Diamond switching devices, systems and methods
An apparatus, device or system according to one or more aspects includes a first-type diamond semiconductor moveably positioned relative to a second-type diamond semi-conductor, the first-type diamond semiconductor operationally connected to a tool element, the first-type diamond semiconductor moving relative to the second type diamond semiconductor in response to movement of the tool element, and an electrical signal created in response to the first-type and the second-type diamond semi-conductors moving in and out of contact with one another, where the electrical signal or electrical signals are indicative of a monitored condition.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first-type diamond semiconductor moveably positioned relative to a second-type diamond semiconductor;
the first-type diamond semiconductor operationally connected to a tool element, the first-type diamond semiconductor moving relative to the second type diamond semiconductor in response to movement of the tool element; and
an electrical signal created in response to the first-type and the second-type diamond semi-conductors moving in and out of contact with one another, the electrical signal being indicative of a monitored condition.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool element is a valve member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the monitored condition is a position of a valve and the tool element is a movable element of the valve.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool element is a valve member of one of a rotary valve, an oscillating valve, and a poppet valve.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the monitored condition is a valve position.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool element is a valve member of a rotary valve.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool element is a drive shaft.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool element is a moveable element of a fluidic modulator.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool element is a valve in communication with a hydraulic line of a rotary steerable system.
10. A wellbore system, the comprising:
a downhole tool having a moveable tool element disposed with a tubular string in a wellbore; and
a switching device operationally connected with the downhole tool, the switching device comprising:
a first-type diamond semiconductor moveably positioned relative to a second-type diamond semiconductor;
the first-type diamond semiconductor operationally connected to the tool element, the first-type diamond semiconductor moving relative to the second type diamond semiconductor in response to movement of the tool element; and
an electrical signal created in response to the first-type and the second-type diamond semi-conductors moving in and out of contact with one another, the electrical signal being indicative of a monitored condition.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the downhole tool is a valve.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the valve is one of a rotary valve, an oscillating valve, and a poppet valve.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the monitored condition is one position and speed.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the downhole tool is a fluidic modulator.
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising an actuator connected to the tool element and a processor connected to the actuator and the switching device.
16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the downhole tool is a valve to selectively control the flow of a fluid to a steering pad.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the monitored condition is one of valve position and speed of movement.
18. A method, comprising:
monitoring a condition of a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising a first-type diamond semiconductor moveably positioned relative to a second-type diamond semi-conductor and the first-type diamond semiconductor is operationally connected to a tool element of the downhole tool, the first-type diamond semiconductor moving relative to the second-type diamond semiconductor in response to movement of the tool element; and
creating an electrical signal indicative of the monitored condition in response to the first-type and the second-type diamond semi-conductors moving in and out of contact with one another.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the downhole tool is a valve selectively controlling the application of fluid to a steering pad of a rotary steerable system.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the downhole tool is a fluidic modulator, and further comprising operating the fluidic modulator to create signal encoded pressure pulses in a fluid disposed in the wellbore.