CA1198668A - Perforating gun indexed wiring harness - Google Patents
Perforating gun indexed wiring harnessInfo
- Publication number
- CA1198668A CA1198668A CA000411791A CA411791A CA1198668A CA 1198668 A CA1198668 A CA 1198668A CA 000411791 A CA000411791 A CA 000411791A CA 411791 A CA411791 A CA 411791A CA 1198668 A CA1198668 A CA 1198668A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- charges
- harness
- assemblies
- control means
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 67
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 67
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 21
- 229940090045 cartridge Drugs 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930187329 perforatin Natural products 0.000 description 1
- BJMYIAUNRHAYSL-UHFFFAOYSA-N perforatine Natural products CC1(C)OC2(O)C(=O)C13OC(=O)C=CC3(C)C4CCC5(C)C(OC(=O)C6OC56C24C)c7cocc7 BJMYIAUNRHAYSL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42D—BLASTING
- F42D1/00—Blasting methods or apparatus, e.g. loading or tamping
- F42D1/04—Arrangements for ignition
- F42D1/045—Arrangements for electric ignition
- F42D1/05—Electric circuits for blasting
- F42D1/055—Electric circuits for blasting specially adapted for firing multiple charges with a time delay
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
- E21B43/116—Gun or shaped-charge perforators
- E21B43/1185—Ignition systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Internal Circuitry In Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Devices (AREA)
- Insulated Conductors (AREA)
- Electrostatic Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A wiring harness for selective perforating guns uses a single harness configuration for all connections. Each harness increments the relative positions of the harness conductors, while the conductor used in each ha ness for firing its associated detonator is the same. With diode-steering, two harnesses are used, one which increments and one which does not.
Description
6~
20.2228 PERFORATING GUN INDEXED WIRING HARNESS
Back~round of the Invention The present invention relates to perforating guns for wells, and more particularly to a wiring harness for selective iring systems for oil and gas well S perforating guns.
Prior art selective firing systems comnonly connect the perforating guns to the firing control system (at the surface of the earth) on a single conductor, using, typically, an addressing device downhole which responds to coded signals on the conductor for selecting the particular gun which is to be actuated. In the simplest case, the guns are simply fired in sequence. In more complex systems, provision is made (such as in a downhole control cartridge) for controllably addressing specific guns from the surface. However, the latter usually requires a plurality of conductors ~"multi-wire" harness system3 for connecting the guns to the control cartridge, with each gun typically connected to its own unique controlling wire. (An economical alternative is to use each wire for controlling two guns by means of "diode steeringl', in which a firing signal of one palarity fires one of the guns and the opposite polarity the other.~
A prîncip~l disadvantage of such a mult;-wire harness selective firin~ system ls the necessity to connect each gun to a speciflc ~ire. That is, as the perforatin~ guns are being assembled on the tool carrier, they are positioned according to the particular perforation pattern which is to be effected. The indîvldual guns are usually identical and dra~Yn from a co~on inventory, but the electrical conllections are ~7 not O For convenience and efficiency9 the guns are .` ` 20.222 elec$rically connected by a series of pre-assembled wiring harnesses. The harnesses have standardized mateable connectors on each end for rapid assembly, so the gun string is assembled by literally plugging the guns and wiring harnesses into one another. For the first gun in the string, a wiring harness is selected having a coupling wire spliced to the electrical harness conductor representing the first gun; for the second gun the second harness conductor is spliced; and so forth.
Thus, although the guns themselves may be identical and interchangeable, the wiring harnesses are not, and considerable care must be used to be sure that the correct wirin~ harnesses are used in the proper sequence. It also means that a large inventory of wiring harnesses, each unique to a specific position on the gun string, must be inventoried.
A need thus remains for a multi conductor well perforating gun selective firing system in which not only standardi~ed and identical perforating guns, but ~o also standardized and identical wiring harnesses may be used, to minimize inventory requirements, simplify assembly of the gun string, and minimize the chances of miswiring through the inadvertent use of an incorrect harness at a particular location.
20.2228 PERFORATING GUN INDEXED WIRING HARNESS
Back~round of the Invention The present invention relates to perforating guns for wells, and more particularly to a wiring harness for selective iring systems for oil and gas well S perforating guns.
Prior art selective firing systems comnonly connect the perforating guns to the firing control system (at the surface of the earth) on a single conductor, using, typically, an addressing device downhole which responds to coded signals on the conductor for selecting the particular gun which is to be actuated. In the simplest case, the guns are simply fired in sequence. In more complex systems, provision is made (such as in a downhole control cartridge) for controllably addressing specific guns from the surface. However, the latter usually requires a plurality of conductors ~"multi-wire" harness system3 for connecting the guns to the control cartridge, with each gun typically connected to its own unique controlling wire. (An economical alternative is to use each wire for controlling two guns by means of "diode steeringl', in which a firing signal of one palarity fires one of the guns and the opposite polarity the other.~
A prîncip~l disadvantage of such a mult;-wire harness selective firin~ system ls the necessity to connect each gun to a speciflc ~ire. That is, as the perforatin~ guns are being assembled on the tool carrier, they are positioned according to the particular perforation pattern which is to be effected. The indîvldual guns are usually identical and dra~Yn from a co~on inventory, but the electrical conllections are ~7 not O For convenience and efficiency9 the guns are .` ` 20.222 elec$rically connected by a series of pre-assembled wiring harnesses. The harnesses have standardized mateable connectors on each end for rapid assembly, so the gun string is assembled by literally plugging the guns and wiring harnesses into one another. For the first gun in the string, a wiring harness is selected having a coupling wire spliced to the electrical harness conductor representing the first gun; for the second gun the second harness conductor is spliced; and so forth.
Thus, although the guns themselves may be identical and interchangeable, the wiring harnesses are not, and considerable care must be used to be sure that the correct wirin~ harnesses are used in the proper sequence. It also means that a large inventory of wiring harnesses, each unique to a specific position on the gun string, must be inventoried.
A need thus remains for a multi conductor well perforating gun selective firing system in which not only standardi~ed and identical perforating guns, but ~o also standardized and identical wiring harnesses may be used, to minimize inventory requirements, simplify assembly of the gun string, and minimize the chances of miswiring through the inadvertent use of an incorrect harness at a particular location.
2~ Summary of the Invention Briefly~ the present invention meets the above needs and purposes with a multi-conductor well perforating gun selective iring system in which identical harnesses are used throughout, each harness incrementing or indexing the relative positions of the conductors therein. In a variation in which diode-steering is used, two harnesses are used, one which increments and one which does not, since one conductor will serve for two guns. (Alternatively, a -- 2 ~
20.2228 single harness fol adjacent pairs of guns could be proYided.) Thus, in the preferred embodiment, a vertically spaced array of selectively actuatable per~orating guns is assembled on a carrier for subsequent lowering and positioning within a well bore~ Individual electrical firing means, typically electrical detonators, are associated with (attached to) each perforating gun for individually firing that particular gun. A cable and downhole control cartridge are connected between the array o~ guns and a firing control means at the surface of the earth. The firing control means and downhole control_cartridge selectively address each of the individual detonators by providing the proper electrical signal on the particular conductor of a multi-conductor wiring harness which connects to the selected perforating gun. W~ere diode-steering is employed, the guns may be arranged in subsets, each subset being connected to a single conductor in the wiring harness.
Where each gun has its own individual conductor, the subsets may be thought of as consisting of a single gun eachc Contrary to the above prior art devices, however 7 the subsets of gun(s) in the array according to this invention are electrically connected to one another by identical stepped wiring harness assemblies, one for each of the subsets. The assemblies are connectable in series9 ~nd the first or topmost harness is connected to the downhole control cartridge. In the preferred embodiment, the assemblies have suitable matching connectors7 one for receiving the electrical signals and one for passing or transmitting them on to the next harness assemblyO The harness assemblies also each have internal connecting wires arranged to increment the connectiorls, preferably by one position each, bet~een -- 3 ~
6~
~0.~2 the respective connectors thereon.
In addition, each harness assembly has a coupling means responsive to an electrieal addressing signal on a particular connecting wire therein for connecting to and controllably energizing the electrical detonator associated with the perforating gun for that particular harness assembly. As indicated, the harness assemblies are identical, and thus the coupling means in each harness assembly is the same? and is connected to the same particular connecting wire. However, although connected to the same particular connecting wire in each harness assembly, the various coupling means in the series connected harnesses are not connected electrically to the same terminals in the control cartridge due to the incrementing of the conductors by each wiring harness.
Therefore, since each wiring harness electrically increments all succeeding conductors in the series, the firing control means at the surface can address the guns uniquely associated with any one of the identical wiring harness assemblies by causing the control cartridge to address the particular electrical conductor in the irst wiring harness wh;ch, through the series of wiring harness assemblies, is cumulatively indexed thereto.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a well perforatlng gun selective firing syste~ ln ~hich multiple conductors are individually eonnected to individual subsets of perforating guns through identical wiring harness assemblies, one for each subset; in which the wiring harness assemblies are connectable in series; and in which each wiring harness assembly increments the electrical position of the conductors connect d there-through.
i8 Thus, in accoxdance with.one broad aspect of the in~ention, there is provided a wiring harness of the type usea~le in a well per-forating gun havin~ a spaced array of selectively actuatable perforating charges which are to be connected to Eiring control means, said harness comprising two or more identical ~iring harness assemblies, each including: a) means for connecting one such assembly to another such wiring harness assembly in a series configuration, and b) coupling means in each of said har ness assemblies for connecting a subset of the perforating charges to the firing control meansO
In accordance with another broad aspect of the inven-tion there is provided, for use with a well perforating gun selective firing system including a vertically spaced array of select;vely actuatable perforating charges, the improvement com-prising:
a) a wiring harness assembly for each pair of the per-forating charges, each of said assemblies having a multi-terminal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal transmitting connector for connecting said harnesses assemblies to one another in series configurat~on, b3 at least one of said harness assemblies having inter-nal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of said transmitting and said receiving connectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connectors thereby translating all succeeding connecting wires coupled to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the _5_ i6i8 terminals of s~aid receiving connector, c) diode-steering means connected to said harness assem-blies and responsive to an electrical addressing signal on a pre-determined connecting wire for controllably energizing, as a function of the polarity of the addressing signal, a predetermined one of the perforating charges associated with any one of such harness assemblies so that the individual charges uniquely assoc-iated with any one such assem~ly in a series of identical wiring harness assembl;es can ~e independently addressed by addressing the particul~r connecting wire which is attached thereto by such harness assemblies with a signal of predetermined polarity.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a well perforating gun selective firing system comprising:
a3 a vertically spaced array of selectively actuatable perforating charges, b) indi~idual firing means associated with each of said perforating charges, for actuating the particular charge associa-ted therewith~
c) firing control means for selectively addressing each said individual firing means, d) a downhole control cartridge connecting said firing control means with each of said individual firing means, and configured for connecting said firing control means to a plurality of conductors, each conductor representing a predetermined subset of said perforating charges and associated electrical firing means, ~9~
e) a cable for connecting said downhole control car-tridge and said ~iring control mea~s r f) a plurality of identical wiring harness assemblies, one for each of said subsets of perforating charges~ said assem-blies being connectable in a series configuration, to furnish said electrical conductors, g) each of said harness assemblies having a multi-ter-minal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal tr~ns-mitting connector for connecting said assemblies to one another in said series configuration, h) coupling means in each of said harness assemblies having internal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of s:aid transmitting and said recei~ingconnectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connectors thexeby translating all succeeding conductors connected to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the terminals of said receiving connec-tor such that said firing control means can address the charges uniquely associa-ted with any one of said identical wiring harness assemblies by addressing the particular electrical conductor which is c~ula-tively indexed by said harness assemblies thereto.
In accordance with another hroad aspect of the inven-tion thexe is provided a selective firing system for a well perforat~ng gun having a plurality of spaced explosive charges which are to be actuated by fixing control means, said system compris.ing.
two or more identical harness assemblies for electrically -6a~
6~
connecting the charges to the firing control means, wherein each of said harness assemblies includes (a) a plurali~y of internal connecting wires one cf which is connectable to a subset of one or more explosive charges which are to be uniquely associated with a predetermined harness assembly, and (b) means fo.r translating the remainincJ connecting wires such that all harness assemblies ha~e a corresponding connecting ~ire therein ~hich is connectable to the subset of explosive charges to be associated therewith, and means for interconnecting said harness assemblies in a series configuration.
In accorclance with another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method for perforating a well comprising:
positioning a spaced array of selectively actuatable explosive charges at a predetermined location within the well, connecting the array of charges to firing control means for controlling the actuation at the charges, wherein this step further comprises:
(a) interconnecting two or more identical wiring harness assemblies in a series configuration and connecting said assemblies to the firing control means, (b) provid;ng in each of the assemblies a unique internal connecting wire for connecting that assembly to a subset of one or more explosive charges to be associated therewith and connectincJ that wire to that subset of charges, (c) providing in each of the assemblies other internal connecting wires which are translated within the assembly such that each of the assemblI~s can ha~e a corresponding unique connecting wire which is connectable to a subset of explosive charges, and selecti~ely actuatincJ the unique connecting wire associated with a predetermined subset of charges wi-th the firing control means.
-6b Brief De~cription of the Drawings Figure 1 is a somewhat figur~tive illustration of a well perforatiny gun system;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a first wiring harness assembly embodiment according to the present invention;
and Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment similar to Figure 2~
Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertically spaced array 10 of selectively actuatable perforating guns 12 connected by a downhole control cartridge 14 and cable 15 to a firing control means, such as a control panel 20, located at the surface o~ the earth. In use~ the array 10 is lowered on cable 15 into a well boxe~ and when properly positioned by the cable 15, the var;ous guns 12 are individually actuated to perfor-ate the well.
In the em~odiment shown in Figure 2, the individual guns are each fired by individual electrical firing means such as detonators 250 Thedetonators individually fire the particular gun associated therewith upon receiving the proper electrical signal on a coupling wire 30 (Figure 2) connected to the associated wiring ~arness assembly 35.
The indiv.idual electrical wiring harness 6c~
20.2228 assemblies 35 are identical~ one for each gun 12. In order to connect them in series 9 each has a receiving connector 36 and a complimentary transmitting connector 37. Each harness assembly also has internal connecting S wires 39 which~ as shown in Fig. 2, increment or advance the connections between the respective connectors 36 and 37. That is, the wire connected to terminal one on the receiving connec~or will be connected, for example, to terminal two on the transmitting connector, and so forth.
Each wiring harness assembly also has a coupling means~ such as a wire 40, which is connected to a particular one of the connecting wires 39, for responding to an electrical addressing signal on that particular wire, under the control of the firing control panel 20 and downhole control cartridge 14, to energize the detonator 25 associated therewith. Therefore~ due to the incrementing of the connecting wires 39 by the harnesses 35, control panel 20 can directly address the guns 12 individually, even though the coupling means or wires 40 are identically connected within each of the identical wiring harness assemblies 35.
The selective ~iring system illustrated in Fig. 3 differs from that of Fig. 2 in that the perforating guns are generally arranged in subset pairs rather thQn individuallyO Likewise, the wiring harness assemblies are arranged in pairs, one an indexed wiring harness 35 as in Fig. 2, and the other a strai~ht-through (non-incrementing) wiring harness 55. In the preferred em~odiment, harness 55 includes a pair of diodes 57 for selectably actuating one of the detonators 25 in the pair of guns 58a~ 58b energized on the same conductor line from cartridge 14. The selection depends upon whether the energiæing signal is positive or negative.
A negative signal will fire gun 5ga by causing current _ 7 ~
to flow in the coupling wire 60 on the straight-through harness 5S. A positiYe signal will fire gun 58b by causing current to flow on the coupling means 40 associated with the incrementing wiring harness ~5.
Thus the diode pair 57 in each harness 55 functions as a steering means between the particular connecting wire 61 to which they are attached in each of the harnesses 55 and the pair of guns connected to be fired thereby.
This provides for selectively energizing the detonators 25 on the gun pairs as a function of the signal which is ultimately placed on that particular connecting wire 61 under the control of panel 20.
As may be seen, therefore, the present invention has numerous advantages. Principally7 it is no longer necessary to stock a large number of harness assemblies, each unique to a specific gun location. Instead, identical harness assemblies can be used throughout.
This makes assembly of the perforating gun array much easier and quicker, and substantially reduces the likelihood of miswiring. When the harness assembly is made up of two harnesses, such as harnesses 35 and 55 in the diode-steering embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the harness connectors can be polarized, so that the straight-through wiring harnesses 55 cannot be plugged directly into one another, but mus~ be connected through the stepped wiring harnesses 35.
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
20.2228 single harness fol adjacent pairs of guns could be proYided.) Thus, in the preferred embodiment, a vertically spaced array of selectively actuatable per~orating guns is assembled on a carrier for subsequent lowering and positioning within a well bore~ Individual electrical firing means, typically electrical detonators, are associated with (attached to) each perforating gun for individually firing that particular gun. A cable and downhole control cartridge are connected between the array o~ guns and a firing control means at the surface of the earth. The firing control means and downhole control_cartridge selectively address each of the individual detonators by providing the proper electrical signal on the particular conductor of a multi-conductor wiring harness which connects to the selected perforating gun. W~ere diode-steering is employed, the guns may be arranged in subsets, each subset being connected to a single conductor in the wiring harness.
Where each gun has its own individual conductor, the subsets may be thought of as consisting of a single gun eachc Contrary to the above prior art devices, however 7 the subsets of gun(s) in the array according to this invention are electrically connected to one another by identical stepped wiring harness assemblies, one for each of the subsets. The assemblies are connectable in series9 ~nd the first or topmost harness is connected to the downhole control cartridge. In the preferred embodiment, the assemblies have suitable matching connectors7 one for receiving the electrical signals and one for passing or transmitting them on to the next harness assemblyO The harness assemblies also each have internal connecting wires arranged to increment the connectiorls, preferably by one position each, bet~een -- 3 ~
6~
~0.~2 the respective connectors thereon.
In addition, each harness assembly has a coupling means responsive to an electrieal addressing signal on a particular connecting wire therein for connecting to and controllably energizing the electrical detonator associated with the perforating gun for that particular harness assembly. As indicated, the harness assemblies are identical, and thus the coupling means in each harness assembly is the same? and is connected to the same particular connecting wire. However, although connected to the same particular connecting wire in each harness assembly, the various coupling means in the series connected harnesses are not connected electrically to the same terminals in the control cartridge due to the incrementing of the conductors by each wiring harness.
Therefore, since each wiring harness electrically increments all succeeding conductors in the series, the firing control means at the surface can address the guns uniquely associated with any one of the identical wiring harness assemblies by causing the control cartridge to address the particular electrical conductor in the irst wiring harness wh;ch, through the series of wiring harness assemblies, is cumulatively indexed thereto.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a well perforatlng gun selective firing syste~ ln ~hich multiple conductors are individually eonnected to individual subsets of perforating guns through identical wiring harness assemblies, one for each subset; in which the wiring harness assemblies are connectable in series; and in which each wiring harness assembly increments the electrical position of the conductors connect d there-through.
i8 Thus, in accoxdance with.one broad aspect of the in~ention, there is provided a wiring harness of the type usea~le in a well per-forating gun havin~ a spaced array of selectively actuatable perforating charges which are to be connected to Eiring control means, said harness comprising two or more identical ~iring harness assemblies, each including: a) means for connecting one such assembly to another such wiring harness assembly in a series configuration, and b) coupling means in each of said har ness assemblies for connecting a subset of the perforating charges to the firing control meansO
In accordance with another broad aspect of the inven-tion there is provided, for use with a well perforating gun selective firing system including a vertically spaced array of select;vely actuatable perforating charges, the improvement com-prising:
a) a wiring harness assembly for each pair of the per-forating charges, each of said assemblies having a multi-terminal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal transmitting connector for connecting said harnesses assemblies to one another in series configurat~on, b3 at least one of said harness assemblies having inter-nal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of said transmitting and said receiving connectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connectors thereby translating all succeeding connecting wires coupled to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the _5_ i6i8 terminals of s~aid receiving connector, c) diode-steering means connected to said harness assem-blies and responsive to an electrical addressing signal on a pre-determined connecting wire for controllably energizing, as a function of the polarity of the addressing signal, a predetermined one of the perforating charges associated with any one of such harness assemblies so that the individual charges uniquely assoc-iated with any one such assem~ly in a series of identical wiring harness assembl;es can ~e independently addressed by addressing the particul~r connecting wire which is attached thereto by such harness assemblies with a signal of predetermined polarity.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a well perforating gun selective firing system comprising:
a3 a vertically spaced array of selectively actuatable perforating charges, b) indi~idual firing means associated with each of said perforating charges, for actuating the particular charge associa-ted therewith~
c) firing control means for selectively addressing each said individual firing means, d) a downhole control cartridge connecting said firing control means with each of said individual firing means, and configured for connecting said firing control means to a plurality of conductors, each conductor representing a predetermined subset of said perforating charges and associated electrical firing means, ~9~
e) a cable for connecting said downhole control car-tridge and said ~iring control mea~s r f) a plurality of identical wiring harness assemblies, one for each of said subsets of perforating charges~ said assem-blies being connectable in a series configuration, to furnish said electrical conductors, g) each of said harness assemblies having a multi-ter-minal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal tr~ns-mitting connector for connecting said assemblies to one another in said series configuration, h) coupling means in each of said harness assemblies having internal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of s:aid transmitting and said recei~ingconnectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connectors thexeby translating all succeeding conductors connected to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the terminals of said receiving connec-tor such that said firing control means can address the charges uniquely associa-ted with any one of said identical wiring harness assemblies by addressing the particular electrical conductor which is c~ula-tively indexed by said harness assemblies thereto.
In accordance with another hroad aspect of the inven-tion thexe is provided a selective firing system for a well perforat~ng gun having a plurality of spaced explosive charges which are to be actuated by fixing control means, said system compris.ing.
two or more identical harness assemblies for electrically -6a~
6~
connecting the charges to the firing control means, wherein each of said harness assemblies includes (a) a plurali~y of internal connecting wires one cf which is connectable to a subset of one or more explosive charges which are to be uniquely associated with a predetermined harness assembly, and (b) means fo.r translating the remainincJ connecting wires such that all harness assemblies ha~e a corresponding connecting ~ire therein ~hich is connectable to the subset of explosive charges to be associated therewith, and means for interconnecting said harness assemblies in a series configuration.
In accorclance with another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method for perforating a well comprising:
positioning a spaced array of selectively actuatable explosive charges at a predetermined location within the well, connecting the array of charges to firing control means for controlling the actuation at the charges, wherein this step further comprises:
(a) interconnecting two or more identical wiring harness assemblies in a series configuration and connecting said assemblies to the firing control means, (b) provid;ng in each of the assemblies a unique internal connecting wire for connecting that assembly to a subset of one or more explosive charges to be associated therewith and connectincJ that wire to that subset of charges, (c) providing in each of the assemblies other internal connecting wires which are translated within the assembly such that each of the assemblI~s can ha~e a corresponding unique connecting wire which is connectable to a subset of explosive charges, and selecti~ely actuatincJ the unique connecting wire associated with a predetermined subset of charges wi-th the firing control means.
-6b Brief De~cription of the Drawings Figure 1 is a somewhat figur~tive illustration of a well perforatiny gun system;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a first wiring harness assembly embodiment according to the present invention;
and Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment similar to Figure 2~
Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertically spaced array 10 of selectively actuatable perforating guns 12 connected by a downhole control cartridge 14 and cable 15 to a firing control means, such as a control panel 20, located at the surface o~ the earth. In use~ the array 10 is lowered on cable 15 into a well boxe~ and when properly positioned by the cable 15, the var;ous guns 12 are individually actuated to perfor-ate the well.
In the em~odiment shown in Figure 2, the individual guns are each fired by individual electrical firing means such as detonators 250 Thedetonators individually fire the particular gun associated therewith upon receiving the proper electrical signal on a coupling wire 30 (Figure 2) connected to the associated wiring ~arness assembly 35.
The indiv.idual electrical wiring harness 6c~
20.2228 assemblies 35 are identical~ one for each gun 12. In order to connect them in series 9 each has a receiving connector 36 and a complimentary transmitting connector 37. Each harness assembly also has internal connecting S wires 39 which~ as shown in Fig. 2, increment or advance the connections between the respective connectors 36 and 37. That is, the wire connected to terminal one on the receiving connec~or will be connected, for example, to terminal two on the transmitting connector, and so forth.
Each wiring harness assembly also has a coupling means~ such as a wire 40, which is connected to a particular one of the connecting wires 39, for responding to an electrical addressing signal on that particular wire, under the control of the firing control panel 20 and downhole control cartridge 14, to energize the detonator 25 associated therewith. Therefore~ due to the incrementing of the connecting wires 39 by the harnesses 35, control panel 20 can directly address the guns 12 individually, even though the coupling means or wires 40 are identically connected within each of the identical wiring harness assemblies 35.
The selective ~iring system illustrated in Fig. 3 differs from that of Fig. 2 in that the perforating guns are generally arranged in subset pairs rather thQn individuallyO Likewise, the wiring harness assemblies are arranged in pairs, one an indexed wiring harness 35 as in Fig. 2, and the other a strai~ht-through (non-incrementing) wiring harness 55. In the preferred em~odiment, harness 55 includes a pair of diodes 57 for selectably actuating one of the detonators 25 in the pair of guns 58a~ 58b energized on the same conductor line from cartridge 14. The selection depends upon whether the energiæing signal is positive or negative.
A negative signal will fire gun 5ga by causing current _ 7 ~
to flow in the coupling wire 60 on the straight-through harness 5S. A positiYe signal will fire gun 58b by causing current to flow on the coupling means 40 associated with the incrementing wiring harness ~5.
Thus the diode pair 57 in each harness 55 functions as a steering means between the particular connecting wire 61 to which they are attached in each of the harnesses 55 and the pair of guns connected to be fired thereby.
This provides for selectively energizing the detonators 25 on the gun pairs as a function of the signal which is ultimately placed on that particular connecting wire 61 under the control of panel 20.
As may be seen, therefore, the present invention has numerous advantages. Principally7 it is no longer necessary to stock a large number of harness assemblies, each unique to a specific gun location. Instead, identical harness assemblies can be used throughout.
This makes assembly of the perforating gun array much easier and quicker, and substantially reduces the likelihood of miswiring. When the harness assembly is made up of two harnesses, such as harnesses 35 and 55 in the diode-steering embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the harness connectors can be polarized, so that the straight-through wiring harnesses 55 cannot be plugged directly into one another, but mus~ be connected through the stepped wiring harnesses 35.
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
3~ these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the nventlon.
Claims (9)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A wiring harness of the type useable in a well perfor-ating gun having a spaced array of selectively actuatable perfor-ating charges which are to be connected to firing control means, said harness comprising two or more identical wiring harness assemblies, each including:
a) means for connecting one such assembly to another such wiring harness assembly in a series configuration, and b) coupling means in each of said harness assemblies for connecting a subset of the perforating charges to the firing control means.
a) means for connecting one such assembly to another such wiring harness assembly in a series configuration, and b) coupling means in each of said harness assemblies for connecting a subset of the perforating charges to the firing control means.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said subset is a single charge and said coupling means includes a plurality of internal connecting wires, one of which is reserved for coupling the fire control means to said single charge, and the others of which are used for connecting the fire control means to other such harness assemblies, and means for translating said other connecting wires such that the same connecting wire, in any one such assembly with-in a series of such identical wiring harness assemblies, is con-nectable to the charge associated with such assembly and can be addressed by the fire control means to actuate the charge.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein:
a) the subset is a plurality of charges, b) said wiring harness assembly comprises at least one translated harness and at least one non-translated harness, and c) said coupling means includes a plurality of internal connecting wires one of which is reserved for coupling the fire control means to each of the charges in said subset, and the others of which are used for connecting the fire control means to other such harness assemblies, means for translating said other connec-ting wires such that the same connecting wire, in any one such assembly within a series of such identical wiring harness assem-blies, is connectable to the charge associated with. such assem-bly and can be addressed by the fire control means- to actuate the charge, and steering means connected between said connecting wires coupled to the charges and the charges for selectively energizing particular charges as a function of the signal inputed to the harness assembly.
a) the subset is a plurality of charges, b) said wiring harness assembly comprises at least one translated harness and at least one non-translated harness, and c) said coupling means includes a plurality of internal connecting wires one of which is reserved for coupling the fire control means to each of the charges in said subset, and the others of which are used for connecting the fire control means to other such harness assemblies, means for translating said other connec-ting wires such that the same connecting wire, in any one such assembly within a series of such identical wiring harness assem-blies, is connectable to the charge associated with. such assem-bly and can be addressed by the fire control means- to actuate the charge, and steering means connected between said connecting wires coupled to the charges and the charges for selectively energizing particular charges as a function of the signal inputed to the harness assembly.
4. For use with a well perforating gun selective firing system including a vertically spaced array of selectively actua-table perforating charges, the improvement comprising:
a) a wiring harness assembly for each pair of the per-forating charges, each of said assemblies having a multi-terminal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal transmitting connector for connecting said harnesses assemblies to one another in a series configuration, b) at least one of said harness assemblies having in-ternal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of said transmitting and said receiving connectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connec-tors thereby translating all succeeding connecting wires coupled to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the terminals of said receiving connector, c) diode-steering means connected to said harness assem-blies and responsive to an electrical addressing signal on a predetermined connecting wire for controllably energizing, as a function of the polarity of the addressing signal, a predetermined one of the perforating charges associated with any one of such harness assemblies so that the individual charges uniquely asso-ciated with any one such assembly in a series of identical wiring assemblies can be independently addressed by addressing the particular connnecting wire which is attached thereto by such harness assemblies with a signal of predetermined polarity.
a) a wiring harness assembly for each pair of the per-forating charges, each of said assemblies having a multi-terminal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal transmitting connector for connecting said harnesses assemblies to one another in a series configuration, b) at least one of said harness assemblies having in-ternal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of said transmitting and said receiving connectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connec-tors thereby translating all succeeding connecting wires coupled to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the terminals of said receiving connector, c) diode-steering means connected to said harness assem-blies and responsive to an electrical addressing signal on a predetermined connecting wire for controllably energizing, as a function of the polarity of the addressing signal, a predetermined one of the perforating charges associated with any one of such harness assemblies so that the individual charges uniquely asso-ciated with any one such assembly in a series of identical wiring assemblies can be independently addressed by addressing the particular connnecting wire which is attached thereto by such harness assemblies with a signal of predetermined polarity.
5. A well perforating gun selective firing system compris-ing:
a) a vertically spaced array of selectively actuable perforating charges, b) individual firing means associated with each of said perforating charges, for actuating the particular charge associa-ted therewith, c) firing control means for selectively addressing each said individual firing means, d) a downhole control cartridge connecting said firing control means with each of said individual firing means, and configured for connecting said firing control means to a plurality of conductors, each conductor representing a predetermined subset of said perforating charges and associated electrical firing means, e) a cable for connecting said downhole control car-tridge and said firing control means, f) a plurality of identical wiring harness assemblies, one for each of said subsets of perforating charges, said assemblies being connectable in a series configuration, to furnish said electrical conductors, g) each of said harness assemblies having a multi-ter-minal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal trans-mitting connector for connecting said assemblies to one another in said series configuration, h) coupling means in each of said harness assemblies having internal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of said transmitting and said receiving connectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connectors thereby translating all succeeding conductors connected to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the terminals of said receiving connector such that said firing control means can address the charges uniquely asso-ciated with any one of said identical wiring harness assemblies by addressing the particular electrical conductor which is cumulatively indexed by said harness assemblies thereto.
a) a vertically spaced array of selectively actuable perforating charges, b) individual firing means associated with each of said perforating charges, for actuating the particular charge associa-ted therewith, c) firing control means for selectively addressing each said individual firing means, d) a downhole control cartridge connecting said firing control means with each of said individual firing means, and configured for connecting said firing control means to a plurality of conductors, each conductor representing a predetermined subset of said perforating charges and associated electrical firing means, e) a cable for connecting said downhole control car-tridge and said firing control means, f) a plurality of identical wiring harness assemblies, one for each of said subsets of perforating charges, said assemblies being connectable in a series configuration, to furnish said electrical conductors, g) each of said harness assemblies having a multi-ter-minal receiving connector and a corresponding multi-terminal trans-mitting connector for connecting said assemblies to one another in said series configuration, h) coupling means in each of said harness assemblies having internal connecting wires arranged to interconnect the terminals of said transmitting and said receiving connectors and to increment the connections between the respective terminals of said connectors thereby translating all succeeding conductors connected to the terminals of said transmitting connector with respect to the terminals of said receiving connector such that said firing control means can address the charges uniquely asso-ciated with any one of said identical wiring harness assemblies by addressing the particular electrical conductor which is cumulatively indexed by said harness assemblies thereto.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the subset is a single charge and said coupling means includes a plurality of internal connecting wires, one of which is reserved for coupling the fir-ing control means to said single charge, and the others of which are used for connecting the firing control means to other such harness assemblies, and means for translating said other con-necting wires such that the same connecting wire in any one such assembly within a series of such identical wiring harness assem-blies is connectable to the charge associated with such assembly and can be addressed by the fire control means to actuate the charge.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein:
a) each of said subsets is a plurality of charges, b) each of said wiring harness assemblies comprises at least one translated harness and at least one straight-through harness, and c) said coupling means includes a plurality of internal connecting wires one of which is reserved for coupling firing control means to each of the charges in said subset, and the others of which are used for connecting the firing control means to other such harness assemblies, means for translating said other connecting wires such that the same connecting wire in any one such assembly within a series of such identical wiring harness assemblies is connectable to the charge associated with such assembly and can be addressed by the fire control means to act-uate the charge, and steering means connected between said con-necting wires coupled to the charges and the charges for select-ively energizing particular charges as a function of the signal inputed to the harness assembly.
a) each of said subsets is a plurality of charges, b) each of said wiring harness assemblies comprises at least one translated harness and at least one straight-through harness, and c) said coupling means includes a plurality of internal connecting wires one of which is reserved for coupling firing control means to each of the charges in said subset, and the others of which are used for connecting the firing control means to other such harness assemblies, means for translating said other connecting wires such that the same connecting wire in any one such assembly within a series of such identical wiring harness assemblies is connectable to the charge associated with such assembly and can be addressed by the fire control means to act-uate the charge, and steering means connected between said con-necting wires coupled to the charges and the charges for select-ively energizing particular charges as a function of the signal inputed to the harness assembly.
8. A selective firing system for a well perforating gun having a plurality of spaced explosive charges which are to be actuated by firing control means, said system comprising:
two or more identical harness assemblies for electrical-ly connecting the charges to the firing control means, wherein each of said harness assemblies includes (a) a plurality of in-ternal connecting wires one of which is connectable to a subset of one or more explosive charges which are to be uniquely assoc-iated with a predetermined harness assembly, and (b) means for translating the remaining connecting wires such that all harness assemblies have a corresponding connecting wire therein which is connectable to the subset of explosive charges to be associa-ted therewith, and means for interconnecting said harness assemblies in a series configuration,
two or more identical harness assemblies for electrical-ly connecting the charges to the firing control means, wherein each of said harness assemblies includes (a) a plurality of in-ternal connecting wires one of which is connectable to a subset of one or more explosive charges which are to be uniquely assoc-iated with a predetermined harness assembly, and (b) means for translating the remaining connecting wires such that all harness assemblies have a corresponding connecting wire therein which is connectable to the subset of explosive charges to be associa-ted therewith, and means for interconnecting said harness assemblies in a series configuration,
9. A method for perforating a well comprising:
positioning a spaced array of selectively actuatable explosive charges at a predetermined location within the well, connecting the array of charges to firing control means for controlling the actuation at the charges, wherein this step further comprises:
a) interconnecting two or more identical wiring harness assemblies in a series configuration and connecting said assemblies to the firing control means, b) providing in each of the assemblies a unique internal connecting wire for connecting that assembly to a subset of one or more explosive charges to be associated therewith and con-necting that were to the subset of charges, c) providing in each of the assemblies other internal connecting wires which are translated within the assembly such that each of the assemblies can have a corresponding unique connecting wire which is connectable to a subset of explosive charges, and selectively actuating the unique connecting wire asso-ciated with a predetermined subset of charges with the firing control means.
positioning a spaced array of selectively actuatable explosive charges at a predetermined location within the well, connecting the array of charges to firing control means for controlling the actuation at the charges, wherein this step further comprises:
a) interconnecting two or more identical wiring harness assemblies in a series configuration and connecting said assemblies to the firing control means, b) providing in each of the assemblies a unique internal connecting wire for connecting that assembly to a subset of one or more explosive charges to be associated therewith and con-necting that were to the subset of charges, c) providing in each of the assemblies other internal connecting wires which are translated within the assembly such that each of the assemblies can have a corresponding unique connecting wire which is connectable to a subset of explosive charges, and selectively actuating the unique connecting wire asso-ciated with a predetermined subset of charges with the firing control means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US30444381A | 1981-09-21 | 1981-09-21 | |
| US304,443 | 1981-09-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1198668A true CA1198668A (en) | 1985-12-31 |
Family
ID=23176531
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000411791A Expired CA1198668A (en) | 1981-09-21 | 1982-09-20 | Perforating gun indexed wiring harness |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0075520A3 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU558795B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1198668A (en) |
| GR (1) | GR78038B (en) |
| IN (1) | IN158342B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO823004L (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7762331B2 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2010-07-27 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Process for assembling a loading tube |
| EP2321493B1 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2018-02-21 | Welldynamics, Inc. | Remote actuation of downhole well tools |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2142583A (en) * | 1935-05-13 | 1939-01-03 | Lane Wells Co | Perforating gun |
| US2266343A (en) * | 1941-02-06 | 1941-12-16 | Lane Wells Co | Gun perforator |
| US3208378A (en) * | 1962-12-26 | 1965-09-28 | Technical Drilling Service Inc | Electrical firing |
| US3517758A (en) * | 1968-09-23 | 1970-06-30 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Control apparatus for selectively operating electrical well-completion devices |
| FR2144598B1 (en) * | 1971-07-07 | 1974-09-06 | Geophysique Cie Gle | |
| US4234768A (en) * | 1974-12-23 | 1980-11-18 | Sie, Inc. | Selective fire perforating gun switch |
| NL7514743A (en) * | 1975-12-18 | 1977-06-21 | Philips Nv | Three phase wiring connector block - has internal crossover connections which give tidier external wiring |
-
1982
- 1982-08-20 GR GR69319A patent/GR78038B/el unknown
- 1982-09-06 NO NO823004A patent/NO823004L/en unknown
- 1982-09-20 AU AU88543/82A patent/AU558795B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1982-09-20 CA CA000411791A patent/CA1198668A/en not_active Expired
- 1982-09-21 EP EP82401712A patent/EP0075520A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1982-10-11 IN IN1170/CAL/82A patent/IN158342B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GR78038B (en) | 1984-09-26 |
| AU558795B2 (en) | 1987-02-12 |
| NO823004L (en) | 1983-03-22 |
| IN158342B (en) | 1986-10-25 |
| AU8854382A (en) | 1983-03-31 |
| EP0075520A3 (en) | 1985-09-18 |
| EP0075520A2 (en) | 1983-03-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US11377935B2 (en) | Universal initiator and packaging | |
| EP0442814A2 (en) | Safe arm system for a perforating apparatus having a transport mode, an electric contact mode and an armed mode | |
| US11313653B2 (en) | Initiator assemblies for a perforating gun | |
| DE19983678B4 (en) | Downhole activating system | |
| US20030121442A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for locking charges into a charge holder | |
| US9915515B1 (en) | Auto logging of electronic detonators | |
| CN109763796B (en) | Novel simple and easy quick assembled clustering selection transmission perforator | |
| US4598776A (en) | Method and apparatus for firing multisection perforating guns | |
| CN111305798B (en) | Clustering selective-transmitting bridge shooting combined perforation module | |
| US20240068334A1 (en) | Initiator assemblies for perforating gun systems | |
| CA1198668A (en) | Perforating gun indexed wiring harness | |
| US11486234B2 (en) | Detonator module | |
| WO2021035143A1 (en) | Perforating gun with detonation module | |
| US20240018853A1 (en) | Connector For Perforating Gun System | |
| CN111322039B (en) | Clustering selective-transmitting bridge perforation device and method | |
| US4772226A (en) | Socket for a round plug having the same contact pattern | |
| US4561356A (en) | Explosive charge safe-arming system | |
| CN211874457U (en) | Module gun electronic communication signal wire conducting structure for cluster perforation of oil and gas well | |
| GB1535646A (en) | Cross-connection assembly for communications wires | |
| US4371044A (en) | Simultaneous multigun high density multiphase perforating unit | |
| EP1325282B1 (en) | Method for connecting ignitors in an ignition system | |
| CA1301869C (en) | Electrical trunkline system | |
| IL112549A (en) | High power coaxial connection | |
| CN113833438B (en) | Connector for perforating gun system | |
| CN219061604U (en) | Modularized selective-firing control perforating gun |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |