Thermal component temperature management system and method

Abstract

A system for managing the temperature of a thermal component. The system comprises a heat exchanger in thermal contact with the thermal component. The temperature management system also comprises a heat storing temperature management system for removing heat from the thermal component and storing the removed heat within the heat storing temperature management system. The temperature management system further comprises a heat exhausting temperature management system for removing heat from the thermal component and transferring the removed heat to the environment outside the temperature management system.

1 . A system for the temperature management of a thermal component: 
 a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component;    a heat storing temperature management system thermally coupled with said heat exchanger; and    a heat exhausting temperature management system thermally coupled with said heat storing temperature management system.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exchanger is selected from the group consisting of a micro-capillary, cold plate heat exchanger; a conduction heat exchanger; a multiple layer heat exchanger; a micro-channel, cold plate heat exchanger; and a liquid cold plate heat exchanger.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system and the thermal component are in a tool selected from the group consisting of a downhole drill string tool, a downhole wireline tool, a permanently installed downhole tool, and a temporary well testing tool.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system is at least partially contained within a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat storing temperature management system removes heat from the thermal component and stores the heat within said heat storing temperature management system.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system transfers heat from said heat storing temperature management system to the environment outside the system.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein: 
 said temperature management system is located within a downhole tool on a drill string; and    said exhausting temperature management system transfers heat to drilling fluid being pumped through the drill string and the downhole tool.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat storing temperature management system comprises: 
 a heat sink; and    a thermal conduit system thermally coupling said heat exchanger with said heat sink.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said thermal conduit system thermally couples said heat exchanger with said heat sink via at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said heat sink comprises a phase change material.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said phase change material comprises a eutectic material.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a coolant fluid conduit system for the flow of a coolant fluid.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the thermal component is immersed is said coolant fluid.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said heat storing temperature management system transfers heat from the thermal component to said heat sink.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of said heat sink is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a thermoelectric cooler comprising a hot plate and a cold plate.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a multiple stage thermoelectric temperature management system.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system is selected from the group consisting of a thermoacoustic cooler and a vapor compression temperature management system.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of the thermal component is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       23 . A system for managing the temperature of a thermal component comprising: 
 a first heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component;    a heat storing temperature management system thermally coupled with said first heat exchanger;    a second heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component; and    a heat exhausting temperature management system thermally coupled with said second heat exchanger.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said first and second heat exchangers are selected from the group consisting of a micro-capillary, cold plate heat exchanger; a conduction heat exchanger; a multiple layer heat exchanger; a micro-channel, cold plate heat exchanger; and a liquid cold plate heat exchanger.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the system and the thermal component are in a tool selected from the group consisting of a downhole drill string tool, a downhole wireline tool, a permanently installed downhole tool, and a temporary well testing tool.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the system is at least partially contained within a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said heat storing temperature management system removes heat from the thermal component and stores the heat within said heat storing temperature management system.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system transfers heat from the thermal component to the environment outside the system.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein: 
 said system is located within a downhole tool on a drill string; and    said exhausting temperature management system transfers heat to drilling fluid being pumped through the drill string and the downhole tool.    
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said heat storing temperature management system comprises: 
 a heat sink; and    a thermal conduit system thermally coupling said first heat exchanger with said heat sink.    
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said thermal conduit system thermally couples said first heat exchanger with said heat sink via at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said heat sink comprises a phase change material.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein said phase change material comprises a eutectic material.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a coolant fluid conduit system for the flow of a coolant fluid.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 36  wherein the thermal component is immersed is said coolant fluid.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said heat storing temperature management system transfers heat from the thermal component to said heat sink.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 30  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of said heat sink is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a thermoelectric cooler comprising a hot plate and a cold plate.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 41  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a multiple stage thermoelectric temperature management system.  
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system is selected from the group consisting of a thermoacoustic cooler and a vapor compression temperature management system.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of the thermal component is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       45 . A system for managing the temperature of a thermal component comprising: 
 a heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component;    a heat storing temperature management system thermally coupled with said first heat exchanger; and    a heat exhausting temperature management system thermally coupled with said heat exchanger.    
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 45  wherein said heat exchanger is selected from the group consisting of a micro-capillary, cold plate heat exchanger; a conduction heat exchanger; a multiple layer heat exchanger; a micro-channel, cold plate heat exchanger; and a liquid cold plate heat exchanger.  
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the system and the thermal component are in a tool selected from the group consisting of a downhole drill string tool, a downhole wireline tool, a permanently installed downhole tool, and a temporary well testing tool.  
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the system is at least partially contained within a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 45  wherein said heat storing temperature management system removes heat from the thermal component and stores the heat within said heat storing temperature management system.  
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 49  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system transfers heat from the thermal component to the environment outside the temperature management system.  
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50  wherein: 
 said system is located within a downhole tool on a drill string; and    said exhausting temperature management system transfers heat to drilling fluid being pumped through the drill string and the downhole tool.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 45  wherein said heat storing temperature management system comprises: 
 a heat sink; and    a thermal conduit system thermally coupling said heat exchanger with said heat sink.    
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 52  wherein said thermal conduit system thermally couples said heat exchanger with said heat sink via at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 52  wherein said heat sink comprises a phase change material.  
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 54  wherein said phase change material comprises a eutectic material.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 52  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 52  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a coolant fluid conduit system for the flow of a coolant fluid.  
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 58  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 58  wherein the thermal component is immersed is said coolant fluid.  
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 52  wherein said heat storing temperature management system transfers heat from the thermal component to said heat sink.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 52  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of said heat sink is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 45  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a multiple stage thermoelectric temperature management system.  
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 63  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a thermoelectric temperature management system.  
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 45  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system is selected from the group consisting of a thermoacoustic cooler and a vapor compression temperature management system.  
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 45  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of the thermal component is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       67 . A system for managing the temperature of a thermal component comprising: 
 a first heat exchanger thermally coupled with the thermal component;    a heat storing temperature management system thermally coupled with said first heat exchanger;    said heat storing temperature management system comprising a thermal conduit system; and    a heat exhausting temperature management system thermally coupled with said thermal conduit system.    
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said heat exchanger is selected from the group consisting of a micro-capillary, cold plate heat exchanger; a conduction heat exchanger; a multiple layer heat exchanger; a micro-channel, cold plate heat exchanger; and a liquid cold plate heat exchanger.  
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said system and the thermal component are in a tool selected from the group consisting of a downhole drill string tool, a downhole wireline tool, a permanently installed downhole tool, and a temporary well testing tool.  
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said system is at least partially contained within a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said heat storing temperature management system removes heat from the thermal component and stores the heat within said heat storing temperature management system.  
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 74  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system transfers heat from said thermal conduit system to the environment outside the temperature management system.  
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 72  wherein: 
 said system is located within a downhole tool on a drill string; and    said exhausting temperature management system transfers heat to drilling fluid being pumped through the drill string and the downhole tool.    
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 72  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system is thermally coupled with said heat exchanger.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said heat storing temperature management system comprises a heat sink thermally coupled with said heat exchanger through said thermal conduit system.  
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 75  wherein said thermal conduit system thermally couples said heat exchanger with said heat sink via at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation.  
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 75  wherein said heat sink comprises a phase change material.  
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 77  wherein said phase change material comprises a eutectic material.  
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 78  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 79  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 75  wherein said thermal conduit system comprises a coolant fluid conduit system for the flow of a coolant fluid.  
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 81  wherein the thermal component is immersed in a fluid.  
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 81  wherein the thermal component is immersed is said coolant fluid.  
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 75  wherein said heat storing temperature management system transfers heat from the thermal component to said heat sink.  
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 75  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of said heat sink is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a thermoelectric cooler comprising a hot plate and a cold plate.  
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 86  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises a multiple stage thermoelectric temperature management system.  
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 67  wherein said heat exhausting temperature management system is selected from the group consisting of a thermoacoustic cooler and a vapor compression temperature management system.  
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 67  further comprising a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of the thermal component is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       90 . A method of managing the temperature of a thermal component comprising: 
 removing heat from the thermal component with a heat exhausting temperature management system;    powering said heat exhausting temperature management system with a power source; and    removing heat from the thermal component with a heat storing temperature management system at least when said power source is not operating.    
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising removing heat from a thermal component in a tool selected from the group consisting of a downhole drill string tool, a downhole wireline tool, a permanently installed downhole tool, and a temporary well testing tool.  
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 90  wherein removing heat with said heat storing temperature management system comprises: 
 thermally coupling said heat storing temperature management system to the thermal component using a heat exchanger;    removing heat from the thermal component through the heat exchanger with said heat storing temperature management system; and    storing the heat removed by said heat storing temperature management system in a heat sink within said heat storing temperature management system.    
   
   
       93 . The method of  claim 90  wherein removing heat with said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises: 
 thermally coupling said heat exhausting temperature management system with said heat storing temperature management system;    removing heat from said heat storing temperature management system with said heat exhausting temperature management system; and    storing the heat removed by said heat exhausting temperature management system to the environment outside the temperature management system.    
   
   
       94 . The system of  claim 93  wherein transferring the heat removed by said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises transferring heat to drilling fluid being pumped through a drill string and a downhole tool.  
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 93  wherein removing heat from said heat storing temperature management system comprises: 
 thermally coupling said heat exhausting temperature management system to said heat sink; and    removing heat from said heat sink.    
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 93  wherein removing heat from said heat storing temperature management system comprises: 
 thermally coupling said heat exhausting temperature management system to a thermal conduit system of said heat storing temperature management system; and    removing heat from said thermal conduit system.    
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 90  wherein removing heat from the thermal component with a heat exhausting temperature management system comprises: 
 thermally coupling said heat exhausting temperature management system to the thermal component;    removing heat from the thermal component with said heat exhausting temperature management system; and    transferring the heat removed by said heat exhausting temperature management system to the environment outside the temperature management system.    
   
   
       98 . The system of  claim 97  wherein transferring the heat removed by said heat exhausting temperature management system comprises transferring heat to drilling fluid being pumped through a drill string and a downhole tool.  
   
   
       99 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising thermally coupling said heat exhausting temperature management system to the thermal component with a second heat exchanger.  
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 90  wherein removing heat from the thermal component with said heat exhausting temperature management system further comprises removing heat with at least one of a thermoelectric cooler, a thermoacoustic cooler, and a vapor compression temperature management system.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising retarding heat flow to the thermal component with a thermal barrier.  
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 90  wherein the thermal component is in an environment with a higher temperature than the thermal component.  
   
   
       103 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising operating said heat exhausting temperature management system with a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of the thermal component is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising: 
 storing the heat removed by said heat storing temperature management system in a heat sink within said heat storing temperature management system; and    operating said heat exhausting temperature management system with a control system that operates said heat exhausting temperature management system when the temperature of said heat sink is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.