IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0946249
(2001-09-05)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Lerche,Nolan C.
- Brooks,James E.
- Abnet,Charles Cameron
- Chui,Clarence H.
- Brown,Stuart B.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Schlumberger Technology Corporation
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
18 인용 특허 :
10 |
초록
▼
A downhole tool includes a device to be activated by electrical energy and a micro-switch that includes conductors and an element between the first and second conductors selected from the group consisting of: a dielectric element capable of being modulated to provide a conductive path in response to
A downhole tool includes a device to be activated by electrical energy and a micro-switch that includes conductors and an element between the first and second conductors selected from the group consisting of: a dielectric element capable of being modulated to provide a conductive path in response to receipt of electrical energy; and an element moveable in response to application of an electrical energy. The micro-switch may be formed of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology or microelectronics technology.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus comprising: a component; and a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to the component, wherein the microelectromechanical device includes a fran
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus comprising: a component; and a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to the component, wherein the microelectromechanical device includes a frangible element, the frangible element adapted to break apart in response to application of electrical energy. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the conductors is attached to the frangible element, the one conductor adapted to move when the frangible element breaks apart to contact the other one of the conductors. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frangible element includes a tether formed over a support structure, the apparatus further comprising an electrical line formed over the support structure and in electrical contact with the tether. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least another tether. 5. An apparatus comprising: a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy a component, wherein the microclectromecbanical device includes one of the conductors arranged as a cantilever, the switch further including two other balance conductors initially at substantially the same voltage to balance the cantilever conductor. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a trigger voltage is applied to one of the two balance conductors to create an electrostatic force to cause the cantilever conductor to move towards the one balance conductor. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the component is electrically coupled to the cantilever conductor. 8. An apparatus comprising: a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to a component, wherein the microelectromechanical device provides a chamber containing a dielectric element placed between the conductors, the apparatus further comprising a trigger line over which electrical energy may be applied to break down the dielectric element to form a conductive path between the conductors. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the dielectric element includes a dielectric gas. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dielectric gas includes an inert gas. 11. An apparatus comprising: a component; a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to the component, wherein the component includes an exploding foil initiator circuit. 12. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising: a component useable in the wellbore; a micro-switch adapted to couple electrical energy to activate the component, the micro-switch including conductors and a moveable element to form an electrical path between the conductors, wherein the component includes an exploding foil initiator. 13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the micro-switch is formed by microelectromechanical technology. 14. A switch for use in a tool, comprising: a first conductor at a first voltage; a second conductor for coupling to a device in the tool; and a micro-element between the first and second conductors selected from the group consisting of: a dielectric element capable of being modulated to provide a conductive path in response to receipt of electrical energy; and an element moveable in response to application of an electrical energy, wherein the dielectric element includes a dielectric gas. 15. The switch of claim 14, wherein the dielectric gas includes an inert gas. 16. The switch of claim 14, wherein the micro-element includes one of a microelectromechanical element and a microelectronics element. 17. A method of fabricating a switch for use in a downhole tool, comprising: forming a first conductor and a second conductor; and forming a microelectromechanical element between the first and second conductors, the microelectromechanical element having an inactive state to electrically isolate the first and second conductors and an active state to electrically couple the first and second conductors, wherein forming the microelectromechanical element includes forming a moveable element, wherein forming the microelectromechanical element includes forming a cantilever including an electrically conductive material adapted to be moved by an electrostatic force. 18. A method of fabricating a switch for use in a downhole tool, comprising: forming a first conductor and a second conductor, and forming a microelectromechanical element between the first and second conductors, the microelectromechanical element having an inactive state to electrically isolate the first and second conductors and an active state to electrically couple the first and second conductors, wherein forming the microelectromechanical element includes forming a moveable element, wherein forming the microelectromechanical element includes forming a frangible element and attaching the frangible element to a conductive plate, the frangible element capable of breaking apart in response to electrical energy. 19. An apparatus for use in a downhole tool, comprising: a downhole component; and a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to the downhole component, wherein the microelectromechanical device includes a frangible element, the frangible element adapted to break apart in response to application of electrical energy. 20. An apparatus for use in a downhole tool, comprising: a downhole component; and a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to the downhole component, wherein the microelectromechanical device includes one of the conductors arranged as a cantilever, the switch further including two other balance conductors initially at substantially the same voltage to balance the cantilever conductor. 21. An apparatus for use in a downhole tool, comprising: a downhole component; and a switch including conductors and a microelectromechanical device adapted to electrically connect the conductors when activated to provide electrical energy to the downhole component, wherein the microelectromechanical device provides a chamber containing a dielectric element placed between the conductors, the apparatus further comprising a trigger line over which electrical energy may be applied to break down the dielectric element to form a conductive path between the components. 22. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising: a component useable in the wellbore; a micro-switch adapted to couple electrical energy to activate the component, the micro-switch including conductors and a moveable element to form an electrical path between the conductors, wherein the micro-switch further includes a multilayered assembly including the conductors and an insulator, the moveable element adapted to move through the insulator. 23. A methof of fabricating a switch for use in a downhole tool, comprising: forming a first conductor and a second conductor; and forming a microelectromechanical element between the first and second conductors, the microelectromechanical element having an inactive state to electrically isolate the first and second conductors and an active state to electrically couple the first and second conductors; and forming an exploding foil initiator circuit coupled to the microelectromechanical element. 24. A method of activating a downhole component, comprising: providing a micro-switch coupled to the downhole component, the micro-switch having at least one of a moveable member and a dielectric element that can be modulated to provide a conductive path; and activating the micro-switch to couple an electrical energy to the downhole component, wherein activating the micro-switch to couple the electrical energy to the downhole component comprises activating the micro-switch to couple the electrical energy to an exploding foil initiator. 25. A method of activating a downhole component comprising: providing a micro-switch coupled to the downhole component, the micro-switch having at least one of a moveable member and a dielectric element that can be modulated to provide a conductive path; and activating the micro-switch to couple an electrical energy to the downhole component, wherein the micro-switch includes a frangible element, wherein activating the micro-switch causes the frangible element to break apart in response to application of the electrical energy.
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