US2226073A

US2226073A - Directional firing casing and formation gun

Info

Publication number: US2226073A
Application number: US298724A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence A Ricou
Original assignee: PETROLEUM INCREASE CORP
Current assignee: PETROLEUM INCREASE Corp
Priority date: 1939-10-09
Filing date: 1939-10-09
Publication date: 1940-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1957-12-24

Description

c. A; Rlcou 2225,01

DIRECTIONAL FIRING CASING A ND FORMATION GUN Filed oct. 9, 1939 Patented Dee. 24, 1940 UNITI-:D 'si'm'riazs PATENT Aoi=1=ics DIBETIONAI.' FIRIING: CASING AND FORMATION GUN Clarence A. Bicou; Shreveport, La., assignor to Petroleum Increase Corporation, Carthage,-

Tex., a corporation of Texas Application octane: s, 193s, serial No. 298,124

1': calma (ci. isi-.0.5)

well.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a gun in accordance with my invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the gun with certain parts broken away for the sake of clearness.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 -3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of a portion of the perforated nipple which may be associated with the gun, and Figure 5 is an 'enlarged sectional detail view illustrating the manner in which the projectiles are mounted in the gun. i 'In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a gun body I0 which is circular in cross section and provided with a tapered lower end I2. Body I9 is provided with a threaded bore I4 for threaded connection with a short section4 of tubing I 6 having a threaded neck I8 which may be connected with a perforated nipple 26 'through the medium of a coupling 22, see Figure I.

Body I0 is provided with a plurality of

longitudinal bores

24, 26, 28 and 30, each of which communicates with the bore I4, as at 32. Bores 24 to 38, inclusive, may be dened as powder trains and the bores respectively communicate with

powder chambers

34, 36,38 and 40.

These chambers have their axes arranged hori-- zontally when the body I0 is positioned vertically vin the well preparatory to firing the gun, and the axes of the powder chambers are arranged to fire their respective projectiles 42 in different radial, directions through the well casing and into the` surrounding formation. All the projectiles 42 are identical in construction, operatiomand mounting so that the description of one will apply to all.

Referring to Figure 5, the projectile 42 illustrated therein includes a short cylindrical body 44 provided with a lead`t`apered nose 46 pointing in the vdirection in which the projectile is fired. Powder chamber includes an\ enlarged counterborel 48 against which I position an iron washer or ring ing its centrar opening sn fashioned to nt v'tightly against the tapered nose 46. Adjacent the lead washer58 I positionaI copper gasket '62, and

64. Both the gasket 62 and the iron ring 64 have central openings adapted to appropriately engagev the tapered nose 46. Internal threads 66 are provided in the bore 56 for the receptionof a. threaded clamp ring 68 provided with bores 10 for coaction with a suitable wrench.

Clamp ring 68 is turned down tightly so as to clamp the lead washer 58, the gasket 62'and the ring 64 tightly on the tapered nose 46 for putting pressure on thelead plate 50, thus providing an eiective mount for the projectile in addition to l5 assuring against the entrance of a liquid. Lead plate 50 and the lead ring 64 perform effective sealingfunctions so as to positively insure against 'the entrance of moisture. Each powder chamber is filled with a suitable explosive. and the bores 4or 2ol powder trains 24 to v3i) inclusive are also filled-with the explosive which is also true of the space 32. Suitable tightening of the clamp ring 68 applies considerable pressure toits respective projectiles 42, which provides an advantageous resistance effective on the projectile when it is red, thus utilizing the full forceof the explosion for ring the projectile through the well casing" and into the surrounding formation to a considerable distance. To nre the explosive, I provide a ring pan assembly 12, see Figure `2. The assembly includes a cylindrical head 14 fitting loosely inside a bore 16 l in a sleeve 18 threaded into the borell of a sleeve 82 threaded into the lower portion of the bore I4 and abutting the inner end of the tube I6. Head 14 includes a taper 84 fitting against a corresponding taper 86 in the sleeve 18, which sleeve has its bore 88 loosely receiving the cylindrical shank 90 formed as a unit with the head 14. v

Thehead 'Mis provided with two pins 92 spaced slightly from primer caps 94 pressed into bores 96 4for igniting the explosive in the 'space 32, which, in turn ignites the explosive in the powder trains 24 to 30 inclusive as well as in their respective powder chamber. Pins 92 are normally slightly spaced from the primer caps 94 and the ring P in assembly is held in its normal position by reason of a shear pin 98. f

Means for lowering the'gun into a well may comprise tubing 98 connected with the perforated nipple through the medium of a coupling |80. After lowering of the gun, a go-devil is dropped into the tubing 98 for striking the shank 90 of the firing pin assembly. The impact of the go-devil will shear the pm sa so that the firing pins sz win t5 t be driven into the primer caps 94 for setting of! the charge.

'Ihe tapered noses 46 of the projectiles facilitate penetrationy of the well casing as well as the surroundin'g'fomation, so that the projectiles will penetrate considerable distances in the formation for shattering or breaking up the formation, as well as to establish direct communication with a new source of oil or the like, thereby increasing the production of the well.

'I'he taper I2 facilitates lowering of the gun, and the body I0 is alsotapered at |02 to facilitate raising of the gun inside the well. My invention embodies'a plurality of powder chambers, each of which includes an individual powder train operatively related to a common firing mechanism which is actuated through the simple act of dropping a go-devil into the tubing 96.

The individual powder trains provide' a construction which more effectively withstands the onrush of iiuid into the gun at great depths, thus more effectively insuring against dampening or wetting of the powder after one projectile is red.

The projectiles are fired in successive order because of the variable lengths of the powder trains. Guns lowered to great depths are subjected to enormous pressures. In my invention, the ledges 54 provide effective backing for their respective projectiles 42 so that such pressures merely increase the seal between the powder chambers and the projectiles. Thus uids are effectively restrained from entering the powder chamber.

Figure 1 illustrates the perforated nipple 20 as being provided with two walls |04, with the perforations located between the two horizontal walls. The walls may comprise metallic plates welded inside the nipple, as illustrated in Figure 4. 'I'hus the walls |04 prevent fluids from passing upwardly of the tubing 98 as well as into the tube I6 which communicates with the ring pin assembly 12. Dropping of the go-devil, the falling go-devil will penetrate both walls in its passage to the ring pin assembly 12. Thus rupturing of the walls, particularly the upper wall permits the well to produce through the tubing 98 through the medium of the perforated nipple 2. A further advantage incident to the perforated nipple 20 lies in the fact that the well can be kept under control at all times and, if necessary, can be washed through the perforated nipple or the well can be filled with uid or other material passed through the perforated nipple. Another advantage in the perforated nipple lies in the fact that the dry tubing 98 will immediately suck such iiuid from the casing or the well when the upper wall |04 is ruptured, thereby placing a vacuum on the surrounding formation, which is desirable from the standpoint of production.

I have found that a ball may be dropped into the tubing 08 after rupturing of the walls |04, with the ball taking a position of rest on the seat |06 so as to function as a closure valve for trapping uid in the tubing or drill pipe 98. I'hus the tube 98 4may be elevated, and the trapped liquid will indicate its level in the hole. Accordingly, my invention embodies a construction wherein the gun may be placed, the projectiles red into the surrounding formation and through the well casing, if necessary, in addition to embodying a structure such that the well may be produced with the gun in the hole, thus effecting a greatsaving in time and labor.

It will be noted that/the powder trains 24 to 30 inclusive, are located close to the outside diameter of the body I0, which arrangement permits the respective powder chambers to be considerably enlarged with respect to length. I'he two pins 02 provide additional assurance that the gun will be ired when thego-devil is dropped. Occasionally a primer cap might become defective, so that the provision of two caps greatly increases the firing possibilities of the gun. Explosions in the powder chambers 34 to 40, inelusive, will drive the projectiles 42 through the washers 58, the gaskets 62 and the rings 64, with the bores |08 in the clamp ring 60 constituting barrels for the projectiles.

Sleeve 18 coacts with the head 14 to restrain the firing pin assembly from upward movement with respect to anyf explosion forces effective thereon. The gun may be completely dismantled for reloading purposes so as to be capable of reuse.

Having thus described certain embodiments of my invention in detail, it is, of course, understood that I do not desire to limit the scope thereof to the exact details set forth except insofar as those details may be defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun bores having their axes arranged in diierent directions, projectiles aligned with said bores to be iired therethrough, powder chambers behind the projectiles, each) powder chamber being provided with a powder train, `and a ring means common to all said powder trains.

2. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun bores, projectiles aligned with said bores to be red therefrom, powder chambers behind the projectiles, each powder chamber being provided witha powder train, and a firing means common to all the powder trains.

3. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun bores having their axes arranged in different directions, projectiles in said bores, explosion chambers behind the projectiles, including an individual bore for each explosion chamber, explosive material in said explosion chambers and said individual bores, and. a firing means common to all said individual bores.

4. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun bores having their axes arranged in different directions.' projectiles in said bores, explosion chambers lbehind the projectiles, including an individual bore for each explosion chamber, explosive material in said explosion chambers and said individual bores, a ring means common to al1 said individual bores. said ring means including an explosion space communicating with said bores and a primer cap, and an impact responsive means for firing said cap.

5. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun bores having their axes arranged in different directions, projectiles in said bores, explosion chambers behind the pro- "jectiles, including an individual bore for each explosion chamber, explosive material in said explosion chambers and said individual bores, a firing means common to all said individual bores, said flring means including an explosion space communicating with said trains, and a plurality of primer caps 4having impact responsive means for firing said caps.

6. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with gun bores having their axes arrangedin different directions, projectiles aligned with said bores to be iired`therethrough, powder ,chamber being provided with a powder train, a iiring meansncommon'to all said powder trains, said projectiles extending partly into said bores, and means for holding the projectiles against accidental displacement and coacting with the latter to sealthe powder chambers from the entrance of outside moisture.

7. A- gun of the type described comprising a` body provided with gun bores having their axes 1,0 arranged in dinerentl directions, projectiles aligned with said boresto be fired therethrough,

powder chambers behind the projectiles, 'eachpowder chamber being provided with a powder train, a iiring means common to all said powder l5 trains, said rlng means including a primer cap and an impact responsive means for firing the cap,

' and shear means for normally holding the impact responsive means outof ring engagement with said primer cap. l

8. A gun of the type described comprising 'a body provided with gun bores having their axes arranged in dierent directions, projectiles .aligned with said bores to be fired therethrough, powder chambers-behind the projectiles, each 2'5 powder chamber being provided with a 4powder train, a ring means common to all said powder trains, said iring means includingV a plurality of primer caps and impact responsive 4means for ring the caps, and ,shear means for normally $0 holdingthe impact responsive mean out of firing engagement with said primer caps.

y projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores.

means coacting with said body and the projectiles for holding the latter against said shoulders, said means including bored elements constituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of said explosionchambers, a flring means common to all said explLosive containing bores, said ring means including a, primer cap and an impact responsive element for iiring the cap, and shear means for normally holding the impact responsive r515 element out of iiring engagement with said primer cap.

11. A gun ofthe type described comprising a body provided with explosive containing chambers having shoulders and projectile receiving bores,

projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores,

means coactingA with said body and the projectiles for holding the latter against said shoulders, said means including bored elements con'- stituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of said explosive chambers, a iiring means common to vall'said explosive containing bores, said flring means including a plurality of primer. caps and impact responsive elements for :tiring the caps, and shear means for normally holding thev impact .responsive elements out of .ring engagement with said primer caps.

12. A gun of the type described comprising a Vbody provided with explosive containing chambers having vshoulders and projectile receiving l bores, projectiles inside the .projectile receiving bores'means coacting with said body and the pro-4 jectiles for holding the latter against said shoulders, said means including bored elements cony stituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of said explosion chambers, a firing means 5 common to all said explosive containingbores, and

a sealing means between the projectiles and their: respective shoulders.

13. A lgurl of the type described comprising a body provided with explosive containing chambers l0 having, shoulders and` projectile receiving bores, projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores, means coacting with said body and the projectiles for holding the latter against said shoulders, said means including bored elements constituting gun l5 bores, an explosive containing bore foreach of said explosion chambers, a iiringv means commonto all said explosive containing bores, and a sealing means incorporated in said rst mentioned l means. 20

' responsive element to support the latter against the forces of explosion effective thereon. 15. A gun of the type described comprising. a 'i5 body provided with explosive containing cham- `bers having shoulders land projectile receivingl bores, projectiles inside the projectile receiving bores, means coasting with said body and the projectiles for 'holding the latter against said shoul- 40 ders, said means including bored elements lconstituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of said explosion chambers, a firing means common to all said explosive` containing bores, a sealing means between the projectiles and their 45 respective shoulders, a perforated nipple connected `with said gun, walls in said perforated nipple with the perforations in the latter positioned between said walls, and tubing connected with said perforated nipple, said tubing andsaid perforated nipple being adapted to guide a gravity propelled mass into impinging relation-with said impact responsive element and said walls beingadapted to be ruptured by the .gravity propelled mass, said perforated nipple constituting a uid 55 inlet for said tubing on rupturlng of said walls. 16. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with explosive containing chambers having shoulders and projectile receiving bores, projectiles inside the projectile receiving 60 bores, means coacting with saidbody and the projectiles for holding the latter against said shoulders, said means including bored elements constituting gun bores, an explosive containing bore for each of said explosion chambers,A a ilring 65 means common to all saidfexplosive containing bores, a sealing means. between the projectilesl and. their respective shoulders, a perforated nipple connected with. said gun, walls in said perforated nipplewith the perforations in the latter positioned 70 between said walls, tubing connected with said perforated-nipple, said tubing and saidv perforated nipplebeing adapted to guide a gravity propelled to be ruptured by the gravity propelled mass, said perforated nipple constituting a iluid inlet for said tubing on rupturing of said walls, and a seat associated with said nipple above the perforations therein for supporting a valve element dropped thereon for trapping uid in said tubing above said perforated nipple.

17. A gun of the type described comprising a body provided with powder chambers, said body being provided with a plurality of projectile receiving bores communicating with the powder chambers and having shoulders, projectiles in said projectile bores, sealing means between the projectiles and said shoulders, threaded: bores coaxially aligned with said projectile bores, said A projectiles having tapered noses, sealing and retaining means positioned in said threaded bores and engaging the tapered noses of said projectiles, rings having threaded connection with said threaded bores and adapted to press said sealing and retaining means against said tapered noses, said rings having openings constituting barrel bores for the projectiles, with the barrel bores having their axes arranged in diiIerent directions one above the other, a powder train for each of said powder chambers, and a rlng means common to all said powder trains.

CLARENCE A. RICOU.