Patent
US 10,947,816Downhole Graphene Heat Exchanger
Christopher Michael McMillon
US
Copyright © 2026 Matter42. All rights reserved.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,947,816Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of an example drilling operation, according to one or more embodiments; [0013]
FIG. 2 B depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a thermal component, according to one or more embodiments; and [0015]
FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a Stirling engine, according to one or more embodiments.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A downhole apparatus for performing a task in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole and operable to generate thermal energ y; and a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers, wherein the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the thermal component and configured to absorb the thermal energy generated from the thermal component such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is indirectly thermally coupled to the thermal component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the power source. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the electronic component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and the heat exchanger is configured to maintain the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a spiral around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy spikes. Original
A method of absorbing thermal energy in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: running a downhole tool comprising a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole; generating thermal energy with the thermal component; and absorbing at least some of the thermal energy from the thermal component using a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The method of claim 11, further comprising absorbing the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation using the heat exchanger. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and wherein the heat exchanger maintains the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene around the thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene spiral around the thermal component. Previously
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein absorbing comprises absorbing thermal energy spikes. Previously layers of the heat exchanger are arranged layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a presented layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal energy using the heat exchanger presented
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
downhole graphene heat exchanger apparatus
Materials described outside the worked examples.
graphene
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
logarithmic increase in thermal absorption with graphene layer size | — | graphene |
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,947,816Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of an example drilling operation, according to one or more embodiments; [0013]
FIG. 2 B depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a thermal component, according to one or more embodiments; and [0015]
FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a Stirling engine, according to one or more embodiments.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A downhole apparatus for performing a task in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole and operable to generate thermal energ y; and a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers, wherein the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the thermal component and configured to absorb the thermal energy generated from the thermal component such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is indirectly thermally coupled to the thermal component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the power source. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the electronic component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and the heat exchanger is configured to maintain the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a spiral around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy spikes. Original
A method of absorbing thermal energy in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: running a downhole tool comprising a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole; generating thermal energy with the thermal component; and absorbing at least some of the thermal energy from the thermal component using a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The method of claim 11, further comprising absorbing the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation using the heat exchanger. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and wherein the heat exchanger maintains the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene around the thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene spiral around the thermal component. Previously
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein absorbing comprises absorbing thermal energy spikes. Previously layers of the heat exchanger are arranged layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a presented layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal energy using the heat exchanger presented
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
downhole graphene heat exchanger apparatus
Materials described outside the worked examples.
graphene
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
logarithmic increase in thermal absorption with graphene layer size | — | graphene |
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,947,816Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of an example drilling operation, according to one or more embodiments; [0013]
FIG. 2 B depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a thermal component, according to one or more embodiments; and [0015]
FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a Stirling engine, according to one or more embodiments.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A downhole apparatus for performing a task in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole and operable to generate thermal energ y; and a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers, wherein the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the thermal component and configured to absorb the thermal energy generated from the thermal component such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is indirectly thermally coupled to the thermal component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the power source. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the electronic component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and the heat exchanger is configured to maintain the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a spiral around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy spikes. Original
A method of absorbing thermal energy in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: running a downhole tool comprising a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole; generating thermal energy with the thermal component; and absorbing at least some of the thermal energy from the thermal component using a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The method of claim 11, further comprising absorbing the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation using the heat exchanger. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and wherein the heat exchanger maintains the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene around the thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene spiral around the thermal component. Previously
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein absorbing comprises absorbing thermal energy spikes. Previously layers of the heat exchanger are arranged layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a presented layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal energy using the heat exchanger presented
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
downhole graphene heat exchanger apparatus
Materials described outside the worked examples.
graphene
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
logarithmic increase in thermal absorption with graphene layer size | — | graphene |
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,947,816Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of an example drilling operation, according to one or more embodiments; [0013]
FIG. 2 B depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a thermal component, according to one or more embodiments; and [0015]
FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an example heat exchanger thermally coupled to a Stirling engine, according to one or more embodiments.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A downhole apparatus for performing a task in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole and operable to generate thermal energ y; and a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers, wherein the heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the thermal component and configured to absorb the thermal energy generated from the thermal component such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is indirectly thermally coupled to the thermal component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the power source. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component, and the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the electronic component. Original
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and the heat exchanger is configured to maintain the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a spiral around the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphene layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal component. Previously presented
The downhole apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy spikes. Original
A method of absorbing thermal energy in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and having downhole temperature due to ambient thermal energy of the formation, comprising: running a downhole tool comprising a thermal component having an operating temperature condition below that of the downhole temperature in the borehole; generating thermal energy with the thermal component; and absorbing at least some of the thermal energy from the thermal component using a heat exchanger comprising graphene layers such that the thermal component temperature condition is maintained below the downhole temperature, wherein each layer yields a logarithmic increase in thermal absorption according to a size of each layer. Currently amended
The method of claim 11, further comprising absorbing the ambient thermal energy from the earth formation using the heat exchanger. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a power source. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises an electronic component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the thermal component comprises a Stirling engine comprising a temperature condition of a temperature differential and wherein the heat exchanger maintains the temperature differential needed for the Stirling engine to operate in the borehole. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene around the thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene spiral around the thermal component. Previously
The method of claim 11, wherein the graphene thermal component. Previously presented
The method of claim 11, wherein absorbing comprises absorbing thermal energy spikes. Previously layers of the heat exchanger are arranged layers of the heat exchanger are arranged in a presented layers of the heat exchanger are folded on the thermal energy using the heat exchanger presented
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
downhole graphene heat exchanger apparatus
Materials described outside the worked examples.
graphene
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
logarithmic increase in thermal absorption with graphene layer size | — | graphene |