Detonator having a mechanical shunt

A gun for controlling activation of an energetic material, the gun comprising:

• a gun assembly;
• and
• a mechanical shunt actionable between a default closed position, and an open position, the shunt in the default closed position is electrically connected with a power source and completes a first circuit that prevents power from being supplied to an energetic material as a fail-safe feature comprising a closed switch state with the power source, the shunt in the open position is electrically disconnected from the power source, removes the fail-safe feature, creates an open switch state with the power source, and completes a second circuit connecting the power source and the energetic material and supplying power to the energetic material, wherein the mechanical shunt is a conductive material in a concave shape held in the default closed position with stored strain energy;
• wherein the mechanical shunt is configured to communicate with an actuator in response to engaging a gun assembly and move from the default closed position to the open position in response to communicating with the actuator;
• wherein communicating with the actuator comprises reducing the curvature of the mechanical shunt such that it shifts to the open position.

A method for controlling activation of an energetic material, the method comprising:

• loading a detonator into a gun assembly;
• placing the gun assembly in a downhole wellbore environment;
• and
• providing power to the detonator;
• providing a mechanical shunt that is actionable between a default closed position, and an open position;
• wherein the mechanical shunt is a conductive material in a concave shape held in the default closed position with stored strain energy;
• electrically connecting the shunt, in the default closed position, with a power source and completing a first circuit that prevents power from being supplied to an energetic material as a fail-safe feature comprising a closed switch state with the power source;
• electrically disconnecting the shunt, in the open position, from the power source, removing the fail-safe feature, creating an open switch state with the power source, and completing a second circuit connecting the power source and the energetic material and supplying power to the energetic material;
• and
• configuring the mechanical shunt to communicate with an actuator in response to engaging a gun assembly and to move from the default closed position to the open position in response to communicating with the actuator;
• wherein communicating with the actuator comprises reducing the curvature of the mechanical shunt such that it shifts to the open position.