Abstract: A system for extending the life span of electronic components in a high temperature well. A thermal electric cooler is located in a position thermally communicating with the electronic component in the well. The thermal electric cooler lowers the temperature of the electronic component to a temperature that retards the deterioration of the electronic component, and is particularly useful in well completion tools requiring an extended life. The cold side of the thermal electric cooler can comprise a multi chip module directly bonded to the electric component to reduce the mass and size of a packaged electronic component or integrated circuit formed with more than one electronic component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting downhole electronic components and for monitoring the deterioration of such components. The electronic components are positioned within a tool recess, and a vacuum is drawn on the recess to remove oxygen, water vapor, and other contaminants from contact with the electronic components. In one embodiment of the invention, insulating fluid or an inert gas can be placed in the recess to isolate the electronic components. The seal integrity of the recess can be tested before the tool is run into the well or before the tool is set in the well. A pressure sensor monitors the deterioration of the vacuum, or fluctuations in the pressure of the insulating fluid or inert gas, to detect leakage of well fluids into the recess, leakage of gas away from the recess, or to detect gases formed from corrosion of the electronic components.

Abstract: A rotary valve for pressure fluid distribution to accomplish a sequential delivery of the pressure fluid to a series of outlets, in which a housing contains a stator having a semi-cylindrical face surface through which outlet ports open, and an elongated cylindrical rotor mounted for rotation adjacent the stator face, the rotor having a series of flow directing passages positioned to direct pressure fluid supplied to the interior of the housing through each of the outlet ports at least one at a time and in a predetermined sequence during rotation of the rotor. The arrangement of the fluid flow passages in the rotor, and the angular spacing of the passages around the circumference of the rotor is selected to minimize or avoid the destructive effect of water hammer by establishing a flow through a portion of a trailing port before a leading port effectively closes off the fluid flow.