Perforating gun with novel charge tube assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a perforating gun includes a charge tube and at least one endplate. The charge tube has a cylindrical wall, a first end, an upper opening formed proximate to the first end, and a lower opening formed proximate to the first end. The at least one endplate has a central insert having a first section projecting from a second section. The first section seats in the upper opening of the first end and the second section seats in the lower opening of the first end.

1 . An apparatus for use with a perforating gun having a tubular carrier, comprising:
 a charge tube disposed in the carrier, the charge tube having a wall, a lower end, an upper opening formed proximate to the lower end, and a lower opening formed proximate to the lower end; and   an endplate engaging the charge tube with the carrier, the endplate having a central insert formed by an upper section projecting from a lower section, wherein the upper section seats in the upper opening of the lower end and the second section seats in the lower opening of the lower end.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the endplate includes a space separating at least one wing from the central insert, wherein at least a portion of the wall seats in the space, and wherein the at least one wing includes a projection seated in a medial opening formed in the lower end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the charge tube has a upper end, an upper opening formed proximate to the upper end, and a lower opening formed proximate to the upper end; and further characterized by:
 a upper endplate having a central insert having an upper section projecting from a lower section, wherein the upper section seats in the upper opening of the upper end and the lower section seats in the lower opening of the upper end.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the upper endplate includes a space separating at least one wing from the central insert, wherein at least a portion of the wall seats in the space, and wherein the at least one wing includes a projection seated in a medial opening formed in the upper end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the upper end upper opening includes a bar dividing the upper end upper opening and the upper endplate upper section has a groove in which the bar seats. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein further characterized in that the at least one wing of the endplate is radially thinner than the at least one wing of the upper endplate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the charge tube and the endplates are threadless. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the charge tube and the endplates only elastically engage. 
     
     
         9 . A method for using a perforating gun in a wellbore, the perforating gun having a tubular carrier, a charge tube, and an endplate, the method comprising:
 forming the perforating gun at least by laterally engaging the endplate with the charge tube, wherein:
 the charge tube is disposed in the carrier, the charge tube having a wall, a lower end, an upper opening formed proximate to the lower end, and a lower opening formed proximate to the lower end, and 
 the endplate orients the charge tube relative to the carrier after engagement, the endplate having a central insert formed by an upper section projecting from a lower section, wherein the upper section seats in the upper opening of the lower end and the second section seats in the lower opening of the lower end; and 
   conveying the perforating gun into the wellbore.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the endplate includes a space separating at least one wing from the central insert, wherein at least a portion of the wall seats in the space, and wherein the at least one wing includes a projection seated in a medial opening formed in the lower end. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the charge tube has a upper end, an upper opening formed proximate to the upper end, and a lower opening formed proximate to the upper end; and wherein the perforating gun further includes a upper endplate having a central insert having an upper section projecting from a lower section, wherein the upper section seats in the upper opening of the upper end and the lower section seats in the lower opening of the upper end. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the upper endplate includes a space separating at least one wing from the central insert, wherein at least a portion of the wall seats in the space, and wherein the at least one wing includes a projection seated in a medial opening formed in the upper end. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the upper end upper opening includes a bar dividing the upper end upper opening and the upper endplate upper section has a groove in which the bar seats. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one wing of the endplate is radially thinner than the at least one wing of the upper endplate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the charge tube and the endplates are threadless. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the charge tube and the endplates only elastically engage.