Patent · US Expired

Initiation of explosive devices

US6386108B1 · kind B1 · utility

88Cited by
46References
34Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 1999
Grant dateMay 14, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF42B3/198
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A perforating gun or other downhole tool includes one or more explosive devices that are activable by corresponding one or more initiator devices, such as capacitor discharge units (CDUs). Each CDU includes an explosive foil initiator (EFI) or some other type of a high-energy bridge-type initiator, an energy source (e.g., a slapper capacitor), and a switch coupling the energy source and the EFI or other bridge-type initiator. An electrical cable is coupled to the CDUs for providing a voltage to energize the energy source in the CDUs to provide energy to each EFI. In response to activation of a trigger signal down the electrical cable, the switch is closed to couple the energy source to the EFI.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.