Apparatus for Electromechanically Connecting a Plurality of Guns for Well Perforation

Abstract

A gun assembly for perforating wells comprising a plurality of guns with shape charges aligned centrically by end caps having insulated connector pins for conducting electrical signals and pressure through the end caps while preventing debris from the blast of one gun from entering and damaging the electrical connections and components of the next gun. The end caps being interconnected physically and electrically by specialized intermediate subs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intermediate sub for connecting two perforating gun assemblies comprising:
 a cylindrical body comprised of:
 an electrically conductive material; 
 having a bore through the axis from end to end; 
 a pin fitting at each end; 
   a feed through pin within the bore, the pin comprising:
 a cylindrical conductive core; 
 an electrically insulating coating; 
 a plurality of ringed grooves encircling the pin's side, and 
 an electrical contact surface at each end; 
   a plurality of O-rings encircling the pin, seated in the grooves, and having an outer diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the bore in the body;   the pin substantially constrained to movement only along the axis.   
     
     
         2 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein the bore diameter is less than the thickness of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         3 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein the external cylindrical wall cylindrical body is substantially complete and void of any ports, openings, or accesses through the external cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         4 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical body mechanically and electrically joins the two perforating gun assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein the movement of the feedthrough pin within the bore transmits mechanical energy from one of the two perforating gun assemblies along the central axis, and through the intermediate sub to the distal perforating gun assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein the feedthrough pin within the bore is an electrically conductive connection between the two perforating gun assemblies. 
     
     
         7 . The intermediate sub of  claim 6  wherein the feedthrough pin electrically propagates detonation signals between the two perforating gun assemblies. 
     
     
         8 . The intermediate sub of  claim 6  wherein the feedthrough pin electrically connects to a detonation circuit of at least one of the two perforating gun assemblies. 
     
     
         9 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein electrical energy from the feedthrough pin within the bore is electrically isolated from gun body casings of the two perforating gun assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The intermediate sub of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of O-rings encircling the pin mates with the interior diameter of the bore to seal the bore opening between the two perforating gun assemblies.