# US 11,078,763 B2 · Downhole perforating tool with integrated detonation assembly and method of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,078,763 B2 - Document ID: US11078763B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/676,246 - Filed: 2019-11-06 - Published: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-10 - Assignees: GR Energy Services Management, LP - Applicants: GR Energy Services Management, LP - Inventors: James William Anthony; Cameron Michael Bryant; Vadim Akhmadikin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078763B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/117: Shaped-charge perforators (E21B43/118 takes precedence) - E21B 43/119: Details, e.g. for locating perforating place or direction - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An integrated detonation assembly of a perforating unit includes a detonator assembly and a charge assembly. The detonator assembly is positioned in the outer housing and comprises a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connection having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator and to a remote actuator. The charge assembly is insertable into the outer housing, and comprises a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru; and a receiver. The receiver is at an opposite end of the charge tube, and has a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the charge feedthru is connectable to the bulkhead. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection end has an asymmetrical cross-section corresponding to an asymmetrical cross-section of the receptacle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection end has openings to receive contacts of the trigger therethrough, the contacts communicatively engageable with the receiver. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein the charge feedthru comprises a locking cap, a plunger, a retainer, and an end plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The detonation assembly of claim 4, wherein the detonator assembly further comprises a detonator feedthru supported in the bulkhead, the detonator feedthru engageable with the plunger of the charge connector and coupled to the detonator by the trigger. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein the detonator assembly further comprises a detonator housing connectable between the bulkhead and the charge connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises a switch, a plurality of plugs, and a contact. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein the charge connector is connectable to the charge feedthru of another charge assembly of another perforating unit of the downhole tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, further comprising a communication link coupling the trigger to a remote actuator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The detonation assembly of claim 1, wherein a charge cable is coupled to the charge feedthru. ### Claim 11 A perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising: an outer housing; and a detonation assembly positionable in the outer housing, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; shaped charges carried by the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The perforating unit of claim 11, wherein the bulkhead is threadedly connectable to the outer housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The perforating unit of claim 11, wherein the charge assembly further comprises rings positionable about the charge tube for sliding insertion into the outer housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The perforating unit of claim 11, further comprising a conveyance connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A method of assembling a downhole perforating tool, the method comprising: assembling the detonation assembly of claim 10 by: connecting the bulkhead of the detonator assembly to the outer housing; and connecting the detonator assembly to the charge assembly by inserting the charge assembly in the outer housing while receiving the connection end of the charge connector into the receiver; connecting the outer housing to the downhole tool; and establishing a communication link between the detonator and a surface receiver. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting another perforating unit to the detonation assembly by connecting an another outer housing of the another perforating unit to the bulkhead of the detonation assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting another perforating unit to the detonation assembly by connecting an another charge feedthru of another detonation assembly of the another perforating unit to the bulkhead of the detonation assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the assembling the detonation assembly comprises assembling the detonator assembly; assembling the charge assembly; positioning the charge assembly in a tool housing; positioning the detonator assembly in the tool housing; and electrically connecting the detonator assembly with the charge assembly. ### Claim 19 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the connection end has an asymmetrical cross-section corresponding to an asymmetrical cross-section of the receptacle. ### Claim 20 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the connection end has openings to receive contacts of the trigger therethrough, the contacts communicatively engageable with the receiver. ### Claim 21 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the charge feedthru comprises a locking cap, a plunger, a retainer, and an end plate. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The detonation assembly of claim 21, wherein the detonator assembly further comprises a detonator feedthru supported in the bulkhead, the detonator feedthru engageable with the plunger of the charge connector and coupled to the detonator by the trigger. ### Claim 23 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the detonator assembly further comprises a detonator housing connectable between the bulkhead and the charge connector. ### Claim 24 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the trigger comprises a switch, a plurality of plugs, and a contact. ### Claim 25 A detonation assembly for a perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising an outer housing connectable to the downhole tool, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the charge feedthru is connectable to the bulkhead; and wherein a charge cable is coupled to the charge feedthru. ### Claim 26 A perforating unit of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the perforating unit comprising: an outer housing; and a detonation assembly positionable in the outer housing, the detonation assembly comprising: a detonator assembly positioned in the outer housing, the detonator assembly comprising: a bulkhead connected to the outer housing; a charge connector connected to the bulkhead, the charge connector having a connection end; a detonator carried by the charge connector; and a trigger coupled to the detonator; and a charge assembly insertable into the outer housing, the charge assembly comprising: a charge tube to support shaped charges therein; a charge feedthru at one end of the charge tube; and a receiver at an opposite end of the charge tube, the receiver having a receptacle shaped to matingly receive the connection end of the charge connector and to engage the trigger whereby, upon insertion of the charge assembly into the outer housing, the receiver is oriented and communicatively secured to the detonator assembly; wherein the charge assembly further comprises rings positionable about the charge tube for sliding insertion into the outer housing.