WO2005050263A2 - Revetement ceramique ternaire pour recipient a pression de repeteur optique - Google Patents

Revetement ceramique ternaire pour recipient a pression de repeteur optique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005050263A2
WO2005050263A2 PCT/US2004/038589 US2004038589W WO2005050263A2 WO 2005050263 A2 WO2005050263 A2 WO 2005050263A2 US 2004038589 W US2004038589 W US 2004038589W WO 2005050263 A2 WO2005050263 A2 WO 2005050263A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
optical
undersea
oxide layer
pressure vessel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/038589
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2005050263A3 (fr
Inventor
Mark K. Young
David S. Devincentis
Savino S. Camporeale
Stephen Arthur Hughes Smith
Stephen G. Evangelides, Jr.
Michael Barsoum
Tamer El-Raghy
Original Assignee
Red Sky Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/715,330 external-priority patent/US6917465B2/en
Application filed by Red Sky Systems, Inc. filed Critical Red Sky Systems, Inc.
Publication of WO2005050263A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005050263A2/fr
Publication of WO2005050263A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005050263A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4441—Boxes
    • G02B6/4448—Electro-optic
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/4415—Cables for special applications
    • G02B6/4427—Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
    • G02B6/4428—Penetrator systems in pressure-resistant devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of optical repeaters, and more particularly to an optical repeater employed in an undersea optical transmission system.
  • Undersea optical communication systems include land-based terminals containing transmitters and receivers connected by a cabled-fiber-transmission medium that includes periodically spaced repeaters, which contain optical amplifiers whose purpose is to compensate for the optical attenuation in the cabled fiber.
  • each repeater will generally contain two or more optical amplifiers, one for each of the oppositely-directed transmission paths.
  • the cabled fiber therefore usually contains a copper conductor to carry electrical power to the repeaters from the terminals.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side view of such an ultra-small form factor repeater.
  • the repeater 100 includes a pressure vessel comprising a cylindrical metallic housing 110 and metallic end caps 120 1 and 120 2 that are secured to opposing ends of the cylindrical housing 110.
  • the cylindrical housing 110 must withstand high undersea hydrostatic pressures and remain hermetic for at least 25 years.
  • the pressure vessel must also be corrosion resistant or at least capable of being coated with an anticorrosion component. Suitable materials that are often employed include a high-strength grade of copper-beryllium and steel.
  • Optical cables 130i and 130 2 enter the repeater 100 through the end caps 120i and 120 2 , respectively.
  • Optical cables 130 ⁇ and 130 2 include an electrical conductor for supplying electrical power to the electrical components located in the repeater 100.
  • the electrical conductors in the optical cables are in electrical communication with the respective end caps 120 ⁇ and 120 2 .
  • a voltage In order to drop power to the electrical components a voltage must be established between the end caps 120 1 and 120 2 .
  • electrical continuity must be interrupted between the end caps 120. Accordingly, some provision for interrupting electrical continuity needs to be provided since the housing 110 is generally formed from a metallic material. [0007] Unfortunately, changing the material from which the housing 110 is formed from a conductive to a dielectric material is problematic because of the substantial structural and thermal demands placed on it.
  • the housing 110 not only must be the housing 110 be formed from a material strong enough to withstand the hydrostatic pressures of the undersea environment, but it must also be sufficiently thermally conductive to dissipate the waste heat generated by the electrical components within it. Very few available materials can provide the strength needed in such a small volume with the required thermal conductivity. Moreover, most materials that can provide the required strength and thermal conductivity are also good electrical conductors since thermal and electrical conductivity usually go hand in hand because they both arise from the mobility of electrons within the material). [0008] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a pressure vessel for an undersea optical repeater that meets the stringent structural, thermal and electrical properties that such a pressure vessel requires.
  • an undersea optical repeater includes a pressure vessel for use in an undersea environment.
  • the pressure vessel includes a pressure housing and at least two cable receiving elements disposed on opposing ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of optical cables that each include an electrical conductor therein.
  • the cable receiving elements are adapted to be in electrical contact with the respective electrical conductors in the optical cables.
  • At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel.
  • the optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component adapted to receive electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cables.
  • the pressure housing includes a 3-1-2 phase ceramic dielectric layer having sufficient dielectric properties for electrically isolating the cable receiving elements from one another to provide a voltage thereacross.
  • the pressure housing is formed from a metallic material.
  • the pressure housing is formed from a metallic material.
  • the metallic material includes stainless steel having chromium and aluminum therein.
  • the said oxide layer is a chromium and aluminum oxide layer.
  • the oxide layer is an oxide layer formed from oxidation of the pressure housing.
  • the oxide layer is an oxide layer applied to the pressure housing.
  • the applied oxide layer is applied by a technique selected from the group consisting of thermal spraying and chemical vapor deposition-.
  • the pressure housing is formed from an electrically conductive ceramic material.
  • the oxide layer arises from oxidation of the electrically conductive ceramic material.
  • the pressure vessel is a pressure vessel adapted for an undersea optical fiber cable joint.
  • the pressure vessel is a pressure vessel adapted for a universal cable joint for jointing optical cables having different configurations.
  • an optical amplifier module located within the pressure vessel is provided for containing the optical amplifier.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side view of a conventional pressure vessel for an undersea optical repeater.
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of a pressure vessel having a dielectric layer constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows a side view of an optical amplifier module that may be employed in a repeater constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the half units that form the optical amplifier module depicted in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 shows a side view of one of the half units that form the optical amplifier module depicted in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 6 shows a cro s-sectional side view one of the half units that form the optical amplifier module depicted " in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 7 is cross-sectional side view of the optical amplifier module shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged, cross-sectional side view of the portion of the optical amplifier module that interconnects with the end cap.
  • a dielectric layer can be applied to the outer surface of a pressure vessel that serves as an optical repeater housing.
  • the dielectric layer which in some embodiments of the invention is an oxide layer, has a resistivity that is sufficient to establish a voltage between the end caps of the pressure vessel, which voltage can be used to power the electrical components contained within the optical repeater.
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of one example of a repeater in which the present invention may be employed.
  • the repeater 200 includes a pressure vessel comprising a cylindrical metallic housing 210 and metallic end caps 2201 and 220 2 that are secured to opposing ends of the cylindrical housing 210.
  • Optical cables 230 ⁇ and 230 2 enter the repeater 200 through the end caps 220 ! and 220 ls respectively.
  • End caps 220] and 220 2 are coupled via intermediate coupling means (not shown), for example, using a threaded connection, so that mechanical loads may be transferred from cable 230 ⁇ 0 cable 230 2 , and vice versa, such that mechanical continuity is provided to the larger communication cable formed by the joining of the cable segments.
  • End caps 230 ⁇ and 230 2 are shaped as a frustum. However, it is emphasized that the selection of this particular shape for end caps 230 ⁇ and 230 2 is merely illustrative, as the invention is intended to encompass other shapes as well.
  • the large end of the cone abuts the end of cylindrical housing 210 and the smaller end of the cone includes an opening to permit passage of the cables 230j and 230 2 into the interior space of repeater 200.
  • the end caps 220j and 220 2 may be fastened to the housing 210, using, for example, conventional fastening means, such that the housing 210 also is a load-bearing member of the repeater.
  • Pressure vessel housing 210 is utilized to create an interior space in repeater 210 which contains the various electrical and optical components of the repeater such as erbium doped fiber, pump sources, couplers and the like. It is noted that the interior space of housing 210 and the contents therein, are not particularly pertinent to the invention at hand, and therefore, except in one example presented below for illustrative purposes, no further details regarding such space and contents are provided herein.
  • end caps 220[ and 220 2 are electrically active because they are in contact with the power conductors located in cables 230i and 230 2 , respectively. In order to drop a predetermined voltage to the electrical components within the repeater, housing 210 must be configured so that it does not provide an electrically conductive path between the end caps 220 ⁇ and 220 2 .
  • an oxide layer 250 is applied to the outer surface of the pressure vessel housing 210.
  • the oxide layer 250 should have a sufficient thickness to provide the necessary dielectric properties and still remain structurally strong.
  • the housing is formed from stainless steel having a sufficient chromium or chromium-aluminum content, the housing can be oxidized to form a chromium oxide dielectric surface layer.
  • such an oxide dielectric layer can be applied to the stainless steel housing by a variety of techniques such as thermal spraying and chemical vapor deposition, for example.
  • the housing 210 may be formed from various electrically conductive ceramics instead of stainless steel. Suitable ceramics include those on which a stable oxide layer can be formed. For example, ceramics that include aluminum, silicon, and titanium can be oxidized to provide the outer dielectric layer. f
  • One particular class of ceramics from which the pressure housing 210 may be formed include ternary ceramic compounds such as titanium silicon carbide (Ti 3 SiC 2 ) and related so-called "3-1-2" phase ceramics.
  • the designation "312” is taken from the molar ratio of M:A:X in the phase. Additional information concerning particular 312 phase ceramics, as well as their fabrication and properties may be found in U.S.
  • optical amplifier module 400 of the type depicted in FIGS. 3-6 and which is disclosed in copending U.S. Appl. Serial Nos. 10/687,547 and 10/800,424 .
  • Optical amplifier module 400 is designed to fit within a pressure vessel that typically serves as a universal cable joint for jointing fiber optical cables for use in undersea optical telecommunications systems.
  • the optical amplifier module 400 depicted in the figures can support 4 erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), physically grouped as a dual amplifier unit for each of two fiber pairs.
  • EDFAs erbium-doped fiber amplifiers
  • the present invention encompasses optical amplifier modules that can support any number EDFAs.
  • Each optical amplifier includes an erbium doped fiber, an optical pump source, an isolator and a gain flattening filter (GFF).
  • the amplifiers are single-stage, forward pumped with cross-coupled pump lasers.
  • a 3 dB coupler allows both coils of erbium doped fiber in the dual amplifier to be pumped if one of the two pump lasers fails.
  • an isolator protects against backward-scattered light entering the amplifier.
  • the gain flattening filter is designed to flatten the amplifier gain at the designed input power.
  • An additional optical path may be provided to allow a filtered portion of the backscattered light in either fiber to be coupled back into the opposite direction, allowing for COTDR- type line-monitoring.
  • optical amplifier module 400 may support EDFAs having different configurations such as multistage amplifiers, forward and counter- pumped amplifiers, as well as fiber amplifiers that employ rare-earth elements other than erbium.
  • FIG. 3 A side view of optical amplifier module 400 is shown in FIG. 3 with the end caps 13 (corresponding to end caps 220 in FIG. 2) in place but without the cylindrical housing 210.
  • the module 400 is defined by a generally cylindrical structure having flanges 402 (seen in FIG. 4) located on opposing end faces 403.
  • a longitudinal plane 405 extends through the optical amplifier module 400 to thereby bisect the module 400 into two half units 404 and 404' that are symmetric about a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 405. That is, as best seen in FIG.
  • each half unit 404 includes the portion of one of the end faces 403 on which a respective flange 402 is located.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the units 404.
  • each half unit 404 houses two erbium-doped fiber amplifiers [0040]
  • Flanges 402 mate with cable termination units (not shown) of the aforementioned universal joint.
  • through-holes 407 extend inward from the end faces 403 through which the tension rod of the universal joint are inserted.
  • each unit 404 includes curved sidewalls 412 forming a half cylinder that defines a portion of the cylindrical structure.
  • a spinal member 406 is integral with and tangent to the curved sidewalls 412 and extends longitudinally therefrom.
  • the thru hole 407 containing the tension rod of the universal joint extends through the spinal member 406.
  • a ceramic boss 440 is located on the end of the spinal member 406 remote from the end flange 403. As shown in FIGs. 4 and 6, the thru hole 407 extends through the ceramic boss 440. As discussed below, the ceramic boss 440 prevents the flow of current from one half unit 404 to the other.
  • a circuit board support surface 416 extends along the periphery of the unit 404 in the longitudinal plane 4051 Circuit board 426 is mounted on support surface 416.
  • circuit boards 426 and 426' are interconnected by a pair of interlocking conductive power pins 423 that provide electrical connectivity between the two circuit boards 426 and 426'.
  • the inner cavity of the unit 404 located between the circuit board support surface 416 and the spinal member 406 serves as an optical fiber storage area.
  • Optical fiber spools 420 are located on the inner surface of the spinal member 406 in the optical fiber storage area.
  • the erbium doped fibers, as well as any excess fiber, are spooled around the optical fiber spools 420.
  • the optical fiber spools 420 have outer diameters that are at least great enough to prevent the fibers from bending beyond their minimum specified bending radius.
  • the curved sidewalls 412 are sufficiently thick to support a plurality of thru-holes 418 that extend therethrough in the longitudinal direction.
  • the thru-holes 418 serve as receptacles for the passive components of the optical amplifiers. That is, each receptacle 418 can contain a component such as an isolator, gain flattening filter, coupler and the like.
  • End faces 403 each include a pair of pump support bosses 403a (see FIGs. 5 and 6) that extend inward and parallel to the circuit board 426.
  • the circuit board 426 has cutouts so that the pump support bosses 403a are exposed.
  • a pump source 427 that provides the pump energy for each optical amplifier is mounted on each pump boss 403 a.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un répéteur optique sous-marin. Le répéteur selon l'invention comprend un appareil à pression destiné à utilisation dans un environnement sous-marin. L'appareil à pression comporte un logement à pression et au moins deux éléments de réception de câbles qui, disposés sur les extrémités opposées du logement à pression, sont destinés à recevoir respectivement les extrémités de câbles optiques, chacun de ces derniers contenant un conducteur électrique. Les éléments de réception de câbles sont adaptés de manière à se trouver en contact électrique avec les conducteurs électriques respectifs situés dans les câbles optiques. Au moins un amplificateur optique est situé dans l'appareil à pression. Ledit amplificateur optique comprend au moins un composant électrique adapté de manière à recevoir de l'énergie électrique des conducteurs électriques situés dans les câbles optiques. Le logement à pression contient une couche diélectrique céramique à phase 3-1-2 présentant des propriétés diélectriques suffisantes pour isoler électriquement les uns des autres les éléments de réception de câbles, afin de fournir une tension aux bornes de ces derniers.
PCT/US2004/038589 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Revetement ceramique ternaire pour recipient a pression de repeteur optique WO2005050263A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/715,330 2003-11-17
US10/715,330 US6917465B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2003-11-17 Method and apparatus for electrically isolating an optical amplifier module housed in a universal cable joint
US96772004A 2004-10-18 2004-10-18
US10/967,720 2004-10-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005050263A2 true WO2005050263A2 (fr) 2005-06-02
WO2005050263A3 WO2005050263A3 (fr) 2007-07-05

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PCT/US2004/038589 WO2005050263A2 (fr) 2003-11-17 2004-11-17 Revetement ceramique ternaire pour recipient a pression de repeteur optique

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019195807A1 (fr) * 2018-04-06 2019-10-10 Ipg Photonics Corporation Répéteur optique sous-marin à isolement haute tension

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5427268A (en) * 1993-06-16 1995-06-27 Battelle Memorial Institute Ceramic pressure housing with metal endcaps
US5733832A (en) * 1996-01-26 1998-03-31 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Dielectric ceramic composition

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5427268A (en) * 1993-06-16 1995-06-27 Battelle Memorial Institute Ceramic pressure housing with metal endcaps
US5733832A (en) * 1996-01-26 1998-03-31 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Dielectric ceramic composition

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019195807A1 (fr) * 2018-04-06 2019-10-10 Ipg Photonics Corporation Répéteur optique sous-marin à isolement haute tension
US10827650B2 (en) 2018-04-06 2020-11-03 Ipg Photonics Corporation Submarine optical repeater with high voltage isolation
CN111971864A (zh) * 2018-04-06 2020-11-20 Ipg光子公司 具有高压隔离功能的海底光中继器
CN111971864B (zh) * 2018-04-06 2022-08-02 Ipg光子公司 具有高压隔离功能的海底光中继器

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