SHAPE CHARGE CARRIER AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING IT

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly includes a thin wall carrier (34A) having a charge opening (36A) disposed therethrough for freely receiving a shaped charge therein. A deformable retaining device (80,82) is integrally formed with the thin wall carrier adjacent a periphery of the charge opening. The deformable retaining device allows the shaped charge to initially be freely received in the charge opening, but subsequently retains the shaped charge in the charge opening upon deformation of the deformable retaining device.

Description: The invention relates to a carrier for carrying shaped charges for use in an elongated perforating gun of the type generally use to perforate oil and gas wells. Perforating guns commonly used in wire line and tubing conveyed service operations for perforating an oil or gas well typically include an elongated cylindrical outer housing within which is received an elongated carrier which has a number of shaped charges in place in the carrier. The carrier is located relative to the housing so as to position each of the shaped charges adjacent reduced thickness portions of the housing. A number of techniques have been utilized for holding shaped charges within a carrier. Lug and slot type connection means have been utilized as shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,078,797 to Blair wherein the lugs of a shaped charge are inserted through an opening adjacent a carrier, and then the shaped charge is rotated to lock it in place relative to the carrier. Also, wire-type carriers have been utilized wherein the shaped charge has spaced shoulders which receive the carrier wires therebetween, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,636,875 to Dodson. A number of different techniques have utilized shaped charges having shoulders which rest against a carrier, in combination with separate attachment means such as screws, clips or the like. These are seen for example in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,326,462 to Garcia et al., 4,479,556 to Stout et al., 4,312,273 to Camp, and 4,543,703 and 4,541,486 to Wetzel et al. More recently, we have developed a system in which the carrier includes resilient tab means extending into openings for receiving the shaped charges. The resilient tab means frictionally engage the shaped charge as it is pushed into the opening and thereby hold the shaped charge in place within the opening. Such structures are shown for example in our European patent specification no. 175439, and in our U.S. Patents Nos. 4,609,057 and 4,621,396. From these various examples, it can be seen that the prior art has long recognized the need for a reliable means for retaining shaped charges in place within the carrier perforating gun. The present invention provides a much improved, very economical, reliable, and easily assembled construction for the assembly of a shaped charge with a carrier. In one aspect, the present invention provides a shaped charge carrier apparatus, comprising: a thin wall carrier having a charge opening disposed therethrough for receiving a shaped charge therein; and deformable retaining means, integrally formed in said thin wall carrier adjacent a periphery of said charge opening, for engaging the charge to retain it in the opening; and an aperture in the thin wall carrier; characterised in that the aperture is an elongated slot for receiving a tool, and the retaining means is such as to allow said shaped charge to be fully received in said charge opening without engagement with the retaining means, the retaining means being thereafter deformable, by a tool inserted through said slot, to engage said charge to retain it in said charge opening. In another aspect, the invention provides a shaped charge carrier assembly apparatus for use in a perforating gun comprising at least one shaped charge including an outer case, said case having a generally cylindrical outer surface having first and second oppositely facing annular shoulders defined thereon; a carrier having a substantially circular charge opening disposed therethrough large enough to receive said generally cylindrical outer surface of said case with said first annular shoulder abutting said carrier; an aperture in the carrier; and deformable retaining means, permanently attached to said carrier adjacent a periphery of said charge opening; characterised in that the aperture is an elongated slot for receiving a tool; said retaining means is such as to initially allow said shaped charge to be fully received in said charge opening without engagement with the retaining means but is thereafter deformable, by a tool inserted through said slot, to engage said second annular shoulder to thereby retain said shaped charge in said charge opening. In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling a shaped charge carrier apparatus for use in a perforating gun, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one shaped charge having a generally cylindrical outer surface and having first and second oppositely facing shoulders defined thereon; (b) providing a thin wall carrier having a substantially circular charge opening disposed therethrough large enough to receive said generally cylindrical outer surface of said shaped charge, said carrier further having a deformable retaining means integrally formed therewith adjacent a periphery of said charge opening, and also having an aperture therein; (c) inserting said shaped charge into said charge opening until said first shoulder abuts said carrier; and (d) deforming said deformable retaining means into said charge opening to thereby retain said shaped charge in said charge opening of said carrier; characterised in that the aperture is an elongated slot for receiving a tool, and in step (c) the shaped charge is fully received in said charge opening without engagement with the retaining means, and said retaining means is thereafter deformed by a tool inserted through said slot, to engage said charge to retain it in said charge opening. The shaped charge carrier design of the invention is particularly adaptable for use on a cylindrical tubular carrier and provides a means for mounting the shaped charges which reliably holds the shaped charges in a radial orientation relative to the carrier. This permits openings to be formed in substantially any desired pattern on the tubular carrier for mounting of the shaped charges. In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly sectioned view of a perforating gun showing an embodiment of a carrier of the invention in place within the perforating gun, with a plurality of shaped charges in place within the carrier. FIG. 2 is a flat development of one embodiment of the charge opening used in the shaped charge carrier of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the carrier of Fig. 2 after having been rolled into a cylindrical configuration. It is noted that Fig. 3 is drawn to a somewhat larger scale than Fig. 2, although the same opening is illustrated in both figures. FIG. 4 is a plan sectioned view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing in section the entire tubular carrier, only a portion of which is shown in Fig. 3. FIG. 5 is an elevation sectioned partial view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4 illustrating the manner in which the shaped charge is held within the charge opening of the carrier. FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the structure seen in Fig. 5. FIG. 7 is a flat development similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified shape for the charge opening. FIG. 8 shows the structure of Fig. 7 having been rolled into a cylindrical carrier configuration. It is noted that Fig. 8 is drawn to a somewhat larger scale than Fig. 7, although the same opening is illustrated in both figures. FIG. 9 is a plan sectioned view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the complete cylindrical carrier in cross section with three shaped charges in place therein. FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the structure of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of the charge opening of the carrier of the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 11 is shown on a cylindrical carrier, only a portion of which is illustrated. FIG. 12 is an elevation sectioned view of the structure of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11, and also shows in cross section an internal support tube located concentrically within the cylindrical carrier of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 shows a charge opening similar to that of FIG. 11, in place within a flat strip-type carrier. FIG. 14 is an elevation sectioned view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13 showing a shaped charge held in place within the flat strip-type carrier of FIG. 13. Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a perforating gun is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 10. The perforating gun 10 includes an elongated cylindrical outer housing 12, the upper end of which is closed by a top plug 14 and the lower end of which is closed by a bottom plug 16. Top plug 14 is threadedly connected to housing 12 at threaded connection 18 and a seal is provided therebetween by the O-rings 20 and 22. The bottom plug 16 is threadedly connected to housing 12 at the threaded connection 24 and a resilient seal is provided therebetween by O-rings 26 and 28. In place within the housing 12 adjacent the lower end of top plug 14 and the upper end of bottom plug 16 are upper and lower carrier mounting plates 30 and 32, respectively. Held in place between the upper and lower mounting plates 30 and 32 is an elongated charge carrier 34. The carrier 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a cylindrical charge carrier having a pattern of openings like that further illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, but it will be understood that any of the various charge carriers disclosed herein might be utilized with a perforating gun like the perforating gun 10. Also, it is noted that the present invention is applicable to charge carriers used without an enclosed housing. Such unenclosed charge carriers are used with shaped charges which are themselves constructed so as to withstand the downhole environment. The carrier 34 has disposed through the walls thereof a plurality of charge openings 36 for receiving shaped charges 38 therein. The carrier 34 is attached to the end plates 30 and 32 in such a manner as to specifically define its orientation about its longitudinal axis relative to the housing 12, so that each of the shaped charges 38 is located immediately adjacent a reduced thickness portion 40 of the housing 12 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Disposed through a central opening 42 of top plug 14 is a firing means 44 which generally comprises a length of detonating cord and associated apparatus for firing the shaped charges 38 in response to an electrical signal directed down a wire line (not shown) from a surface location at the top of the oil well which is being perforated. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the firing means 44 extends downward through the carrier 34 and is operatively connected to each of the shaped charges 38. It will be further apparent from the following description that the present invention can be used with any shape carrier, e.g., round tubular carriers, polygonal cross section tubular carriers, flat strip type carriers, or the like. Furthermore, on tubular carriers the charge openings and shaped charges can be arranged in any desired pattern, e.g., spiraled, multiple spirals, staggered layers, etc. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-6, the carrier is designated as 34A, the charge openings are designated as 36A, and the shaped charges themselves are designated as 38A, corresponding to the general designations 34, 36 and 38 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the original shape of the charge opening 36A is shown as it is formed in a flat thin wall sheet 46. A number of such openings will be formed in a flat sheet 46, and then the sheet 46 is rolled to a cylindrical configuration as seen in cross section in FIG. 4 thus forming the cylindrical thin wall carrier 34A. As seen in FIG. 4, the ends of the flat sheet 46 have been joined together at 48 and spot-welded. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged elevation partial view of the cylindrical carrier 34A showing one of the charge openings 36A in elevation. FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevation partial view taken along 5-5 of FIG. 4 which further illustrates the manner in which the shaped charge 38A is held within the charge opening 36A of charge carrier 34A. The shaped charged 38A includes an outer case 50 having a generally cylindrical outer surface 52. First and second oppositely facing tapered annular enlarged diameter shoulders or outer surfaces 54 and 56, respectively, define an enlarged diameter flange means 58 adjacent a radially outer end 60 of shaped charge 38A. The shaped charge 38A further includes first and second tapered frustoconical reduced diameter portions 62 and 64, and a radially inner end 66. The charge opening 36A of carrier 34A is a substantially circular charge opening (as best seen in FIG. 3) which is large enough to receive the generally cylindrical outer surface 52 of the case 50 with the first annular shoulder 54 abutting the carrier 34A. The substantially circular charge opening 36A has a reduced diameter portion at diameter 68. The reduced diameter portion 68 is located approximately in and adjacent a plane normal to a longitudinal central axis 70 (see FIG. 1) of the tubular carrier 34A. This results in the first annular shoulder 54 of shaped charge 38A abutting the carrier 34A at two pairs of diametrically opposed points 72 and 74 on an inner periphery of the reduced diameter portion 68 of the charge opening 36A. Thus, the first annular shoulder 54 rests on four points of support along the periphery of the charge opening 36A. The reduced diameter portion 68 of charge opening 36A is formed by two diametrically opposed arcuate edge portions 76 and 78 along the periphery of charge opening 36A, and the points 72, 74 are defined as the circumferential ends 72, 74 of each of the arcuate edge portions 76 and 78. Integrally formed with and permanently attached to the carrier 34A adjacent the periphery of the charge opening 36A are first and second diametrically opposed deformable retaining means 80 and 82. The charge opening 36A initially has a diametrical clearance 84 between the first and second deformable retaining means 80 and 82, sufficiently large that the generally cylindrical outer surface 52 of shaped charge 38A may be freely received therebetween. Upon subsequent deformation of the first and second deformable retaining means 80 and 82, as further described below, the deformable retaining means 80 and 82 will move further into the charge opening 36A to retain the shaped charge 38A in place within the charge opening 36A as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The carrier 34A has a plurality of tool receiving apertures such as 86 disposed therethrough adjacent each of the deformable retaining means such as 80 and 82, so that the deformable retaining means 80 and 82 are at least partially defined between the tool receiving apertures 86 and the charge opening 36A. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool receiving apertures 86 are completely separate from the charge opening 36A in this embodiment, although they need not be so completely separate in the broader concepts of the invention. The deformable retaining means such as 80 and 82 each include a relatively flexible beam portion 88 having two ends 90 and 92, both of which are integrally formed with and fixed to the thin wall carrier 34A. The beam portion 88 is defined between the tool receiving aperture 86 and the charge opening 36A. The deformable retaining means 80 and 82 each further include a tab portion 94 attached to the beam portion 88 between the two ends 90 and 92 thereof. The tab portion 94 extends from the beam portion 88 toward the charge opening 36A. The tool receiving apertures 86 are further defined as elongated slots oriented substantially parallel to a length of the beam portion 88 of the deformable retaining means 80, and substantially tangential to a closest point on the periphery of charge opening 36A. Referring now to the lower portion of FIG. 5, the beam portion 88 of the lower deformable retaining means 94 is torsionally flexible so that upon insertion of a thin bladed tool, such as the screwdriver 96 shown in phantom lines, into the tool receiving aperture 86 and rotation of said tool about an axis of rotation parallel to the length of the beam portion 88 of deformable retaining means 82, with an inserted end 98 of the tool 96 moving toward the charge opening 36A, the beam portion 88 of flexible retaining means 82 is bowed toward the charge opening 36A, and the beam portion 88 of deformable retaining means 82 is also torsionally rotated in a direction 100 opposite to that in which the tool 96 was rotated, thus moving the tab portion 94 away from the plane of the thin wall carrier 34A in the same direction as which the tool 96 was inserted into the tool receiving aperture 86, i.e., radially inward relative to the cylindrical carrier 34A. A second manner of deforming the deformable retaining means such as 80 and 82 is illustrated at the upper part of FIG. 5 with regard to the upper deformable retaining means 80. By rotating the tool 96 such that its inserted end 98 moves away from the shaped charge 38A, the deformable retaining means 80 is deformed in a very different manner. When the tool 96 is rotated about an axis parallel to the length of the beam portion 88 of upper deformable retaining means 80 with the inserted end 98 moving away from the charge opening 36A, the beam portion 88 is bowed toward the charge opening 36A so that the tab portion 94 extends into the charge opening 36A, and the beam portion 88 is further bowed away from the plane of the thin wall carrier 34 radially inward to engage and hold the shoulder 56 of the radially outer end 60 of the shaped charge 38A. As is seen in FIG. 6, a distance between the first and second shoulders 54 and 56 is such that, and the carrier 34A and charge opening 36A are so dimensioned that, when the first annular shoulder 54 abuts the four support points 72, 74 on the periphery of the reduced diameter portion 68 of the charge opening 36A, the second annular shoulder 56 is located radially inward of the deformable retaining means 80 and 82. With this construction, upon subsequent deformation of the deformable retaining means 80 and 82 longitudinally into the charge opening 36A and radially inward against the second annular shoulder 56, the shaped charge 38A is held between the four support points 72, 74 and the two deformable retaining means 80 and 82. It is noted that although the deformable retaining means 80 and 82 are shown in this embodiment as initially extending toward the opening 36A in a direction substantially parallel to the axis 70, they need not be so oriented. For example, similar deformable retaining means could be located at approximately the location of arcuate edge portions 76 and 78, and could be engaged with an under-cut groove (not shown) in the outer surface of a shaped charge in a manner analogous to that shown in Fig. 14. Example Now by way of specific example, typical dimensions will be provided for one size of the charge opening 36A seen in Fig. 3. For the shaped charge 38A of Fig. 5 having an outside diameter 102 of 1.700 inch (43.2mm) along its generally cylindrical outer surface 52, and for a outside diameter 104 of flange means 58 of 1.800 inch (45.7mm), the dimensions of the charge opening 36A of Fig. 3 are as follows. The charge opening 36A has a nominal inside diameter 106 of 1.820 inch (46.2mm). The reduced diameter portion 68 of charge opening 36A has a reduced diameter of 1.715 inch (43.6mm). The diameter 84 between the tabs 94 is 1.820 inch (46.2mm) prior to deformation of the deformable retaining means 80 and 82. The tool receiving slot shaped apertures 86 have a length of 3/4 inch (19.1mm) and a width of 1/8 inch (3.2mm). A distance 108 between the aperture 86 and the root 110 of the indentations defining the tabs 94 is 0.090 inch (2.29mm). Further, the thin wall carrier 34A is formed from a 16 Ga A366 cold rolled steel. FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention similar to that shown in Figs. 2-6, but constructed for use with a modified shaped charge 38B best seen in FIG. 9. The shaped charge 38B has a generally cylindrical outer surface 122 defined along the length thereof. First and second oppositely facing annular shoulder 124 and 126 define a radially outwardly extending flange means 128 located intermediately along the length of the shaped charge 38B. The first annular shoulder 124 of flange means 128 rests on the four circumferential end points 130, 132, 134 and 136 of reduced diameter arcuate edge portions 138 and 140 of the generally circular charge opening 36B as seen in FIG. 8. The end points 130, 132, 134 and 136 can generally be referred to four points of support for the first annular shoulder 124 of shaped charge 38B. Upper and lower deformable retaining means 142 and 144 are constructed generally similar to the deformable retaining means 80 and 82 previously described with regard to FIG. 3. Similar tool receiving apertures 146 are also provided. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, the arcuate reduced diameter edge portions 138 and 140 are considerably longer in their circumferential span, to accommodate the modified shaped charge 38B. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, which provides another form of cylindrical tubular charge carrier 34C for receiving a modified shaped charge 38C in a charge opening 36C. The charge opening 36C seen in elevation in FIG. 11 is a substantially uninterrupted circle of uniform diameter. Tool receiving apertures 152 and 154 are also provided. Upper and lower deformable retaining means 148 and 150 are defined between the tool receiving apertures 152 and 154, respectively, and the circular charge receiving opening 36C. Each of the upper and lower deformable retaining means 148 and 150 includes a relatively flexible beam portion having two ends such as 156 and 158 which are integrally formed with and fixed to the thin wall carrier 34C. The relatively flexible beam portion of each of the upper and lower deformable retaining means 148 and 150 are deformable into the charge opening 36C upon application of a force to a mid portion such as at points 160 and 162, thereof, said force being directed from the tool receiving apertures 152 and 154 toward the charge opening 36C. A suitable tool for deforming the deformable retaining means 148 and 150 of FIG. 11 is a flat bladed screwdriver having a 90° bend in the shank of the tool. The flat blade of the screwdriver can be inserted into the tool receiving aperture 152 or 154 and then rotated about an axis extending radially relative to the cylindrical carrier 34C to bow the deformable retaining means 148 and 150 outward into the shapes indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 11. The carrier 34C further includes second tool receiving openings 164 and 166 associated with the upper and lower deformable retaining means 148 and 150, respectively. The second tool receiving openings are spaced from the elongated slots 152 and 154 on a side thereof opposite the charge opening 36C so that a pair of pliers or the like can be engaged with the second tool receiving openings such as 164 and the beam portion of the deformable retaining means to deform the beam portion away from the charge opening and back toward its initial position. These second tool receiving openings 164 and 166 are utilized in the manner described above to allow the shaped charge 36C to be removed from the carrier 34C. FIG. 12 is an elevation sectioned partial view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing the shaped charge 38C in place within the carrier 34C and illustrating how deformable retaining means 148 and 150 function. The upper retaining means 148 has not yet been deformed. The lower retaining means 150 has been deformed in FIG. 12 to a position like that shown in phantom lines in FIG. 11. When the upper retaining means 148 is also deformed inward, the shaped charge 38C will be securely held within the carrier 34C. The shaped charge 38C has a generally cylindrical outer surface 168 the entirety of which can be received through the initially circular opening 36C. The cylindrical carrier 34C has associated therewith an inner charge holder tube 170 shown in cross section which is located concentrically within the cylindrical carrier 34C. The tube 170 has a longitudinal axial bore 172 disposed therethrough for receiving a prima cord or the like. The charge holder tube 170 further includes a plurality of frustoconical radially oriented openings such as 174 for receiving a complementary angled frustoconical nose portion 176 of the shaped charge 38C. After the nose portion 176 is nested into the opening 174, the upper and lower deformable retaining means 148 and 150 are deformed to the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 11 and the shaped charge 38C is thus held in place within the carrier 34C. FIGS. 13 and 14 show a charge receiving opening 36D somewhat similar to the charge receiving opening 36C of FIG. 11, in that the charge receiving opening 36D is a substantially uniform circle of constant diameter. The carrier 34D is a flat strip type carrier. Upper and lower deformable retaining means 178 and 180 are defined between the charge opening 36D and upper and lower tool receiving apertures 182 and 184 in a manner similar to that previously described. As seen in FIG. 14, a shaped charge 38D has a generally cylindrical outer surface 186 with an enlarged diameter flange 188 defined at a radially outer end 190 thereof, with an undercut groove 192 of reduced diameter adjacent the flange 188. The circular flange 188 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the circular charge opening 36D so that a first annular shoulder or surface 194 thereof abuts the surface 196 of charge carrier 34D upon insertion of the shaped charge 38D into the opening 36D. Subsequently, the deformable retaining means 178 and 180 are bowed into the circular opening 36D and received within the groove 192. In FIG. 14, the lower deformable retaining means 180 is shown in a deformed position wherein it is received within the groove 192. One side of the groove 192 is defined by a second annular shoulder 198 of shaped charge 38D, and this second annular shoulder 198 will engage the upper and lower deformable retaining means 178 and 180 to retain the shaped charge 38D in place in the charge opening 36D.

Claims: A shaped charge carrier apparatus, comprising: a thin wall carrier (34A; 34B; 34C; 34D) having a charge opening (36A; 36B; 36C; 36D) disposed therethrough for receiving a shaped charge (38A; 38B; 38C; 38D) therein; and deformable retaining means (80,82; 142,144; 148,150; 178,180), integrally formed in said thin wall carrier adjacent a periphery of said charge opening, for engaging the charge to retain it in the opening; and an aperture (86; 146; 152,154; 182,184) in the thin wall carrier; characterised in that the aperture is an elongated slot for receiving a tool, and the retaining means is such as to allow said shaped charge to be fully received in said charge opening without engagement with the retaining means, the retaining means being thereafter deformable, by a tool inserted through said slot, to engage said charge to retain it in said charge opening. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tool receiving aperture (86; 146; 152,154; 182,184) is adjacent said deformable retaining means so that said deformable retaining means is at least partially defined between said tool receiving aperture and said charge opening. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tool receiving aperture is completely separate from said charge opening. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said deformable retaining means includes a relatively flexible beam portion (88) having two ends (90,92) both of which are integrally fixed to said thin wall carrier, said beam portion being defined between said tool receiving aperture and said charge opening. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said deformable retaining means further includes a tab portion (94) integrally attached to said beam portion between the two ends thereof, said tab portion extending from said beam portion toward said charge opening. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said tool receiving aperture is oriented substantially parallel to a length of said beam portion of said deformable retaining means. A shaped charge carrier assembly apparatus for use in a perforating gun comprising at least one shaped charge (38A; 38B; 38D) including an outer case, said case (50) having a generally cylindrical outer surface (52; 122; 186) having first and second oppositely facing annular shoulders (54,56; 124,126; 194,198) defined thereon; a carrier (34A; 34B; 34D) having a substantially circular charge opening (36A; 36B; 36D) disposed therethrough large enough to receive said generally cylindrical outer surface of said case with said first annular shoulder abutting said carrier; an aperture (86; 146; 152,154; 182,184) in the carrier; and deformable retaining means (80,82; 142,144; 178,180), permanently attached to said carrier adjacent a periphery of said charge opening; characterised in that the aperture is an elongated slot for receiving a tool; said retaining means is such as to initially allow said shaped charge to be fully received in said charge opening without engagement with the retaining means but is thereafter deformable, by a tool inserted through said slot, to engage said second annular shoulder to thereby retain said shaped charge in said charge opening. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said deformable retaining means is integrally formed with said carrier. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said carrier is a thin wall carrier. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said carrier is a tubular thin wall carrier having a substantially circular cross section. Apparatus according to claim 7,8,9 or 10, wherein said substantially circular charge opening has a reduced diameter portion (68) located approximately in and adjacent a plane normal to a longitudinal central axis of said tubular carrier, so that said first annular shoulder abuts said carrier at at least two substantially diametrically opposed points of support (72,72; 74,74) on a periphery of said reduced diameter portion of said charge opening; and wherein there are at least two separate deformable retaining means on opposite sides of an imaginary line between said at least two substantially diametrically opposed points of support. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said carrier, said charge opening, and said shaped charge are so dimensioned and arranged that, when said first annular shoulder abuts said at least two points of support on the periphery of said reduced diameter portion of said charge opening said second annular shoulder is located radially inward of said at least two separate deformable retaining means, so that upon subsequent deformation of said at least two separate deformable retaining means longitudinally into said charge opening and radially inward against said second annular shoulder, said shaped charge is held between said at least two points of support and said at least two separate deformable retaining means. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said first and second annular shoulders thereof are located intermediately along a length of said case of said charge. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said second annular shoulder on the shaped charge is located substantially adjacent an end of said case. A method of assembling a shaped charge carrier apparatus for use in a perforating gun, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one shaped charge (38A; 38B; 38C; 38D) having a generally cylindrical outer surface (52; 122; 186) and having first and second oppositely facing shoulders (54,56; 124,126; 194,198) defined thereon; (b) providing a thin wall carrier (34A; 34B; 34D) having a substantially circular charge opening (36A; 36B; 36D) disposed therethrough large enough to receive said generally cylindrical outer surface of said shaped charge, said carrier further having a deformable retaining means (80,82; 142,144; 178,180) integrally formed therewith adjacent a periphery of said charge opening, and also having an aperture (86; 146; 152,154; 182,184) therein; (c) inserting said shaped charge into said charge opening until said first shoulder abuts said carrier; and (d) deforming said deformable retaining means into said charge opening to thereby retain said shaped charge in said charge opening of said carrier; characterised in that the aperture is an elongated slot for receiving a tool, and in step (c) the shaped charge is fully received in said charge opening without engagement with the retaining means, and said retaining means is thereafter deformed by a tool inserted through said slot, to engage said charge to retain it in said charge opening. A method according to claim 15, wherein in step (b) said tool receiving aperture (86; 146; 152,154; 182,184) is adjacent said deformable retaining means, said tool receiving aperture being completely separate from said charge opening so that said deformable retaining means includes a relatively flexible beam portion (88) having two ends (90,92) both of which are integrally fixed to said thin wall carrier, said beam portion being defined between said tool receiving aperture and said charge opening, said tool receiving aperture being an elongated slot oriented substantially parallel to a length of said beam portion of said deformable retaining means, and said deformable retaining means further including a tab portion (94) integrally attached to said beam portion between the two ends thereof, said tab portion extending from said beam portion toward said charge opening; and wherein step (d) comprises: (1) inserting a thin bladed tool (96) into said tool receiving aperture; (2) rotating said tool about an axis parallel to said length of said beam portion with an inserted end of said tool moving toward said charge opening; (3) thereby bowing said beam portion toward said charge opening so that said tab portion extends into said charge opening; (4) thereby also torsionally rotating said beam portion in a direction opposite to that in which said tool was rotated thus moving said tab portion away from a plane of said thin wall carrier in the same direction as that which said tool was inserted into said tool receiving aperture; and (5) thereby engaging said tab portion with said second shoulder of said shaped charge.

Inventors: APPLEDORN, ROGER C., BEHLING, WILLIAM C., OESTREICH, MICHAEL L., RATLIFF, LARY G.
Applicants: HALLIBURTON COMPANY
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E21B43
IPC codes: E21B43