus et al.
`102/206
`2013/0133889 Al*
`5/2013 Schacherer et al.
`166/297
`* cited by examiner
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 1of5
`
`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`22
`
`20
`
`~34
`
`12
`
`32
`
`FIG.1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`FIG.28
`--1
`
`46
`
`15
`
`42
`
`48
`
`14
`
`36
`
`40
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`FIG.2C
`
`T
`
`F/G.2D
`
`48
`
`50
`
`40
`
`L
`
`'
`
`J
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 9,080,433 B2
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`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 14, 2015
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`140
`
`742
`
`~ll5
`
`96
`
`FIG.5
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 007
`
`

`

`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`1
`CONNECTION CARTRIDGE FOR
`DOWNHOLE STRING
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
`Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/439,217, filed Feb. 3,
`2011, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
`reference herein.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field oflnvention
`The invention relates generally to the field of oil and gas
`production. More specifically, the present invention relates to
`a modular apparatus for providing communication between
`members of a downhole string. Yet more specifically, the
`present invention relates to a cartridge inserted into an end of
`a perforating gun equipped with a receptacle or contact at
`both ends for connection to a signal line through a perforating 20
`gun string.
`2. Description of Prior Art
`Perforating systems are used for the purpose, among oth(cid:173)
`ers, of making hydraulic communication passages, called
`perforations, in well bores drilled through earth formations so 25
`that predetermined zones of the earth formations can be
`hydraulically connected to the wellbore. Perforations are
`needed because wellbores are typically completed by coaxi(cid:173)
`ally inserting a pipe or casing into the wellbore. The casing is
`retained in the wellbore by pumping cement into the annular 30
`space between the wellbore and the casing. The cemented
`casing is provided in the wellbore for the specific purpose of
`hydraulically isolating from each other the various earth for(cid:173)
`mations penetrated by the wellbore.
`Perforating systems typically comprise one or more perfo- 35
`rating guns strung together, these strings of guns can some(cid:173)
`times surpass a thousand feet of perforating length, but typi(cid:173)
`cally shorter in a wireline application. InFIG.1 an example of
`a prior art perforating system 10 is shown disposed in a
`wellbore 12 and made up of a string of perforating guns 14 40
`connected in series. Typically, subs 15 may connect adjacent
`guns to one another. The perforating system 10 is deployed
`from a wireline 16 that spools from a service truck 18 shown
`on the surface 20. Generally, the wireline 16 provides a rais(cid:173)
`ing and lowering means as well as communication and con- 45
`trol connectivity between the truck 18 and the perforating
`system 10. The wireline 16 is threaded through pulleys 22
`supported above the well bore 12. In some instances, derricks,
`slips and other similar systems are used in lieu of a surface
`truck for inserting and retrieving the perforating system into 50
`and from a wellbore. Moreover, perforating systems may also
`be disposed into a wellbore via tubing, drill pipe, slick line,
`coiled tubing, to mention a few.
`Included with each perforating gun 14 are shaped charges
`24 that typically include a housing, a liner, and a quantity of 55
`high explosive inserted between the liner and the housing.
`When the high explosive in a shaped charge 24 is detonated,
`the force of the detonation collapses the liner and ejects it
`from one end of the shaped charge 24 at very high velocity in
`a pattern called a "jet" 26. The jet 26 perforates casing 28 that 60
`lines the wellbore 12 and cement 30 and creates a perforation
`32 that extends into the surrounding formation 34.
`Shown in FIGS. 2A-D are sectional views of the prior art
`perforating gun 14 of FIG. 1. As shown, the shaped charges 24
`are typically connected to a detonating cord 36, which when 65
`detonated creates a compressive pressure wave along its
`length that initiates detonation of the shaped charges 24. A
`
`2
`detonator 38 is typically used to set off detonation within the
`detonation cord 36. In FIG. 1, the detonator 38 is shown in a
`firing head 40 provided in the string of perforating guns 14.
`Initiating detonation of the detonation cord 36 generally takes
`place by first sending an electrical signal from surface 20 to
`the detonator 38 via the wireline 16. Referring back to FIGS.
`2A-D, an upper connection sub 42 contains a terminal 44 for
`receiving signals transmitted along the wireline 16. A signal
`line 46 attaches to the terminal 44 and conveys signal(s) from
`10 the wireline 16 to the remaining portions of the perforating
`system 10, including the detonator 38. Multiple connectors
`48 are used to make up the signal line 46 through the succes(cid:173)
`sive connecting subs 15 and perforating guns 14. The signal
`through the signal line 46 initiates high explosive in the deto-
`15 nator 38 that transfers to the attached detonation cord 36.
`Detonators 38 may sometimes be provided within connecting
`subs 15 for transferring the detonating charge along the entire
`string of perforating guns 14. Without proper continuity
`between the wireline 16 and detonator(s) 38, the shaped
`charges 24 cannot be detonated. However, failure points in the
`signal line 46 are introduced with each connector 48.
`Generally the detonators are connected to the detonating
`cords in the field just prior to use. Thus they are shipped to the
`field with the electrical portions and high explosive coupled
`together in a single unit. Because of the risks posed by the
`high explosives and the threat of a transient electrical signal,
`shipment and storage of the detonators is highly regulated,
`this is especially so when being shipped to foreign locations.
`Additional problems may be encountered in the field when
`connecting detonators to the detonating cord. Perforating
`guns when delivered to the field generally have the shaped
`charges and detonating cord installed; to facilitate detonator
`connection some extra length of detonating cord is provided
`within the gun. Connecting the detonator to the detonating
`cord involves retrieving the free end of the detonating cord
`and cutting it to a desired length then connecting, usually by
`crimping, the detonator to the detonating cord. These final
`steps can be problematic during inclement weather. Addition(cid:173)
`ally, these final steps fully load a perforating gun and thus
`pose a threat to personnel in the vicinity. Accordingly benefits
`may be realized by reducing shipping and storage concerns,
`increasing technician safety, and minimizing the time
`required to finalize gun assembly in the field.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`Disclosed herein is an example of a perforating string
`insertable into a wellbore. In this example the perforating
`string is made up of a perforating gun having an upstream end
`with a receptacle fitting, a signal line with an end electrically
`connected to the receptacle fitting. Included with the example
`perforating string is a cartridge sub having a connector
`inserted into electrical connection with the receptacle fitting,
`a detonator in the cartridge sub and having a detonating end
`adjacent to and directed towards the upstream end, and a lead
`line in the cartridge sub having an end in selective commu(cid:173)
`nication with an electrical source and another end in commu(cid:173)
`nication with an inlet to the detonator. Optionally, the con(cid:173)
`nector is an annular member that circumscribes a downstream
`end of the cartridge sub, and wherein the connector coaxially
`inserts into the receptacle fitting. In an embodiment, the per(cid:173)
`forating string further includes a switch in the lead line for
`selectively regulating electricity to the detonator. In this
`example, a ground lead is optionally included that is con(cid:173)
`nected between the detonator and the switch, wherein the
`switch selectively communicates the ground lead to ground.
`In one example, the switch, the lead line, and the detonator are
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 008
`
`

`

`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`4
`description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side view of a prior art perfo(cid:173)
`rating system in a wellbore.
`FIGS. 2A-D are side sectional views of a portion of a
`perforating string of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 are side sectional views of a perforating
`system in accordance with the present disclosure.
`FIG. 5 is an example of a perforating string disposed in a
`10 wellbore in accordance with the present disclosure.
`While the invention will be described in connection with
`the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
`intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the
`contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
`and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and
`scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
`
`3
`provided within an elongated body that coaxially inserts
`within an annular housing to define the cartridge sub. In one
`optional embodiment, further included with the perforating
`string is a transfer lead line having an end in selective com(cid:173)
`munication with the electrical source and another end in
`communication with the connector for selectively providing
`communication between the electrical source and the signal
`line. A downstream cartridge sub may also optionally be
`included that has an inlet line in electrical communication
`with the signal line, an outlet lead line in communication with
`a bridge plug assembly, so that when an electrical signal is
`applied to the signal line, the electrical signal is transferred
`through the downstream cartridge sub to the bridge plug
`assembly for deploying a bridge plug in the bridge plug 15
`assembly.
`Also provided herein is an example of a connector assem(cid:173)
`bly for connecting an upstream perforating gun to a down(cid:173)
`stream perforating gun. In one example the connector assem(cid:173)
`bly includes an annular housing, an elongated cartridge body 20
`inserted within the housing, an annular connector provided on
`a downstream end of the body and inserted into electrical
`contact with a receptacle in the downstream perforating gun,
`a detonator in the cartridge body for initiating a detonating
`cord in the perforating gun, and a lead line in the cartridge 25
`body having an end in selective communication with an elec(cid:173)
`trical source and another end electrically connected to the
`connector. Optionally, a switch may be included in the body
`that is connected to the lead line and to an inlet line on the
`detonator. Also further Optionally included is an outline line 30
`that connects between the switch and the detonator, and a
`ground line that connects between the switch and ground, so
`that when a detonation signal and detonation current is sent to
`the switch, the inlet line, outlet line, and ground line form a
`circuit for flowing current through the detonator for initiating 35
`detonation of the detonator and the detonating cord.
`An example method of perforating is provided herein that
`in one example includes providing a perforating gun with
`shaped charges, a detonation cord, a receptacle connection,
`and a signal line in communication with the receptacle con- 40
`nection. A cartridge sub is also provided that has an upstream
`end, a downstream end, a connector in the downstream end,
`and a lead line electrically connected to the connector. In the
`example method, the connector is connected with the signal
`line by inserting the downstream end of the cartridge sub into 45
`the receptacle connection, the shaped charges are detonated
`by providing a detonation signal to the detonator. In one
`example, the step of providing a detonation signal to the
`detonator includes directing electricity from an electrical
`source to an inlet line connected to the detonator. Optionally 50
`in the method, a switch is provided in the cartridge sub for
`providing electrical communication between the electrical
`source and the detonator, and for providing electrical com(cid:173)
`munication between an outlet line on the detonator and
`ground for completing an electrical circuit through the deto(cid:173)
`nator. In one example of the method, the perforating gun is a
`downstream perforating gun. In this example, further
`includes is a step of diverting some of the electricity from the
`electrical source through the lead line, to the connector and
`the receptacle for initiating detonation of shaped charges in a
`perforating gun downstream of the downstream perforating
`gun.
`
`The present invention will now be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which embodiments of the invention are shown. This inven(cid:173)
`tion may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
`should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodi-
`ments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are pro(cid:173)
`vided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,
`and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements through(cid:173)
`out. For the convenience in referring to the accompanying
`figures, directional terms are used for reference and illustra(cid:173)
`tion only. For example, the directional terms such as "upper",
`"lower", "above", "below", and the like are being used to
`illustrate a relational location.
`It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
`exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or
`embodiments shown and described, as modifications and
`equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the
`drawings and specification, there have been disclosed illus(cid:173)
`trative embodiments of the invention and, although specific
`terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive
`sense only and not for the purpose oflimitation. Accordingly,
`the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the
`appended claims.
`In FIG. 3 an example embodiment of a perforating system
`60 is shown in a side sectional view. In this example, the
`perforating system 60 includes perforating guns 62 1 , 62 2 each
`having a series of shaped charges 64 disposed within. Each
`perforating gun 62 u 622 further includes a detonating cord 66
`disposed lengthwise therein so it is positioned proximate each
`of the shaped charges 64; thus when the detonating cord 66 is
`initiated, it may in tum initiate detonation of the shaped
`charges 64. Initiating the detonation cords 66 forms a pres(cid:173)
`sure wave that travels the length of the detonation cords 66. In
`the example embodiment of FIG. 3, the pressure wave travels
`55 in the direction of arrows A, and as will be described in more
`detail below, an initiation signal reaches perforating gun 62 1
`before reaching perforating gun 622 . Thus for the purposes of
`reference only, perforating gun 62 1 is referred to as an
`"upstream" gun whereas perforating gun 622 is referred to as
`60 a "downstream gun".
`Coupled in series with the downstream perforating gun 622
`is a cartridge sub 68 having a cartridge assembly 70 set within
`the housing of the cartridge sub 68. In the embodiment of
`FIG. 3, the cartridge assembly 70 is shown made up of an
`65 elongated body 71, and within the body 71 are a switch
`assembly 72 and an optional circuit board 74 for selectively
`performing switching operations within the switch assembly
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`Some of the features and benefits of the present invention
`having been stated, others will become apparent as the
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 009
`
`

`

`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`5
`72. In one example of operation, the switch assembly 72
`regulates transmission therethrough of electrical signals
`through the switch assembly 72 that are received by an inlet
`lead 76 in the cartridge sub 68 from the upstream perforating
`gun 62 1 . The switch assembly 72 also includes a ground lead
`78 on the side with the inlet lead 76; the ground lead 78 is
`selectively in electrical communication with the switch
`assembly 72 such as by the switching action provided by the
`circuit board 74. Exiting the switch assembly 72, on a side
`opposite the inlet lead 76, is a supply lead 80 that is in 10
`electrical communication with a communication line 82
`shown extending within the downstream perforating gun 622 .
`In an example embodiment, inlet lead 76 selectively couples
`with an electrical source for receiving electricity. Also exiting
`the switch assembly 72 are a signal lead 84 and a ground lead 15
`86. In an example, the leads 84, 86 make up a detonator
`connection that provides selective electrical communication
`between the signal assembly 72 and a detonator 88 shown set
`in an end of the cartridge assembly 70 adjacent the down(cid:173)
`stream perforating gun 62 2 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the 20
`modular cartridge assembly 70 can be inserted within the
`annular cartridge sub 68 for easy assembly and removed from
`within the cartridge sub 68 for replacement and/or repair.
`When an initiating signal is received by the switch assem(cid:173)
`bly 72, the circuit board 74 operates to provide an initiating 25
`current through the signal line 84 and further allow continuity
`between the ground lead 86 and ground lead 78, thereby
`closing a circuit through the detonator 88 for initiating the
`detonator 88. As shown, an end of the detonator 88 is directed
`towards the detonating cord 66 within the downstream per- 30
`forating gun 62 2 , so that as the pressure wave of detonation
`passes along the length of the detonating cord 66, the attached
`shaped charges 64 will in turn initiate to create perforations in
`an adjacent formation (not shown). Further illustrated in the
`embodiment of FIG. 3, a collar-like connector 90 is provided 35
`on the downstream end 91 of the cartridge sub 68. In an
`example, the connector 90 is formed from a conductive mate(cid:173)
`rial and is an annular member that circumscribes the down(cid:173)
`stream end 91. Further in the example of FIG. 3, the diameter
`of the cartridge sub 68 reduces at the downstream end 91. 40
`When the cartridge sub 68 is connected to the downstream
`perforating gun 62 2 , connector 90 coaxially inserts within an
`annular electrical receptacle 92 shown provided in the down(cid:173)
`stream perforating gun 622 . The electrical receptacle 92 is
`electrically conductive, so that the combination of the elec- 45
`trical receptacle 92 and connector 90 provides an electrical
`coupling between the exit lead 80 and communication line 82.
`The coupling thus provides a means for transferring a signal
`or signals between the cartridge sub 68 and the downstream
`perforating gun 62 2 , and along the length of the perforating 50
`system 60. It should be pointed out that the orientation of the
`cartridge sub 68 and perforating guns 62 1 , 62 2 is reversible; so
`that when a string of multiple guns is formed, the signal that
`passes along the signal lines and through the switch assembly
`72 may start at the lower end of a perforating gun string and 55
`travel upwards, or initiate at the upper end of the string and
`travel downwards within the wellbore.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of a lower end of
`the perforating system 60 and with an alternate embodiment
`of a cartridge sub 68A. In this example, an inlet lead 76 and 60
`ground lead 78 extend through the cartridge assembly 70A to
`a switch assembly 72. However, the exit or downstream side
`of the switch assembly 72 includes a single continuous signal
`line 84A that terminates at a connector 90A. The example of
`the connector 90A illustrated in FIG. 4 is a hemispherical- 65
`shaped member with a collar-like base circumscribing a
`cylindrical tip of the cartridge assembly 70A. Similar to the
`
`6
`connector 90 of FIG. 3, connector 90A of FIG. 4 is formed
`from an electrically conducting material. Further, in the
`embodiment of FIG. 4, the perforating system 60 is set within
`a well bore 93 lined with casing 94 that is cemented within the
`formation 96. In this embodiment, a bridge plug 98 is shown
`set within a bridge plug sub 100 to form a bridge plug setting
`tool mounted on the end of the cartridge sub 68A having the
`connector 90A. Optionally, some other pressure actuated
`device may be provided on the end of the cartridge sub 68A.
`In the example of FIG. 4, the connector 90A contacts an
`igniter (not shown) in the bridge plug sub 100 thereby pro(cid:173)
`viding electrical continuity between the signal line 84A and
`the igniter. Delivering an electrical signal or electricity can
`activate the igniter for setting the bridge plug 98. Setting the
`bridge plug 98 can cause it to expand from within the bridge
`plug sub 100 and into contact with the inner circumference of
`the casing 94, thereby pressure isolating that section of the
`wellbore from another.
`In one example embodiment, the connection between the
`cartridge sub 68 and upstream perforating gun may be a
`terminal assembly made up of a rod and pin connector, where
`the pin connector is mounted on a free end of the rod. In this
`example, a bushing circumscribes a mid-portion of the rod.
`The pin connector is in electrical communication with con(cid:173)
`nector in the sub 68 by connections that extend through the
`end wall of the sub 68. Circumscribing the portion of the
`terminal assembly adjacent the end wall is a spring connector
`that is in electrical communication with another connector in
`the sub 68 by connections extending through the end wall.
`Provided at a downstream end of the cartridge sub 68 opposite
`the terminal assembly is a downstream connector in which the
`exit lead 80 is connected at an end opposite its connection to
`the switch assembly 72. Coaxially projecting from the end of
`the cartridge sub 68 and adjacent the detonator 88 is a spring
`connector; the spring connector communicates with the
`downstream connector by connection through the end wall at
`the downstream end of the sub 68.
`The spring connectors can provide connectivity on the
`upstream and downstream sides of the cartridge sub 68. More
`specifically when the cartridge sub 68 is inserted within an
`example embodiment of a perforating string 60, a connector
`sub couples to the upstream end of the cartridge sub 68 and
`receives the terminal assembly, within an axial bore formed
`through the connector sub. A receptacle is formed within the
`connector sub at a location set back from the entrance to the
`bore. The receptacle provides terminals for communication
`between a signal wire within the connector sub and the pin
`connector. As such, a signal traveling through the signal wire
`is transmitted through the terminals to the pin connector for
`delivery to the switch assembly. Also the insertion of the
`downstream side of the cartridge sub 68 into an end of the
`downstream perforating gun 62 2 . A connection assembly may
`be set within a bore formed in the end of the downstream
`perforating gun 62 2 . The connection assembly can be made
`up of a disc-like flange member set into close contact with the
`spring connector. A cylindrically-shaped base may depend
`coaxially from a side of the flange opposite the spring con(cid:173)
`nector and set within a reduced diameter portion of the bore.
`Setting the base and bore diameters at about the same value
`anchors the connector assembly within the perforating gun
`622 . A communication line, similar to the line 82 of FIG. 3,
`may attach to the flange thereby providing communication
`from the exit lead 80, through the assembly of connectors and
`spring connector, flange, and into and through the perforating
`gun 62 2 .
`One example of a substantially complete perforating sys(cid:173)
`tem 60 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in
`
`Hunting Titan, Inc.
`Ex. 1015
`Pg. 010
`
`

`

`US 9,080,433 B2
`
`7
`a partial sectional view in FIG. 5. In this example, a string 115
`of perforating guns 62 1_n is disposed within well bore 93 for
`perforating through the casing 94 and into the surrounding
`formation 96. Further in this example, the cartridge sub 68
`and the string are oriented so that signals received in the
`switch assembly 72 are from a location farther downhole;
`thus signals traveling in the string in a direction towards the
`surface. Depending on the instructions programmed into the
`switch assemblies 72, the direction of perforating may also
`travel upwards within the bore hole 92 rather than from the 10
`top to the bottom.
`In one example, the string 115 is assembled by providing
`cartridge subs 68 with a cartridge 70 within. Each of the
`cartridge subs 68 can then be coupled with a perforating gun
`62 so connectors 90 in their respective downstream ends 91 15
`mate into electrical receptacles 92 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
`Connector subs 116 may optionally be provided for coupling
`upstream ends of the cartridge subs 68 with an upstream
`perforating gun. As described above, engaging the cartridge
`sub 68 with the downstream perforating gun provides a gen- 20
`erally seamless way of forming an electrical connection
`between adjacent bodies in a perforating string. Moreover,
`the electrical connection occurs substantially simultaneously
`with coupling of the cartridge sub 68 and perforating gun 62,
`so that manually forming electrical connections is unneces- 25
`sary. Thus by connecting a repeating series of perforating
`guns 62 and cartridge subs 68, the string 115 can be formed so
`that electrical communication extends substantially the
`length of the string 115 via contact between successive con-
`nectors 90 and receptacles 92.
`Further illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 5 is
`a wire line 132 shown suspending the string of perforating
`guns 62 that is controlled from a surface truck 134. An
`optional pulley system 136 aligns the wire line 132 above the
`wellbore 93. An attachment sub 138 is provided on an upper 35
`end of the string for attachment and electrical connection
`between the perforating gun 62 and wire line 132. A power
`source 140 and controller 142 are schematically depicted in
`communication with the surface truck 134. The power source
`140 and controller 142 also may selectively connect with the 40
`wireline 132. While shown adjacent the surface truck 134, the
`power source 140 and controller 142 may instead be housed
`in the surface truck 134. In one optional e