Method And Apparatus For Protecting Downhole Components With Inert Atmosphere

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided that enable the removal or reduction of moisture and any other volatile substances within downhole tools. A purging gas can be allowed to flow into the downhole tool, where it begins to interact with and dry the moisture present as well as dilute the gaseous environment therein. Then purging gas then can exit the tool, thereby removing the moisture and any other potentially polluting or corrosive gases in the tool. A vacuum pump and desiccant jar assembly also can be used to further remove moisture from the tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing undesired contents in a tool, comprising:
 inserting a purging gas into the tool;   removing a gaseous mixture from the tool, the gaseous mixture comprising at least a portion of the purging gas and undesired contents, the undesired contents comprising at least one of: moisture, pollution, and corrosive gasses; and   inserting a filling gas into the tool.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the purging gas comprises at least one of: dry nitrogen gas, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, sulfur hexafluoride, and a refrigerant gas. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the purging gas prior to removing the purging gas from the tool. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: measuring at least one of a humidity and dew point of the purging gas after the purging gas has been removed from the tool; and determining whether to continue reducing moisture based on the measured humidity of the purging gas. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: measuring at least one of a humidity and dew point of an internal atmosphere of the tool; and determining whether to bake the tool to reduce moisture. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein purging gas is inserted into the tool via a first port of the tool. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the gaseous mixture is removed from the tool via the first port of the tool. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the gaseous mixture is removed from the tool via a second port of the tool while purging gas is inserted into the tool via the first port, and
 wherein after the gaseous mixture is removed from the tool via the second port while purging gas is inserted into the tool via the first port, the gaseous mixture is then removed from the tool via the first port while purging gas is inserted into the tool via the second port.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reinserting gas removed from the tool back into the tool. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling gas and the purging gas comprise the same gas. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the purging gas is provided by at least one of: a gas tank and a purging gas generator that generates purging gas from an atmosphere. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pumping, with a vacuum pump, the undesired contents from the downhole tool; and heating the tool to vaporize undesired contents. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching a valve to a first port on the tool, the valve being disposed within the tool, the valve directing flow of at least one of a purging gas and a filling gas. 
     
     
         14 . A system for reducing moisture in a tool comprising:
 a source of purging gas; and   a control box in fluid communication with the source for controlling a flow of the purging gas into and out of a first port on the tool.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tool further comprises a second port in fluid communication with the control box. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a heater for heating the purging gas, the heater receiving purging gas from the control box and heats the purging gas prior to the purging gas entering the first port. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the control box comprises at least one valve for directing a flow of the purging gas. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a humidity sensor for receiving purging gas exiting the tool and a pump in fluid communication with the tool. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the tool comprises at least one of electrical, mechanical, optical, fiber-optic, hydraulic, and chemical components. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the mechanical components comprise at least one of motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, actuators, relays, windings, conductors, and connectors.