Cooled electrical system for use downhole

摘要

A system for cooling electronic components in the downhole assembly of a drill string through which a drilling fluid flows. The cooling system includes a thermoelectric cooler that conducts heat from the electronic component to a first heat transfer surface of a thermal conductor. The heat received by the first heat transfer surface is transferred within the thermal conductor to a second heat transfer surface that then transfers the heat to a housing. The housing transfers the heat to the drilling fluid flowing over the housing. To ensure good conductive heat transfer between the electronic component, the thermoelectric cooler, the thermal conductor and the housing, and to absorb shock, vibration and differential thermal expansion, these components are supported on a spring mechanism that generates a force that biases the electronic component against the thermoelectric cooler, the thermoelectric cooler against the thermal conductor and the thermal conductor against the housing.