In a drill bit which has hard-faced cutting or gauge protection elements positioned to be in direct contact with subterranean formation as the bit is rotated, at least one of these elements includes a window positioned to be in direct contact with the formation or cuttings from the formation as the bit rotates and moves forward to drill into the formation. Electromagnetic radiation with wavelength in the range from 100 nm to 2600 nm is transmitted through the window to the formation in contact with the window. Electromagnetic radiation such as fluorescence that returns through the same window is received by a spectrometer. The source and receiver of electromagnetic radiation are both accommodated within the downhole drilling equipment but spaced from the windowed element. The electromagnetic radiation travels along light guides from the source to the window and from the window to the receiver.

Logging electronics are housed within a tool housing. A first coolant reservoir is housed within the tool housing. A second coolant reservoir is housed within the tool housing. A tubing length defines a coolant passage. The tubing length fluidically connects the first coolant reservoir to the second coolant reservoir. A portion of the tubing length is adjacent to the logging electronics. A flow regulator is within the coolant passage. The flow regulator regulates a coolant flow between the first coolant reservoir and the second coolant reservoir.

Apparatus and methods directed to an assembly associated with a downhole tool, and including: a thermal housing; at least one internal component inside the thermal housing, wherein the at least one internal component comprises at least one thermally sensitive component; and a thermal isolation support connecting the at least one internal component to the tool. The thermal isolation support may comprise an additive manufacturing structural framework connected to the tool. The structural framework may include a plurality of structural members, with a majority of the plurality of structural members substantially non-parallel with a longitudinal axis of the downhole tool.

A thermal control and electrical connection means for an electronic radiation source that provides a cooling and electrical connection to an electronic radiation source in high-temperature environment is provided, including at least a means for physically dislocating a positive high-voltage generator from the anode/target of the x-ray source; a means for conveying coolant fluids to a target anode along a coaxially formed connector; and a means for removing heat from the target anode along a coaxially-formed connector. A method of removing thermal energy from the target of an electronic radiation source is also provided, including at least introducing coolant fluids onto the target; removing coolant fluids from the target; and relocating the coolant fluids to another part of the tool for disposal within the wellbore.

Logging electronics are housed within a tool housing. A first coolant reservoir is housed within the tool housing. A second coolant reservoir is housed within the tool housing. A tubing length defines a coolant passage. The tubing length fluidically connects the first coolant reservoir to the second coolant reservoir. A portion of the tubing length is adjacent to the logging electronics. A flow regulator is within the coolant passage. The flow regulator regulates a coolant flow between the first coolant reservoir and the second coolant reservoir.

A robot, robotic systems, and methods for conducting a subterranean operation. In some embodiments, a robot may include a hazardous atmosphere controlled volume, such as an explosive (EX)-certified chamber, that is located within the body of the robot. In some embodiments, a robot may include a cooling system that is at least partially disposed to fully disposed within the body of the robot, such as partially to fully disposed within the EX-certified chamber located within the body.

In some embodiments, a method and apparatus, as well as an article, may operate to determine properties based on detected optical signals. An optical detection apparatus can include an optical detector for detecting light received through a fiber optic cable; a housing for enclosing the optical detector; a light source; and a cooling mechanism having the housing mounted thereto. The cooling mechanism can maintain the temperature of a light-sensitive region of the optical detector within a temperature range below 210 degrees Kelvin. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Systems and methods for penetrating a subterranean formation with a downhole laser assembly include a laser generation unit located within a subterranean well. The downhole laser assembly further includes a vortex tube. The vortex tube has a compressed air supply port, a hot air outlet oriented to direct a hot air stream in a direction away from the laser generation unit, and a cold air outlet oriented to direct a cold air stream over the laser generation unit.

Apparatus (100) for use in sensing temperature along a wellbore, comprising: tubing (110) comprising a plurality of temperature sensor modules (120) provided at locations along the inside of the tubing, having electrical properties that vary with temperature; and an electrical network (115) comprising a plurality of wires and said plural temperature sensor modules, wherein the wires and plural temperature sensor modules are configured as a matrix by which the wires comprise a first group of wires and a second, different group of wires and each wire of the first group is electrically connected to each wire of the second group once, by different temperature sensor modules, such that each temperature sensor module can be individually electrically connected by a pair of wires comprising a first wire from the first group and a second wire from the second group.

A graphene heat exchanger for absorbing thermal energy and located in a downhole tool. The downhole tool is located in a borehole intersecting an earth formation and comprising a thermal component. The heat exchanger includes graphene and is thermally coupled to the thermal component. The heat exchanger is configured to absorb thermal energy from the thermal component or absorb ambient thermal energy from the earth formation.