Cladding for an electro-optical device
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsJoseph Varkey, Maria Grisanti, David Kim, Qingdi Huang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sensors for imaging boreholes via the detection of electrical and optical properties may be subject to harsh conditions downhole, such as from pressure and temperature. In addition, these sensors may be subject to impact, such as tension, elongation, and compression forces, along the wall of the borehole. The harsh conditions downhole and impacts on the sensor can lead to premature wear and even breaking. The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for measuring electrical and optical properties of the borehole and methods for manufacturing the apparatus.
Claims20
An electrical-optical device, comprising:
- at least two optical fibers;
- a grooved conductor that includes a recess that extends radially outward from a central portion of the grooved conductor to an end portion of the recess, wherein the at least two optical fibers are positioned within the recess, wherein one of the at least two optical fibers is adjacent the central portion of the grooved conductor and the other optical fiber is disposed between the optical fiber adjacent the central portion of the grooved conductor and the end portion of the recess;
- wherein the at least two optical fibers are fixed in the position within the recess;
- and
- a cladding disposed around the grooved conductor and over the end portion of the recess forming a tube, wherein the at least two optical fibers are maintained inside the recess of the grooved conductor, wherein the cladding includes a welded connection along a first end and a second end of the cladding, and wherein the cladding provides increased resistance to mechanical stress and reduced likelihood of gas intrusion to the at least two optical fibers and gas leakage to the electrical-optical device.
A method of manufacturing an electrical-optical cable for a downhole device, comprising:
- providing a grooved conductor and at least two optical fibers, wherein the grooved conductor includes a recess that extends radially outward from a central portion of the grooved conductor to an end portion of the recess;
- coupling at least one optical fiber of the at least two optical fibers to the grooved conductor by positioning the at least two optical fibers into the recess, wherein one of the at least two optical fibers is adjacent the central portion of the grooved conductor and the other optical fiber is disposed between the optical fiber adjacent the central portion of the grooved conductor and the end portion of the recess, wherein the at least two optical fibers are fixed in the position within the recess;
- surrounding an outer surface of the grooved conductor with a cladding;
- and
- connecting a first end of the cladding to a second end of the cladding and forming a seal along the connection.
A method of manufacturing an electrical-optical cable for a downhole device, comprising:
- providing a grooved conductor and at least two optical fibers, wherein the grooved conductor includes a recess that extends radially outward from a central portion of the grooved conductor to an end portion of the recess, and wherein a cross section of the grooved conductor is not entirely circular;
- coupling the at least two optical fibers to the grooved conductor by positioning the at least two optical fibers into the recess wherein one of the at least two optical fibers is adjacent the central portion of the grooved conductor and the other optical fiber is disposed between the optical fiber adjacent the central portion of the grooved conductor and the end portion of the recess, wherein the at least two optical fibers are fixed in the position within the recess;
- providing a filler material to fill a portion within the recess that is not occupied by the at least two optical fibers;
- surrounding an outer surface of the grooved conductor with a cladding;
- connecting a first end of the cladding to a second end of the cladding and forming a seal along the connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.