[downhole tools with a stirling cooler system]

Abstract

A cooling system for a downhole tool includes an insulating chamber disposed in the tool, wherein the chamber is adapted to house an object to be cooled; a Stirling cooler is disposed in the tool, the cooler has a cold end configured to remove heat from the chamber and a hot end configured to dissipate heat; and an energy source to power the Stirling cooler. A downhole tool includes: a tool body, and a cooling system with an insulating chamber; wherein the chamber is adapted to house an object to be cooled; a Stirling cooler is disposed in the tool, the cooler has a cold end configured to remove heat from the chamber and a hot end configured to dissipate heat; and an energy source to power the Stirling cooler.

1 . A cooling system for a downhole tool, comprising: 
 an insulating chamber disposed in the downhole tool, wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to house an object to be cooled;    a Stirling cooler disposed in the downhole tool, wherein the Stirling cooler has a cold end configured to remove heat from the insulating chamber and a hot end configured to dissipate heat; and    an energy source to power the Stirling cooler.    
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the Stirling cooler is a free-piston Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         3 . The cooling system of  claim 2 , wherein the free-piston Stirling cooler comprises a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         4 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy source is one selected from a surface electrical source, a downhole battery, a hydraulic power source, and a downhole power generator.  
     
     
         5 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat transport mechanism disposed between the cold end of the Stirling cooler and the insulating chamber, wherein the heat transport mechanism is adapted to conduct heat from the insulating chamber to the cold end of the Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         6 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to provide an airflow near the object to be cooled.  
     
     
         7 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to provide a liquid fluid flow near the object to be cooled.  
     
     
         8 . A downhole tool, comprising: 
 a tool body; and    a cooling system comprising:    an insulating chamber disposed in the downhole tool and adapted to house an object to be cooled; and    a Stirling cooler disposed in the downhole tool, wherein the Stirling cooler has a cold end configured to remove heat from the insulating chamber and a hot end configured to dissipate heat.    
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool of  claim 8 , wherein the Stirling cooler is a free-piston Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         10 . The downhole tool of  claim 9 , wherein the free-piston Stirling cooler comprises a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         11 . The downhole tool of  claim 8 , further comprising an energy source to power the Stirling Cooler, the source selected from one of a surface electrical source, a downhole battery, a hydraulic power source, and a downhole power generator.  
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a heat transport mechanism disposed between the cold end of the Stirling cooler and the insulating chamber, wherein the heat transport mechanism is configured to conduct heat from the insulating chamber to the cold end of the Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 8 , wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to provide an airflow near the object to be cooled.  
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 8 , wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to provide a liquid fluid flow near the object to be cooled.  
     
     
         15 . A method for constructing a downhole tool, comprising: 
 disposing a sensor or electronics in an insulating chamber in the downhole tool; and    disposing a Stirling cooler in the downhole tool proximate the insulating chamber such that the Stirling cooler is configured to remove heat from the insulating chamber.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the Stirling cooler is a free-piston Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the free-piston Stirling cooler comprises a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to provide an airflow near the sensor or electronics.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the insulating chamber is adapted to provide a liquid fluid flow near the sensor or electronics.  
     
     
         20 . A method for cooling a sensor or electronics disposed in a downhole tool, comprising: 
 providing a Stirling cooler in the downhole tool proximate the sensor or electronics; and    energizing the Stirling cooler such that heat is removed from the sensor or electronics.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the Stirling cooler is a free-piston Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the free-piston Stirling cooler comprises a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the energizing is by supplying electrical power from a source selected from one of a surface electrical source, a downhole battery, a hydraulic power source, and a downhole power generator.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sensor or electronics are disposed in an insulating chamber in the downhole tool, the chamber being adapted to provide an airflow or liquid fluid flow near the sensor or electronics.