Zinc One Piece Link System

Abstract

A link jet system using a combination of a one piece cast zinc alloy case and interlocking linked shaped charges for minimizing debris left in a downhole wellbore when fired, reducing components in system, and providing an easy method for changing the shaped charge phase.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A perforating gun system comprising:
 a plurality of shaped charges linked directly to each other in a series;   each shaped charge having a shaped charge case;   each shaped charge case having a first stem and a second stem, wherein the first stem and the second stem are 180 degrees opposed to each other about the center axis of the shaped charge case.   
     
     
         2 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the first stem and second stem are integral to its associated shaped charge case. 
     
     
         3 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the first stem is a key. 
     
     
         4 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the second stem is a cylindrical socket with a plurality of internal slots adapted to accept a first stem from an adjacent shaped charge in a corresponding plurality of orientations. 
     
     
         5 . The perforating gun system of  claim 4  wherein the socket of the second stem is configured to allow the first stem of an adjacent perforating shaped charge to interface with the second stem at a plurality of phase angles. 
     
     
         6 . The perforating gun system of  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of pins, wherein the socket and the first stem have corresponding through holes that when lined up will accept one of the plurality of pins to effectively lock at least two shaped charges together. 
     
     
         7 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  further comprising a cap on each shaped charge adapted to seal the contents of the shaped charge case from an outside environment. 
     
     
         8 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of shaped charge cases and each accompanying first stem and second stem are composed of zinc alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  further comprising an extender located between two of the plurality of shaped charge cases, wherein the extender contains a plurality of slots on a first end and a key on the second end adapted to adjust the phase angle and shot density of the perforating gun system. 
     
     
         10 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein each shaped charge is individually sealed using a cap placed over the charge case and using an O-ring to provide a water tight seal in a wellbore environment. 
     
     
         11 . The perforating gun system of  claim 1  wherein the shaped charges are individually sealed. 
     
     
         12 . A shaped charge comprising:
 a shaped charge case having an opening;   a liner;   an explosive material between the liner and the shaped charge case; and   the shaped charge case having a first stem and a second stem, wherein the first stem and the second stem are 180 degrees opposed to each other.   
     
     
         13 . The perforating gun system of  claim 12  wherein the first stem and second stem are integral to the shaped charge case. 
     
     
         14 . The perforating gun system of  claim 12  wherein the first stem is a male key. 
     
     
         15 . The perforating gun system of  claim 12  wherein the second stem is a cylindrical female socket. 
     
     
         16 . The perforating gun system of  claim 15  wherein the first stem and second stem is integral to a retainer ring that snaps into place over the shaped charge case. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating gun system of  claim 12  further comprising a cap on the shaped charge adapted to seal the contents of the shaped charge from an outside environment. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating gun system of  claim 17  further comprising an O-ring seal between each shaped charge and its associated cap. 
     
     
         19 . The perforating gun system of  claim 12  further wherein the shaped charge case, first stem, and second stem are all composed of a zinc alloy. 
     
     
         20 . The perforating gun system of  claim 12  further comprising a cap covering the opening of the shaped charge case, wherein the cap provides a water tight seal. 
     
     
         21 . The perforating gun system of  claim 14  wherein the first stem is a rectangular male key. 
     
     
         22 . The perforating gun system of  claim 15 , the second stem further comprising a plurality of slots adapted to accept a first stem at a plurality of angles. 
     
     
         23 . A perforating gun system comprising:
 a plurality of shaped charge holder plates linked together in series, each holder plate having a male end connector and a corresponding female end connector.   
     
     
         24 . The perforating gun system of  claim 23  wherein the corresponding female end connector is adapted to accept a male end connector at a plurality of phase angles. 
     
     
         25 . The perforating gun system of  claim 23  further comprising a through hole on each holder plate sized to fit a shaped charge at a first orientation. 
     
     
         26 . The perforating gun system of  claim 25 , wherein the shaped charge is locked into place in the holder plate by rotating the shaped charge to a second orientation. 
     
     
         27 . The perforating gun system of  claim 23  wherein the shaped charge holder plates are composed of zinc alloy. 
     
     
         28 . The perforating gun system of  claim 23  wherein the linked shaped charge holder plates are placed inside a perforating gun body. 
     
     
         29 . A perforating charge holder comprising:
 a first ring configured to hold a perforating shaped charge at a preselected angle relative to a base configured to interface with a loading strip.   
     
     
         30 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  wherein the first ring snaps to a shaped charge case. 
     
     
         31 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  wherein the first ring screws into a shaped charge case. 
     
     
         32 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  wherein the base screws into the loading strip. 
     
     
         33 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  wherein the base snaps into the loading strip. 
     
     
         34 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  further wherein the perforating charge holder is composed of zinc alloy. 
     
     
         35 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  wherein the base is a second ring. 
     
     
         36 . The perforating charge holder of  claim 29  further comprising a first L-shaped member with a first top and first bottom, and a second L-shaped member with a second top and a second bottom, wherein the first bottom and second bottom are attached to the base and the first top and second top are attached the ring such that the first L-shaped member and second L-shaped member mirror each other about a centerline of the base.