Method and apparatus for managing the temperature of thermal components
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsBruce H. Storm, Haoshi Song
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A temperature management system for managing the temperature of a discrete, thermal component. The temperature management system comprises a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component. The system also comprises a fluid transfer device that circulates a coolant fluid through a thermal conduit system. As the coolant flows through the heat exchanger, it absorbs heat from the component. Upon exiting the heat exchanger, the heated coolant flows to the beat sink where the heat sink absorbs heat from the coolant fluid.
Claims67
A temperature management system for the temperature management of a thermal component comprising:
- a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component;
- a heat storage unit comprising a phase change material enclosed in a jacket;
- a thermal conduit system thermally coupling the heat exchanger with the heat storage unit;
- and
- where the heat exchanger, heat storage unit, and thermal conduit system are in a downhole tool;
- and
- wherein said heat storage unit absorbs and stores heat from the thermal component and maintains all phases of the phase change material within the heat storage unit and within the jacket.
A temperature management system for temperature management a thermal component comprising:
- a micro-capillary, cold plate heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component;
- a heat storage unit;
- a thermal conduit system thermally coupling the heat exchanger with the heat storage unit, the thermal conduit system comprising a coolant fluid conduit system for the flow of a coolant fluid;
- a fluid transfer device for flowing the coolant fluid through the thermal conduit system;
- and
- where the heat exchanger, heat storage unit, thermal conduit system, and fluid transfer device are in a downhole tool.
A method of absorbing heat from a thermal component comprising:
- absorbing heat from the thermal component with a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component in a downhole tool;
- transferring heat absorbed from the heat exchanger through a thermal conduit system in the downhole tool;
- storing heat transferred through the thermal conduit in a heat storage unit in the downhole tool, the heat storage unit comprising a phase change material enclosed in a jacket;
- and maintaining all phases of the phase change material within the heat storage unit and within the jacket.
A method of absorbing heat from a thermal component comprising:
- absorbing heat from the thermal component with a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component in a downhole tool;
- flowing coolant fluid through a closed loop thermal conduit system thermally coupling the heat exchanger with a heat storage unit using a fluid transfer device, the thermal conduit system being in the downhole tool and the heat storage unit comprising a phase change material enclosed in a jacket;
- absorbing heat from the heat exchanger with the coolant fluid as the coolant fluid flows through the heat exchanger;
- absorbing heat from the coolant fluid with the heat storage unit as the coolant fluid flows through the heat storage unit;
- and
- maintaining all phases of the phase change material within the heat storage unit and within the jacket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.