Linear Or Curvilinear Cavity Patents (Class 102/307)
  • Patent number: 11879711
    Abstract: A radial cutting cavity container includes a housing that defines a chamber for a shaped explosive charge. The housing is configured to allow a user to pack explosives therein. An airtight cavity is attached to the housing. The airtight cavity defines a standoff distance for the shaped explosive charge and has a concave surface adapted to form an explosive cutting jet. A liner is located between the housing and the airtight cavity. A support stand is attached to the container to allow the container to be mounted on a surface for creating a radial cut normal to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Adam Pegouske, Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11697980
    Abstract: A perforation gun having a modified pin end for positioning a blast shield between adjacent guns, the blast shield electrically joining movable contact pins and propagating firing signals between while protecting against blast forces from previous explosions. The perforation guns also having a wiring port in the charge carrier and alignment pin for opening and adding detonation circuitry at time of use, positioned within the charge carrier where it is protected from damages caused by rough handling, flooding, vibrations, and blast forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Sergio F Goyeneche
  • Patent number: 11578556
    Abstract: A method of clearing well casing (3) or tubing from a target region of an oil/gas well (1) borehole is provided. The clearance of the oil/gas well bore hole being achieved by employing chemical agents (9) that consume, weaken or melt the well casing/tubing. In some aspects of the method the well casing is cleared to expose the rock formation within which the well borehole is formed so that the rock formation can be accessed from within the well casing/tubing. In other aspects of the method the removal of inner tubing structures is used to facilitate the unimpaired deployment of repair tools down the well borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bisn Tec Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Carragher
  • Patent number: 11567054
    Abstract: A shaped lens for minimizing differences in time of arrival at the output surface of an explosive assembly. The lens is plano-convex with the convex shape oriented towards the explosive charge. The lens becomes monotonically thicker as the center of the lens is radially approached from the edge, according to a formula accounting for the detonation velocity of the explosive and velocity of the shockwave through the lens. The lens is preferably incorporated into a test fixture using a liquid explosive, such as nitromethane. The test fixture may be assembled on site, at the test location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Eric Welle
  • Patent number: 11492877
    Abstract: A shaped charge closure member for encapsulating a slotted shaped charge is described. The closure member includes a body having a closed upper portion, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion. The closure member has first and second side walls, a front wall, and a back wall. Each wall tapers from the lower portion to the upper portion. A skirt having a substantially rectangular cross-section extends vertically away from each of the walls, at the lower portion of the body. The skirt engages with an open portion of a slotted shaped charge case, thereby forming an encapsulated slotted shaped charge. The encapsulated slotted shaped charge may be used in an exposed perforating gun system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Liam McNelis, Arash Shahinpour, Joerg Mueller, Frank Haron Preiss
  • Patent number: 11480021
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11378363
    Abstract: According to the exemplary disclosed embodiments, contoured, curvilinear liners for a rectangular slotted shaped charge are described. The exemplary curvilinear liners include one or more curvilinear contours. The contoured, curvilinear liners provide improved perforating performance for rectangular slotted shaped charges used in oil and gas wellbore operations such as completion and abandonment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Liam McNelis, Arash Shahinpour, Joerg Mueller, Joern Olaf Loehken
  • Patent number: 11352860
    Abstract: Provided is a shaped charge for use in a wellbore. The shaped charge, in one example, includes a case exterior, the case exterior including an outer surface, and an inner surface forming an cavity, a case interior located within the cavity, a toroidal shaped liner located within the cavity and surrounding a base of the case interior, and explosive material located within a first gap between the inner surface of the case exterior and the toroidal shaped liner and a second gap between the toroidal shaped liner and the case interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Todd MacGillivray
  • Patent number: 11306565
    Abstract: A firing stand (30) for mounting a plurality of shaped charges. The firing stand (30) can be configured by a user between a transport configuration in which shaped charges are stored for transport, and at least a first firing configuration from which shaped charges can be deployed. Inter-connected rotating panels (31) may be used to provide user configurability to the firing stand (30), with shaped charges optionally being mounted in panel apertures (36). The firing stand provides for rapid and configurable deployment of multiple shaped charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Secretaiy of State for Defence
    Inventor: David Timothy Newell
  • Patent number: 11300387
    Abstract: A frame for a linear shaped charge. In examples, the frame comprises: a first plate having a first surface; and a second plate having a second surface. The frame is configurable between an un-collapsed state and a collapsed state. In the un-collapsed state, there is a void for receipt of explosive material, with the first surface as a first side of the void, the second surface as a second side of the void, and the first surface angled relative to the second surface by an angle within the void of greater than 180°. In the collapsed state the void is at least partly collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LINEAR SHAPED LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Lumley
  • Patent number: 11287239
    Abstract: A fast utility access device (FUAD) is provided that includes one or more casings, each of the one or more casings collectively defining a bore, and a core of a highly exothermic composition contained in the bore and surrounded by a thermally insulating inner liner, the highly exothermic composition ignitable to create a post-ignition temperature of between 500° C. and 4000° C. A method is also provided for breaching a target and includes contacting the inventive access device with a breaching target substrate, thermally coupling at least one reaction initiator to the highly exothermic composition, triggering the at least one reaction initiator thereby igniting the highly exothermic composition, and allowing the highly exothermic composition to achieve a post-ignition temperature sufficient to melt the breaching target substrate, forming a hole therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Amee L Polk, Joseph A Domanico, Michael F Kauzlarich, Nino L Bonavito, Warren L Gardner
  • Patent number: 11225850
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a streamlined housing sized to freely move through a wellbore formed from a terranean surface to a subterranean formation; an explosive material enclosed within an interior volume of the housing, the explosive material sufficient to cut at least a portion of a tubular positioned in the wellbore upon detonation; a detonator coupled to the explosive material; and a detonator control system communicably coupled to the detonator and configured to activate the detonator with a detonation signal to detonate the explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Al-Mousa, Ahmed A. Al-Ramadhan, Qadir Looni
  • Patent number: 11220891
    Abstract: Provided are liners for a shaped charge and corresponding methods of use. An example liner comprises a generally conical shape having an apex, an open side, a liner wall comprising a thickness, and an axis extending through the center of the liner from the apex to the center of the open side. The liner comprises a liner height extending in a vertical plane from the center of the open side to the apex, a liner radius extending along a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the axis at the open side of the liner and that extends from the axis to an outermost edge of the liner wall. The ratio of the liner height to the liner diameter is about 0.90 to about 1.10. The liner wall comprises an apex curvature, a first wall curvature, a second wall curvature, and a third wall curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Paul Metzger, Steve Shih-Hsiang Lin, Brenden Michael Grove
  • Patent number: 11215040
    Abstract: A technique facilitates perforating along specific regions of a wellbore without creating detrimental transient pressure changes along a perforating gun string. In non-perforation regions, pressure charges may be used to maintain pressure within the gun string without creating perforations through the surrounding casing and into the surrounding formation. Each pressure charge may comprise a casing with an explosive material disposed in the casing. However, the components and structure of the pressure charge enable detonation and the corresponding increase in pressure within the gun string without creating perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carlos Erik Baumann, David Damm, Jose Escudero, Moises Enrique Smart
  • Patent number: 11162766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liner for shaped charge for penetrating hard targets, wherein the liner comprises i) a carrier having a density below 9500 kg/m3; and ii) a coating deposited on said carrier comprising at least one metal and/or metal oxide, wherein the coating has a density greater than 10000 kg/m3; wherein the thickness ratio of the carrier to the coating ranges from 100:1 to 1:1, and wherein the oxygen content in the coating is less than 100 ppm atomic. The invention also relates to a method of producing such shaped charge liner and the use 0 thereof in a projectile for penetrating a hard military target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventors: Sofia Sillanpaeae, Thomas Widlund
  • Patent number: 11143007
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon bearing formation bounded by at least one nonbearing formation comprises inserting a tubular into a wellbore formed in the hydrocarbon bearing formation. The tubular defines proximal and distal ends and further has a sidewall defining inner and outer surfaces and a tubular bore, where an annulus is defined between the outer surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the wellbore. A detonator is disposed in the annulus through at least a portion of the hydrocarbon bearing formation. A first fluid including a first explosive is pumped through the tubular bore into a selected portion of the annulus. An isolation material is inserted in the annulus between an entrance of the wellbore and the first explosive fluid. The explosive fluid is detonated with the detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Energy Technologies Group, LLC
    Inventor: Jerome Kemick
  • Patent number: 11085277
    Abstract: A perforation gun comprising a charging unit and an outer hollow carrier, wherein the hollow carrier is made of a seamless steel pipe, wherein the seamless steel pipe is produced by tempering a tubular steel body at a holding temperature of >450° C., the seamless steel pipe having a high burst strength and at least over part of its length having a yield strength Rp0.2 of >1050 MPa, and the seamless steel pipe having a grain structure with an average grain size of <15 ?m, and the tubular steel body having been manufactured from a steel alloy, which steel alloy comprises, besides iron and inevitable impurities, the following alloying elements in mass-%: C 0.22-0.30% Mn 0.7-1.2% Si 0.13-0.38% Cr 0.7-1.2% Mo 0.5-0.8%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: André Lömker
  • Patent number: 11022410
    Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of at least partly manufacturing a liner for a linear shaped charge. The method can include coating each of a plurality of metal particles with a non-metal, to form a plurality of coated spherical particles; mixing, without a solvent, the plurality of coated spherical particles with a polymer binder and at least one of: a filler, a dry lubricant, or a wet lubricant, until a flexible material is formed with the plurality of coated spherical particles dispersed homogeneously in the polymer binder and the flexible material has a mass of at least 5,700 kg per cubic meter volume of the flexible material; and at least partly forming a liner for the linear shaped charge from the flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: JET PHYSICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Lumley
  • Patent number: 11002118
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a shaped charge liner including an apex end and a base end and defining a main liner axis that passes through the apex and base ends, the liner being rotationally symmetric about the main liner axis wherein the liner has discrete rotational symmetry about the main liner axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael John Hinton, Philip Duncan Church, Richard Gordon Townsley, Peter John Gould
  • Patent number: 10969204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to using at least one explosive device to enable rapid and accurate positioning and repositioning of at least one explosive charge for controlled penetration of targets. A penetrator allows effective demolition with minimal explosive load. An attachment collar with magnetic inserts allows quick repositioning of explosive devices. A plurality of explosive devices allows a demolition profile to be rapidly created and adjusted on-site to adapt to changes in structural or environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Theodore E. Sivley, Joshua W. McIntosh, Kevin Stewart, Eric Scheid
  • Patent number: 10954761
    Abstract: A perforating tool assembly may be modularized by providing modular charge segments to provide for multiple configurations of shaped charges without the requirement of excess inventory. The modular charge segments may comprise any number of modular charge holder segments and modular charge spacer segments which are configured to provide for different spacings and offsets of shaped charges disposed within the modular charge holder segments. The modular charge holder segments include slots and locking tabs to allow for the differing offsets between charges. The modular charge holder segments may comprise a slit that allows the modular holder segment to be flexed or deflected to permit the loading and downloading of shaped charges. The modular charge segments may comprise a plastic or rubber material to provide for safer deployment of shaped charges downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Randall Von Kaenel, Richard Ellis Robey
  • Patent number: 10830023
    Abstract: A technique facilitates perforation, including the perforation of a casing and formation. A shaped charge is formed with a case, a liner, and a high explosive material located between the case and the liner. The liner is formed of a powder material, e.g. a powder metal material. The powder material properties of the liner between an apex of the liner and a skirt of the liner may be selectively varied to provide a desired jet velocity and jet mass of the liner upon detonation of the high explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, James Guilkey, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Patent number: 10739120
    Abstract: An explosive separation joint system having an expandable tube containing a mild detonating fuse (MDF) in separable portions of the joint. The MDF extends into a detonation manifold at a first port, an end of the MDF having booster bonded thereto. An external initiating ordnance transfer line enters the manifold at an initiating ordnance (IO) port, has an IO end tip and provides a detonation impulse train where each detonating component is axially aligned within a passageway with the next detonating component. In embodiments, particular detonating components of the detonation train are fixed in place where other detonating components are movable. Each detonating component that is not in direct contact with a preceding detonating component in the detonation train is in direct linear access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bruce Cohen, John Thomas Doyle, Richard Mark Haynie, Paul Jesse Harrington, Gary Ronald Burnside
  • Patent number: 10739112
    Abstract: An impulse dampening system reduces peak pressure and impulse acoustic pressures of an acoustic wave to a level that permits initiation of an emergency egress system by personnel in a submerged/flooded cockpit following landing or crashing into water. Initiation of the emergency egress system is available in the air or after the aircraft is in the water. The system attenuates the impulse of the acoustic wave at least 35 dB, where the acoustic wave is usually produced when a detonation chord is initiated. The system includes a first layer of dampening media, a second layer of dampening media, a viscous lensing medium between the layers, and a hard shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Philip Alan Renn, Edward Aloysius Cudahy, IV, Michael Kaige Qin
  • Patent number: 10731955
    Abstract: A shaped charge produces a constant velocity jet. The shaped charge is comprised of individual modules which can be assembled to produce a constant velocity jet of arbitrary length. The resulting jet speed is approximately twice the detonation velocity and independent of the liner material. The modular design also allows different liner materials to be used sequentially in the same jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Willard Baum
  • Patent number: 10677572
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to perforating systems for perforating the casing of a wellbore. The perforating systems contain insensitive high explosives. The disclosure also relates to shaped charges containing insensitive high explosives for use in such perforating systems. The disclosure further relates to methods of using such perforating systems to perforate the casing of a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Marshall Barker, Thomas Earl Burky
  • Patent number: 10538080
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for producing collections of sheet-like printed products from a supplied material strand, in which a switch feeds the product stream to a receiving cylinder via one of at least two collecting cylinders, as well as to a folding apparatus with such a collecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Adler, Ronald Drabe, Jens Winter
  • Patent number: 10533401
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a shaped charge liner including an apex end and a base end and defining a main liner axis that passes through the apex and base ends, the liner being rotationally symmetric about the main liner axis wherein the liner has discrete rotational symmetry about the main liner axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael John Hinton, Philip Duncan Church, Richard Gordon Townsley, Peter John Gould
  • Patent number: 10495431
    Abstract: An assembly for holding and positioning explosive material, the arrangement including: (a) a container for holding the explosive material; and (b) a positioning apparatus including: (i) a holding element adapted to hold the container, and (ii) a mounting piece operationally coupled to the holding element, the mounting piece adapted to operationally couple the positioning apparatus to a target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Yoav Barzilai
  • Patent number: 10480295
    Abstract: An explosive charge assembly comprises a housing, a liner disposed on a face of an explosive charge, an opening through the liner disposed at the apex, and a lip disposed around the perimeter of the opening. The liner forms an apex and a mouth opposite the apex, and the liner and the explosive charge are disposed in the housing. The explosive charge is disposed between the liner and the housing, and the lip extends from the liner in a direction towards the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Walker, Jason Paul Metzger, Gerald Graves Craddock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10422204
    Abstract: A system and method for stimulating hydrocarbon production from a wellbore that perforates the formation around the wellbore in strategic locations so that fractures can be formed in the formation having specific orientations. The system includes deep penetration perforators that extend past a portion of the formation adjacent the wellbore having locally high internal stresses (a stress cage); and big hole perforators that form perforations with a larger entrance diameter. The perforators form perforations in the formation that are axially consolidated along the wellbore. After perforating, the wellbore is hydraulically fractured with high pressure fluid, which creates fractures in a formation surrounding the wellbore that extend radially outward from the perforations. Creating perforations that are axially consolidated reduces the chances of forming competing fractures in the formation during fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy Sampson, Stephen Zuklic, Khaled Gasmi, Brent W. Naizer, Rajani Satti, Scott G. Nelson, Harold D. Brannon, Jason McCann, James N. Gilliat, Juan C. Flores
  • Patent number: 10376955
    Abstract: A shaped charge liner including a composition of powders. The composition may include one or more of an aluminum metal powder and a titanium metal powder, a bronze metal powder, a tungsten metal powder and a graphite powder. Each powder of the composition may include grain size ranges that are different from one or more other powder grain size ranges. The bronze metal powder may include two or more different grain size ranges, and in some instances three or four different grain size ranges. A method of making the shaped charge liner and shaped charge with such liner having the composition of powders is also disclosed, as is a shaped charge including such shaped charge liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joern Olaf Loehken
  • Patent number: 10274292
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides an alloy with a density greater than 10 g/cm3, the alloy comprising a single phase solution of tungsten, nickel, and iron. Also provided is a cone liner for use in shaped charges, the liner comprised of a tungsten, nickel, iron alloy having a single phase microstructure. Substantially no precipitates or second phases exist in the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Thomas Martin Lillo, Henry S. Chu
  • Patent number: 10215873
    Abstract: The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Detectable signals are generated by particles introduced into the fractures. In an exemplary method proppant-like particles are positioned in the formation during fracturing and allowed to generate a signal during or after fracturing activity. The detectable signals generated by the proppant-like particles are used to map fracture space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hallliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Hall, David Loveless, Haluk Vefa Ersoz
  • Patent number: 10184766
    Abstract: A method and device enable the linear separation of two elements attached to each other through two connecting plates of the first element and the second element respectively. An arrangement connecting and separating the two connecting plates are mixed and comprise a layer. The connecting arrangement comprises soldering, glue, or resin, whereas the separating arrangement comprises thermite. These elements can also be layered rather than mixed. An electrical triggering of this assembly causes its quick and local warming-up and thus enables both of these elements to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Felipe Medina, Luc Preaud
  • Patent number: 10161724
    Abstract: A shaped-charge liner for a shaped-charge assembly is provided. The shaped-charge assembly includes a housing, a liner, and explosive material between the housing and the liner. The liner includes an apex portion that has an opening and that defines a fold around the opening. The explosive material supports the apex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Leroy Walker, Jason Paul Metzger
  • Patent number: 10151180
    Abstract: A low-debris low-interference semi-solid well perforator having selectively variable free volume and method for providing such is disclosed according to one or more embodiments. The perforator may include a charge tube holding an independently floating axial stack of selectively variable divider segments, each having one or more concavities formed in upper and lower sides. The segments are arranged so that concavities of adjacent segments form sockets, into which shaped charges are located. The segments provide support to minimize deformation of shaped charge cases yet provide less than 360 degrees circumferential contact about the shaped charges to form selectively variable voids for collecting debris and spall resulting from detonation. The voids and floating segments attenuate detonation shock interference. A debris guard prevents debris from entering the wellbore. Relieving slots in the debris guard attenuates transmission of shock interference through the debris guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10145195
    Abstract: An assembly for an explosive device for severing a well component is provided. The assembly can include an outer housing. The assembly can also include a radially-nonuniform explosive cartridge disposed within the outer housing, and the radially-nonuniform explosive cartridge can include at least four protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Graves Craddock, Jr., Justine Marie Davidson
  • Patent number: 10138718
    Abstract: At least one crack designator for a perforating gun, wherein the gun includes a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and at least one scallop, wherein each crack designator is capable of redirecting crack growth from the lateral direction to the longitudinal direction of the gun. The designator may be located in one of the scallops, extend from an expected exit hole in the gun to an edge of one of the scallops, and be capable of redirecting crack growth from a lateral direction to a longitudinal direction of the gun. In preferred embodiments, the designator in each scallop is arranged in a spider pattern or concentric circles. The designator is preferably formed by machining, etching, or laser ablation. The designator may have a lower fracture toughness or lesser stiffness than surrounding material of the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Rodgers, Timothy S. Glenn, Marco Serra, Michael Fripp, Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Patent number: 10119354
    Abstract: A method of separating a tubular element, comprising providing a tubular element having an inner and an outer surface, a circumference of said outer surface, and a first end and a second end; radially surrounding said tubular element with an explosive material, wherein said explosive material is capable of generating a high-velocity plasma jet in response to an activation signal, and wherein said explosive material comprises an electrically conductive layer; transmitting said activation signal to said explosive material; generating said high-velocity plasma jet; and separating said tubular element into a first portion comprising said first end and a second portion comprising said second end when said high-velocity plasma jet penetrates said outer surface of said tubular element and exits said inner surface of said tubular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Curtis Len Wilie
  • Patent number: 10119351
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a well treatment system that supplies a treatment fluid, a conveyance device and a well tool conveyed by the conveyance device. The well tool can include a perforator configured to form at least one hole in the wellbore tubular and a restrictor projecting from an outer surface of the well tool and adjacent to the perforator. A gap may separate the restrictor and the wellbore tubular. The well tool may also include a flow space that provides fluid communication between a location uphole of the restrictor and a location downhole of the restrictor. The flow space is sized to be restricted by particles in the treatment fluid. The restrictor at least restricts fluid flow through an annulus between the restrictor and the wellbore tubular, and the well tool diverts a substantial amount of the treatment fluid through an at least one hole formed by the perforator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Juan C. Flores, Luis A. Castro, Sr., Andre J. Porter
  • Patent number: 10065220
    Abstract: A method and a cleaning device for removing deposits in interiors of tanks and systems by explosion technology. The cleaning device, an explosive, gaseous mixture is provided and caused to explode in order to clean the interior. The explosion pressure wave is conducted into the interior via an outlet opening in the cleaning device. The explosive mixture or gaseous components thereof are introduced into an accommodating chamber of the cleaning device from pressure vessels at high velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BANG & CLEAN GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Flury, Markus Bürgin
  • Patent number: 10060234
    Abstract: A low-debris low-interference semi-solid well perforator having selectively variable free volume and method for providing such is disclosed according to one or more embodiments. The perforator may include a charge tube holding an independently floating axial stack of selectively variable divider segments, each having one or more concavities formed in upper and lower sides. The segments are arranged so that concavities of adjacent segments form sockets, into which shaped charges are located. The segments provide support to minimize deformation of shaped charge cases yet provide less than 360 degrees circumferential contact about the shaped charges to form selectively variable voids for collecting debris and spall resulting from detonation. The voids and floating segments attenuate detonation shock interference. A debris guard prevents debris from entering the wellbore. Relieving slots in the debris guard attenuates transmission of shock interference through the debris guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard E. Robey, Christopher C. Hoelscher
  • Patent number: 10054414
    Abstract: Generally, embodiments of the invention can include a linear shaped charge (LSC) end cap coupling structure adapted for holding an initiator structure adapted to initiate a booster explosive material, the booster explosive material, and the LSC in abutting contact with each other. One embodiment includes a rubber body formed with cavities adapted to receive the LSC, booster, and initiator structure (e.g., detonation cord). One internal cavity can be formed with a plurality of flexible protrusions or fins which are oriented towards a center axis of the preferred embodiment of three cavities configured to impart an interference fit with the initiator structure. Methods related to the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric Scheid, Dan Thomas, Brad Moan, Tom Gailey
  • Patent number: 10047591
    Abstract: A shaped charge pipe cutter is constructed with the cutter explosive material packed intimately around an axially elongated void space that is continued through a heavy wall boss portion of the upper thrust disc. The boss wall is continued to within a critical initiation distance of a half-cuter junction plane. An explosive detonator is positioned along the void space axis proximate of the outer plane of the upper thrust disc. Geometric configurations of the charge thrust disc and end-plate concentrate the detonation energy at the critical initiation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: William T. Bell, James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 10048047
    Abstract: An explosive booster shaped to fit into a blasthole adjacent a main explosive charge is provided. The booster comprises a body containing a charge of an explosive substance with a passage extending inwardly of the body to receive a detonator therein. The booster is configured to alter the shape of a detonation wave generated upon initiation of the detonator. In an embodiment, the booster includes a first and a second explosive substance, with the first explosive substance being shaped and selected to cause an outer portion of the detonation wave to accelerate relative to the remainder of the wave thereby altering the shape of the wave from a generally spherical wave to a generally planar wave. In an embodiment, the booster includes an internal member capable of altering the shape of the detonation wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Alba Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Albert Petrus Van Niekerk, Adriaan Johannes Goosen
  • Patent number: 10036616
    Abstract: A system that provides control of the output shockwave properties of energetic material wherein the system includes an energetic material having a first portion and a second portion. An additive manufacturing system combines the first portion and the second portion of the energetic material wherein the first portion and the second portion are positioned relative to each other to provide control of the output shockwave properties of the energetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander E. Gash, Eric B. Duoss, Joshua D. Kuntz, Kyle T. Sullivan, John Vericella, Bradley W. White
  • Patent number: 9976397
    Abstract: A technique facilitates perforation, including the perforation of a casing and formation. A shaped charge is formed with a case, a liner, and a high explosive material located between the case and the liner. The liner is formed of a powder material, e.g. a powder metal material. The powder material properties of the liner between an apex of the liner and a skirt of the liner may be selectively varied to provide a desired jet velocity and jet mass of the liner upon detonation of the high explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, James Guilkey, Lawrence A. Behrmann
  • Patent number: 9909834
    Abstract: An explosive disruptor includes a first jacket having joined inflatable members. The inflatable members are adapted to be filled with a gas. A second jacket is surrounded by and coupled to the first jacket. The second jacket has an outer radial wall, an inner radial wall spaced apart from the outer radial wall, and two end walls coupled to opposing axial ends of the outer radial wall and the inner radial wall. A first volumetric region is defined between the outer radial wall, the inner radial wall, and the two end walls. A second volumetric region is defined by the inner radial wall. The first volumetric region is sealed and adapted to be filled with a liquid. An explosive material is disposed in the second volumetric region. A blasting cap is in contact with the explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher Wilhelm, Angel Diaz, Lee Foltz, Daniel McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9897421
    Abstract: An enhanced linear shaped charge (X-Jet) includes a sheath and a spinal charge element. The sheath extends along an axis between a first end and a second end to define a sheath length. The sheath has a first hollowed chevron-shaped cross-section that defines a main charge cavity, an upper apex, and a lower apex. The spinal charge element is disposed within the main charge cavity and abuts the upper apex. The spinal charge element further includes a spinal casing that extends along the sheath length to define a spinal length. The spinal casing has a hollowed cross-section defining a spinal charge cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven McDonald, Dennis Way