U.S. patent application number 17/389992 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for perforating tandem sub with thermoplastic core and body and encapsulated pin.
The applicant listed for this patent is UNIARMOUR LLC. Invention is credited to Alessandro CACCIALUPI, Hazem Abdel HALIM.
Application Number | 20220034205 17/389992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220034205 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CACCIALUPI; Alessandro ; et
al. |
February 3, 2022 |
PERFORATING TANDEM SUB WITH THERMOPLASTIC CORE AND BODY AND
ENCAPSULATED PIN
Abstract
A hybrid sub for perforating guns includes a metallic tubular
body. A metallic pin member is encapsulated by a plastic body. The
plastic body preferably has threads on exterior surface thereof
which form a thread union with threads on the interior surface of
the metallic tubular body. The pin member may be threadedly
received in the interior plastic body. A perforating gun sub having
a pin member encapsulated by a plastic body is also disclosed,
wherein the need for an outer metallic tubular body is
eliminated.
Inventors: |
CACCIALUPI; Alessandro;
(Houston, TX) ; HALIM; Hazem Abdel; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNIARMOUR LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/389992 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63058620 |
Jul 30, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
E21B 43/119 20060101
E21B043/119 |
Claims
1. A sub for perforating guns comprising: a metallic tubular body
having an interior with female threads on a surface thereof; a
plastic body having male threads on an exterior surface thereof;
said plastic body being threadedly received in the interior of said
metallic tubular body; and a metallic pin member extending through
the interior of said metallic tubular body, said pin member being
encapsulated by said plastic body.
2. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, wherein said plastic
body is not composed of a Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
material.
3. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, said pin member having
a central section and outwardly-extending end sections, said
central section having a maximum diameter greater than diameters of
said outwardly-extending end sections.
4. The sub for perforating guns of claim 3, said central section of
said metallic pin member comprises a plurality of grooves .
5. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of o-rings positioned between said plastic body and said
metallic tubular body.
6. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, said metallic pin
member being a conductive material.
7. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, said metallic tubular
body having a ledge at one end thereof, said plastic body having a
flange configured to abut said ledge of said metallic tubular
body.
8. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, said metallic pin
member being partially encapsulated, wherein end sections of said
metallic pin member are exposed so as to connect to adjacent
perforating gun sections.
9. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, said pin member having
male threads on an exterior surface thereof, said plastic body
having female threads on an interior surface thereof, said metallic
pin member being threadedly received in an interior of said plastic
body.
10. The sub for perforating guns of claim 9, wherein said pin
member has at least one groove on the exterior surface thereof, and
wherein at least one o-ring is received by said at least one groove
of said pin member.
11. The sub for perforating guns of claim 1, said plastic body
being composed of a nylon thermoplastic material with glass
fill.
12. A sub for perforating guns comprising: a plastic body having
male threads on an exterior surface thereof; and a metallic pin
member extending through an interior of said plastic body, said pin
member being encapsulated by said plastic body.,
13. The sub for perforating guns of claim 12, said pin member
having a central section and outwardly extending end sections, said
central section having a maximum diameter greater than diameters of
said outwardly extending end sections
14. The sub for perforating guns of claim 13, said central section
of said pin member comprising a plurality of grooves.
15. The sub for perforating guns of claim 12, wherein said plastic
body is not composed of a Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
material.
16. The sub for perforating guns of claim 12, said pin member being
a conductive material.
17. A sub for perforating guns comprising: a metallic tubular body
having an interior with female threads on a surface thereof; a
plastic body having male threads on an exterior surface thereof;
said plastic body being threadedly received in the interior of said
metallic tubular body; and a metallic pin member extending through
the interior of said metallic tubular body, said pin member being
encapsulated by said plastic body, said pin member having male
threads on an exterior surface thereof, said plastic body having
female threads on an interior surface thereof, said pin member
being threadedly received in an interior of said plastic body.
18. The sub for perforating guns of claim 17, said pin member
having at least one groove on said exterior surface thereof,
wherein at least one o-ring is positioned in said at least one
groove.
19. The sub for perforating guns of claim 17, said plastic body
having a ledge at one end thereof, said pin member having a flange
configured to abut said ledge of said plastic body.
20. The sub for perforating guns of claim 17, wherein said plastic
body is not composed of a Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Application Ser. No. 63/058,620, filed Jul. 30, 2020, presently
pending.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC
[0004] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to the field of perforating
guns. More particularly, the present invention relates to subs for
connecting perforating gun sections. Even more particularly, the
present invention relates to a perforating gun sub consisting fully
or partially of thermoplastic material.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under
37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
[0006] Due to the loads and temperatures, components for use inside
oil wells are often fully formed of metallic material. For example,
subs which connect perforating gun sections are often formed of a
metallic material. These components are produced using a material
removal manufacturing process, such as machining. For example, the
perforating gun sub may be machined out of a solid bar of metallic
material.
[0007] Perforating guns are utilized to position and detonate a
series of shaped charges so as to perforate a casing within the
wellbore. Perforation of the casing and surrounding cement allows
fluids to be produced and brought to the surface.
[0008] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional perforating (perf) gun
assembly 10. In FIG. 1A, it can be seen how there are plurality of
perforating gun sections 12, 14, 16 and 18, wherein the perforating
gun section 18 is closest to the surface. The perforating gun
assembly 10 is positioned within the casing in a formation 22.
While the perforating gun assembly 10 is shown vertically
positioned, it is common for such an assembly to be positioned
along horizontally drilled wellbores.
[0009] Positioned between the perforating gun sections 12, 14, 16
and 18 are perforating gun subs 20. The perforating gun subs 20 are
used to connect the perforating gun sections and to conduct
electricity and signals required to detonate the charges at the
bottom of the perforating gun assembly 10.
[0010] The deepest perforating gun section 12 is the first to be
detonated during the detonation process. As such, another object of
the perforating gun sub is to maintain pressure within the
perforating gun assembly 10 after detonation of the first
perforating gun section 12 and so on.
[0011] Various patents have issued in the past relating to
perforating guns. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,471, which
issued to Barlow et al. on Feb. 8, 2005 discloses a perforating
gun. Specifically, this patent discloses a perforating gun assembly
wherein the gun is assembled in a carrier made from straight walled
tubing as a primary structural member with complementary male and
female threads cut into opposite ends so that gun assemblies maybe
directly connected together. The male coupling includes a
reinforcing sleeve threaded into an internal thread. An alignment
pin is positioned in the carrier extending through the reinforcing
ring and into the interior of the carrier. A charge assembly
includes a charge holder tube with upper and lower alignment
fixtures. The lower alignment fixture includes an alignment slot
for mating with the alignment pin and a shoulder for supporting the
charge assembly on the sleeve. The upper alignment fixture has an
alignment pin for mating with an alignment slot in the carrier. A
retainer ring may be threaded into the upper female threads to
prevent removal of the charge assembly from the carrier.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,003, which issued on Aug. 19, 2014, to
Le et al. discloses another perforating gun assembly and method.
The method disclosed in the patent includes providing a gun string
assembly within a wellbore and perforating the wellbore using the
gun string assembly. The gun string assembly comprises a plurality
of perforating guns coupled in series. A first perforating gun of
the plurality of perforating guns comprises a first portion of
shaped charges, and a second perforating gun of the plurality of
perforating guns comprises a second portion of shaped charges
operably associated with a secondary pressure generator. The first
perforating gun and the second perforating gun are configured in
the gun string assembly to provide a pressure transient comprising
one or more pressures at a location in the wellbore that meet one
or more thresholds.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perforating gun sub 20
in accordance with the prior art. The perforating gun sub 20 has a
metallic body 24 with a series of male threads 26 on each side
thereof. The typical perforating gun sub 20 is a male-male pin
connector. A pin member 28 extends through the interior of the
metallic body 24. The pin member 28 is constructed of a conductive
material such as aluminum or steel so as to pass current and/or
signals through the perforating gun assembly to reach the furthest
perforating gun section. As it is necessary to insulate the
metallic body 24 from the pin 28, a Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
encapsulation 30 is provided over the pin member 28. The PEEK
encapsulation 30 represents a significant cost in the traditional
perforating gun sub.
[0014] A nut 32 is utilized to hold the pin member 28 into place
within the metallic body 24 of the perf gun sub. Several O-rings 40
may be utilized as well.
[0015] Also shown in FIG. 1 are recesses 38 at each end of the
perforating gun sub 20. The first end 34 of the perforating gun sub
20 is connectable to the bottom of an upper perforating gun
section, while the second end 36 is connectable to the top of a
lower perforating gun section. Specifically, the male threads 26
adjacent the first end 34 of the perforating gun sub 20 would
engage with female threads of an upper perf gun section, while the
male threads 26 adjacent the second end 36 of the perf gun sub
would engage with the female threads of a lower perf gun to the
section.
[0016] The conventional perforating gun sub is made utilizing a
material removal manufacturing process, such as machining As such,
the perforating gun sub 20 as shown in FIG. 1 is produced starting
with a solid bar or cylinder of metallic material, and then the
interior passageways and recesses are machined out. It is obvious
that this process becomes costly for high-volume manufacturing runs
such as those used in perforating gun parts manufacturing.
[0017] Various patents have issued in the past relating to
connection systems and subs for perforating guns. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,210,524, which issued on May 1, 2007, to Sloan et al.
discloses a perforating gun quick connection system. In particular,
the patent discloses a connection system to be used in conjunction
with a perforating gun comprising a top sub formed to receive one
end of a gun body of a perforating gun, a circumferential groove
disposed on the outer surface of the gun body, and a collet secured
to the top sub. The collet has at least one finger that engages the
groove. Engaging the groove with the at least one finger of the
collect connects the gun body to the top sub. A cover sleeve is
included that retains the finger in connective engagement with the
groove.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 9,157,718, which issued on Oct. 13, 2015, to
Ross discloses an interruption sub for perforating guns. The
interruption sub includes a barrier movable between a biased closed
position and an open position. The interruption sub prevents
ballistic transfer to the downhole tool in the closed position and
allowing ballistic transfer to the downhole tool in the open
position. A detonation path within the interruption sub has a
barrier which is hydraulically or electronically movable from the
closed position to the open position in response to at least one
condition acceptable for ballistic transfer. Also disclosed is a
downhole tool activatable by detonation.
[0019] In any case, conventional perforating gun subs of the prior
art present significant costs associated with manufacturing and
processing.
[0020] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
perforating gun sub which utilizes injection molded parts.
[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
perforating gun sub which is manufactured utilizing tubular parts
as opposed to solid cylindrical parts.
[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
perforating gun sub that which significantly reduces or completely
eliminates manufacturing costs associated with removal of the
metallic material from a bar or cylinder.
[0023] It is another object of the present invention to reduce the
number of parts associated with the perforating gun sub.
[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
perforating gun sub which maintains pressure within the perforating
gun string.
[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
perforating gun sub which reduces material costs for manufacturing
of the perforating gun sub.
[0026] It is another object of the present invention to reduce the
weight of the perforating gun sub.
[0027] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a perforating gun sub which eliminates the need for expensive PEEK
components.
[0028] In an embodiment, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a perforating gun sub which entirely eliminates the need
for metallic exterior components.
[0029] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached
specification and appended claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The present invention is a sub for perforating guns
including a metallic tubular body having interior with female
threads on the surface thereof, a plastic body having male threads
on the exterior surface thereof. The plastic body is threadedly
received in the interior of the metallic tubular body. A metallic
pin member extends through the interior of the metallic tubular
body. The metallic pin member is encapsulated by the plastic
body.
[0031] In an embodiment, the plastic body is not composed of a
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) material.
[0032] In an embodiment, the pin member has a central section and
outwardly extending end sections. The central section has a maximum
diameter greater than diameters of the outwardly extending and
sections. In an embodiment, the central section of the pin member
includes a plurality of grooves.
[0033] In an embodiment, the perforating gun sub further includes a
plurality of O-rings positioned between the plastic body and the
metallic body.
[0034] In an embodiment, the pin of the sub for perforating guns is
a conductive material.
[0035] In an embodiment, the metallic tubular body has a ledge at
one end thereof, and the plastic body has a flanged configured to
abut the ledge of the metallic tubular body.
[0036] In an embodiment, the pin member is partially encapsulated,
and sections of the pin member are exposed so as to connect to
adjacent perforating gun sections.
[0037] In an embodiment, the pin member has male threads on an
exterior surface thereof, while the plastic body has female threads
on the interior surface thereof. The pin member is threadedly
received the interior of the plastic body. In an embodiment, the
pin member has at least one groove on the exterior surface thereof.
At least one o-ring is received by the at least one groove of the
pin member.
[0038] The present invention is also a sub for perforating guns
including a plastic body having male threads on an exterior surface
thereof, and a metallic pin member extending through an interior of
the plastic body. The pin member is encapsulated by the plastic
body.
[0039] In an embodiment, the pin member has a central section and
outwardly extending end sections. The central section has a maximum
diameter greater than diameters of the outwardly extending end
sections. The pin can also be of uniform diameter, with or without
grooves and still perform the job.
[0040] In an embodiment, the central section of the pin member
includes a plurality of steps.
[0041] In an embodiment, the plastic body is not composed of a
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) material.
[0042] In an embodiment, the pin member is a conductive
material.
[0043] The present invention is also a sub for perforating guns
including a metallic tubular body having an interior with female
threads on a surface thereof, and a plastic body having male
threads on exterior surface thereof. The plastic body is threadedly
received in the interior of the metallic tubular body. A metallic
pin member extends for the interior of the metallic tubular body
and is encapsulated by the plastic body. The pin member has male
threads on an exterior surface thereof. The plastic body has female
threads on interior surface thereof. The pin member is threadedly
received an interior of the plastic body.
[0044] In an embodiment, the pin member has at least one groove on
the exterior surface thereof. At least one o-ring is received by
the at least one groove of the pin member.
[0045] In an embodiment, the plastic body has a ledge at one end
thereof and the pin member has a flanged configured to abut the
ledge of the plastic body.
[0046] In an embodiment, the plastic body is not composed of a
Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) material.
[0047] This foregoing Section is intended to describe, with
particularity, the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
It is understood that modifications to these preferred embodiments
can be made within the scope of the present claims. As such, this
Section should not to be construed, in any way, as limiting of the
broad scope of the present invention. The present invention should
only be limited by the following claims and their legal
equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a perforating gun sub of
the prior art.
[0049] FIG. 1A illustrates a perforating gun assembly positioned in
a formation.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the perforating gun sub
of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of the perforating gun sub of the present invention, wherein the
perforating gun sub lacks an exterior metallic body.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a perforating gun sub of
an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pin
is threadedly received by the plastic body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the perforating gun sub
50 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
perforating gun sub 50 is a tandem sub. FIG. 2 illustrates a
cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body of the perforating gun
sub 50. The perforating gun sub 50 of the present invention
preferably includes a metallic body 52. A plurality of male threads
54 are provided on the exterior of the metallic body 52 so as to
connect to adjacent perforating gun sections.
[0054] A metallic pin member 56 is illustrated has extending
through the interior of the perforating gun sub 50. The pin member
56 is a conductive material is encapsulated by an interior plastic
body 58. The interior plastic body 58 is preferably a thermoplastic
material with insulating properties, such as a nylon thermoplastic
material with glass fill. By utilizing the thermoplastic interior
plastic body, the need for expensive PEEK components to encapsulate
the pin is eliminated.
[0055] A thread union between the interior plastic body 58 and the
metallic body 52 comprises male threads 60 on the exterior of the
interior plastic body 58, and female threads 62 on interior of the
metallic body 52. As such, the pin member 56 and interior plastic
body 58 comprise a single part which is threadedly received by the
metallic body 52. A plurality of O-rings 64 may be positioned at
the thread union between the interior plastic body 58 and the
metallic body 52.
[0056] A first end 66 of the perforating gun sub 50 connects to the
top of a lower perforating section, while the second end 68 of the
perforating gun sub 50 connects to the bottom of an adjacent upper
perforating gun section. At the first end 66, the metallic body 52
preferably includes a ledge 67 formed therein. The corresponding
flange 69 of the interior plastic body 58 is configured to abut the
ledge 67. The recess 70 is shown in the second end 68, while a
V-shaped recess 72 is shown in the first end 66.
[0057] Importantly, FIG. 2 also illustrates how the pin member 56
has a central section 74 having a greater diameter than outwardly
extending end sections 75 of the pin member 56. This central
section 74 helps retain the pin member 56 within the interior
plastic body, so as to ensure that the perforating gun sub 50
maintains pressure within the perforating gun assembly. However, a
pin with uniform diameter is also within the concept of the present
invention and could also perform under pressure. Preferably, the
central section 74 has a plurality of grooves 76 formed therein.
These steps 76 further enhance the ability of the pin member 56 to
be retained within the interior plastic body 58.
[0058] FIG. 2 also illustrates how the metallic body 52 has a
maximum thickness T. This maximum thickness T is much thinner than
that of a conventional perforating gun sub formed from solid bar.
For example, the maximum thickness T of the perforating gun sub 50
of the present invention is approximately 50% of the maximum
thickness of the conventional perforating gun sub shown in FIG. 1.
This represents a significant reduction in mass of the perforating
gun sub 50, making it both easier to handle and less expensive to
ship and machine due to shorter processing times. The perforating
gun sub 50 of the present invention has the required strength to be
used in perforating gun assemblies, while also being of a
significantly reduced weight and cost.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative
embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, there is shown a
cross-sectional view of the cylindrical-shaped perforating gun sub
80. In this embodiment, the perforating gun sub 80 completely
eliminates the need for an outer metallic body and thus machining,
by making the sub almost entirely of injection molded
thermoplastic. The perforating gun sub 80 has an entirely plastic
body 82. Male threads 84 are shown on the exterior surface thereof
These male threads 84 are generally longer than the threads in the
metallic body example of FIG. 2. This increased length of the
perforating gun sub 80 is provided to compensate for the loss of
strength associated with elimination of the metallic body.
[0060] The metallic pin member 86 is shown as being encapsulated
within the plastic body 82. The pin member 86 extends between the
first end 88 and the second end 90 of the perforating gun sub 80.
Recesses 92 and 94 are shown on the second end 90 and first end 88,
respectively.
[0061] As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the perforating gun
sub 80 of the alternative embodiment of the present invention
preferably has a section of greater diameter 96 as compared to the
outwardly extending end sections of the pin member 86. A plurality
of steps 98 are preferably formed in the section of greater
diameter 96 of the pin member 86.
[0062] The perforating gun sub 80 of the alternative embodiment of
the present invention entirely eliminates the need for an outer
metallic body, thus saving significantly on costs associated with
manufacturing the perforating gun and also cost associated with the
shipping of the perforating gun sub.
[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
present invention. In this alternative embodiment, the perforating
gun sub 100 includes an exterior metallic body 102 with male
threads 104 on an exterior surface thereof A metallic pin member
106 is encapsulated by an interior plastic body 108. However, in
the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4, the pin member 106 has a
threaded section 122 with male threads engaging with corresponding
female threads on the interior plastic body 108. Preferably, this
threaded section 122 has a greater diameter than the remaining
sections of the pin member 106.
[0064] As with the case in FIG. 2, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4
has male threads 110 on the exterior surface of the interior
plastic body 108, which form a thread union with female threads 112
on the interior surface of the metallic body 102. A plurality of
0-rings 114 are also utilized at the thread union between the
metallic body 102 and the interior plastic body 108.
[0065] The pin member 106 of the alternative embodiment of the
present invention may also have a plurality of grooves 124 formed
thereon to house O-rings 125.
[0066] FIG. 4 also illustrates how the perforating gun sub 100 has
a maximum thickness T which is significantly less than the maximum
thickness of the conventional perf gun sub as illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates a series of ledges and corresponding
flanges which may be formed on the metallic body 102 and the
interior plastic body 108. For example, such ledges are shown the
positioned at the O-rings 114 and also at the rightmost side of the
perforating gun sub 100.
[0068] The perforating gun subs of the various embodiments of the
present invention can be manufactured partially or fully utilizing
injection molded parts, which results in significant savings in the
manufacturing of the perforating gun subs. In the cases where
metallic bodies are utilized, the perforating gun sub of the
present invention allows for the use of tubular parts to form the
metallic bodies as opposed to solid cylindrical parts or bars,
which decreases machining costs associated with the removal of
metallic material from the solid bar.
[0069] A reduction in the total number parts associated with the
perforating gun sub also reduces the complexity of the sub and
makes it easier to assemble.
[0070] In certain embodiments, the pin can be completely over
molded, whereas in other embodiments it is merely encapsulated and
inserted within the plastic body.
[0071] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is
illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the
details of the illustrated construction can be made within the
scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit
of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by
the following claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *