IP Library Granted Patent US 11,719,523
Granted Patent B2
US 11,719,523 · App. 17/233,791 · Granted Aug 8, 2023

Perforating gun system and method

Inventors: Terrell Saltarelli (Weatherford, TX); John T Hardesty (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
F42D1/05E21B43/1185
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,719,523
App. No.
17/233,791
Granted
Aug 8, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A detonator block for housing a detonator has a body configured to host the detonator; the body having a first end that is configured to be attached to a sub; the body having a second end, opposite to the first end, and configured to connect to a gun; and a printed circuit board located inside the body, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to the detonator. The body has a holder that is configured to hold the detonator inside the body.

Claims (59)

1. A detonator block for housing a detonator, the detonator block comprising:

a body configured to host the detonator;

the body having a first end that is configured to be attached to a sub;

the body having a second end, opposite to the first end, and configured to connect to a gun;

a detonator located inside the body; and

a printed circuit board located inside the body, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to the detonator,

wherein the printed circuit board is shaped to extend around the detonator.

2. The detonator block of claim 1 , further comprising: a holder located in the body and configured to hold the detonator.

3. The detonator block of claim 1 , further comprising:

plural electrical contacts electrically connected to the printed circuit board, at least one electrical contact being a spring loaded contact having a respective pin.

4. The detonator block of claim 1 , further comprising:

a contact switch electrically connected to the printed circuit board and having a head, wherein the contact switch electrically shunts the detonator when the head is not pressed.

5. The detonator block of claim 4 , wherein the contact switch un-shunts leads of the detonator when the head is pressed in.

6. The detonator block of claim 5 , further comprising:

a fuse located on the printed circuit board and configured to burn open by passing a current through the contact switch before the leads of the detonator are unshunted.

7. The detonator block of claim 1 , further comprising:

addressable switch circuitry for selectively switching the detonator.

8. The detonator block of claim 1 , further comprising:

an interrupter mechanism configured to block a ballistic path between the detonator and the second end of the body.

9. The detonator block of claim 8 , wherein the interrupter mechanism comprises:

a cap;

an arm attached to the cap;

a spring; and

an actuator,

wherein the actuator makes the cap to move away from the detonator.

10. The detonator block of claim 1 , further comprising:

a metallic foil attached to an exterior of the body,

wherein the metallic foil together with a ground plane formed on the printed circuit board forms a Faraday cage to protect the detonator from radio frequency interference.

11. A gun string comprising:

a sub;

a detonator block mechanically attached to the sub; and

a gun mechanically attached to the sub,

wherein the detonator block has an interior chamber that hosts a printed circuit board and a detonator,

wherein the detonator is electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and

wherein the printed circuit board is shaped to extend wrap around the detonator inside the chamber.

12. The gun string of claim 11 , wherein the detonator block is screwed into an end of the sub.

13. The gun string of claim 11 , wherein the gun has a contact end plate mechanism attached to a charge load tube and both the contact end plate mechanism and the charge load tube are located inside the carrier.

14. The gun string of claim 13 , wherein the detonator block has plural spring-loaded electrical contacts and the contact end plate mechanism has corresponding plural circular electrical contacts.

15. The gun string of claim 11 , wherein the detonator block further comprises: addressable switch circuitry for selectively switching the detonator.

16. The gun string of claim 11 , wherein the detonator block comprises:

an interrupter mechanism configured to block a ballistic path between the detonator located inside the detonator block and a detonator cord attached to the contact end plate mechanism.

17. A detonator block for housing a detonator, the detonator block comprising:

a body having a chamber that is configured to host the detonator;

the body having a first end that is configured to be attached to a sub;

the body having a second end, opposite to the first end, and configured to connect to a gun; and

a printed circuit board located inside the chamber of the body, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to the detonator, and wherein the printed circuit board is shaped to extend around the detonator inside the chamber; and

an interrupter mechanism configured to block a ballistic path between the detonator and the second end of the body.

18. The detonator block of claim 17 , further comprising:

the detonator.

19. The detonator block of claim 17 , further comprising:

plural electrical contacts electrically connected to the printed circuit board, at least one electrical contact being a spring loaded contact having a respective pin.

20. The detonator block of claim 19 , further comprising:

a contact switch electrically connected to the printed circuit board and having a head, wherein the contact switch electrically shunts the detonator when the head is not pressed.

21. The detonator block of claim 17 , wherein the interrupter mechanism comprises:

a cap;

an arm attached to the cap;

a spring; and

an actuator,

wherein the actuator makes the cap to move away from the detonator.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2026
From: OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.; OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.; GEODYNAMICS, INC.; TEMPRESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074532/0194 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2024
From: OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.; OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.; GEODYNAMICS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 067090/0799 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: OIL STATES ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.; OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.; GEODYNAMICS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 059861/0477 →