High power laser photo-conversion assemblies, apparatuses and methods of use
AssigneeForo Energy, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Zediker, Rebecca Jones-Albertus, Brian O. Faircloth, Charles C. Rinzler, Joel F. Moxley
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Abstract
There is provided a high power laser system for powering a remotely located laser device, such as an ROV, using a high power laser fiber optic tether and a photo-conversion device, such as a laser photovoltaic assembly. Laser device systems, such as ROV systems that utilizes a high power laser cutting and/or cleaning tools are also provided.
Claims78
A high power laser subsea vehicle system comprising:
- a. a high power laser for providing a coherent light energy;
- b. a high power laser tether for transmitting the coherent light energy;
- c. a subsea vehicle comprising a means for converting the coherent light energy;
- and,
- d. the high power laser, the high power laser tether and the means for converting the coherent light energy in optical association with one another;
- e. whereby, the coherent light energy is converted in the subsea vehicle to provide energy for an operation of the subsea vehicle.
A high power laser ROV system comprising:
- a. a support vessel, the support vessel comprising a laser housing containing a high power laser, the high power laser capable of propagating at least a 10 kW laser beam;
- b. a tether having a distal end and a proximal end defining a length there between, and comprising a high power optical fiber having a length equal to or greater than the length of the tether;
- c. a means for playing out and retrieving the tether;
- d. a remotely operated vehicle;
- e. the support vessel comprising a means for handling the remotely operated vehicle;
- and,
- f. a proximal end of the tether in optical communication with the high power laser and a distal end of the tether in optical communication with the remotely operated vehicle.
A high power laser system comprising:
- a. a high power laser, the high power laser capable of propagating at least a 15 kW laser beam;
- b. an umbilical having a distal end and a proximal end defining a length there between and the umbilical comprising a high power optical fiber;
- c. a means for playing out and retrieving the umbilical;
- d. a remote device comprising a photo-conversion device;
- and,
- e. the proximal end of the umbilical in optical communication with the high power laser and the distal end of the umbilical in optical communication with the remote device;
- f. wherein the umbilical length is at least about 1000 feet and the system is capable of delivering at least about 10 kW to the remote device.
A high power laser system comprising:
- a. a high power laser, the high power laser capable of propagating at least a 10 kW laser beam;
- b. an umbilical having a distal end and a proximal end defining a length there between and the umbilical comprising a high power optical fiber;
- c. a remote device comprising a laser photovoltaic assembly;
- and,
- d. the proximal end of the umbilical in optical association with the high power laser and the distal end of the umbilical in optical association with the photovoltaic assembly;
- e. wherein the high power laser system delivers at least about 5 kW to the photovoltaic assembly.
A method of performing laser powered operations by a subsea device, the method comprising:
- a. optically associating a subsea device with a high power laser by means of a high power laser tether comprising a high power laser fiber;
- b. lowering the subsea device into a body of water;
- c. propagating a high power laser beam;
- d. launching the high power laser beam into the high power laser fiber in the high power laser tether;
- e. transmitting the high power laser beam through the high power laser fiber to the subsea device without substantial loss of power;
- f. converting at least a portion of the laser beam into electrical energy;
- and,
- g. utilizing the electrical energy to power an operation of the subsea device.
A high power laser system for providing high power laser energy to an operations unit for use at a remote distant location for utilizing the high power laser energy at the local to provide a source of power, the system comprising:
- a. a high power laser for providing a high power laser beam of coherent light energy;
- b. a high power laser tether for transmitting the high power laser beam of coherent light energy;
- c. an operations unit;
- d. a device comprising a means for converting the coherent light energy;
- and,
- e. the high power laser, the high power laser tether and the means for converting the coherent light energy in optical association with one another;
- f. whereby, the coherent light energy is converted to provide energy for an operation of the operations unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.