# US 9,435,973 B2 · Optical fiber coating to prevent adhesion at high temperatures

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- Number: US 9,435,973 B2
- Document ID: US9435973B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/793,900
- Filed: 2015-07-08
- Published: 2016-01-07
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2010-03-24
- Assignees: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
- Applicants: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
- Inventors: Edward M. Dowd; Domino Taverner; John J. Grunbeck
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435973B2

## CPC

- E21B 47/135: using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
- B05D 5/08: to obtain an anti-friction or anti-adhesive surface (rendering particulate materials free-flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic B01J2/30)
- G02B 6/4415: {Cables for special applications (G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence)}
- G02B 6/4436: {Heat resistant}
- G02B 6/4486: {Protective covering}
- G02B 6/4488: {using metallic tubes}
- Y10T 29/49885: with coating before or during assembling
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for cables having one or more fibers that may function as a sensing device within a wellbore, wherein the fibers do not adhere to each other or to an inner wall of the cable during a high temperature operation, such as in a thermal recovery operation that may last over 30 days.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
applying a high-temperature-rated substance to one or more fibers; and
deploying the one or more fibers into a tube to provide a cable, wherein the substance is configured to prevent the one or more fibers from adhering to each other or to an inner wall of the cable during a high temperature operation, and wherein the high-temperature-rated substance comprises a highly-cured polyimide coating.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a temperature of the high temperature operation is at least 200 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein applying the high-temperature-rated substance comprises using a wetted sponge or cloth, or a fine spray type applicator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein applying the high-temperature-rated substance comprises:
passing the one or more fibers through a bath of the substance; and
wiping an excess of the substance from the one or more fibers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the one or more fibers into the tube comprises sheathing the one or more fibers in the tube by a seam welder.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the highly-cured polyimide coating is about 100% imidized.

### Claim 7

A method comprising:
providing a cable with one or more fibers; and
filling the cable with a high-temperature-rated substance, wherein the substance is configured to prevent the one or more fibers from adhering to each other or to an inner wall of the cable during a high temperature operation, and wherein the high-temperature-rated substance comprises a highly-cured polyimide coating.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein a temperature of the high temperature operation is at least 200 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising draining an excess amount of the high-temperature-rated substance from the cable.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein filling the cable comprises feeding the high-temperature-rated substance through a hypodermic tube.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the highly-cured polyimide coating is about 100% imidized.

### Claim 12

A cable suitable for a high temperature operation, comprising:
a tube;
one or more fibers disposed in the tube; and
a high-temperature-rated substance disposed over the one or more fibers, wherein the one or more fibers do not adhere to each other or to an inner wall of the cable during the high temperature operation, and wherein the high-temperature-rated substance comprises a highly-cured polyimide coating.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The cable of claim 12, wherein a temperature of the high temperature operation is at least 200 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The cable of claim 12, wherein the high-temperature-rated substance is configured to fill void spaces within the cable surrounding the one or more fibers.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The cable of claim 12, wherein the highly-cured polyimide coating is about 100% imidized.