Multiple point initiation for non-axisymmetric shaped charge

Abstract

A non-axisymmetric shaped charge including a casing, such as a non-axisymmetric shaped casing, and a liner housed therein, is generally described in which the casing includes multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the casing. The non-axisymmetric shaped charge may include a plurality of guiding members positioned on the external surface. The non-axisymmetric shaped charge is capable of creating sufficient ballistic energy to uniformly collapse the liner.

1 . A non-axisymmetric shaped charge comprising:
 a non-axisymmetric shaped casing having a hollow interior;   a liner housed within the non-axisymmetric shaped casing;   an explosive load disposed within the hollow interior; and   multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.   
     
     
         2 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 1 , wherein the non-axisymmetric shaped casing is further defined by a front portion, a plurality of side wall portions and a back wall portion, wherein the front portion is open. 
     
     
         3 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 2 , wherein the explosive load is enclosed, encased or positioned between the liner and the back wall portion. 
     
     
         4 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 2  wherein the liner has a V-shaped cross-section that extends along at least a portion of a length of the back wall portion between two opposing side wall portions of the plurality of side wall portions. 
     
     
         5 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple initiation points are arranged in a substantially linear configuration with respect to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple initiation points comprises three or more initiation points. 
     
     
         7 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guiding members positioned on the external surface. 
     
     
         8 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of guiding members are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of guiding members are spaced apart from each other providing a gap configured for aligning a detonating cord along the external surface of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing. 
     
     
         10 . The non-axisymmetric shaped charge of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of guiding members are arranged in a slanted direction to position a detonating cord in a substantially helical pattern. 
     
     
         11 . A perforating gun comprising:
 a shaped charge carrier tube having openings; and   a plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges, wherein each of the plurality of shaped charges are positioned within each of the openings, further wherein each of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges comprises:
 a non-axisymmetric shaped casing having a hollow interior; 
 a liner housed within the non-axisymmetric shaped casing; 
 an explosive load disposed within the hollow interior; and 
 multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing. 
   
     
     
         12 . The perforating gun of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges further comprise a plurality of guiding members positioned on the external surface. 
     
     
         13 . The perforating gun of  claim 11 , wherein the non-axisymmetric shaped casing is further defined by a front portion, a plurality of side wall portions and a back wall portion, wherein the front portion is open. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating gun of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges are positioned in the shaped charge carrier tube in an outwardly facing helical arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . The perforating gun of  claim 11 , wherein at least a pair of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges are positioned in the shaped charge carrier tube in an abutting external surface to external surface arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating gun of  claim 12 , further comprising a detonating cord, wherein the detonating cord is arranged exteriorly to the shaped charge carrier tube. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating gun of  claim 12 , further comprising a detonating cord, wherein the detonating cord is arranged within a bore of the shaped charge carrier tube and positioned within a gap disposed between the plurality of guiding members. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating gun of  claim 15 , further comprising a detonating cord arranged within a bore of the shaped charge carrier tube and positioned between the abutting external surfaces of each of the pairs of the plurality of non-axisymmetric shaped charges. 
     
     
         19 . A method of forming a non-axisymmetric shaped charge comprising:
 forming a non-axisymmetric shaped casing having a hollow interior defined by a front portion, a plurality of side wall portions, and a back wall portion, wherein the front portion is open;   forming multiple initiation points in the back wall portion of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing, the multiple initiation points extending in a planar arrangement along an external surface of the back wall portion; delivering an explosive load into the hollow interior of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing; and   restraining the explosive load within the hollow interior by positioning a liner within the open front portion of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising forming and positioning a plurality of guiding members on the external surface of the back wall portion of the non-axisymmetric shaped casing.