Method and apparatus for firing borehole perforating apparatus

Method and apparatus for firing perforating apparatus in a borehole. A mechanically operated firing assembly is run into the borehole on the end of a cable and latched onto a perforating apparatus. Tension is pulled on the cable. At a predetermined tension force a firing rod is automatically released and as a result of force exerted by a compression spring driven into impactment with a percussion firing head to thereby detonate the perforating apparatus. Additionally, the firing assembly can be reset by application of downward force thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to subsurface well apparatus, more 
specifically, to apparatus for perforating subsurface earth formations, 
and particularly to apparatus for firing tubing conveyed perforating 
apparatus. 
It has become common practice in the completion of oil and gas wells to 
perforate the well casings and the surrounding formations to bring a well 
into production. One method of providing this capability has a perforating 
apparatus attached to the end of a tubing string which is lowered and set 
in place when the perforating apparatus is opposite the formation to be 
produced. The perforating apparatus may then be detonated and the well 
placed into production through the tubing strings. 
The systems for firing the perforating devices have typically been either 
an electrical firing system or a non-electric percussion firing system 
activated by dropping a member through the tubing. Neither method has been 
entirely satisfactory in the past. Electrical firing systems require care 
in connecting and running and can be activated from stray electrical 
currents. In addition, electrical connections can be short-circuited by 
moisture. Percussion firing systems commonly require a bar member, 
referred to as a "go devil", be dropped through the tubing string thereby 
impacting a percussion firing assembly. These percussion firing assemblies 
typically have some primary explosives in the perforating apparatus while 
it is affixed to the tubing and lowered into position within the well. As 
a result of the deficiencies of these systems, accidental and premature 
firings are a possibility. Further, in the event of a malfunction of these 
systems there is a need of a suitable back-up method of firing the 
perforating apparatus. 
These and other disadvantages are overcome with the present invention by 
providing method and apparatus for firing subsurface perforating apparatus 
using a mechanical operated firing system capable of operation from a 
"slick line" or other non-electrical cable. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mechanically operated firing 
assembly for use in conjunction with a tubing conveyed perforating system 
is provided. The firing assembly is connected to a cable and lowered into 
latching engagement with the tubing conveyed perforating apparatus. 
Tension is pulled on the cable causing rod members within the firing 
apparatus to move longitudinally to thereby compress one or more spring 
members located within the firing assembly. Once a predetermined tension 
force is exerted a firing rod is released whereby the force exerted by a 
spring forces the firing rod into a percussion firing assembly to thereby 
detonate the percussion firing assembly and the attached perforating 
apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawing in detail therein is illustrated a section 
view of the firing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The 
apparatus includes a connector sub 10 which is a generally cylindrical 
member having an internally threaded cavity therein for attachment to the 
cable used to place the firing apparatus within the well. Since the firing 
apparatus is mechanically operated the cable need not contain any 
electrical conductors, thus a slick line or any other similar line can be 
used. 
Connector sub 10 is threadably attached to a first end of rod member 12. 
Locking plug 14, an insert member constructed of a suitable material such 
as nylon, prevents rod member 12 from inadvertently becoming disconnected 
from connector sub 10. Rod member 12 extends through, and is 
longitudinally slidable within, a central bore within sub member 16. Sub 
member 16 is threadably coupled to one end of tubular housing section 18, 
the second end of which is threadably coupled to coupling sub member 20. 
Locking plugs 14 are utilized at both threaded couplings. 
The second end portion of rod member 12 forms an enlarged diameter section 
22. Disposed within housing section 18 is helical compression spring 24. 
Once terminus of spring 24 is in contact with the face of sub member 16 
with the other terminus of spring 24 contacting the inner face of enlarged 
end portion 22 of rod member 12. In the preferred embodiment spring 24 has 
a compression factor of approximately one hundred and fifty pounds per 
inch. 
Threadably engaged into the inner cavity at the end portion 22 of rod 
member 12 is a first end of rod member 26. Locking plug 14 prevents the 
inadvertent decoupling of rod member 26 from rod member 12. Rod member 26 
has a first outer diameter portion 28 extending through and longitudinally 
slidable within, a cental bore in connector sub 20. Further, rod member 26 
tapers to a reduced outer diameter section 30 terminating with a truncated 
conical second end portion 32. 
Connector sub 20 is further threadably coupled to one end of tubular 
housing section 34. Housing section 34 includes a plurality of elongated 
slots, for example as shown at 36, for placing the internal cavity of 
housing section 34 into fluid communication with the wellbore. Locking 
plug 14 prevents the connection between connector sub 20 and housing 
section 34 from becoming inadvertently disconneted. Coupled to the second 
end of housing section 34 by means of a threaded connection is firing head 
assembly 38, which will be more fully described later herein. Locking plug 
14 prevents the inadvertent decoupling of housing 34 from firing head 
assembly 38. 
Disposed in the internal cavity of housing section 34 are spring members 40 
and 42. Spring member 40 is a helical compression spring having a 
compression factor of approximately one hundred pounds per inch while 
spring member 42 is a helical compression spring having a compression 
factor of approximately eight pounds per inch. A first terminus of spring 
member 40 is in contact with the face of connector sub 20, the face having 
a generally flat outer portion with a tapered or conical profile 44 
extending form the face into the internal cavity of housing section 34. 
The second terminus of spring member 40 contacts one face of an enlarged 
diameter portion 46 of rod member 48. The enlarged outer diameter portion 
is sized to be slidable within the interior of housing section 34. 
Rod member 48 includes a longitudinal bore therethrough with an internally 
threaded section at enlarged diameter portion 46. At the second end rod 
member 48 includes a grapple including a plurality of fingers 50 
terminating with inwardly directed dogs 52 having beveled ends. Connected 
to rod member 48 is rod member 54 which is of a generally tubular 
configuration having a threaded extension for engagement to rod member 48. 
Locking washer 56 prevents rod member 54 from inadvertent decoupling from 
rod member 48. Disposed about rod member 54 is spring member 42 having one 
end thereof positioned against the face of the enlarged diameter portion 
46 of rod member 48 and the other end thereof positioned against face of 
firing head assembly 38. 
In the preferred embodiment, firing head assembly 38 is a percussion firing 
assembly which includes a firing pin 58 extending from firing head 
assembly 38 into the internal portion of housing member 34. A plurality of 
percussion ignition pins are attached to the other end of firing pin 58. 
Explosive primer cartridges are retained below, and in line with, the 
percussion ignition pins. Located proximate the explosive primer 
cartridges is an explosive booster charge. A shaped charge is retained 
within the firing head assembly in juxtaposition with the booster and 
having its axis of perforation aligned substantially along the 
longitudinal axis of the firing head assembly. Grapple sub 60 includes a 
generally cylindrical portion having a plurality of elongated fingers 62 
extending therefrom which terminate in inwardly directed dogs 64. Dogs 64 
are attached to fingers 62 by means of screws 66. A more complete 
description of firing head assembly 38 can be found in U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 06/516,812, which is incorporated herein by 
reference. 
In the operation of the apparatus, the firing apparatus is connected to a 
cable, preferably a non-electrical slick line, at connector sub 10. The 
firing apparatus is lowered through a borehole until grapple sub 60 
engages, and latches onto, a firing head within a tubing conveyed 
perforating apparatus having been set previously within the well in a 
manner common in the art. In the preferred embodiment grapple sub 60 will 
latch onto the perforating apparatus firing head at approximately fifteen 
pounds of downward force. To determine if the firing apparatus is latched 
onto the firing head of the perforating apparatus the operator can pull 
the cable slightly resulting in spring compression being indicated at the 
surface location. 
After the firing assemble is latched onto the perforating apparatus, 
tension is pulled on the cable. This causes rod members 12 and 26 to move 
longitudinally within housing section 18 compressing spring member 24. 
With continued tension from the cable, end section 32 of rod member 26 
engages dogs 52 pulling rod member 48 and thereby compressing spring 
member 40. As rod member 48 moves into proximity to connector sub 20, dogs 
52 engage the tapered section on the face of connector sub 20 until dogs 
52 are separated a sufficient amount to release from end portion 32 of rod 
member 26. 
With the release of dogs 52 spring member 40 forces rod members 48 and 54 
downward onto firing pin 58 resulting in ignition of firing head assembly 
38 as fully explained in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/516,812. The 
force of spring member 42 then pushes rod member 54 back away from firing 
pin 58 into the position illustrated in the drawing. Additionally, the 
force exerted by spring member 42 prevents the accidental firing of firing 
head assembly 38 which could be caused by shock due to dropping the firing 
apparatus. 
If required the firing apparatus can be reset in the well. To reset the 
firing apparatus downward force is exerted on rod member 12 and thus on 
rod member 26 attached thereto until end portion 32 is reset into the 
fingers 50 of rod member 48. The face of the enlarged diameter end of rod 
member 12 contacting the face of connector sub 20 prevents the resetting 
operation from accidentally firing the firing head assembly. 
In the preferred embodiment approximately six hundred pounds of pulling 
force is required to fire the firing assembly. However, should it be 
desired to have firing at a reduced force spring member 24 is removed 
thereby allowing the apparatus to be fired at approximately two hundred 
fifty pounds of pull force. Once the firing operation is complete upward 
tension is applied until screws 66 shear allowing dogs 64 to disconnect 
from fingers 62. The firing assembly can then be removed form the well. 
Many modifications and variations besides those specifically mentioned 
herein may be made in the techniques and structures described herein and 
depicted in the accompanying drawing without departing substantially from 
the concept of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be clearly 
understood that the form of the invention described and illustrated herein 
is exemplary only, and is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the 
present invention.