Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shaped charge assembly for use in a perforating gun. The shaped charge assembly includes a shaped charge combined with a longitudinal spine extending along a portion of a perforating gun barrel. The shaped charge can be secured to the spine with a retaining shell. A bushing is included between the outer radius of the casing the retaining shell. The bushing serves to absorb shock during detonation of the shaped charge and to help in orienting the shaped charges.

Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge formed from a mixture of powdered heavy metal and a powdered metal binder. The liner is formed by compression of the mixture into a liner body shape. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises a range of 90 to 97 percent by weight of powdered heavy metal, and 10 to 3 percent by weight of the powdered metal binder. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a lubricant is intermixed with the powdered metal binder to aid in the formation of the shaped charge liner. The preferred powdered heavy metal is tungsten, and the preferred powdered metal binder is copper. The powdered metal binder can be comprised of other malleable ductile metals such as bismuth, zinc, tin, uranium, silver, gold, antimony, cobalt, zinc alloys, tin alloys, nickel, or palladium.

Abstract: A method of producing a liner for a shaped charge comprising mixing a composition of powdered metal with plasticizers and binders to form a paste. The paste is then particulated and injected into an injection mold. The paste is molded into a molded liner shape and then chemically treated to remove plasticizers and binders from the molded liner shape. After being removed from the injection mold the molded liner shape is sintered inside of a furnace. The powdered metal composition can be comprised of a mixture of from 60% to 97% by weight of powdered heavy metal and from 40% to 3% by weight of cobalt, or the powdered metal composition can be comprised of a mixture of from 60% to 97% by weight of powdered heavy metal and from 40% to 3% of copper, the preferred heavy metal being tungsten.

Abstract: A method of producing a liner for a shaped charge comprising mixing a composition of powdered metal with plasticizers and binders to form a paste. The paste is then particulated and injected into an injection mold. The paste is molded into a molded liner shape and then chemically treated to remove plasticizers and binders from the molded liner shape. After being removed from the injection mold the molded liner shape is sintered inside of a furnace. The powdered metal composition can be comprised of a mixture of from 60% to 97% by weight of powdered heavy metal and from 40% to 3% by weight of cobalt, or the powdered metal composition can be comprised of a mixture of from 60% to 97% by weight of powdered heavy metal and from 40% to 3% of copper, the preferred heavy metal being tungsten.

Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge formed from a mixture of powdered heavy metal and a powdered metal binder. The liner is formed by compression of the mixture into a liner body shape. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises a range of 90 to 97 percent by weight of powdered heavy metal, and 10 to 3 percent by weight of the powdered metal binder. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a lubricant is intermixed with the powdered metal binder to aid in the formation of the shaped charge liner. The preferred powdered heavy metal is tungsten, and the preferred powdered metal binder is copper. The powdered metal binder can be comprised of other malleable ductile metals such as bismuth, zinc, tin, uranium, silver, gold, antimony, cobalt, zinc alloys, tin alloys, nickel, or palladium.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for perforating wellbores, comprising a shaped charge carrier assembly, a detonating cord for initiation OF shaped charges in the carrier assembly, an initiator attached to the detonating cord for initiating the cord on application of an electrical control signal to the detonator, and a pressure safety switch connected to the initiator. The pressure safety switch electrically connects the initiator to an electrical cable for carrying the control signal, when a preselected pressure is applied to the pressure safety switch.

Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge formed from a mixture of powdered tungsten and powdered metal binder. The liner is formed by compression of the mixture into a substantially conically shaped solid body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises a range of approximately 70 to 90 percent by weight of tungsten and 30 to 10 percent of the powdered metal binder. In a specific embodiment of the invention, graphite powder is intermixed with the powdered metal binder and tungsten to act as a lubricant. The powdered metal binder preferably comprises a malleable, ductile metal such as lead, bismuth, tin, zinc, silver, antimony, cobalt, nickel or uranium.

Abstract: A well perforating apparatus for generating a plurality of material perforating jets. A base has a plurality of recesses or apertures, and a liner is proximate to the base and is indented into each recess or aperture. Explosive charges contact the indented surfaces of the liner to form multiple shaped charges. A detonator activates the explosive material to collapse the liner segments proximate to the explosive charges and to generate a plurality of perforating jets. In one embodiment of the invention, the base initially comprises a planar material that can be formed into a geometric shape for insertion into a cylindrical housing or wellbore. The invention substantially reduces manufacturing costs and is especially useful in permitting a high density shot pattern to be generated by the perforating jets.

Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge formed from a mixture of powdered tungsten and powdered metal binder. The liner is formed by compression of the mixture into a substantially conically shaped solid body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises approximately 80 percent by weight of tungsten and 20 percent of the powdered metal binder. In a specific embodiment of the invention, graphite powder is intermixed with the powdered metal binder and tungsten to act as a lubricant. The powdered metal binder preferably comprises a malleable, ductile metal such as lead, bismuth, tin, zinc, silver, antimony, cobalt, nickel or uranium.