Perforating Gun Having Grounding Assembly

What is this patent about?

’284 is related to the field of downhole perforating guns used in oil and gas wells. These guns are lowered into wellbores to create perforations in the casing and cement, allowing reservoir fluids to flow into the well. A reliable electrical system is crucial for detonating the shaped charges within the gun, and a robust grounding system is essential for safety and proper function. Existing perforating guns face challenges in maintaining consistent grounding, especially when the charge assembly rotates within the gun carrier to orient the shaped charges.

The underlying idea behind ’284 is to improve the grounding of the charge assembly within a perforating gun by using at least one elastic conductor between the charge holder and the gun carrier. This conductor is designed to maintain electrical contact even when the charge holder rotates to adjust the orientation of the shaped charges. The elastic nature of the conductor ensures continuous grounding, accommodating rotational movement and variations in manufacturing tolerances.

The claims of ’284 focus on a perforating gun that includes a carrier with a longitudinal passage, a holder with charge receptacles positioned within the passage, a first electrical conductor for an electrical signal, a ground conductor for a ground signal, and at least one elastic conductor extending between the holder and the longitudinal passage. The elastic conductor is in electrical communication with the carrier and the ground signal, and it is elastic at least in a rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the holder.

In practice, the elastic conductor can take various forms, such as a coil spring, bow spring, brush, or bristle. It is attached to the charge holder and biased outwards to make contact with the inner surface of the gun carrier. This lateral engagement ensures a reliable ground connection, even as the charge holder rotates to align the shaped charges. The elasticity of the conductor allows it to flex and adjust, minimizing friction and maintaining consistent contact.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches that rely on fixed grounding connections or longitudinal leaf springs, which can create excessive friction and impede rotation. By using an elastic conductor that engages laterally, ’284 provides a more robust and reliable grounding path that accommodates rotational movement, simplifies assembly, and improves the overall performance of the perforating gun. The spring-loaded contact ensures consistent grounding regardless of the charge holder's orientation.