Firing head for a tubing conveyed perforating gun

Claim 2

A firing head for a tubing conveyed perforating gun of the type which uses a firing pin to strike an explosive charge to perforate a well bore for production of well bore fluids, comprising: a tubular sub having an interior bore and oppositely disposed connecting ends for connection in a well pipe string; a firing pin contained within said interior bore and initially restrained by a firing pin holder; biasing means normally biasing said firing pin in a direction away from said explosive charge upon the release of said firing pin holder; hydraulic delay means contained within said interior bore and actuable by a pressure change within said sub interior bore from the well surface to move said firing pin holder out of locking engagement with said firing pin to release said firing pin after a predetermined time interval, said hydraulic delay means including a fluid piston located within a fluid chamber and a means for evacuating said chamber; and port means in said tubular sub communicating hydrostatic pressure of the well, by means of an interior passage, with said firing pin to propel said firing pin toward said explosive charge.

Claim 3

The firing head of claim 1, wherein said evacuating means includes an orifice fitted with an orifice jet in said fluid chamber and a movable plug for said orifice, said evacuating means being operable to move said plug from said orifice to drain said chamber in controlled fashion.

Claim 4

The firing head of claim 2, wherein said fluid piston is connected to said firing pin holder so that movement of said piston within said fluid chamber serves to move said firing pin holder out of locking engagement with said firing pin in a predetermined time interval.

Claim 5

The firing head of claim 1, wherein said firing pin is a collet shaped member having a cylindrical interior, said firing pin having collet fingers at one extent thereof which are initially restrained within a collet recess in said sub interior and having a striking end at an opposite extent, and wherein said firing pin holder is a cylindrical member which is received within said collet member interior to underlie said collet fingers in said restrained position.

Claim 6

A firing head for a tubing conveyed perforating gun of the type which uses a firing pin to strike an explosive charge to perforate a well bore for production of well bore fluids, comprising: a tubular sub having an interior bore, oppositely disposed connecting ends for connection in a well pipe string, and at least one production port for communicating the interior bore with the surrounding well annulus; a sliding sleeve located within the interior of the tubular sub, said sleeve having at least one opening in a sidewall thereof for alignment with said production port, and said sleeve having a seal area responsive to pressure changes within said sub interior to move said sleeve opening into alignment with said production port; a firing pin contained within said interior bore and initially restrained by a firing pin holder, said firing pin having a cylindrical exterior region which forms a sliding seal area with the interior of said tubular sub responsive to pressure changes within the sub interior; biasing means normally biasing said firing pin in a direction away from said explosive charge during the release of said firing pin holder; a fluid piston located within a fluid chamber in said sub interior bore, said fluid piston being movable within said fluid chamber during evacuation of said chamber and said fluid piston being operably connected to said firing pin holder for releasing said holder from said firing pin upon movement of said piston thereby releasing said firing pin after evacuation of said chamber; evacuation means associated with said sliding sleeve and actuable by a change in pressure within said sub interior bore to evacuate said fluid chamber; and port means in said tubular sub communicating hydrostatic pressure of the well, by means of an interior passage, with said firing pin seal area to propel said firing pin toward said explosive charge.

Claim 7

A firing head for a tubing conveyed perforating gun of the type which uses a firing pin to strike an explosive charge to perforate a well bore for production of well bore fluids, comprising: a tubular sub having an interior bore, oppositely disposed connecting ends for connection in a well pipe string, and at least one production port for communicating the interior bore with the surrounding well annulus; a sliding sleeve located within the interior of the tubular sub, said sleeve having at least one opening in a sidewall thereof for alignment with said production port, and said sleeve having a seal area responsive to pressure changes within said sub interior to move said sleeve opening into alignment with said production port; a firing pin contained within said interior bore and initially restrained by a firing pin holder, said firing pin having a cylindrical exterior region which forms a sliding seal area with the interior of said tubular sub responsive to pressure changes within the sub interior; biasing means normally biasing said firing pin in a direction away from said explosive charge during the release of said firing pin holder; a fluid piston located within a fluid chamber in said sub interior bore, said fluid piston being movable within said fluid chamber during evacuation of said chamber and said fluid piston being operably connected to said firing pin holder for releasing said holder from said firing pin upon movement of said piston thereby releasing said firing pin after evacuation of said chamber; evacuation means associated with said sliding sleeve and actuable by a change in pressure within said sub interior bore to evacuate said fluid chamber; and port means in said tubular sub communicating hydrostatic pressure of the well, by means of an interior passage, with said firing pin seal area to propel said firing pin toward said explosive charge.

Claim 8

The firing head of claim 5, wherein said evacuating means includes an orifice in said fluid chamber and a movable plug for said orifice, said evacuating means being operable to move said plug from said orifice to drain said chamber in controlled fashion.

Claim 9

The firing head of claim 6, wherein said movable plug is connected to said sliding sleeve whereby pressure acting upon said sleeve seal area moves said sleeve and, in turn, said movable plug to align said sleeve opening with said production port and move said firing pin holder out of locking engagement with said firing pin.

Claim 10

The firing pin of claim 7, wherein said firing pin is a collet shaped member having a cylindrical interior, said firing pin having collet fingers at one extent thereof which are initially restrained within a collet recess in said sub interior and having a striking end at an opposite extent, and wherein said firing pin holder is a cylindrical member which is received within said collet member interior to underlie said collet fingers in said restrained position.