Method and apparatus for adapting standard end cap assemblies of a perforating gun to function as tubing conveyed perforating end cap assemblies

Abstract

Method and apparatus for adapting a Standard End Cap assembly of a perforating gun to function as a Tubing Conveyed Perforating end cap assembly of a perforating gun. The method includes inserting an inner end cap into an opening of a Standard End Cap, and positioning the inner end cap such that the inner end cap and Standard End Cap become interlocked without the need of a snap ring. The apparatus includes an inner end cap that may include anchors or receivers, and a Standard End Cap that may include anchors or receivers, such that the anchors in one component correspond to the receivers in the other component to facilitate the interlocking of the two components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of adapting a Standard End Cap assembly of a perforating gun to function as a Tubing Conveyed Perforating end cap assembly of a perforating gun, comprising:
 a) a Standard End Cap that includes at least one receiver;   b) an inner end cap that includes at least one anchor;   c) whereby the inner end cap is inserted into an opening of the Standard End Cap; and   d) wherein the at least one anchor on the inner end cap interlocks with the at least one receiver on the Standard End Cap.   
     
     
         2 . The method of adapting a Standard End Cap assembly of a perforating gun to function as a Tubing Conveyed Perforating end cap assembly of a perforating gun claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one receiver is included on the inner ring of the Standard End Cap and the at least one anchor is included on the outer circumference of the inner end cap. 
     
     
         3 . A method of adapting a Standard End Cap assembly of a perforating gun to function as a Tubing Conveyed Perforating end cap assembly of a perforating gun, comprising:
 a) an inner end cap that includes at least one receiver;   b) a Standard End Cap that includes at least one anchor;   c) whereby the inner end cap is inserted into an opening of the Standard End Cap; and   d) wherein the at least one anchor on the Standard End Cap interlocks with the at least one receiver on the inner end cap.   
     
     
         4 . The method of adapting a Standard End Cap assembly of a perforating gun to function as a Tubing Conveyed Perforating end cap assembly of a perforating gun claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one receiver is included on the outer circumference of the inner end cap and the at least one anchor is included on the inner ring of the Standard End Cap. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for adapting a Standard End Cap assembly of a perforating gun to function as a Tubing Conveyed Perforating end cap assembly of a perforating gun, comprising:
 a) an inner end cap;   b) a Standard End Cap; and   c) whereby the inner end cap is able to interlock with the Standard End Cap when the inner end cap is inserted into an opening of the Standard End Cap.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 5 , wherein:
 a) the Standard End Cap includes at least one receiver; and   b) the inner end cap includes at least one anchor.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 5 , wherein:
 a) the Standard End Cap includes at least one anchor; and   b) the inner end cap includes at least one receiver.