System for automated assembly of a tool string

Abstract

A system for automated assembly of a tool string may include a pod defining a pod interior, a magazine provided in the pod interior and configured to hold a plurality of perforating guns, a tool string assembler provided in the pod interior and configured to receive the perforating gun and couple the perforating gun to a mid-assembly tool string, a conveyor provided in the pod interior and configured to movably support the mid-assembly tool string, a ramp provided in the pod interior and configured to receive and store a completed tool string from the conveyor, and an ejector sled provided in the pod interior and configured to eject the completed tool string through a tool string ejection port to an exterior of the pod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for automated assembly of a tool string, the system comprising:
 a pod defining a pod interior;   a magazine provided in the pod interior and configured to hold a plurality of perforating guns;   a tool string assembler provided in the pod interior and configured to receive the perforating gun and couple the perforating gun to a mid-assembly tool string;   a conveyor provided in the pod interior and configured to movably support the mid-assembly tool string;   a ramp provided in the pod interior and configured to receive and store a completed tool string from the conveyor; and   am ejector sled provided in the pod interior and configured to eject the completed tool string through a tool string ejection port to an exterior of the pod.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an end cap remover provided in the pod interior and configured to receive a perforating gun from the magazine and remove an end cap from the perforating gun.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an assembly sled coupled to the mid-assembly tool string and configured to move the mid-assembly tool string along the conveyor.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mid-assembly tool string comprises a top connector; and   the assembly sled comprises an electrical tester configured to be in electrical communication with the top connector to test electrical connections within the mid-assembly tool string.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a perforating gun insertion port configured to receive perforating guns from the exterior of the pod and store the perforating guns in the magazine. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a top connector insertion port configured to receive a top connector from the exterior of the pod and deliver the top connector to the tool string assembler. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a setting tool insertion port configured to receive a setting tool from the exterior of the pod and deliver the setting tool to the tool string assembler. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a release tool insertion port configured to receive a release tool from the exterior of the pod and deliver the release tool to the tool string assembler. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pod further comprises a door to the exterior of the pod; and   the system is configured to shut down operation if the door is opened.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pod is climate controlled and sealed from the exterior of the pod. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pod is mobile. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the pod is a wheeled trailer. 
     
     
         13 . A method for automated assembly of a tool string, the method comprising:
 providing a pod defining a pod interior;   receiving a tool string component at a tool string assembler disposed in the pod interior;   using the tool string assembler to couple the perforating gun to a mid-assembly tool string;   conveying the mid-assembly tool string with a conveyer to make room for another component;   wherein the receiving a tool string component, using the tool string assembler to couple the tool string component to a mid-assembly tool string, and the conveying the mid-assembly tool string are iteratively performed until the mid-assembly tool string becomes a completed tool string.   
     
     
         14 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising transferring the completed tool string from the conveyer to a ramp. 
     
     
         15 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the pod comprises a magazine holding a plurality of perforating guns;   the tool string component is a perforating gun; and   the receiving a tool string component at the tool string assembler comprises receiving a perforating gun from the magazine.   
     
     
         16 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 an end cap remover is provided in the pod interior; and   the method further comprises using the end cap remover to remove an end cap from the perforating gun before receiving the tool string component at the tool string assembler.   
     
     
         17 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 testing electrical connections within the mid-assembly tool string.   
     
     
         18 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the receiving a tool string component at the tool string assembler comprises receiving a top connector from the exterior of the pod and delivering the top connector to the tool string assembler.   
     
     
         19 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the receiving a tool string component at the tool string assembler comprises receiving a setting tool from the exterior of the pod and deliver the setting tool to the tool string assembler.   
     
     
         20 . The method for automated assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising transporting the pod to a wellbore location.