Patent ID: 7997353

Claim:
An apparatus for perforating wells comprising a plurality of perforating charges; means for retaining said perforating charges in a first array, said first array having a first maximum cross sectional area and a primary axis, the perforating charges in the first array having firing directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the primary axis; and means for expanding the cross sectional area of said first array into a second three dimensional array, said second array having a second maximum cross sectional area larger than said first maximum cross sectional area; wherein said means for expanding comprises a movable piece and a mechanism to move said moveable piece; and said means to retain said perforating charges comprises: i. at least one flange securely attached in one end to a fixed adapter and in the other to said movable piece, and; ii. said plurality of perforating charges securely attached to said at least one flange, wherein said mechanism moves said movable piece in a direction to compress said at least one flange thereby expanding said first array into said second array.