Optical fiber feedthrough using axial seals for bi-directional sealing
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsJames R. Dunphy, George J. Talmadge, John J. Grunbeck, Khai Tran, Roddie R. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly passes at least one optical waveguide through a bulk head, a sensor wall, or other feedthrough member. The optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprises a cane-based optical waveguide that forms a glass plug sealingly disposed in a feedthrough housing. A seal fills an annular space between the glass plug and the housing. The seal may be energized by a fluid pressure in the housing to establish sealing engagement. Further, the seal may provide bidirectional sealing. The feedthrough assembly is operable in high temperature and high pressure environments.
Claims21
An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a bore extending therethrough;
- an optical waveguide element having a core and cladding at a first section, wherein the first section is disposed in the bore and has a larger cladding outer diameter than a second section;
- a first sealing element disposed around the first section of the optical waveguide element, wherein the first sealing element has sealing lips oriented to be energized into sealing engagement with the bore and the glass plug by fluid pressure acting in a first direction within the bore;
- and
- a second sealing element disposed around the first section of the optical waveguide element, wherein the second sealing element has sealing lips oriented to be energized into sealing engagement with the bore and the glass plug by fluid pressure acting in a second direction opposite the first direction within the bore.
An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a bore extending therethrough;
- an optical waveguide element having a core and cladding, wherein the optical waveguide element is disposed in the bore and has a cladding outer diameter with a profile defining sections with at least two different diameters;
- a sealing element disposed around the first section of the optical waveguide element and in sealing engagement with the bore and the glass plug;
- and
- a containment member secured within the housing, wherein the containment member has corresponding features mated with the profile of the optical waveguide element.
An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly, comprising:
- a housing having a bore extending therethrough;
- an optical waveguide element having a core and cladding at a first section with a larger cladding outer diameter than a second section, wherein the first section is disposed in the bore;
- and
- v-ring seals disposed around the first section of the optical waveguide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.