Patent ID: 8166882

Claim:
A shaped charge providing a segmented jet upon detonation for resulting in improved penetration of a formation, the shaped charge comprising: a case defining a volume therein; an open end of the case providing access to the volume defined by the case; a liner connected to and enclosing the open end of the case; an explosive located between the case and the liner; a liner wall of the liner extending into the volume defined by the case to provide an interior volume of the liner and an opening thereto; an apex portion of the liner wall distal from the opening of the liner wall and positioned within the volume defined by the case; a first thick portion of the liner wall extending circumferentially about the apex portion; a first wall thickness of the first thick portion; a second thick portion of the liner wall spaced from the first thick portion and extending parallel to the first thick wall portion circumferentially about the apex portion; a second wall thickness of the second thick portion; a thin portion of the liner wall located between the first thick portion and the second thick portion and extending circumferentially about the apex portion; and a third wall thickness of the thin portion of the liner wall being thinner than the first wall thickness of the first thick portion and thinner than the second wall thickness of the second thick portion to provide a reduced liner wall strength along the thin portion so that the liner separates into separate components along the thin portion upon detonation of the explosive positioned between the case and the liner.