US5647435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Containment of downhole electronic systems
Assignee: WellDynamics Inc
•
Filing: 1995-09-25
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Granted: 1997-07-15
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Expires: 2015-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for protecting downhole electronic components and for monitoring the deterioration of such components. The electronic components are positioned within a tool recess, and a vacuum is drawn on the recess to remove oxygen, water vapor, and other contaminants from contact with the electronic components. In one embodiment of the invention, insulating fluid or an inert gas can be placed in the recess to isolate the electronic components. The seal integrity of the recess can be tested before the tool is run into the well or before the tool is set in the well. A pressure sensor monitors the deterioration of the vacuum, or fluctuations in the pressure of the insulating fluid or inert gas, to detect leakage of well fluids into the recess, leakage of gas away from the recess, or to detect gases formed from corrosion of the electronic components.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve Owens
- 👤 Brett Bouldin
- 👤 Gary Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:25
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B47/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity; and a gas sensor engaged with said wire and in contact with said cavity for detecting the presence of a gas within said cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity; and a gas sensor engaged with said wire and in contact with said cavity for detecting the presence of a gas within said cavity.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating, a vacuum within said cavity; and a pressure sensor in contact with said cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity, wherein said pressure sensor is engaged with said wire to transmit electrical signals indicating the pressure within said cavity.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating, a vacuum within said cavity; and a pressure sensor in contact with said cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity, wherein said pressure sensor is engaged with said wire to transmit electrical signals indicating the pressure within said cavity.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity; a valve between said vacuum pump and the tool for permitting the removal of said vacuum pump from engagement with said cavity; and an inert gas within said cavity for contacting the electronic components.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity; a valve between said vacuum pump and the tool for permitting the removal of said vacuum pump from engagement with said cavity; and an inert gas within said cavity for contacting the electronic components.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said, cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity; a valve between said vacuum pump and the tool for permitting the removal of said vacuum pump from engagement with said cavity; and an insulating fluid within said cavity for contacting the electronic components.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for containing electronic components in a downhole well tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components; a wire attached to the electronic components which extends outside of said, cavity; a seal between said wire and the tool for isolating said cavity from the well; a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity; a valve between said vacuum pump and the tool for permitting the removal of said vacuum pump from engagement with said cavity; and an insulating fluid within said cavity for contacting the electronic components.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for monitoring a downhole well tool having electronic components with the tool; comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components, wherein said cavity is isolated from the well; a pressure sensor in contact with cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity and for generating signals indicating the cavity pressure; a wire engaged with said pressure sensor for transmitting the signals generated by said pressure sensor; and a controller positioned at the well surface and engaged with said wire for receiving the signals generated by said pressure sensor and for displaying information indicating the pressure changes identified by such signals.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for monitoring a downhole well tool having electronic components with the tool; comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components, wherein said cavity is isolated from the well; a pressure sensor in contact with cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity and for generating signals indicating the cavity pressure; a wire engaged with said pressure sensor for transmitting the signals generated by said pressure sensor; and a controller positioned at the well surface and engaged with said wire for receiving the signals generated by said pressure sensor and for displaying information indicating the pressure changes identified by such signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 5, wherein said electronic components are connected between said pressure sensor and said wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 5, further comprising an inert gas within said cavity for contacting the electronic components.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 5, further comprising an insulating fluid within said cavity for contacting the electronic components.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A system for monitoring a downhole well tool having electronic components with the tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components, wherein said cavity is isolated from the well; a pressure sensor in contact with said cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity and for generating signals indicating the cavity pressure; a wire engaged with said pressure sensor for transmitting the signals generated by said pressure sensor; a controller positioned at the well surface and engaged with said wire for receiving the signals generated by said pressure sensor and for displaying information indicating the pressure changes identified by such signals; and a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
120 words
A system for monitoring a downhole well tool having electronic components with the tool, comprising: a cavity within the tool for containing the electronic components, wherein said cavity is isolated from the well; a pressure sensor in contact with said cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity and for generating signals indicating the cavity pressure; a wire engaged with said pressure sensor for transmitting the signals generated by said pressure sensor; a controller positioned at the well surface and engaged with said wire for receiving the signals generated by said pressure sensor and for displaying information indicating the pressure changes identified by such signals; and a vacuum pump engaged with said cavity for creating a vacuum within said cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as recited in claim 9, further comprising a valve between said vacuum pump and said cavity for permitting the removal of said vacuum pump from engagement with said cavity.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for containing electronic components in a well tool, comprising the steps of: positioning the electronic components in a cavity within the tool; closing the cavity to isolate the cavity from the downhole well environment; positioning the well tool downhole in a well; positioning a pressure sensor in contact with said cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity and for generating signals indicating such pressure; transmitting the signals generated by said pressure sensor to a controller at the well surface; and operating said controller to display information indicating the pressure within said cavity.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for containing electronic components in a well tool, comprising the steps of: positioning the electronic components in a cavity within the tool; closing the cavity to isolate the cavity from the downhole well environment; positioning the well tool downhole in a well; positioning a pressure sensor in contact with said cavity for detecting the pressure within said cavity and for generating signals indicating such pressure; transmitting the signals generated by said pressure sensor to a controller at the well surface; and operating said controller to display information indicating the pressure within said cavity.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for containing electronic components in a well tool, comprising the steps of: positioning the electronic components in a cavity within the tool; closing the cavity to isolate the cavity from the downhole well environment; positioning the well tool downhole in a well; monitoring said cavity to identify environmental changes within said cavity; and positioning a gas detector in contact with said cavity to detect gas within said cavity.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for containing electronic components in a well tool, comprising the steps of: positioning the electronic components in a cavity within the tool; closing the cavity to isolate the cavity from the downhole well environment; positioning the well tool downhole in a well; monitoring said cavity to identify environmental changes within said cavity; and positioning a gas detector in contact with said cavity to detect gas within said cavity.
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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) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-01-13 | 2001-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-14 | 2005-01-13 | 2005-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-14 | 2009-01-13 | 2009-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |