Single-wire selective performation system
First Claim
1. In a single-line selective perforating system having a single firing line for electrically connecting a firing control unit to each of a plurality of shot modules, one at a time in a predetermined sequence, where each module is adapted for connecting the connected control unit to a next module, a method of selecting a module for firing comprising the step of connecting each module one at a time in the predetermined sequence to the firing line under control of module active time intervals internally generated in the modules, where each module generates its active time interval in response to being connected to the firing line with the next module in the sequence automatically connected to the firing line at the end of the active time for the last connected module if that module was not selected for firing during its active time interval.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for selecting and arming each one of a plurality of firing modules in a single-line selective perforating system is disclosed. A single firing line connects each firing module one at a time in a sequence to a control unit to receive power and control signals therefrom. Each module generates internally a module active time interval in response to being connected to the firing line power. Each time interval has a first portion during which the module generates an identification pulse to the control unit to indicate that another module has been connected to the firing line, and a second portion during which the module is enabled to receive a selection pulse from the control unit to terminate further sequencing of the modules to locate the module to be selected. The next module to receive power from the control unit is connected to the firing line by a pass-thru switch in the last connected module at the end of its active time interval if that module was not selected for firing.
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Citations
59 Claims
- 1. In a single-line selective perforating system having a single firing line for electrically connecting a firing control unit to each of a plurality of shot modules, one at a time in a predetermined sequence, where each module is adapted for connecting the connected control unit to a next module, a method of selecting a module for firing comprising the step of connecting each module one at a time in the predetermined sequence to the firing line under control of module active time intervals internally generated in the modules, where each module generates its active time interval in response to being connected to the firing line with the next module in the sequence automatically connected to the firing line at the end of the active time for the last connected module if that module was not selected for firing during its active time interval.
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10. In a single-line selective perforating system having a firing control means, a plurality of modules connected in a string adapted for insertion into a well borehole where each module is connected one to the other from a lowermost to an uppermost module with each module containing at least one shaped charge or shot for perforating a well casing into the subsurface formations, and a controllable pass-through switch means for passing a single firing line to the next lower module in the string, a method of selecting a module to be fired comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying to the firing line electrical power having voltage and current of sufficient magnitude to power the modules but without sufficient power to fire a shot; (b) generating internal to the module last connected to the firing line power a module active time interval during which the module may be selected for firing by a selection signal, the modules automatically sequencing to another module at the end of each time interval; (c) generating during each module active time interval an identifying pulse to identify to the firing control means that a next module has been connected to the firing line; and (d) generating during a module active time interval a selection pulse if the active module is to be selected whereby the module is selected for firing by a firing pulse of sufficient power on the firing line to detonate a shot. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a single-firing line selective perforating system for detonating a plurality of charges in a shot string comprised of a plurality of series connected firing modules, each firing module containing a charge to be detonated by application of a firing pulse on the firing line, and each module electrically powered by power signals from the firing line, a method of selecting and firing the modules comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating internal to each module as each module is connected, one at a time in a sequence to the firing line power signals, a module active time interval having a first and a second portion; (b) generating in each module during the first portion an identifying pulse of predetermined amplitude to identify that the module has been connected to the firing line; (c) connecting the next module in the string to receive power to the firing line at the end of the second portion of the module active time interval for the module last connected to the firing line; and (d) generating during the second portion of the active time for the module to be selected a pulse to select and arm the module, the module so selected remaining selected until fired or reset. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. In a single-line selective perforating system having a single firing line for connecting a control unit to a plurality of shot modules, each adapted to be electrically connected in a predetermined sequence to the firing line where each connected module receives both power and firing control signals from the control unit over the firing line, a method of selecting a module for firing from among the plurality of modules comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating internal to each module in response to receipt of the power signals on the firing line (i) a module active time interval during which the module may be selected for firing by a selection control signal from the control unit, and (ii) an identification pulse for transmission over the firing line to the control unit to indicate that a next module has been connected to the firing line; and (b) automatically connecting the firing line to the next module in the sequence at the end of the module active time for the last connected module if that module was not selected for firing during its active time. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A single-wire selective perforating system for selectively detonating the charges in a plurality of firing modules, one at a time, comprising:
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(a) a control unit operatively connected to the modules by a single firing line which carries both power and control signals between said control unit and the modules; and (b) a plurality of selectable firing modules vertically connected one to another to form an elongated assembly suitable for lowering into a well borehole, the assembly including said control unit, each module, (i) containing at least one charge and where each module is automatically connected one at a time to the firing line in a predetermined sequence to receive power therefrom, and (ii) in response to receipt of power on the firing line, internally generates a module active time interval during which the module and its charge may be selected for firing by said control unit, each module not selected for firing during its active time interval automatically connecting the firing line to the next module in the sequence. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A firing module for use in a single-wire selective perforating system, the system having a plurality of said firing modules vertically connected to form an elongated assembly suitable for lowering into a well borehole, and includes a control means for generating power and control signals on a single firing line connectable to each of said modules, each firing module comprising:
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(a) at least one shot, each shot including a detonator responsive to a firing pulse from said control means for detonating its associated shot; (b) an identification pulse generator responsive to the receipt of power on the firing line for generating a current pulse on the firing line indicating that the module has been connected to the firing line; (c) a module active time interval generator responsive to said identification pulse generator for generating a module active time interval during which the module may be selected for firing by said control means; (d) a stop pulse detector responsive to a selection pulse on the firing line and to said time interval generator for terminating the generation of the module active time interval, and for connecting said detonator to the firing line thereby selecting the module for firing; and (e) a pass-through switch responsive to said module active time interval generator for passing the power on the firing line through the module at the end of the module active time interval thereby providing power to another module in the assembly. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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- 43. In a selective perforating system having a plurality of signal lines including a firing line for electrically connecting a firing control unit to each of a plurality of shot modules one at a time in a predetermined sequence where each module is adapted for connecting the connected control unit to a next module, a method of selecting a module for firing comprising the step of connecting each module one at a time in the predetermined sequence to the firing line under control of module active time intervals internally generated in the modules, where each module generates an active time interval in response to being connected to the firing line with the next module in the sequence automatically connected to the firing line at the end of the active time for the last connected module if that module was not selected for firing by the control unit during its active time interval.
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46. In a selective perforating system having a firing control means, a plurality of modules connected in a string adapted for insertion into a well borehole where each module is connected one to the other from a lowermost to an uppermost module with each module containing at least one shaped charge or shot for perforating a well casing into the subsurface formations, and a controllable pass-through switch means for passing a single firing line to the next lower module in the string, a method of selecting a module to be fired comprising the steps of:
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(a) supplying to the modules one at a time electrical power having voltage and current of sufficient magnitude to power the modules but without sufficient power to fire a shot; (b) generating internal to the module last connected to the power a module active time interval during which the module may be selected for firing by a selection signal, the modules automatically sequencing power to another module at the end of each time interval; (c) generating during each module active time interval an identifying pulse to identify to the firing control means that a next module has been connected to the power and is generating an active time interval; and (d) generating during a module active time interval a selection pulse if the active module is to be selected whereby the module is selected for firing by a firing pulse of sufficient power on the firing line to detonate a shot. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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50. In a selective perforating system for detonating a plurality of charges in a shot string comprised of a plurality of series connected firing modules, each firing module containing a charge to be detonated by application of a firing pulse on a firing line, and each module electrically powered by power signals from the firing line, a method of selecting and firing the modules comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating internal to each module as each module is connected, one at a time in a sequence to the firing line power signals, a module active time interval having a first and a second portion; (b) generating in each module during the first portion an identifying pulse of predetermined amplitude to identify that the module has been connected to the firing line; (c) connecting the next module in the string to receive power to the firing line at the end of the second portion of the module active time interval for the module last connected to the firing line; and (d) generating during the second portion of the active time for the module to be selected a pulse to select and arm the module, the module so selected remaining selected until fired or reset.
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51. In a selective perforating system having a plurality of signal lines including a firing line for connecting a control unit to a plurality of shot modules, each adapted to be electrically connected in a predetermined sequence to the firing line where each connected module receives both power and a firing signal from the control unit over the firing line, a method of selecting a module for firing from among the plurality of modules comprising the steps
(a) generating internal to each module in response to receipt of the power signals on the firing line (i) a module active time interval during which the module may be selected for firing by a selection control signal from the control unit, and (ii) an identification pulse for transmission to the control unit to indicate that a next module has been connected to the firing line; - and
(b) automatically connecting the firing line to the next module in the sequence at the end of the module active time for the last connected module if that module was not selected for firing during its active time. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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54. A selective perforating system for selectively detonating the charges in a plurality of firing modules, one at a time, comprising:
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(a) a control unit operatively connected to the modules by a plurality of signal lines including a firing line, the signal line supplying both power and control signals between said control unit and the modules; and (b) a plurality of selectable firing modules vertically connected one to another to form an elongated assembly suitable for lowering into a well borehole, the assembly including said control unit, each module, (i) containing at least one charge and where each module is automatically connected one at a time to said control unit in a predetermined sequence to receive power therefrom, and (ii) in response to receipt of power, internally generates a module active time interval during which the module and its charge may be selected for firing by said control unit, each module not selected for firing during its active time interval automatic ally connecting power and the firing line to the next module in the sequence. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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56. A firing module for use in a selective perforating system, the system having a plurality of said firing modules vertically connected to form an elongated assembly suitable for lowering into a well borehole, and includes a control means for generating power and control signals on a plurality of signal lines including a firing line connectable to each of said modules, each firing module com- prising:
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(a) at least one shot, each shot including a detonator responsive to a firing pulse from said control means for detonating its associated shot; (b) an identification pulse generator responsive to the receipt of power for generating a current pulse to said control means indicating that the module has been connected to the firing line; (c) a module active time interval generator responsive to said identification pulse generator for generating a module active time interval during which the module may be selected for firing by said control means; (d) a stop pulse detector responsive to a selection pulse from said control means and to said time interval generator for terminating the generation of the module active time interval, and for connecting said detonator to the firing line thereby selecting and arming the module for firing; and (e) a pass-through switch responsive to said module active time interval generator for passing the power through the module at the end of the module active time interval thereby providing power to another module in the assembly. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59)
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Specification