Apparatus and method for providing electrical power in a well
First Claim
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1. A downhole apparatus, comprising:
- a tool adapted to be lowered into a well, said tool including at least one electrical circuit requiring electricity; and
a power supply connected to said at least one electrical circuit for providing electricity thereto, said power supply including a fuel cell for generating electricity downhole in the well when said tool and said power supply are disposed in the well.
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Abstract
A power supply for providing electricity to one or more electrical circuits located downhole in a well comprises a fuel cell adapted to be disposed in the well with the electrical circuit(s). In addition to generating electricity, the fuel cell produces a byproduct liquid, such as water, which can be expelled from the power supply into the well despite substantial pressure, such as hydrostatic pressure, in the well. The fuel cell also generates heat which can be dissipated into the well through the wall of a housing of the power supply. The byproduct liquid can be circulated through the fuel cell to accomplish or assist in this heat dissipation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A downhole apparatus, comprising:
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a tool adapted to be lowered into a well, said tool including at least one electrical circuit requiring electricity; and a power supply connected to said at least one electrical circuit for providing electricity thereto, said power supply including a fuel cell for generating electricity downhole in the well when said tool and said power supply are disposed in the well. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power supply for an electrical circuit disposed in a well having a downhole temperature within the range between about 300°
- F. and about 400°
F. and having a minimum diameter of about 6 inches through which said power supply is to be lowered with the electrical circuit, said power supply comprising;a fuel cell having a first inlet and a second inlet and having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first and second terminals for connecting to the electrical circuit, and said fuel cell including means for generating electricity in response to a chemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen; a first container having compressed hydrogen gas therein; first connector means for connecting said first container to said first inlet of said fuel cell; a second container having compressed oxygen gas therein; second connector means for connecting said second container to said second inlet of said fuel cell; water storage means for storing water produced in said fuel cell in response to hydrogen from said first container reacting in said fuel cell with oxygen from said second container; a housing having said fuel cell, said first container, said first connector means, said second container, said second connector means and said water storage means disposed therein, said housing having a maximum outer diameter less than the minimum diameter of the well; and means, responsive to electricity from said fuel cell, for pumping water from said water storage means, out of said housing and into the well, said means for pumping disposed in said housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- F. and about 400°
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17. A method of energizing an electrical circuit of a downhole tool in a well, comprising:
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(a) lowering into the well with the downhole tool a power supply comprising a fuel cell electrically connected to the electrical circuit of the downhole tool; and (b) producing electricity in the well from the fuel cell and providing at least a portion of the electricity to the electrical circuit of the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification