Patent ID: 7360599

Claim:
A perforating apparatus comprising: a carrier; a solid metal energy absorbing charge holder formed from a single metal component positioned within the carrier, the energy absorbing charge holder having a plurality of charge receiving locations formed therein and a detonating cord receiving area; a plurality of shaped charges each having a case, the shaped charges positioned within the charge receiving locations of the energy absorbing charge holder such that the energy absorbing charge holder substantially surrounds the shaped charges, the shaped charges each having an initiation end and a discharge end, the initiation ends being disposed proximate the detonating cord receiving area of the energy absorbing charge holder; and a detonating cord positioned within the detonating cord receiving area of the energy absorbing charge holder and operable to initiate a detonation of the shaped charges, wherein the cases of the shaped charges are closely received within the charge receiving locations of the energy absorbing charge holder such that upon detonation of the shaped charges, energy is transferred from the cases to the energy absorbing charge holder, thereby reducing fragmentation of the cases.