US4248298A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well logging evaporative thermal protection system
Assignee: MEASUREMENT ANALYSIS CORP
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Filing: 1979-02-21
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1999-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An evaporative thermal protection system for use in hostile environment well logging applications, the system including a downhole thermal protection cartridge disposed within a well logging sonde or tool to keep a payload such as sensors and support electronics cool, the cartridge carrying either an active evaporative system for refrigeration or a passive evaporative system, both exhausting to the surface through an armored flexible fluidic communication mechanical cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D. Lamers
- 👤 Vincent P. Martelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:18
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D7/00; E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/003; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B47/017; E21B47/0175; F25D15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An evaporative thermal protection system for use in hostile environment well logging applications and including a sonde, for maintaining a payload located within the sonde at a desired cooler temperature than that of the downhole environment, the system comprising: a downhole thermal insulation cartridge disposed within a sonde; an evaporative thermal exhaust apparatus disposed within said cartridge and including a vaporizing working fluid and an exhaust port through which vaporized working fluid may flow; and a hostile environment flexible fluidic communication mechanical cable including at least one tube operatively coupled to said exhaust port and exhausting to the surface said vaporized working fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An evaporative thermal protection system for use in hostile environment well logging applications and including a sonde, for maintaining a payload located within the sonde at a desired cooler temperature than that of the downhole environment, the system comprising: a downhole thermal insulation cartridge disposed within a sonde; an evaporative thermal exhaust apparatus disposed within said cartridge and including a vaporizing working fluid and an exhaust port through which vaporized working fluid may flow; and a hostile environment flexible fluidic communication mechanical cable including at least one tube operatively coupled to said exhaust port and exhausting to the surface said vaporized working fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 1, wherein said evaporative thermal exhaust apparatus is an active expansion and evaporization refrigeration system, wherein said cable also includes a supply tube communicating with said active refrigeration system, and wherein said working fluid is supplied to said active refrigeration system under pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 2, wherein said active expansion and evaporization refrigeration system includes a tubular evaporator portion and valve means disposed in said cartridge in series with said supply tube for maintaining the working fluid pressure and associated temperature in said evaporator portion at in said evaporator portion at desired levels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 3, wherein said evaporator portion is in a spiral configuration adjacent said payload.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 1, wherein said evaporative thermal exhaust apparatus includes an exhaust pressure control regulator means disposed in said cartridge for regulating the exhausting of said vaporized working fluid to ensure that said exhausting fluid will flow to the top of the well through and out of said cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 1, wherein said cable also includes at least one additional tube as a conduit for signal data communications between the well surface and said payload.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 1, wherein said evaporative thermal exhaust apparatus includes an additional working fluid within said cartridge adjacent said payload, said additional working fluid not being in communication with any supply of working fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 7, wherein said additional working fluid is a secondary working fluid providing distribution of heat between said payload and said evaporator portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The evaporative thermal protection system according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge also includes a passive exhaust pressure regulator valve means communicating with said exhaust tube for exhausting to said exhaust tube when said passive exhaust pressure regulator valve is open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The evaporative thermal projection system according to claim 1, wherein said evaporative thermal exhaust apparatus is a passive system including a passive working fluid disposed in said cartridge, said passive working fluid not being under external pressure and not in communication with any supply of working fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an evaporative thermal protection system for use in hostile environment well logging applications and including a sonde, for maintaining a payload located within the sonde at a desired cooler temperature than that of the downhole environment, a hostile environment flexible fluidic communication mechanical cable, comprising: a corrosion and pressure resistant metal tube forming a central cable core, said metal tube having an outside diameter less than 3/16 inch; and a contrahelically wound multi-stranded high strength, corrosion resistant metal wire rope disposed about said metal tube and providing abrasion protection and carrying most of the cable's load.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an evaporative thermal protection system for use in hostile environment well logging applications and including a sonde, for maintaining a payload located within the sonde at a desired cooler temperature than that of the downhole environment, a hostile environment flexible fluidic communication mechanical cable, comprising: a corrosion and pressure resistant metal tube forming a central cable core, said metal tube having an outside diameter less than 3/16 inch; and a contrahelically wound multi-stranded high strength, corrosion resistant metal wire rope disposed about said metal tube and providing abrasion protection and carrying most of the cable's load.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The hostile environment flexible fluidic communication mechanical cable according to claim 11, also comprising more than one metal tube in said core of said wire rope to serve as additional communication channels between the sonde and the surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |