System and method for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool using a thermal rectifier material. The thermal rectifier material is positioned between a heat source and a heat sink for reducing flow of heat returning from the heat sink to the heat source. That is, the thermal rectifier conceptually operates as a “thermal check valve” so that heat, which has flowed (or been pumped) out of a region, has difficulty returning to that region. Another embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool, which includes a thermal rectifier material surrounding a liquid supply, wherein the thermal rectifier material allows more heat to flow through the thermal rectifier in a first direction away from the liquid supply than in a direction through the thermal rectifier material toward from the liquid supply. A method for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool using a thermal rectifier material is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.