Perforating gun assembly with rotating shaped charge holder

Abstract

A downhole perforating gun system may include a first cylindrical gun housing including a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending axially therethrough. An electrical connector may be disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing and configured to communicate electrically in the downhole perforation gun system. A shaped charge holder and a first bearing component may be disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing such that the shaped charge holder is rotatable relative to the first cylindrical gun housing. A counterweight mechanism may include one or more weights and may be rotatable by the weights via the first bearing component based on gravity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A downhole perforating gun system comprising:
 a first cylindrical gun housing comprising a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending axially therethrough;   an electrical connector disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing and being configured to communicate electrically in the downhole perforation gun system;   a shaped charge holder disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing and being configured to hold a shaped charge;   a first bearing component disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing such that the shaped charge holder is rotatable relative to the first cylindrical gun housing; and   a counterweight mechanism comprising one or more weights, wherein the counterweight mechanism is rotatable by the weights via the first bearing component based on gravity acting on one or more of the one or more weights.   
     
     
         22 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , further comprising a second bearing component disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing such that the shaped charge holder is rotatable relative to the first cylindrical gun housing. 
     
     
         23 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein the shaped charge holder further comprises a channel; and wherein the electrical connector comprises an electrical contact disposed within the channel. 
     
     
         24 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the first cylindrical gun housing comprises a threaded inner surface. 
     
     
         25 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 24 , further comprising a second cylindrical gun housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second cylindrical gun housing comprises a threaded outer surface configured to couple with the threaded inner surface of the first cylindrical gun housing. 
     
     
         26 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more weights are retained on the shaped charge holder. 
     
     
         27 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein the shaped charge holder comprises at least one receptacle configured to hold the shaped charge; and
 wherein the counterweight mechanism comprises:   a first of a plurality of the one or more weights disposed at a first location of the shaped charge holder at a first end of the shaped charge holder; and   a second of a plurality of the one or more weights disposed at a second location of the shaped charge holder at a second end of the charge holder.   
     
     
         28 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of:
 the one or more weights are longitudinal; and   the one or more weights have a shape that is at least partially cylindrical.   
     
     
         29 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , comprising an insulated electrical conductor being configured for electrical connectivity to the downhole perforating gun system and being at least partially disposed through the first bearing component. 
     
     
         30 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 29 , comprising:
 an initiator disposed in the first cylindrical gun housing;   an initiator tip disposed in the first cylindrical gun housing at an end of the initiator; and   a circuit board disposed in the first cylindrical gun housing and being electrically connected to the initiator, the insulated electrical conductor, and the electrical connector.   
     
     
         31 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein the first bearing component comprises a first structure disposed on the shaped charge holder and comprises a second structure disposed inside the first cylindrical gun housing. 
     
     
         32 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 31 , wherein the first structure comprises a first housing member of a bearing housing; wherein the second structure comprises a second housing member of the bearing housing; and wherein the first bearing component comprises one or more bearings disposed between the first and second housing members. 
     
     
         33 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 21 , wherein the electrical contact passes through the first bearing component. 
     
     
         34 . A downhole perforating gun system comprising:
 a first cylindrical gun housing comprising a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending axially therethrough;   an electrical connector disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing and being configured to communicate electrically in the downhole perforation gun system;   a shaped charge holder disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing and being configured to hold a shaped charge;   a first bearing component disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing such that the shaped charge holder is rotatable relative to the first cylindrical gun housing;   a bulkhead assembly disposed proximate the first end of the first cylindrical gun housing and comprising a bulkhead body;   a sealing element disposed on an outer surface of the bulkhead body;   an electrically contactable bulkhead component comprising a pin extending from a first end of the bulkhead body, the electrically contactable bulkhead component being configured to communicate electrically in the downhole perforation gun system; and   a weight mechanism comprising one or more weights, wherein the weight mechanism is rotatable by the one or more weights via the first bearing component based on gravity acting on one or more of the one or more weights.   
     
     
         35 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 34 , further comprising a second bearing component disposed within the first cylindrical gun housing such that the shaped charge holder is rotatable relative to the first cylindrical gun housing. 
     
     
         36 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 34 , wherein the first end of the first cylindrical gun housing comprises a threaded inner surface. 
     
     
         37 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 36 , further comprising a second cylindrical gun housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second cylindrical gun housing comprises a threaded outer surface configured to engage with the threaded inner surface of the first cylindrical gun housing. 
     
     
         38 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 34 , wherein the weights are retained on the charge holder. 
     
     
         39 . A downhole perforating gun system comprising:
 a first housing having a first and a second end and defining an axial bore proximate the first end and a chamber extending from the axial bore to the second end, wherein the axial bore is in communication with the chamber;   a holder disposed in the first housing and being configured to hold at least one shaped charge, the holder having a counterweight retained thereon;   a first bearing component disposed in the first housing, the holder being rotatable in the chamber via the first bearing component based on gravity acting on the counterweight;   a bulkhead assembly being sealed in the axial bore of the first housing, the bulkhead having a bulkhead body;   an electrically contactable bulkhead component extending from the bulkhead body, the electrically contactable bulkhead component being configured to communicate electrically in the downhole perforation gun system;   an electrical connector disposed in the first housing and being configured to communicate electrically in the downhole perforation gun system;   an initiator disposed in the first housing; and   a circuit board disposed in the first housing, the circuit board being electrically coupled to the electrical connector, the electrically contactable bulkhead component, and the initiator.   
     
     
         40 . The downhole perforating gun system of  claim 39 , wherein the first end of the first housing comprises a threaded inner surface; and wherein the downhole perforating gun system comprises a second housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second housing comprises a threaded outer surface configured to engage with the threaded inner surface of the first housing.