Wellhead gun for echo ranging apparatus

Claim 2

In a wellhead device for generating acoustical waves in a well by detonating a cartridge, the combination which comprises: a. housing structure forming an axial channel communicating with said well with a lateral passage intersecting said axial channel, b. an element in said housing structure disposed in sealing relation between said axial channel and said lateral passage and having a chamber for receiving an explosive cartridge inserted through said lateral passage when said chamber is aligned with said lateral passage, and c. means for aligning said chamber with said axial channel without destructing said sealing relation to position said cartridge in alignmenT with said axial passage for detonation.

Claim 3

In a wellhead device for generating and sensing acoustical waves in a well, the combination which comprises: a. a rotatable element provided with a firing chamber therein for receiving an explosive cartridge, b. firing means for detonating said cartridge positioned in said chamber, c. housing structure supporting said rotatable element in pressure sealed relation and said firing means and forming an axial channel communicating between said well and said firing chamber and a lateral passage adjoining said channel providing access to said firing chamber, and d. crank means for rotating said element from alignment with said axial channel to alignment with said lateral passage for loading said firing chamber.

Claim 4

In a wellhead device for generating and sensing acoustical waves in a well, the combination which comprises: a. a rotatable element provided with a firing chamber therein for receiving an explosive cartridge, b. firing means for detonating said cartridge positioned in said chamber, c. housing structure supporting said rotatable element in pressure sealed relation and said firing means and forming an axial channel communicating between said well and said firing chamber and a lateral passage adjoining said channel providing access to said firing chamber, and d. crank means for rotating said element from alignment with said axial channel to alignment with said lateral passage for loading said firing chamber.

Claim 5

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said structure includes: a. a first housing for containing said rotatable element having said lateral passage therein for loading said firing chamber, b. rings on opposite sides of said rotatable element oriented coaxially with said axial channel for retaining said rotatable element in said first housing, c. a second housing for supporting said firing means, and d. connecting means for fastening said first housing to said second housing for retaining said rings in said second housing.

Claim 6

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said housing structure is provided with a pressure equalizing channel for communicating pressure variations from said well to said firing means.

Claim 7

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said crank means comprises a crank handle connected to said rotatable element and extending outside said housing structure.

Claim 8

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said firing means is comprised of a. a firing pin for striking the primer of said cartridge, b. a breech cap connected between said firing means and said chamber, c. a compression spring urging said pin toward said breech cap, and d. screw means for retracting said firing pin from said breech cap and for releasing said pin.

Claim 9

The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said rotatable element is a sphere having said firing chamber therein.

Claim 10

In a wellhead device for generating and sensing acoustical waves in a well, the combination which comprises: a. a rotatable sphere provided with a firing chamber therein for receiving an explosive cartridge, b. a firing mechanism for detonating said cartridge positioned in said chamber, c. a first housing containing said sphere having a lateral passage therein for loading said firing chamber and an axial channel therethrough communicating with said well, d. a second housing for supporting said firing mechanism having a channel therein to communicate pressure variations from said well to said firing mechanism, and e. a crank handle connected to said sphere and extending outside said first housing for rotating said sphere.

Claim 11

In a wellhead device for generating and sensing acoustical waves in a well, the combination which comprises: a. a rotatable sphere provided with a firing chamber therein for receiving an explosive cartridge, b. a firing mechanism for detonating said cartridge positioned in said chamber, c. a first housing containing said sphere having a lateral passage therein for loading said firing chamber and an axial channel therethrough communicating with said well, d. a second housing for supporting said firing mechanism having a channel therein to communicate pressure variations from said well to said firing mechanism, and e. a crank handle connected to said sphere and extending outside said first housing for rotating said sphere.

Claim 12

The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein means engage said sphere to seal said first housing against pressure in said well.