1. A method for cooling a downhole gas generator, the method comprising the steps of:
providing the downhole gas generator comprising:
a combustion housing forming a combustion chamber having a combustion end and an exhaust end;
a plurality of annular cooling jacket segments surrounding the combustion housing, each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments having an inlet port and an outlet port; and
a plurality of apertures through the combustion housing allowing water to flow from the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments into the combustion chamber;
providing a flow of a fuel and an oxidizing agent into the combustion chamber for combustion;
providing a flow of water into the inlet ports, and out of the outlet ports, of each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments, for cooling the downhole gas generator;
regulating the flow of water into the inlet ports, and out of the outlet ports, of each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments, to provide optimal cooling of the downhole gas generator, and to also optimize the flow of water through the plurality of apertures of the combustion housing and into the combustion chamber, to minimize heat damage to the combustion housing.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of operably positioning the downhole gas generator in a borehole.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of regulating the flow of water into the inlet ports and out of the outlet ports to force water through the plurality of apertures and into the combustion chamber to optimize steam generation by the downhole gas generator.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of temperature sensors;
positioning the plurality of temperature sensors to determine a plurality of temperatures of the combustion housing, at least one temperature being determined in at least one location of the combustion housing within each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments; and
utilizing the temperatures sensed to operably control the flow of water into each of the inlet ports and out of each of the outlet ports.
5. A method for cooling a downhole gas generator, the method comprising the steps of:
providing the downhole gas generator comprising:
a combustion housing forming a combustion chamber having a combustion end and an exhaust end;
a plurality of annular cooling jacket segments surrounding the combustion housing, each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a plurality of temperature sensors operably positioned to sense temperatures of the combustion housing adjacent each of the annular cooling jacket segments; and
a plurality of apertures through the combustion housing allowing water to flow from the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments into the combustion chamber;
providing a flow of water into the inlet ports, and out of the outlet ports, of each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments, for cooling the downhole gas generator;
regulating the flow of water into the inlet ports, and out of the outlet ports, of each of the plurality of annular cooling jacket segments, responsive to the temperatures sensed by the plurality of temperature sensors, to provide optimal cooling of the downhole gas generator, and to also optimize the flow of water through the plurality of apertures of the combustion housing and into the combustion chamber, to minimize heat damage to the combustion housing.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A load module for a power module, said power module including a housing assembly, said load module including:
an epoxy body;
a number of elongated conductive strands;
each said conductive strand partially disposed in said epoxy body;
each said conductive strand including a conductive member and a limited insulator; and
wherein each said limited insulator is disposed on selected portions of an associated conductive member.
2. The load module of claim 1 wherein said epoxy body is a thermally conductive material.
3. The load module of claim 2 wherein:
each conductive strand is electrically insulated over substantially its entire length; and
each conductive strand is thermally conductively coupled to said epoxy body.
4. The load module of claim 1 wherein each said limited insulator disposed on a limited portion of each said conductive member whereby each said conductive member includes a number of bare portions and a number of insulated portions.
5. The load module of claim 4 wherein:
each said conductive strand includes an embedded portion and an exposed portion;
wherein each said conductive strand bare portion is substantially coextensive with each said conductive strand embedded portion;
wherein each said conductive strand insulated portion is substantially coextensive with each said conductive strand exposed portion; and
wherein each said conductive strand bare portion is directly coupled to said epoxy body.
6. The load module of claim 5 wherein:
each conductive strand includes an exit interface disposed at the surface of said epoxy body; and
wherein each said conductive strand insulated portion extends into said epoxy body at each said conductive strand exit interface.
7. A power module comprising:
a housing assembly defining an enclosed space;
a load module, said load module disposed in said housing assembly;
said load module including an epoxy body and a number of elongated conductive strands;
each said conductive strand partially disposed in said epoxy body;
each said conductive strand including a conductive member and a limited insulator; and
wherein each said limited insulator is disposed on selected portions of an associated conductive member.
8. The power module of claim 7 wherein said epoxy body is a thermally conductive body.
9. The power module of claim 8 wherein:
each conductive strand is electrically insulated over substantially its entire length; and
each conductive strand is thermally conductively coupled to said epoxy body.
10. The power module of claim 8 wherein said epoxy body is directly coupled to said housing assembly.
11. The power module of claim 8 wherein:
said housing assembly includes a number of generally planar sidewalls;
said epoxy body is a generally planar body including a planar outer surface; and
wherein said epoxy body planar outer surface is directly coupled to one said housing assembly.
12. The power module of claim 7 wherein each said limited insulator disposed on a limited portion of each said conductive member whereby each said conductive member includes a number of bare portions and a number of insulated portions.
13. The power module of claim 12 wherein:
each said conductive strand includes an embedded portion and an exposed portion;
wherein each said conductive strand bare portion is substantially coextensive with each said conductive strand embedded portion;
wherein each said conductive strand insulated portion is substantially coextensive with each said conductive strand exposed portion; and
wherein each said conductive strand bare portion is directly coupled to said epoxy body.
14. The power module claim 13 wherein:
each conductive strand includes an exit interface disposed at the surface of said epoxy body; and
wherein each said conductive strand insulated portion extends into said epoxy body at each said conductive strand exit interface.