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US 2006/0133711 A1Published application
Methods and apparatus for single fiber optical telemetry
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsStephane Vannuffelen, Tsutomu Yamate, Bruno Gayral, Soon Chee, Colin Wilson
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Abstract
Single fiber optical telemetry systems and methods are disclosed. The methods and systems facilitate input and output via a single fiber optic interface. The optical telemetry systems and methods also facilitate faster data transmission rates between surface and downhole equipment in oilfield applications.
Claims45
An optical telemetry system, comprising:
- a downhole oilfield tool;
- only a single optical fiber extending between a surface location and the downhole oilfield tool, the single optical fiber terminating at and coupled to a substrate, the substrate comprising an optical path;
- a plurality of electrodes connected to the substrate for modulating light passing through the optical path.
An electro-optical modulator comprising:
- a downhole lithium niobate substrate;
- a waveguide disposed in the substrate;
- an optical input/output comprising a single fiber coupled to the waveguide;
- and
- a plurality of electrodes arranged about the waveguide.
2 more elements
A downhole telemetry system comprising:
- a surface data acquisition unit comprising a surface optical telemetry unit;
- a downhole optical telemetry cartridge comprising a downhole electro-optic unit;
- and
- a single-fiber optical interface between the surface data acquisition unit and the downhole optical telemetry cartridge.
1 more element
A method of communication between a surface location and one or more downhole tools, comprising:
- receiving electrical signals from the one or more downhole tools;
- modulating the electrical signals from the one or more downhole tools, the modulating comprising:
- receiving light from a surface location source via an input fiber of a downhole electrical-to-optical modulator;
- modulating the light;
- outputting the modulated light back through the input fiber;
- receiving and detecting the modulated light at the surface location.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.