Wireline release head

A wireline release head, comprising:

• a cutter box coupled to a housing between a top sub and a bottom sub comprising:
• a piston assembly operable to move within a first track defined in the cutter box;
• a cutter knife operable to move within a second track defined in the cutter box;
• a bulkhead, wherein a fire control switch is positioned within a cavity in the housing and the bulkhead is positioned atop the cavity to isolate pressure within the cavity, wherein at least one of the bulkhead and the cavity is substantially concentric with the housing;
• and
• a wireline receiving area for receiving at least a portion of a wireline, the wireline extending through the cutter box and the housing;
• wherein:
• the second track is angled relative to the first track;
• and
• activation of the fire control switch causes detonation of a power charge which causes movement of the piston assembly within the first track which causes the piston assembly to contact the cutter knife thereby causing the cutter knife to move within the second track, wherein movement of the cutter knife within the second track severs the wireline.

A method of severing a wireline, comprising:

• providing a wireline release head, comprising:
• a housing
• a cutter box positioned between a top sub and a bottom sub, the cutter box comprising a piston assembly operable to move within a first track, and a cutter knife operable to move within a second track;
• a fire control switch for selectively detonating a power charge;
• a bulkhead, wherein the fire control switch is positioned within a cavity in the housing and the bulkhead is positioned atop the cavity to isolate pressure within the cavity, wherein at least one of the bulkhead and the cavity is substantially concentric with the housing;
• and
• a wireline extending through the housing and the cutter box and being in electrical communication with a control unit and the fire control switch;
• and
• selectively activating the control unit to send an electrical signal through the wireline to the fire control switch;
• wherein the fire control switch detonates the power charge upon receipt of the electrical signal, the detonation of the power charge causing the piston assembly to move within the first track and contact the cutter knife, thereby causing the cutter knife to move within the second track, the movement of the cutter knife within the second track severing the wireline.