Charge dispenser

Abstract

One example device, usable in a downhole process, includes a body configured to be removably received in a corresponding recess of a perforation gun, a propellant chamber defined in the body, a projectile chamber defined in the body and positioned in the body above, and in communication with, the propellant chamber, a barrel defined in the body and positioned in the body above, and in communication with, the projectile chamber, and a muzzle defined in the body and positioned in the body above, and in communication with, the barrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in a downhole process, comprising:
 a body configured to be removably received in a corresponding recess of a perforation gun system;   a propellant chamber defined in the body;   a projectile chamber defined in the body and positioned in the body above, and in communication with, the propellant chamber;   a barrel defined in the body and positioned in the body above, and in communication with, the projectile chamber; and   a muzzle defined in the body and positioned in the body above, and in communication with, the barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body defines an ignition jack that communicates with the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an inside diameter of the projectile chamber corresponds to a caliber of an associated projectile. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body has a generally cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of a single piece of metal. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the propellant chamber comprises a nozzle that opens into the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the barrel is rifled. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an inside diameter of the barrel is smaller than an inside diameter of the propellant chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein structural integrity of the body is retained after a projectile has been fired from the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the projectile chamber is configured to accommodate projectiles of different respective calibers. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to accommodate a projectile and an ignition conductor that interfaces with the projectile from outside the body. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to withstand internal pressures up to 100,000 psi when firing a projectile, while retaining its structural integrity during and after the firing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a length of the body is in a range of 1.5″ to 4″. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein after a projectile has been fired from the apparatus, the apparatus is reusable to fire another projectile. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a nozzle that is positioned between, and communicates with, the propellant chamber and the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the nozzle has a first end and a second end, and the first end has a larger diameter than a diameter of the second end, and the first end is adjacent to the propellant chamber, and the second end is adjacent to the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for use in a downhole process, comprising:
 a body configured to be received in a corresponding recess of a perforation gun system; and   a projectile positioned in a projectile chamber that is defined within the body.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the body defines a propellant chamber below, and in communication with, the projectile chamber, and the propellant chamber holds one or more propellants. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the one or more propellants comprise two propellants that are layered one on top of the other. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein one of the one or more propellants is in solid form. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein one of the one or more propellants is in powder form, and/or a granular form. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the one or more propellants comprise a first propellant and a second propellant, and the first propellant has a faster burn rate than a burn rate of the second propellant, and, in operation, the faster burn rate initially causes the projectile to accelerate, and the burn rate of the second propellant sustains a velocity of the projectile as the projectile passes through a casing, cement, and formation. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the body defines a propellant chamber comprising a nozzle that opens into the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the body defines an ignition jack that communicates with the projectile chamber, and the apparatus comprises an ignition conductor that passes through the projectile, and a first end of the ignition conductor is electrically connected to an ignitor positioned in a propellant chamber that is located below the projectile chamber, and a second end of the ignition conductor is positioned in the ignition jack. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the body defines an ignition jack that communicates with the projectile chamber, and the apparatus comprises an ignition conductor that is electrically connected to a tip of the projectile and is also electrically connected to an ignitor positioned in a propellant chamber that is located below the projectile chamber, and the ignition conductor, the projectile, and the ignitor, together, form a portion of an electrical circuit. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the body defines a barrel that communicates with the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the barrel is rifled. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the projectile comprises a jacket. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the projectile comprises an electrically insulative coating. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the projectile comprises a coating. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the projectile comprises a sabot. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the sabot is metal, plastic, or composite. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the projectile is partly received in the sabot, and the sabot comprises an element of an electrical circuit that includes the sabot, the projectile, and an ignitor located in a propellant chamber below the projectile chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a perforating gun configured to removably receive the body.