Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention involve a thinned-skirt shaped-charge liner, a shaped-charge explosive incorporating the liner, and methods for making the liner. The focus of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention is the machining of the skirt portion of the liner to thin that portion to a thickness within about 25% of the thickness of the material around the center of the apex of the liner. The goal is to reduce debris and carrot size without sacrificing performance. In an alternative embodiment of the liner, at least some of the skirt portion of the liner is machined to a rough machine finish, but the mass of the material removed in the machining is insignificant to negligible. The liner of the present invention may be incorporated into a shaped-charge which includes a housing, a shaped-explosive, and the liner, preferably having an opening at the center of the apex of the liner.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention involve a thinned-skirt shaped-charge liner, a shaped-charge explosive incorporating the liner, and methods for making the liner. The focus of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention is the machining of the skirt portion of the liner to thin that portion to a thickness within about 25% of the thickness of the material around the center of the apex of the liner. The goal is to reduce debris and carrot size without sacrificing performance. In an alternative embodiment of the liner, at least some of the skirt portion of the liner is machined to a rough machine finish, but the mass of the material removed in the machining is insignificant to negligible. The liner of the present invention may be incorporated into a shaped-charge which includes a housing, a shaped-explosive, and the liner, preferably having an opening at the center of the apex of the liner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring non-electric blasting initiation signals from detonating cord signal donor lines to signal transmission tube acceptor lines involves disposing the acceptor line in enhanced signal transfer configuration with the donor line. The acceptor line (30) may constitute the input lead (29a) of a detonator (10a). Enhanced signal transfer configuration between the input lead (29a) and the detonating cord (60) can be established by disposing input line (30) in at least partial wrap-around contact with the detonating cord (60) or in multiple abutting contact with the detonating cord (60). Enhanced signal transfer configuration can also be achieved for a detonator having at least two input lines in abutting contact with the detonating cord. A slider (44) is designed to extend contact between a detonator input lead and a detonating cord.

Abstract: A liner (30) for a shaped charge (10) has a hemispherical apex and a skirt portion (38) which terminates in a circular skirt edge (40) having a skirt edge diameter (D). The apex (36) has a radius of curvature which is less than the skirt edge diameter (D) and the thickness (Tac) of the liner at the center of the apex (36) is greater than the thickness (Ts) of the liner at the skirt edge (40), with the thickness tapering between the apex and the skirt edge in a smooth, curvilinear transition. The liner (30) may be employed in a shaped charge (10) which includes a shaped explosive (26) which has been compressed to at least 95% of its theoretical maximum density and is contained in a housing (12) and cover (20) made of a pulverable material such as a ceramic.

Abstract: A well pipe perforating gun (10) is improved by the utilization of a pulverable support structure (14) to hold the explosive shaped charges (18a, 18b, etc.) and the fireset (20). When the gun (10) is fired, the support structure (14) disintegrates substantially into fragments too small to obstruct the flow of oil or natural gas from a surrounding earth formation into or through the well pipe (12) within which the gun is disposed. Optionally, the support structure (14) is assembled from a number of segments (14a, 14b, etc.) linked together in sequential fashion.

Abstract: A separation device (23a-23d) comprises a frangible joint (24a-24d) comprising joinder flanges (27a, 27b) interconnected by walls (126a, 126b, 226a, 226b, 326a, 326b, 426a, 426b) having fracture grooves (28a, 28b) and defining a channel (36a-36c) therein. Within the channel (36a-36c) is disposed an expansion member (10, 10a, 10b) containing a detonation charge (16) and having expansion regions (34a-34c, 134a, 134b) that expand upon detonation of the charge (16). The expansion region bears against walls at the junctions (32a, 32b, 32b', 132a, 132b, 232a, 232b) thereof with joinder flanges (27a, 27b) to provide separation thrust as well as causing frangible joint (24a-24d) to fracture at fracture grooves (28a, 28b).

Abstract: A detonation manifold (30) for use with a separation device comprising an expansion member (10) disposed in a frangible joint (24), the expansion member comprising a flattened containment tube (20) having in cross section an oblong configuration having a major axis and a minor axis and having therein a detonation fuse (16). The manifold comprises a body portion (31) having at least one initiation port (32) for receiving an initiator device and at least one coupling flange (38) mounted on the body portion for engaging the expansion member and having a flange bore (40) for receiving the detonation fuse (16), the flange bore (40) being in detonation communication with the initiation port (32). The coupling flange (38) has in cross section an oblong configuration having a major axis and a minor axis and is dimensioned and configured so that the containment tube (20) can be flared for receiving the flange without significantly deforming the oblong configuration of the containment tube (20).