Ambient-activated switch for downhole operations

摘要

An apparatus includes a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a power source to supply power. The apparatus includes an ambient-activated switch electrically coupled between the radiation source and the power source. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to an open position while a value for an ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to a closed position while the value for the ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at a downhole ambient level, wherein the ambient-activated switch is to electrically couple the power source to the radiation source while in the closed position.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied; a downhole power source to supply the power; and a first ambient-activated switch electrically coupled in series and a plurality of ambient-activated switches electrically coupled in parallel between the radiation source and the downhole power source, the first ambient-activated switch and the plurality of ambient-activated switches to switch to a decoupling condition while values for an ambient characteristic for the first ambient-activated switch and the plurality of ambient-activated switches are at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth, the first ambient-activated switch and the plurality of ambient-activated switches to switch to a coupling condition while the values for the ambient characteristic are at a downhole ambient level, the first ambient-activated switch and the plurality of ambient-activated switches to electrically couple the downhole power source to the radiation source while in the coupling condition, wherein the first ambient activated switch and each of the plurality of ambient-activated switches comprise one of: a thermal switch, a pressure switch, an optical switch, or a vibratory switch such that no two switches have a same ambient-activation characteristic.