Downhole Pressure Compensator

Abstract

The techniques herein relate to a pressure compensation system. The system includes a downhole tool and one or more pressure compensators positionable in the downhole tool. Each pressure compensator includes a first compensating fluid section having a first compensating fluid, at least one second compensating fluid section having a second compensating fluid, and a convoluted membrane between the first and second fluids in the first and second compensating fluid sections, respectively. The first or second compensating fluid sections, or both, may include a porous disk positioned at a hole in the fluid section. The pressure compensator may also include a switch configured to indicate a fluid condition in the pressure compensator and a relief valve configured to release fluid from the pressure compensator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure compensation system comprising:
 one or more pressure compensators, each pressure compensator comprising:
 a first fluid compensating section comprising a first fluid; 
 a second fluid compensating section comprising a second fluid; and 
 a convoluted membrane disposed between the first fluid in the first fluid compensating section and the second fluid in the second fluid compensating section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid compensating section comprises:
 a hole; and   a porous disk coupled to the hole.   
     
     
         3 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure compensator comprises a switch configured to provide an indication corresponding to a fluid condition in the pressure compensator. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 3 , wherein the switch is configured to indicate when a fluid level in the first fluid compensating section, the second fluid compensating section, or both, is below an acceptable level. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 3 , wherein the pressure compensator comprises a relief valve configured to release fluid from the first fluid compensating section, the second fluid compensating section, or both, based on an indication of the switch. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure compensator comprises a relief valve configured to release fluid from the first fluid compensating section, the second fluid compensating section, or both, when the corresponding fluid compensating section is above an acceptable level. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 1 , comprising a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore, wherein the one or more pressure compensators is positionable in the downhole tool. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure compensator comprises a second convoluted membrane disposed between the first fluid and a wellbore fluid in the wellbore. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 8 , wherein the second convoluted membrane is suitable for separating the wellbore fluid from the first fluid and for adjusting a pressure of the first fluid based on a wellbore pressure of the wellbore fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure compensating system of  claim 1 , wherein the convoluted membrane disposed between the first fluid and the second fluid is suitable for separating the first fluid from the second fluid and for adjusting a pressure of the second fluid based on a pressure of the first fluid compensating section. 
     
     
         11 . A method of compensating pressure in a downhole tool, the method comprising:
 deploying a downhole tool into the wellbore, the downhole tool having a pressure compensator comprising:
 a first fluid compensating section comprising a first fluid; 
 a second fluid compensating section comprising a second fluid; and 
 a pressure indicator configured to provide an indication corresponding to a fluid condition in the pressure compensator; 
   receiving an indication of a pressure condition.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising releasing via a release valve, the first fluid from the first fluid compensating section, the second fluid from the second fluid compensating section, or both, based on a volume of fluid in the first fluid compensating section, the second fluid compensating section, or both. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising releasing via a release valve, the first fluid from the first fluid compensating section, the second fluid from the second fluid compensating section, or both, based on the indication from the pressure indicator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure compensator comprises a convoluted membrane disposed between the first fluid in the first fluid compensating section and the second fluid in the second fluid compensating section. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure compensator comprises a convoluted membrane disposed between a wellbore fluid and the first fluid in the first fluid compensating section.