a2) United States Patent
`US 10,472,938 B2
`a0) Patent No.:
`Parkset al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`
`US010472938B2
`
`(54) PERFORATION GUN COMPONENTS AND
`SYSTEM
`
`(72)
`
`(71) Applicant: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG,
`Troisdorf (DE)
`.
`Inventors: David C. Parks, Calgary (CA); Frank
`Haron Preiss, Bonn (DE); Liam
`MeNelis, Bonn (DE); Eric Mulhern,
`[Edmonton (CA); Thilo Scharf, Donegal
`(IE)
`
`(73) Assignees: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG,
`Mot (DE):aP Engineering and
`achine Ine,
`Calgary (CA)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent issathby0Cae under 35
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 16/359,540
`(22) Tiled:
`Mar. 20, 2019
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2019/0219375 Al
`Tul.
`18. 2019
`—
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ........ E21B 43/1185 (2013.01); E21B 43/119
`(2013.01); E21B 43/118355 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`
`CPC wee 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
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`)
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`
`(Continued)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Primary Examiner — Joshua T Semick
`(60) Continuati
`f
`application
`No.
`15/920.812. filed
`oy
`ontinuation of application
`812,
`filed on
`No.
`.
`Mar. 14, 2018, which is a continuation of application (74) Auorney, Agent, or Firm—Moyles IP, LLC
`
`(Continued)
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`:
`er
`Components for a perforation gun system are provided
`soos
`
`
`(30) including combinations of components includingaself-Forcign Application Priority Data
`-
`centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector
`Jul. 18, 2013
`(CA) ec cneeecrerenereneenees 2821506
`that can double as a spacer. Any numberof spacers can be
`(51)
`Int. Cl
`used with any number of holders for any desired specific
`FIB B185
`2006.01
`metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun sys-
`(
`tem.
`01)
`F42D 1/02
`(2006.01)
`Continued
`
`g
`20 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
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`B2
`B2
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`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2*
`Bl *
`B2
`B2*
`B2
`B2
`B2*
`B2
`B2*
`B2
`B2*
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al
`Al*
`
`12/2011
`4/2012
`5/2012
`5/2012
`5/2012
`9/2012
`3/2013
`5/2013
`4/2014
`
`11/2014
`11/2014
`7/2015
`11/2015
`11/2015
`11/2016
`12/2016
`2/2017
`3/2017
`6/2017
`6/2017
`11/2017
`9/2018
`1/2019
`2/2002
`5/2002
`1/2003
`1/2003
`8/2005
`9/2005
`7/2007
`6/2008
`7/2008
`10/2008
`2/2009
`9/2010
`8/2012
`9/2012
`10/2012
`10/2012
`11/2012
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`3/2016
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`
`Hill et al.
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`Lanclos wc... E21B 43/1185
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`
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`8,157,022
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`8,395,878
`8,451,137
`8,695,506
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`
`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 onJul. 16, 2014, now Pat.
`No. 9,494,021.
`
`(1)
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`F42D Vo4
`F42C 19/06
`E21B 43/119
`U.S. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`CPC voces F42C 19/06 (2013.01); F42D 1/02
`(2013.01); F42D 1/04 (2013.01); F42D 1/043
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`

`US 10,472,938 B2
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`Page 3
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`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 18
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`US 10,472,938 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 10,472,938 B2
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`Nov.12, 2019
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 10,472,938 B2
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`Nov.12, 2019
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.12, 2019
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 12, 2019
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`Nov. 12, 2019
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`US 10,472,938 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 12, 2019
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`Sheet 9 of 18
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`US 10,472,938 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 12, 2019
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`Sheet 10 of 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.12, 2019
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`US 10,472,938 B2
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`1
`PERFORATION GUN COMPONENTS AND
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE ‘TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`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
`USS. patent application Ser. No. 15/287,309 filed Oct. 6,
`2016, whichis 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-
`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
`
`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.
`Atypical perforation gun system consists of an outer gun
`carrier, arranged in the interior of which there are perfora-
`tors-usually hollow or projectile charges—that shoot radi-
`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
`cord leading through the gun carrier that is coupled to a
`detonator.
`
`Ditferent perforating scenarios often require ditferent
`phasing and density of charges or gun lengths. Moreover, it
`is sometimesdesirable that the perforators shooting radially
`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 mayalso be
`problematic under certain conditions as there are certain
`safety hazards inherent to the assembly ofperforation 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 ils design and components would be able to
`address at
`least one of the above-mentioned needs, or
`overcome or at least minimize at least one of the above-
`mentioned drawbacks.
`
`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-
`ration gun system having an outer gun carrier and compris-
`ing:
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`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-
`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
`charge holder and at least one bottom connector comprise a
`rotation coupling for providing a selectable clockingrotation
`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
`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
`perforation gun system kit having component parts capable
`of being assembled within an outer gun carricr,
`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;
`al 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
`connector, at least one stackable charge holder and at least
`one bottom connector.
`
`there is also provided a
`According to another aspect,
`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, al least one stackable charge holder and at least
`one bottom connector;
`assembling a plurality of the stackable charge holders in a
`predetermined phase to forma 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;
`
`

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`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`3
`clicking the detonation cord into recesses formed in captur-
`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 cach of the charge holders.
`Anumberof optional steps thatare detailed below maybe
`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
`rotation between the top connector, and a charge holder
`wherein the top connector is configured to receive electrical
`connections therethrough.
`there is also provided a
`According to another aspect,
`stackable charge holder for a perforation gun system having
`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
`al least one rotation coupling for providing a selectable
`clocking rotation between the charge holder and an adjacent
`componentin the perforation gun system;
`wherein a pair of the plurality of projections is configured
`for capturing a detonation cord traversing the charge holder.
`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-
`nation cord in the gun system;
`a plurality of wingsor fins for axially locking the bottom
`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
`stackable charge holders.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other objects and advantages will become
`apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon
`referring to specific embodiments thereofthat are illustrated
`in the appended drawings. Understanding that these draw-
`ings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore
`to be considered to be limiting of its scope, exemplary
`embodiments will be described and explained with addi-
`tional specificity and detail through the use of the accom-
`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 systemin
`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
`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 viewof the bottom connector
`shown in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a front view of a stackable charge holder in
`accordance with an embodiment;
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`FIG,7 is a front perspective view of the stackable charge
`holder shownin FIG. 6;
`T'IG. 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
`shownin 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
`connector in accordance with an embodiment;
`TIG. 12 is a side view of the half-portion of the top
`connector shown in FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is a top perspective view ofthe half-portion of the
`top connector shownin FIG. 11;
`FIG, 14 is a bottom perspective view of the half-portion
`of the top connector shownin 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 shownin
`FIG. 15:
`FIG, 18 is a rear perspective view of the top connector
`shown in T'IG. 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;
`VIG. 22 is a side cut view of the gun carrier shown in T'IG.
`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 shownin 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
`shownin 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
`system illustrating the configuration of the top sub in accor-
`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.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description and accompanying FIGS., the
`same numerical references refer to similar elements through-
`
`

`

`US 10,472,938 B2
`
`5
`out the FIGS. and text. Furthermore, for the sake of sim-
`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-
`nents and features of the embodiments illustrated in other
`FIGS. can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments,
`geometrical configurations, and/or dimensions showninthe
`FIGS. are for cxemplification purposes only. Various fea-
`tures, aspects and advantages of the embodiments will
`become more apparent fromthe following detailed descrip-
`tion.
`Moreover, although some of the embodiments were pri-
`marily designed for well bore perforating, for example, they
`mayalso 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 includesall
`other kinds of materials, objects and/or purposes with which
`the various embodiments could be used and may beuseful.
`Each example or embodiment are provided by way of
`explanation, and is not meant as a limitation and docs not
`constitute a definition of all possible embodiments.
`In addition, although some of the embodimentsare illus-
`trated in the accompanying drawings comprise various com-
`ponents and although the embodiment of the adjustment
`system as shown consists of certain geometrical configura-
`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.c. should not be taken as
`to limit the scope. It is to be understood, as also apparent to
`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
`inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without
`departing from the scope.
`is to provide a
`Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an object
`perforation gun system 10 having an outer guncarrier 12.
`The gun system 10 includes a top connector 14. At least one
`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 includesat least one bottom connector
`22 for terminating the detonation cord 20 in the gun system.
`Asbetter shown in I'IG.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-
`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-
`nector 22 includes a rotation coupling 30 for providing a
`selectable clocking rotation between each of the above-
`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 306.
`Hence, a user can build multiple configurations of gun
`systems using various combinations of basic components. A
`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
`length. Another basic component is a bottom connectorthat
`terminates the detonation cord in the gun. The bottom
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`connector may carry as well an electrical connection there-
`through. The bottom connector may also double as an
`imperial measurement stackable spacer to provide any gun
`shot density up to, for example, 6 shots per foot. Alternately,
`another bottom connector may be provided or configured to
`double as a metric measurement stackable spacer to provide
`any gun shot density up to, for example, 20 shots per meter.
`Another basic component includes a push-in detonator that
`does not use wires to make necessary connections. The
`push-in detonator may uses spring-loaded connectors, thus
`replacing any required wires and crimping.
`Therefore, within the self-centralizing charge holder sys-
`tem, any numberof spacers can be used with any numberof
`holders for any specific metric or imperial shot density,
`phase and length gun system.
`In an embodiment, only two pipe wrenches are required
`for assembly on site of the gun system, as no other tools are
`required.
`In an embodiment, the top connector 14 provides ener-
`getic coupling between the detonator and detonating card.
`In an embodiment, cach of the top connector 14, stackable
`charge holder 16 and bottom connector 22 are configured to
`receive electrical connections therethrough.
`In an embodiment, all connections are made by connec-
`tors, such as spring-loaded connectors, instead of wires, with
`the exception of the through wire that goes from the top
`connector 14 to the bottom connector 22, whose ends are
`connectors.
`
`In an embodiment, components of the assembly may
`include molded parts, which may also be manufactured to
`house the wiring integrally, through, for instance, overmold-
`ing,
`to encase the wiring and all connectors within an
`injection molded part. For example, the charge holder 16
`could be overmolded to include the through wire.
`In an embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each
`bottom connector 22 includes a cylindrical body 220 com-
`prising a first base 222 and a second base 224. The pins 50
`outwardly extend from the first base 222, and the sockets 52
`at
`least partially extend into the second base 224. As
`illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, each socket 52 is spaced apart
`from an adjacent socket and each pin 50 is spaced apart from
`an adjacent pin. The cylindrical body 220 may include a
`plurality of alternating v-shaped channels 221 and v-shaped
`walls 223. The v-shaped channels partially extend from the
`first base 222 towards the second base 224, and the v-shaped
`walls 223 extend from the second b