MULTIPLE POINT INITIATION FOR NON-AXISYMMETRIC SHAPED CHARGE
A non-axisymmetric shaped charge including a casing, such as a non-axisymmetric shaped casing, and a liner housed therein, is generally described in which the casing includes multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the casing. The non-axisymmetric shaped charge may include a plurality of guiding members positioned on the external surface. The non-axisymmetric shaped charge is capable of creating sufficient ballistic energy to uniformly collapse the liner.
1 . A non-axisymmetric shaped charge comprising:
a non-axisymmetric shaped casing having a hollow interior;
a liner housed within the non-axisymmetric shaped casing;
an explosive load disposed within the hollow interior; and
multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.
2 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 1 , wherein the non-axisymmetric shaped casing is further defined by a front portion, a plurality of side wall portions and a back wall portion, wherein the front portion is open.
3 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 2 , wherein the explosive load is enclosed, encased or positioned between the liner and the back wall portion.
4 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 2 wherein the liner has a V-shaped cross-section that extends along at least a portion of a length of the back wall portion between two opposing side wall portions of the plurality of side wall portions.
5 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 1 , wherein the multiple initiation points are arranged in a substantially linear configuration with respect to each other.
6 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 1 , wherein the multiple initiation points comprises three or more initiation points.
7 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guiding members positioned on the external surface.
8 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of guiding members are spaced apart from each other.
9 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of guiding members are spaced apart from each other providing a gap configured for aligning a detonating cord along the external surface of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.
10 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of guiding members are arranged in a slanted direction to position a detonating cord in a substantially helical pattern.
11 . A perforating gun comprising:
a shaped charge carrier tube having openings; and
a plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges, wherein each of the plurality of shaped charges are positioned within each of the openings, further wherein each of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges comprises:
a non-axisymmetric shaped casing having a hollow interior;
a liner housed within the non-axisymmetric shaped casing;
an explosive load disposed within the hollow interior; and
multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.
12 . The perforating gun of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges further comprise a plurality of guiding members positioned on the external surface.
13 . The perforating gun of claim 11 , wherein the non-axisymmetric shaped casing is further defined by a front portion, a plurality of side wall portions and a back wall portion, wherein the front portion is open.
14 . The perforating gun of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges are positioned in the shaped charge carrier tube in an outwardly facing helical arrangement.
15 . The perforating gun of claim 11 , wherein at least a pair of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges are positioned in the shaped charge carrier tube in an abutting external surface to external surface arrangement.
16 . The perforating gun of claim 12 , further comprising a detonating cord, wherein the detonating cord is arranged exteriorly to the shaped charge carrier tube.
17 . The perforating gun of claim 12 , further comprising a detonating cord, wherein the detonating cord is arranged within a bore of the shaped charge carrier tube and positioned within a gap disposed between the plurality of guiding members.
18 . The perforating gun of claim 15 , further comprising a detonating cord arranged within a bore of the shaped charge carrier tube and positioned between the abutting external surfaces of each of the pairs of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges.
19 . A method of forming a non-axisymmetric shaped charge comprising:
forming a non-axisymmetric shaped casing having a hollow interior defined by a front portion, a plurality of side wall portions, and a back wall portion, wherein the front portion is open;
forming multiple initiation points in the back wall portion of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing, the multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the back wall portion; delivering an explosive load into the hollow interior of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing; and
restraining the explosive load within the hollow interior by positioning a liner within the open front portion of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising forming and positioning a plurality of guiding members on the external surface of the back wall portion of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.