Back to results
US 8,571,368 B2Granted
Optical fiber configurations for transmission of laser energy over great distances
AssigneeForo Energy, Inc.
InventorsCharles C. Rinzler, Mark S. Zediker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There are provided optical fiber configurations that provide for the delivery of laser energy, and in particular, the transmission and delivery of high power laser energy over great distances. These configurations further are hardened to protect the optical fibers from the stresses and conditions of an intended application. The configurations provide means for determining the additional fiber length (AFL) need to obtain the benefits of such additional fiber, while avoiding bending losses.
Claims181
An optical fiber configuration for transmitting laser energy over great distances for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, the optical fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (RF), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEF), and a minimum bend radius (RFmin);
- b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber, the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) defined between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (ROPM), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEOPM ), and the ROPM is greater than the RF;
- c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous;
- d. the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range for use (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and when the optical fiber is wound into a coil it has a predetermined inner radius of coil (Rcoil);
- e. wherein the LF is greater than the LOPM, so that LF−LOPM=AFL (additionalfiber length);
- f. the optical fiber taking a helical non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of:
- an AFL[L] from Formulas 2 and 4 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- or an AFL[%]from Formulas 1 and 3 as defined in Applicants' Specification.
7 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for transmitting laser energy over great distances, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, the fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (RF), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEF), and a minimum bend radius (RFmin);
- b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber, the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (ROPM), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEOPM), and the ROPM is greater than the RF;
- c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous;
- d. wherein the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and a predetermined inner radius of coil (Rcoil);
- e. wherein the LF is greater than the LOPM, so that LF−LOPM=AFL (additional fiber length);
- f. the optical fiber taking a sinusoidal non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of:
- an AFL[L] from Formulas 9 and 11 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- or an AFL[%] from Formulas 8 and 10 as defined in Applicants'Specification.
7 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for transmitting laser energy over great distances for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, a portion of the optical fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (RF), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEF), and a minimum bend radius (RFmin);
- b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber portion, a portion of the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) defined between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (ROPM), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEOPM), and the ROPM is greater than the RF;
- c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous;
- d. the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and a predetermined inner radius of coil (Rcoil);
- e. wherein the LF is greater than the LOPM, so that LF−LOPM=AFL (additional fiber length);
- f. the optical fiber taking a helical non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of:
- an AFL[L] from Formulas 2 and 4 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- or an AFL[%]from Formulas 1 and 3 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- and,
- h. whereby, the optical fiber configuration is capable of transmitting at least about 1 kW of laser energy over great distances without substantial bending losses.
9 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for transmitting laser energy over great distances for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, a portion of the fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (RF), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEF), and a minimum bend radius (RFmin);
- b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber portion, a portion of the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (ROPM), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEOPM), and the ROPM is greater than the RF;
- c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous;
- d. wherein the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and a predetermined inner radius of coil (Rcoil);
- e. wherein the LF is greater than the LOPM, so that LF−LOPM=AFL (additional fiber length);
- f. the optical fiber taking a sinusoidal non-following path within the outer protective member;
- g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of:
- an AFL[L] from Formulas 9 and 11 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- or an AFL[%] from Formulas 8 and 10 as defined in Applicants'Specification;
- and,
- h. whereby, the optical fiber configuration is capable of transmitting at least about 1 kW of laser energy over great distances without substantial bending losses.
8 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for reducing bending losses for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber;
- b. the optical fiber comprising a fiber core, the fiber core having a diameter of at least about 100 μm, the optical fiber having a first total length;
- c. an outer protective member in association with the optical fiber, and the outer protective member having a second total length, wherein the first total length and the second total length are different;
- and,
- d. a means for simultaneously providing a benefit of additional fiber length and minimal bending looses.
2 more elements
A line structure for an application, which application has predetermined factors associated therewith, the line structure comprising an optical fiber configuration, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, a portion of the optical fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (RF), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEF), and a minimum bend radius (RFmin);
- b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber portion, a portion of the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) defined between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (ROPM), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEOPM), and the ROPM is greater than the RF;
- c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous;
- d. the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and a predetermined inner radius of coil (Rcoil);
- e. wherein the LF is greater than the LOPM, so that LF−LOPM=AFL (additional fiber length);
- f. the optical fiber taking a helical non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of:
- an AFL[L] from Formulas 2 and 4 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- or an AFL[%]from Formulas 1 and 3 as defined in Applicants' Specification.
7 more elements
A line structure for an application, which application has predetermined factors associated therewith, the line structure comprising an optical fiber configuration, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, a portion of the fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (RF), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEF), and a minimum bend radius (RFmin);
- b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber portion, a portion of the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (ROPM), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEOPM), and the ROPM is greater than the RF;
- c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous;
- d. wherein the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and a predetermined inner radius of coil (Rcoil);
- e. wherein the LF is greater than the LOPM, so that LF−LOPM=AFL (additionalfiber length);
- f. the optical fiber taking a sinusoidal non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of:
- an AFL[L] from Formulas 9 and 11 as defined in Applicants' Specification;
- or an AFL[%] from Formulas 8 and 10 as defined in Applicants'Specification.
7 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising selected predetermined factors for the application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber, a portion of the fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length between the first and second ends;
- b. the fiber portion comprising a core, a cladding, and a coating, and an outside diameter;
- c. the optical fiber capable of transmitting high power laser energy over great distances;
- d. the core comprising a diameter of greater than or equal to about 150 μm;
- e. an outer protective member around the optical fiber portion, a portion of the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, a length between the first and second ends and an internal diameter;
- f. the outer protective member internal diameter greater than the fiber outside diameter;
- g. the ends of the outer protective member portion and the fiber portion substantially coterminous;
- h. the fiber length greater than the outer protective member length, the difference in lengths comprising an additional fiber length (AFL) within the outer protective member portion;
- i. the AFL less than an amount where bending losses in the optical fiber from the fiber configuration prevent the transition of high power laser energy over great distances without substantial bending losses;
- and,
- j. the AFL greater than the minimum AFL needed to avoid damage from the application.
8 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for reducing bending losses associated with the presence of additional fiber length in the configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber comprising a core, the core comprising a diameter that is equal to or greater than 300 μm, and the fiber comprising a total length;
- b. a protective member around the optical fiber;
- c. the protective member comprising a length that is greater than 500 meters and that is shorter than the total fiber length, whereby there is a difference in length between the total fiber length and the protective member length;
- d. at least a portion of the fiber comprising a non-following fiber path within the protective member;
- e. the majority of the difference in length taken up by the non-following fiber path;
- and, f. the non-following fiber path configured such that it does not contribute to bending losses, whereby the optical fiber configuration is capable of transmitting at least about 1 kW of laser energy over great distances without substantial bending losses.
3 more elements
A method for making an optical fiber configuration, which configuration comprises an optical fiber comprising a total length and an outer protective member comprising a length, the method comprising:
- a. selecting a value for an inner radius of the outer protective member, ROPM.
- b. selecting a value for an outer radius of the fiber, RF.
- c. selecting a value for a temperature change that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ΔT;
- d. selecting a value for a mechanical strain that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ε;
- e. selecting a value for the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber, CTEF;
- f. selecting a value for a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer protective member, CTEOPM;
- g. selecting a value for a length of outer protective member at ambient temperature and no mechanical strain, LOPM;
- h. selecting a value for a minimum bend radius of the fiber, RFmin;
- i. selecting a value for an inner radius of a coil of the configuration, Rcoil;
- j. selecting that the fiber will have a helical non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- k. using the selected values of steps a. to i. determining a maximum AFL[L] using formula 2 as defined in Applicants' Specification and a minimum AFL[L] using formula 4 as defined in Applicants'Specification;
- and,
- l. configuring the optical fiber configuration in accordance with the maximum and minimum AFL[L]s of step k, such that the total fiber length is between the maximum and minimum determined AFL[L]s.
11 more elements
A method for making an optical fiber configuration, which configuration comprises an optical fiber comprising a total length and an outer protective member comprising a length, the method comprising:
- a. selecting a value for an inner radius of the outer protective member, ROPM.
- b. selecting a value for an outer radius of the fiber, RF.
- c. selecting a value for a temperature change that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ΔT;
- d. selecting a value for a mechanical strain that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ε;
- e. selecting a value for the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber, CTEF;
- f. selecting a value for a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer protective member, CTEOPM;
- g. selecting a value for a length of outer protective member at ambient temperature and no mechanical strain, LOPM;
- h. selecting a value for a minimum bend radius of the fiber, RFmin;
- i. selecting a value for an inner radius of a coil of the configuration, Rcoil;
- j. selecting that the fiber will have a sinusoidal non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- k. using the selected values of steps a. to i. determining a maximum AFL[L] using formula 9 as defined in Applicants' Specification and a minimum AFL[L] using formula 11 as defined in Applicants'Specification;
- and,
- l. configuring the optical fiber configuration in accordance with the maximum and minimum AFL[L]s of step k, such that the total fiber length is between the maximum and minimum determined AFL[L]s.
11 more elements
A method for making an optical fiber configuration, which configuration comprises an optical fiber comprising a total length and an outer protective member comprising a length, the method comprising:
- a. selecting a value for an inner radius of the outer protective member, ROPM.
- b. selecting a value for an outer radius of the fiber, RF.
- c. selecting a value for a temperature change that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ΔT;
- d. selecting a value for a mechanical strain that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ε;
- e. selecting a value for the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber, CTEF;
- f. selecting a value for a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer protective member, CTEOPM;
- g. selecting a value for a length of outer protective member at ambient temperature and no mechanical strain, LOPM;
- h. selecting a value for a minimum bend radius of the fiber, RFmin;
- i. selecting a value for an inner radius of a coil of the configuration, Rcoil;
- j. selecting that the fiber will have a helical non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and
- k. using the selected values of steps a. to i. determining a maximum AFL[%] using formula 1 as defined in Applicants' Specification and a minimum AFL[%] using formula 3 as defined in Applicants'Specification;
- and,
- l. configuring the optical fiber configuration in accordance with the maximum and minimum AFL[%]s of step k, such that the total fiber length is between the maximum and minimum determined AFL[%]s.
11 more elements
A method for making an optical fiber configuration, which configuration comprises an optical fiber comprising a total length and an outer protective member comprising a length, the method comprising:
- a. selecting a value for an inner radius of the outer protective member, ROPM.
- b. selecting a value for an outer radius of the fiber, RF.
- c. selecting a value for a temperature change that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ΔT;
- d. selecting a value for a mechanical strain that the configuration is capable of withstanding, ε;
- e. selecting a value for the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber, CTEF;
- f. selecting a value for a coefficient of thermal expansion of the outer protective member, CTEOPM;
- g. selecting a value for a length of outer protective member at ambient temperature and no mechanical strain, LOPM;
- h. selecting a value for a minimum bend radius of the fiber, RFmin,
- i. selecting a value for an inner radius of a coil of the configuration, Rcoil[L];
- j. selecting that the fiber will have a sinusoidal non-following path within the outer protective member;
- and,
- k. using the selected values of steps a. to i. determining a maximum AFL[%] using formula 8 as defined in Applicants' Specification and a minimum AFL[%] using formula 10 as defined in Applicants'Specification;
- and,
- l. configuring the optical fiber configuration in accordance with the maximum and minimum AFL[%]s of step k, such that the total fiber length is between the maximum and minimum determined AFL[%]s.
11 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for transmitting laser energy over great distances for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- an optical fiber, the optical fiber comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LF) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends that is greater than approximately 500 m,
- an outer protective member around the optical fiber, the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (LOPM) defined between the first and second outer protective member ends;
- wherein the LE is greater than the LOPM and,
- the optical fiber and outer protective member configured so that when high power laser energy is directed from the first optical fiber end to the second fiber end there is not substantial loss of power of the high power laser energy at the second optical fiber end when compared with initial power of the high power laser energy entering the first optical fiber end.
1 more element
An optical fiber configuration for reducing bending losses for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber;
- b. the optical fiber comprising a fiber core, the fiber core having a diameter of at least about 100 μm;
- c. an outer protective member in association with the optical fiber;
- d. a means for providing a benefit of additional fiber length;
- and,
- e. wherein the optical fiber configuration is capable of transmitting laser energy greater than about 5 kW, over distances greater than about 1 km without substantial power loss.
3 more elements
An optical fiber configuration for reducing bending losses for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising:
- a. an optical fiber;
- b. the optical fiber comprising a fiber core, the fiber core having a diameter of at least about 100 μm;
- c. an outer protective member in association with the optical fiber;
- d. a means for providing a benefit of additional fiber length;
- and,
- e. wherein the optical fiber configuration is capable of transmitting laser energy greater than about 10 kW, over distances greater than about 1km without substantial power loss.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.