Methods for fabricating a monolithic multi-optical-waveguide penetrator or connector
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorThomas W. F. Engel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for a monolithic multi-optical-waveguide penetrator or connector. One example apparatus generally includes a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, and a body having a plurality of bores with the optical waveguides disposed therein, wherein at least a portion of the cladding of each of the optical waveguides is fused with the body, such that the apparatus is a monolithic structure. Such an apparatus provides for a cost- and space-efficient technique for feedthrough of multiple optical waveguides. Also, the body may have a large outer diameter which can be shaped into features of interest, such as connection alignment or feedthrough sealing features.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- forming a body having opposing sides and having a plurality of bores defined therein, the bores extending through the body from one of the opposing sides to the other of the opposing sides;
- providing separate pathways for conducting independent optical signals by positioning a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, in the plurality of bores of the body, wherein each of the bores in the body is separate and distinct from another one of the plurality of bores such that each of the cores of the large diameter optical waveguides has a separation from each of the other cores and is configured to conduct the independent optical signal in one of the separate pathways;
- sealing the large diameter optical waveguides in the bores of the body and providing free ends of each of the large diameter optical waveguides extending from the opposing sides of the body by fusing at least a portion of the cladding of each of the large diameter optical waveguides with the body, such that an apparatus resulting therefrom is a monolithic structure;
- positioning at least a portion the apparatus in a housing and sealing an outer surface of the body with an inner surface of the housing using one or more annular sealing elements;
- and
- splicing separate optical fibers for the independent optical signals to the provided free ends of each of the large diameter optical waveguides extending from the opposing sides of the body.
A method, comprising:
- forming a body having opposing sides and having a plurality of apertures defined therein, the apertures extending through the body from one of the opposing sides to the other of the opposing sides;
- providing separate pathways for conducting independent optical signals by positioning a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, in the plurality of apertures of the body, each of the cores of the large diameter optical waveguides having a separation from each of the other cores and being configured to conduct the independent optical signal in one of the separate pathways;
- after the positioning, fusing at least a portion of the cladding of each of the large diameter optical waveguides with the body and providing free ends of each of the large diameter optical waveguides extending from the opposing sides of the body, such that an apparatus resulting therefrom is a monolithic structure;
- positioning the apparatus in a housing and sealing an outer surface of the body with an inner surface of the housing using one or more annular sealing elements;
- and
- splicing separate optical fibers for the independent optical signals to the provided free ends of each of the large diameter optical waveguides extending from the opposing sides of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.