Detonator positioning device

Abstract

A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device is configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore is adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device aligns at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.

1 . A detonator positioning device for positioning a detonator in a perforating gun assembly, comprising:
 a hollow body adapted for receiving the detonator; and   at least one leg adapted to stabilize a first end of the hollow body in the perforating gun assembly;   wherein, when inserted within the perforating gun housing, the detonator positioning device is configured to provide at least one wireless electrical contact configured for electrical connection merely by physically touching an electrical component within the perforating gun housing.   
     
     
         2 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the detonator positioning device includes a first electrical contact configured for making electrical contact with a first electrical connector of the perforating gun assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 2 , wherein the first electrical contact is a biased electrical contact. 
     
     
         4 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 3 , wherein the perforating gun assembly is a first perforating gun assembly, and the detonator positioning device further comprises a second electrical contact configured for making electrical contact with a second electrical connector of a second perforating gun assembly, wherein the second electrical contact is a biased electrical contact. 
     
     
         5 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 4 , wherein the first biased electrical contact and the second biased electrical contact are disposed at opposite ends of the detonator positioning device. 
     
     
         6 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg comprises one or more protrusions adapted to hold the device in place within the perforating gun assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leg is configured to fit within an end plate which is disposed in the perforating gun assembly, and wherein the end plate comprises an inner cavity configured to receive the at least one leg. 
     
     
         8 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one leg comprises one or more protrusions configured to engage the end plate. 
     
     
         9 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more protrusions are configured for snap-fit retention of the at least one leg to the end plate. 
     
     
         10 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 7 , wherein the hollow body further comprises a lip adapted to further assist in stabilizing the detonator positioning device. 
     
     
         11 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 10 , wherein the lip is configured to abut the end plate. 
     
     
         12 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body comprises at least a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is removably connected to the second part to form an assembled hollow body. 
     
     
         13 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 12 , wherein the first part and the second part are configured as longitudinal halves. 
     
     
         14 . The detonator positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to retain the detonator so that the detonator is disposed adjacent and radially offset with a detonating cord in the perforating gun assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A perforating gun assembly comprising:
 a housing with a longitudinal bore;   at least one shaped charge disposed within the housing;   an end plate disposed within the housing; and   a detonator positioning device comprising:
 a hollow body adapted to receive a detonator; and 
 at least one leg adapted to stabilize a first end of the hollow body in the housing, 
 wherein the end plate comprises an inner cavity configured to receive the detonator positioning device; and 
 wherein, when inserted within the perforating gun housing, the detonator positioning device is configured to provide at least one wireless electrical contact configured for electrical connection merely by physically touching an electrical component within the perforating gun housing. 
   
     
     
         16 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a detonator disposed within the detonator positioning device, wherein the detonator positioning device further comprises at least one biased electrical contact. 
     
     
         17 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one leg comprises one or more protrusions configured to engage the end plate. 
     
     
         18 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the hollow body further comprises a lip adapted to further assist in stabilizing the detonator positioning device, wherein the lip is configured to abut the end plate. 
     
     
         19 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a detonating cord disposed in the housing and a detonator disposed within the detonator positioning device, wherein the detonator is disposed side-by-side with the detonating cord in the perforating gun assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the detonator positioning device is disposed at least partially within the housing, and the detonator is disposed entirely within the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The perforating gun assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising an inner tube disposed within the housing, wherein the at least one shaped charge is held in the housing by the inner tube.