WO2009017502A1 - Protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée - Google Patents

Protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009017502A1
WO2009017502A1 PCT/US2007/074920 US2007074920W WO2009017502A1 WO 2009017502 A1 WO2009017502 A1 WO 2009017502A1 US 2007074920 W US2007074920 W US 2007074920W WO 2009017502 A1 WO2009017502 A1 WO 2009017502A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
splice
protective sheath
optical fiber
protective
protector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/074920
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Neal G. Skinner
Original Assignee
Welldynamics, 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
Application filed by Welldynamics, Inc. filed Critical Welldynamics, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2007/074920 priority Critical patent/WO2009017502A1/fr
Publication of WO2009017502A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009017502A1/fr

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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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2558—Reinforcement of splice joint

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to operations performed and equipment utilized in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a high temperature fiber optic splice protector.
  • Splices between separate lengths of optical fiber are well known in the telecommunications industry. For example, fusion splices may be used to join the separate lengths of optical fiber.
  • fusion splices may be used to join the separate lengths of optical fiber.
  • splices are not well suited for use in hazardous, high temperature environments (such as subterranean wellbores) for several reasons, including the fact that the splice is weaker as compared to the virgin optical fiber material.
  • splice protectors for protecting and strengthening optical fiber splices.
  • conventional splice protectors are also not well suited for use in hazardous, high temperature environments such as subterranean wellbores.
  • a high temperature optical fiber splice protector and associated method are provided which solve at least one problem in the art.
  • an optical fiber is used as a strengthening member straddling a fiber optic splice.
  • multiple optical fibers are positioned between protective sheaths in a splice protector.
  • a high temperature fiber optic splice protector includes first and second protective sheaths and at least one optical fiber positioned between the protective sheaths .
  • a method of protecting an optical fiber splice includes the steps of: positioning the splice within a protective sheath; arranging at least one optical fiber external to the protective sheath, with the optical fiber overlapping the splice; and enclosing the splice, protective sheath and optical fiber within another protective sheath.
  • a high temperature fiber optic splice assembly includes a fiber optic splice and at least one optical fiber secured straddling the fiber optic splice.
  • a high temperature fiber optic splice protector for protecting and supporting a fiber optic splice.
  • the splice protector includes a protective sheath and at least one optical fiber positioned within the protective sheath and arranged to be in supporting relationship to the fiber optic splice.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a well system and associated method embodying principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale schematic cross-sectional view of a fiber optic splice in the well system of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a somewhat reduced scale schematic cross- sectional view of the fiber optic splice of FIG. 2 with a splice protector prior to shrinking tubes thereof; and
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, of the splice protector after shrinking tubes thereof. - A -
  • FIG. 1 Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a well system 10 which embodies principles of the present invention.
  • a fiber optic splice assembly 12 is used in a wellbore 14 to join one length of optical fiber 16 to another length of optical fiber 18.
  • the splice assembly 12 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being positioned within casing 20 which is cemented within the wellbore 14.
  • the splice assembly 12 and/or either of the optical fibers 16, 18 could be positioned in any desired location (such as external to the casing 20, within a well tool, in a formation surrounding the wellbore, in an uncased wellbore, in a protective tube, etc.) in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • the splice assembly 12 may not even be in a wellbore at all.
  • each of the optical fibers 16, 18 includes a central core 16a, 18a surrounded by a cladding 16b, 18b, respectively, each of which is typically made of a silica material.
  • This arrangement of cores 16a, 18a and claddings 16b, 18b forms a waveguide structure whereby light is transmitted along the optical fibers 16, 18 with relatively low loss.
  • Other waveguide structures can be constructed from varying layers of silica in a fiber, and the splice protector described herein should also be suitable for those alternate waveguide structures.
  • the optical fibers 16, 18 would typically be encased within an outer coating or jacket (not shown) having one or more layers.
  • an outer coating or jacket (not shown) having one or more layers.
  • aerylate coatings are typical for low temperature applications.
  • high temperature acrylate, silicon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA) or polyimide coatings (or combinations of these or other materials) may be used.
  • Such coatings and any other outer layers would be stripped off of the ends of the optical fibers 16, 18 prior to forming the splice 22.
  • the splice 22 is preferably a fusion splice of the type typically created by generating an electrical arc proximate the aligned ends of the optical fibers 16, 18.
  • fusion splices are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further herein. However, it should be understood that other types of splices may be used in keeping with the principles of the invention.
  • the splice protector 24 includes an inner protective sheath 26, an outer protective sheath 28 and one or more optical fibers 30.
  • the optical fibers 30 are positioned between the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28.
  • the splice 22 and ends of the optical fibers 16, 18 are positioned within the inner protective sheath 26.
  • the protective sheaths 26, 28 are generally tubular and are made of a heat-shrinkable material, such as one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) and perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin (PFA) .
  • PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
  • FEP fluorinated ethylene-propylene
  • PFA perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin
  • the inner protective sheath 26 is not used.
  • the outer protective sheath 28 will still protect the splice 22 and ends of the optical fibers 16, 18, and the optical fibers 30 will still be in supporting relationship to the splice (e.g., with the optical fibers 30 secured between the outer protective sheath and the optical fibers 16, 18 when the outer protective sheath is shrunk) .
  • the splice protector 24 is depicted in FIG. 4 after the protective sheaths 26, 28 have been shrunk, for example, by application of heat thereto. Note that the optical fibers 30 are secured between the protective sheaths 26, 28, such that the optical fibers provide enhanced strength to the optical fibers 16, 18 and splice 22 within the inner protective sheath 26.
  • outer protective sheath 28 is for convenience schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 as maintaining a generally circular cross-sectional form, it will be appreciated that, when the outer protective sheath is shrunk, it will preferably conform to the exterior contours of the optical fibers 30 and inner protective sheath 26 enclosed therein.
  • the protective sheaths 26, 28 are preferably provided as tubes, they could be otherwise constructed.
  • the sheaths 26, 28 could be wrapped about the optical fibers 16, 18, 30 and splice 22 if desired.
  • the protective sheaths 26, 28 and strengthening fibers 30 could be integrally formed as a single unit if desired, it is not necessary for the protective sheaths to be separate elements, etc.
  • optical fibers 30 are depicted in FIG. 4, but it will be appreciated that any number of optical fibers (including one) could be used.
  • One advantage to using the optical fibers 30 straddling the splice 22 is that the optical fibers 30 will have the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the optical fibers 16, 18 and the splice 22, so that at elevated temperatures little or no thermally induced strain will be imparted to the optical fibers 16, 18 and the splice 22 due to the splice assembly 12.
  • the optical fibers 30 are also very inexpensive and readily available.
  • the splice protector 24 preferably includes an inner protective sheath 26, an outer protective sheath 28, and at least one optical fiber 30 positioned between the first and second protective sheaths.
  • the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28 and one or more optical fibers 30 may be provided as a preassembled unit, so that the splice protector 24 is ready-made for use when needed.
  • the inner protective sheath 26 is optional, since a usable high temperature splice may be made without the inner protective sheath. In that case, the splice protector 24 would comprise the outer protective sheath 28 and at least one optical fiber 30 positioned within the protective sheath to strengthen the splice.
  • the splice protector 24 may include three of the optical fibers 30 positioned between the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28. At least one of the protective sheaths 26, 28 may comprise a shrinkable material.
  • the shrinkable material may comprise at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene and perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin.
  • At least one of the protective sheaths 26, 28 may comprise a shrinkable tube.
  • Each of the protective sheaths 26, 28 may comprise a shrinkable tube, and multiple optical fibers 30 may be positioned external to the inner protective sheath and internal to the outer protective sheath.
  • a method of protecting an optical fiber splice 22 may include the steps of: positioning the splice 22 within an inner protective sheath 26; arranging at least one optical fiber 30 external to the inner protective sheath 26, with the optical fiber 30 overlapping the splice 22; and enclosing the splice 22, inner protective sheath 26 and optical fiber 30 within an outer protective sheath 28.
  • the method may include the step of shrinking the inner protective sheath 26 onto the splice 22.
  • the method may include the step of shrinking the outer protective sheath 28 onto the splice 22, inner protective sheath 26 and optical fiber 30.
  • the arranging step may include positioning multiple optical fibers 30 external to the inner protective sheath 26.
  • At least one of the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28 may comprise a shrinkable material.
  • the shrinkable material may comprise at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene and perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin.
  • the method may include the step of providing at least one of the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28 as comprising a shrinkable tube.
  • a high temperature fiber optic splice assembly 12 is also provided.
  • the splice assembly 12 may include a fiber optic splice 22 and at least one optical fiber 30 secured straddling the fiber optic splice.
  • the splice assembly 12 may further include an inner protective sheath 26 positioned between the optical fiber 30 and the splice 22.
  • the inner protective sheath 26 may comprise a shrinkable material.
  • the shrinkable material may comprise at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene and perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin.
  • the splice assembly 12 may further include an outer protective sheath 28 enclosing the splice 22, inner protective sheath 26 and optical fiber 30.
  • the outer protective sheath 28 may comprise a shrinkable material.
  • the shrinkable material may comprise at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene and perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin.
  • Each of the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28 may comprise a shrinkable tube. Multiple optical fibers 30 may be positioned between the inner and outer protective sheaths 26, 28.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée qui comprend une première gaine protectrice, une seconde gaine protectrice et au moins une fibre optique positionnée entre les première et seconde gaines protectrices. Un procédé de protection d'une épissure de fibre optique consiste: à positionner l'épissure à l'intérieur d'une première gaine protectrice; à agencer au moins une fibre optique externe à la première gaine protectrice, la fibre optique chevauchant l'épissure; et à enfermer l'épissure, la première gaine protectrice et la fibre optique à l'intérieur d'une seconde gaine protectrice. Un ensemble épissure de fibre optique à température élevée comprend une épissure de fibre optique; et au moins une fibre optique fixée en chevauchement sur l'épissure de fibre optique.
PCT/US2007/074920 2007-08-01 2007-08-01 Protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée WO2009017502A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2007/074920 WO2009017502A1 (fr) 2007-08-01 2007-08-01 Protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2007/074920 WO2009017502A1 (fr) 2007-08-01 2007-08-01 Protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009017502A1 true WO2009017502A1 (fr) 2009-02-05

Family

ID=40304596

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/074920 WO2009017502A1 (fr) 2007-08-01 2007-08-01 Protecteur d'épissure de fibre optique à température élevée

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2009017502A1 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4509820A (en) * 1981-05-07 1985-04-09 Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Public Corporation Protective packaging assembly and method
US6099170A (en) * 1999-01-07 2000-08-08 Thomas & Betters International, Inc. Splice protection sleeve for a plurality of optical fibers and method of installation

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4509820A (en) * 1981-05-07 1985-04-09 Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Public Corporation Protective packaging assembly and method
US6099170A (en) * 1999-01-07 2000-08-08 Thomas & Betters International, Inc. Splice protection sleeve for a plurality of optical fibers and method of installation

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