Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Other

Cidra Corporation

Christopher Chestnut

Robert A Rubino, Jr

Jeffrey A Bonja

John A Moon

James R Dunphy

Joseph Francis Pinto

Robert N Brucato

Charles Winston

James S Sirkis

Ralph W Jones

Douglas A Norton

David Fournier

Thomas Wolfgang Engel

David R Fournier

Christopher T Chipman

Phillip E Pruett

Edward Laffitte

Robert Markoja

Kenneth Falkowich

An optical channel monitor is provided that sequentially or selectively filters an optical channel(s)of light from a (WDM) optical input signaland senses predetermined parameters of the each filtered optical signal (e.g., channel power, channel presence, signal-noise-ratio). The OCMis a free-space optical device that includes a collimator assembly, a diffraction gratingand a mirror. A launch pigtail emits into free space the input signal through the collimator assemblyand onto the diffraction grating, which separates spatially each of the optical channelsof the collimated light, and reflects the separated channels of light onto the mirror. A &#x3bb;/4 plateis disposed between the mirrorand the diffraction grating. The mirror reflects the separated light back through the &#x3bb;/4 plateto the diffraction grating, which reflects the channels of light back through the collimating lens. The lensfocuses each separated channel of light (&#x3bb;-&#x3bb;) at a different focal point in space. One of the optical channelsis focused onto a receive pigtail, which then propagates to a photodetector. A pivoting mechanismpivots the diffraction gratingor mirrorabout a pivot pointto sequentially or selectively focus each optical channelto the receive pigtail. A position sensordetects the displacement of the diffraction gratingor mirror.

Optical channel monitor

An optical spectrum analyzer (OSA)sequentially or selectively samples (or filters) a spectral band(s)of light from a broadband optical input signaland measures predetermined optical parameters of the optical signal (e.g., spectral profile) of the input light. The OSAis a free-space optical device that includes a collimator assembly, a diffraction gratingand a mirror. A launch pigtail emits into free space the input signal through the collimator assemblyand onto the diffraction grating, which separates or spreads spatially the collimated input light, and reflects the dispersed light onto the mirror. A &#x3bb;/4 plateis disposed between the mirrorand the diffraction grating. The mirror reflects the separated light back through the &#x3bb;/4 plateto the diffraction grating, which reflects the light back through the collimating lens. The lensfocuses spectral bands of light (&#x3bb;&#x2013;&#x3bb;) at different focal points in space. One of the spectral bandsis focused onto a receive pigtail, which then propagates to a photodetector. A pivoting mechanismpivots the diffraction gratingor mirrorabout a pivot pointto sequentially or selectively focus each spectral bandto the receive pigtail. A position sensordetects the displacement of the diffraction gratingor mirror.

Optical spectrum analyzer

A fiber optic cable includes a core and a surrounding protective layer. The core includes an inner tube having one or more optical fibers contained therein, and the surrounding protective layer includes an outer tube received over the inner tube, and a layer of buffer material positioned between the outer tube and the inner tube. The buffer material maintains the inner tube generally centrally located within the outer tube and providing a mechanical link between the inner tube and the outer tube to prevent relative movement therebetween. The inner tube may be coated with a low hydrogen permeability material to minimize the entrance of hydrogen into the inner tube. The low hydrogen permeability material may be coated with a protective layer of hard, scratch resistant material to protect the integrity of the low hydrogen permeability material. The area in the inner tube not occupied by the optical fibers may be filled with a filler material, the filler material being selected to have a sufficient viscosity to resist the shear forces applied to it as a result of the weight of the optical fibers within the tube while allowing movement of the optical fibers within the tube during spooling, deployment and handling of the cable to thereby prevent damage and microbending of the optical fibers. The filling material may be impregnated with a hydrogen absorbing/scavenging material to remove any excess hydrogen within the inner tube. The optical fibers have an excess length with respect to the inner tube, and the cable may include an outer jacket of a high temperature, protective material to protect the cable during handling and installation.

Optical fiber cable for use in harsh environments

A fiber optic transmission cable fiber protector includes a splice tube positioned over the ends of a pair of fiber optic cables having an outer capillary tube containing at least one optical fiber within an inner capillary tube. The optical fiber protector includes a pair of optical fiber strain relief mechanism positioned near the ends of the optical fibers; the strain relief mechanisms are captured within a heat sink tube that is inserted into each end of the outer capillary tubes. The splice tube is welded to the outer capillary tubes. Heat generated by the welding process dissipated by the heat sink and gases generated during the welding process are vented through a hole in the outer capillary tube into the optical fiber splice area. In an alternate embodiment a weld coupling is welded to each end of the splice tube and is further welded to the outer capillary tubes. A sealing mechanism is positioned on the inner capillary tubes within the outer capillary tubes forming a seal therebetween. A splice protection sleeve is positioned over the optical fiber splice area to protect the splice during assembly of the protector. In an alternative embodiment an optical fiber protector assembly includes a carrier tube disposed onto the inner capillary tube and an optical fiber strain relief mechanism positioned within the carrier tube near the end of the optical fiber capturing the fiber therein in a strain relieved condition.

Transmission cable optical fiber protector and method

Optical fiber cable having fiber in metal tube core with outer protective layer

Growing community of inventors

Ellington, CT, United States of America

Christopher Chestnut