IP Library Granted Patent US 12,584,721
Granted Patent B2
US 12,584,721 · App. 19/054,267 · Granted Mar 24, 2026

Detonator for a perforating gun assembly

Inventor: Shelby L. Sullivan (Minot, ND)
Assignee: XConnect, LLC
F42D1/05E21B43/1185E21B43/117
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,584,721
App. No.
19/054,267
Granted
Mar 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A detonator for a perforating gun. The detonator is used to ignite a detonator cord in a charge tube for a perforating gun assembly, which in turn is used for perforating a wellbore. The detonator includes a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a tubular body having a first end; and a second end. Preferably, the tubular body is fabricated from a metallic material. The detonator also comprises a post proximate the first end of the tubular body. The post is configured to be in electrical communication with a first leg wire connected to an addressable switch. Alternatively, the post is in contact with the end of a detonation pin. The detonator also has a fuse head within the bore of the tubular body, and a fuse wire. The fuse head is in contact with the explosive charge material. The detonator is releasably snapped into a compartment located within the charge tube.

Claims (24)

1 . An end plate comprising:

a first end defining a first face, with the first face abutting a charge tube of a perforating gun;

a second end opposite the first end, and defining a second face;

an opening along the second face configured to receive an end of a ground pin;

a first through-opening and a second through-opening;

a first bulkhead residing in the first through-opening configured to closely receive a signal transmission pin, wherein the signal transmission pin is configured to transmit electrical signals from the perforating gun, through the end plate, and to an addressable switch;

a second bulkhead residing in the second through-opening configured to closely receive a detonator pin, wherein the detonator pin is configured to transmit a detonation signal from the addressable switch, back up through the end plate, and to a detonator;

and wherein:

the addressable switch comprises a first leg wire and a second leg wire; and

the detonator is received within a compartment of the charge tube within the perforating gun.

2 . The end plate of claim 1 , wherein:

the detonator comprises a terminal;

the detonator is placed within the compartment of the charge tube using a friction-fit or snap-fit arrangement;

the first leg wire is in electrical communication with the detonator pin;

the second leg wire is in electrical communication with a ground terminal in the compartment; and

placement of the detonator into the compartment causes the terminal to be in contact with the detonator pin, and a body of the detonator to be in contact with the ground terminal.

3 . The end plate of claim 2 , further comprising:

a flange residing between the first face and the second face;

and wherein:

the charge tube resides upstream from the end plate;

the charge tube extends over the first face of the end plate and abuts the flange on a first side;

a downstream tandem sub extends over the second face of the end plate and abuts the flange on a second side opposite the first side; and

the addressable switch resides within the tandem sub.

4 . The end plate of claim 2 , wherein: the first leg wire is connected to the detonator pin; and the second leg wire is connected to a ground terminal in the compartment 4 .

Continuity (12)
Division 18514581 · Nov 20, 2023
Division 18301107 · Apr 14, 2023
Continuation In Part 17547016 · Dec 9, 2021
Continuation In Part 17547053 · Dec 9, 2021
Continuation In Part 17543121 · Dec 6, 2021
Continuation In Part 17175651 · Feb 13, 2021
Continuation In Part 16996692 · Aug 18, 2020
Provisional Application 63508985 · Jun 19, 2023
Provisional Application 63481419 · Jan 25, 2023
Provisional Application 63384474 · Nov 21, 2022
Provisional Application 63340123 · May 10, 2022
Related Publication 20250244115A1 · Jul 31, 2025
References Cited (2)
US 11913767B2 · Sullivan · 2024 [cited by examiner]
WO WO2018055339A1 · 2018 [cited by examiner]