Shaped Charge Retainer System

Abstract

An apparatus and method for locking a detonating cord against a shaped charge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforating system comprising:
 a shaped charge including a shaped charge case having a lip;   a detonating cord;   a retainer fitting having:
 a base with a through hole adapted to allow an explosion to travel through it adapted to snap onto the lip of the charge case; 
 a middle portion; 
 an upper portion with a u-shaped cutout with a curved inner surface sized to securely snap onto the detonating cord; 
   wherein the detonating cord is captured and retained adjacent to the through hole by the retainer fitting and the retainer fitting is attached to the shaped charge by interaction of the base and the lip of the shaped charge case.   
     
     
         2 . A perforating system comprising:
 a shaped charge;   a detonating cord;   a retainer fitting having:
 a base; 
 an upper portion with a cutout adapted to retain the detonating cord; 
   wherein the detonating cord is captured and retained adjacent to the shaped charge by the retainer fitting and the retainer fitting is attached to the shaped charge by the retainer fitting base.   
     
     
         3 . The perforating system of  claim 2  wherein the shaped charge comprises a shaped charge case having a lip. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating system of  claim 3  wherein the base is adapted to snap onto the lip of the charge case. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating system of  claim 2  wherein the base is adapted to be snapped around the full length of the charge case. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating system of  claim 2  further comprising a through hole in the base adapted to allow an explosion to travel through the base. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating system of  claim 2  wherein the retainer fitting further comprises a middle portion. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating system of  claim 2  wherein the cutout of the upper portion is u-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating system of  claim 7  wherein the cutout of the upper portion has a curved inner surface adapted to fit against a detonating cord outer surface. 
     
     
         10 . The perforating system of  claim 2  wherein the cutout of the upper portion is sized to securely snap onto a detonating cord. 
     
     
         11 . A perforating system comprising:
 a shaped charge including a shaped charge case having a flange;   a detonating cord;   a retainer fitting having:
 a first detonating cord retainer shaped as an arch when viewed from the side, 
 a second detonating cord retainer shaped as an arch when viewed from the side, 
 a circular opening, and 
 an internal flange attached to the charge case flange; 
   wherein the retainer fitting is attached to the charge case by interaction of the charge case flange and retainer fitting internal flange, the detonating cord is captured and retained adjacent to the circular opening by the first and second detonating cord retainers.   
     
     
         12 . A perforating system comprising:
 a shaped charge;   a detonating cord;   a retainer fitting having:
 a first detonating cord retainer, 
 a second detonating cord retainer; 
   wherein the detonating cord is captured by the first and second detonating cord retainers.   
     
     
         13 . The perforating system of  claim 12  wherein the shaped charge comprises a shaped charge case having a flange. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating system of  claim 13  wherein the retainer fitting further comprises an internal flange attached to the charge case flange. 
     
     
         15 . The perforating system of  claim 12  wherein the retainer fitting is adapted to be snapped around the full length of the charge case. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating system of  claim 12  wherein the first detonating cord retainer is shaped as an arch when viewed from the side. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating system of  claim 12  wherein the second detonating cord retainer is shaped as an arch when viewed from the side. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating system of  claim 13  wherein the retainer fitting further comprises a circular opening. 
     
     
         19 . The perforating system of  claim 18  wherein the detonating cord is retained adjacent to the circular opening by the first and second detonating cord retainers. 
     
     
         20 . The perforating system of  claim 12  wherein the retainer fitting is attached to the charge case by interaction of the charge case flange and retainer fitting internal flange.