Title (en)

THERMOMECHANICAL ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR A DOWNHOLE TOOL

Publication

EP 0238337 A3 19890308 (EN)

Application

EP 87302375 A 19870319

Priority

US 84192486 A 19860320

Abstract (en)

[origin: EP0238337A2] A downhole tool for an oil or gas well includes a self-contained power supply having a housing (6) in which a primary fuel source (18), a Stirling cycle engine (20), and a linear alternator (22) are disposed. The primary fuel source includes a radioisotope which, by its radioactive decay, provides heat to operate the Stirling engine which in turn drives the linear alternator to provide a suitable electrical output for us by the circuit of the downhole tool.

[origin: EP0238337A2] A power supply apparatus for an oil or gas well downhole tool comprises a system requiring energy from the supply and a receptacle for holding the power supply all contained within the downhole tool. The apparatus includes a housing, removable fuel capsule for generating thermal energy, a Stirling cycle engine to convert the thermal energy into mechanical motion. The mechanical motion is converted to usable electrical energy for the system within the downhole tool and an external means of connecting the electrical energy to the downhole tool operating system.

IPC 1-7

E21B 41/00; F02G 1/043

IPC 8 full level

E21B 41/00 (2006.01); F02G 1/043 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

E21B 41/0085 (2013.01); F02G 1/0435 (2013.01); F02G 2243/02 (2013.01); F02G 2254/90 (2013.01); F02G 2280/10 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

• [A] US 4491738 A 19850101 - KAMP ANTHONY-WILLEM [NL]
• [A] US 4183214 A 19800115 - BEALE WILLIAM T [US], et al
• [A] US 4355517 A 19821026 - CEPERLEY PETER H
• [A] US 3563028 A 19710216 - GORANSON RICHARD B, et al
• [A] US 3996749 A 19761214 - DENIS LOUIS HENRI DANIEL, et al
• [A] US 4432204 A 19840221 - WALSH MICHAEL M [US]
• [A] US 3876471 A 19750408 - JONES JACK W
• [A] US 3666030 A 19720530 - BOHN FLOYD O, et al

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE ES FR GB IT NL

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0238337 A2 19870923; EP 0238337 A3 19890308; EP 0238337 B1 19920826; CA 1320481 C 19930720; DE 3781293 D1 19921001; DE 3781293 T2 19930211; ES 2033832 T3 19930401; SG 114092 G 19921224

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 87302375 A 19870319; CA 533520 A 19870317; DE 3781293 T 19870319; ES 87302375 T 19870319; SG 114092 A 19921102