Multi-element hybrid perforating apparatus

Abstract

A perforating apparatus includes a carrier, explosive devices mounted to the carrier, energetic cells arranged among the explosive devices, and a sleeve to receive at least a portion of the carrier, where the sleeve is formed of an energetic material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforating apparatus comprising:
 a carrier;   explosive devices mounted to the carrier;   energetic cells arranged among the explosive devices; and   a sleeve defining an inner chamber that receives at least a portion of the carrier, the sleeve being formed of an energetic material, the energetic cells and the sleeve for activation in response to detonation of the explosive devices.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a loading tube containing the explosive devices and the energetic cells. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the explosive devices include perforator charges. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the perforator charges includes:
 a case;   an explosive inside the case;   a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive to form a perforating jet; and   a member formed of an energetic material for activation in response to detonation of the explosive, wherein the member is retained to the case.   
     
     
         5 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outer housing in which the carrier is contained; and   a second sleeve formed of an energetic material around an outer surface of the outer housing.   
     
     
         6 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a propellant, a high explosive, a gun powder, a combustible metallic powder, thermite, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of sections, wherein a first of the sections includes the carrier, explosive devices, and sleeve, and wherein a second of the sections connected to the first section includes a charge formed of an energetic material. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes openings corresponding to positions of the explosive devices mounted to the carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve further includes grooves interconnecting the openings, and the perforating apparatus further comprises a detonating cord arranged along the grooves, wherein the detonating cord is ballistically connected to the explosive devices. 
     
     
         10 . A modular sleeve comprising:
 a tubular structure defining an inner chamber to receive a carrier mounted with explosive devices, the tubular structure formed of an energetic material for activation by detonation of the explosive devices,   the tubular structure including openings corresponding to positions of the explosive devices mounted to the carrier.   
     
     
         11 . The modular sleeve of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular structure further includes grooves interconnecting the openings, the grooves to receive a detonating cord for ballistic coupling to the explosive devices. 
     
     
         12 . The modular sleeve of  claim 11 , wherein the grooves extend generally along a spiral path along the tubular structure. 
     
     
         13 . The modular sleeve of  claim 10 , wherein the energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a propellant, a high explosive, a gun powder, a combustible metallic powder, thermite, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method of assembling a perforating apparatus, comprising:
 providing a carrier;   mounting explosive devices to the carrier;   arranging energetic cells among the explosive devices; and   providing a sleeve around the carrier, the sleeve being formed of an energetic material, and the sleeve and energetic cells for activation in response to detonation of the explosive devices.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein providing the carrier comprises providing a loading tube containing the explosive devices and energetic cells. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing the carrier inside an outer housing of the perforating apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a second sleeve around the outer housing, the second sleeve formed of an energetic material for activation in response to detonation of the explosive devices. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein mounting the explosive devices comprises mounting perforator charges.