System for improving the usage of a thermoelectric cooler in a downhole tool

Abstract

A downhole tool comprises a chassis for supporting printed circuit boards having electrical components mounted thereon. The downhole tool comprises at least one thermoelectric cooler, such as a Peltier cooler, for cooling particular electrical components. The downhole tool also comprises a heat pump that may be used for maintaining the temperature of the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler to a sufficiently low temperature so that the thermoelectric cooler works efficiently. The heat pump may further be used for providing additional cooling in the downhole tool.

1 . An apparatus for use in a downhole tool, comprising:
 a first thermoelectric cooler including a cold side and a hot side; and   a heat pump including a conduit filled with a cooling fluid,   wherein the heat pump is adapted for disposal within an elongated pressure housing of the downhole tool, and   wherein the hot side of the first thermoelectric cooler is thermally coupled to a first portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second thermoelectric cooler including a cold side and a hot side,   wherein the hot side of the second thermoelectric cooler is thermally coupled to a second portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump includes a compressor and an expansion valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump includes a compressor or a loudspeaker capable of varying a cooling fluid pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a thermally insulating housing including an opening,   wherein the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler is located inside the thermally insulating housing.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a thermally insulating housing including an opening; and   a thermally insulating support,   wherein the thermally insulating support is inserted into the opening of the thermally insulating housing, and   wherein the first thermoelectric cooler is partially embedded within the thermally insulating support.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thermally insulating housing including an opening;   wherein the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler is located inside the thermally insulating housing.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a second thermoelectric cooler including a cold side and a hot side,   wherein the cold side of the second thermoelectric cooler is located inside the thermally insulating housing, and   wherein the hot side of the second thermoelectric cooler is thermally coupled to a second portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the thermally insulating housing includes a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler is located inside the first compartment, and wherein the cold side of the second thermoelectric cooler is located inside the second compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a second thermoelectric cooler including a cold side and a hot side; and   a second thermally insulating housing,   wherein the cold side of the second thermoelectric cooler is located inside the second thermally insulating housing, and   wherein the hot side of the second thermoelectric cooler is thermally coupled to a second portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger including a passageway for the cooling fluid;   a thermal conductor; and   a thermally insulating support,   wherein the heat exchanger contacts the hot side of the first thermoelectric cooler,   wherein the thermal conductor contacts the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler, and   wherein the heat exchanger and the thermal conductor are partially embedded within the thermally insulating support.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the thermally insulating support is inserted into the opening of the thermally insulating housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thermally insulating housing including an opening; and   a thermally insulating support,   wherein the thermally insulating support is inserted into the opening of the thermally insulating housing, and   wherein the first thermoelectric cooler is partially embedded within the thermally insulating support.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second thermoelectric cooler including a cold side and a hot side,   wherein the cold side of the second thermoelectric cooler is located inside the thermally insulating housing, and   wherein the hot side of the second thermoelectric cooler is thermally coupled to a second portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second thermoelectric cooler including a cold side and a hot side; and   a second thermally insulating housing,   wherein the cold side of the second thermoelectric cooler is located inside the second thermally insulating housing, and   wherein the hot side of the second thermoelectric cooler is thermally coupled to a second portion of the conduit.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the conduit further comprises a second portion located inside the thermally insulating housing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the thermally insulating housing includes a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler is located inside the first compartment, and wherein the second portion is located inside the second compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second thermally insulating housing,   wherein the conduit further comprises a second portion located inside the second thermally insulating housing.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler is located inside the thermally insulating housing. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger including a passageway for the cooling fluid; and   a thermal conductor,   wherein the heat exchanger contacts the hot side of the first thermoelectric cooler,   wherein the thermal conductor contacts the cold side of the first thermoelectric cooler, and   wherein the heat exchanger and the thermal conductor are partially embedded within the thermally insulating support.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermoelectric cooler is adapted for thermal coupling to a component mounted on a chassis of the downhole tool. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the conduit are assembled in series such that the cooling fluid leaving the heat pump circulates through the first portion and then through the second portion before reentering the heat pump. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermoelectric cooler is disposed tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated pressure housing.