Downhole Tool Power Switch Circuit for Energy Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools in subterranean wells face significant power consumption even in sleep mode due to continuous monitoring requirements, leading to reduced long-term electrical power storage.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a downhole tool with an electrical power source, control circuitry, and a switch that permits current flow only when electricity is generated, allowing the tool to be activated selectively based on sensor inputs, thereby conserving power by minimizing continuous monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic circuitry continuously monitors sensor inputs to detect awakening conditions, then the tool can respond promptly to activation signals, but electrical power is consumed continuously even in sleep mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the main electronic circuitry by implementing a separate, dedicated wake-up detection circuit. This dedicated circuit consumes minimal power while the main circuitry remains in low-power sleep mode, thus maintaining response reliability without continuous power consumption from the main system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sampling of sensor inputs rather than continuous monitoring. The wake-up detection circuit checks for activation signals at predetermined intervals, which significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous monitoring while still ensuring timely response to awakening conditions.
2Loss of energy
If electronic circuitry is placed in sleep mode to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the circuitry still consumes power for basic monitoring functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wake-up detection circuit as an intermediary between the sensor inputs and the main electronic circuitry. This intermediary circuit handles the power-consuming monitoring task independently, allowing the main circuitry to remain in sleep mode with minimal power consumption while maintaining full detection capability through the intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the monitoring function into a separate wake-up detection circuit distinct from the main electronic circuitry. This segmentation allows the monitoring function to operate with minimal power consumption while the main system remains in low-power state, thus reducing overall power loss without compromising detection reliability.
3Loss of energy
If a switch is added to control current flow to the electronic circuitry, then power consumption is further reduced in sleep mode, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switch control function with the wake-up detection circuit. The same circuit that detects awakening conditions also controls the switch that enables or disables current flow to the main electronic circuitry. This integration adds minimal complexity while achieving significant power savings by ensuring the main circuitry is fully powered off during sleep mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of activating a downhole tool can include configuring the tool having an electrical power source, an electrical load, control circuitry which controls the electrical load, and a switch which selectively permits current flow between the power source and the circuitry, and generating electricity, thereby causing the switch to permit current flow between the power source and the circuitry. A downhole tool can include an electrical power source, an electrical load, control circuitry, a switch which selectively permits current flow between the power source and the circuitry, and a generator. Another method of activating a downhole tool can include displacing a fluid and/or an object at the tool, generating electricity in response to the displacing, permitting current flow between an electrical power source and a control circuitry in response to the generating and, after the permitting and in response to detection of a predetermined signal, the circuitry causing activation of an electrical load.