IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,150,425
Granted Patent B2
US 11,150,425 · App. 16/302,388 · Granted Oct 19, 2021

Downhole strain sensing cables

Inventors: Rajesh Kamath (Kent, WA); Brett Villiger (Simpsonville, SC)
Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
G02B6/4432E21B47/007E21B47/135G02B6/4415G02B6/4488
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,150,425
App. No.
16/302,388
Granted
Oct 19, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A downhole strain sensing cable includes a core optical unit which includes a plurality of optical fibers. A fiber-reinforced polymer matrix layer surrounds and contacts the core optical unit. An extrusion layer surrounds and contacts the fiber-reinforced polymer matrix layer. An outer metal tube surrounds and contacts the extrusion layer.

Claims (29)

1. A downhole strain sensing cable, comprising:

a core optical unit comprising at least one optical fiber;

a fiber reinforced polymer matrix layer surrounding and contacting the core optical unit;

an extrusion layer surrounding and contacting the fiber reinforced polymer matrix; and

an outer metal tube surrounding and contacting the extrusion layer.

2. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein less than or equal to four optical fibers are included in the core optical unit.

3. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises at least one single mode optical fiber and at least one multi-mode optical fiber.

4. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical fiber is stranded along a length of the cable with a lay length of between 90 millimeters and 350 millimeters.

5. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the core optical unit further comprises a cladding and a jacket, the cladding surrounding and encasing the at least one optical fiber, the jacket surrounding and contacting the cladding.

6. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 5 , wherein the cladding is formed from silicone and the jacket is formed from a fluoropolymer.

7. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 5 , wherein the cladding and jacket are free from reinforcing fibers.

8. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix of the fiber reinforced polymer matrix layer comprises one of a polyester resin, an acrylic-based resin, a terephthalic resin, or a vinyl ester resin.

9. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the extrusion layer is formed from a foamed polymer extrusion.

10. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the extrusion layer is free from reinforcing fibers.

11. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the outer metal tube is formed from a steel.

12. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 11 , wherein the steel is a stainless steel.

13. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein a maximum outer diameter of the outer metal tube is less than 0.3 inches.

14. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 1 , wherein the cable is rated to 150 degrees Celsius.

15. A downhole strain sensing cable, comprising:

a core optical unit comprising at least one optical fiber, a cladding, and a jacket, the cladding surrounding and encasing the at least one optical fiber, the jacket surrounding and contacting the cladding;

a fiber reinforced polymer matrix layer surrounding and contacting the core optical unit;

an extrusion layer surrounding and contacting the fiber reinforced polymer matrix; and

an outer steel tube surrounding and contacting the extrusion layer,

wherein a maximum outer diameter of the outer metal tube is less than 0.3 inches and the cable is rated to 150 degrees Celsius.

16. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 15 , wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises at least one single mode optical fiber and at least one multi-mode optical fiber.

17. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 15 , wherein the cladding is formed from silicone and the jacket is formed from a fluoropolymer.

18. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 15 , wherein the polymer matrix of the fiber reinforced polymer matrix layer comprises one of a polyester resin, an acrylic-based resin, a terephthalic resin, or a vinyl ester resin.

19. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 15 , wherein the extrusion layer is formed from a foamed polymer extrusion.

20. The downhole strain sensing cable of claim 15 , wherein the outer metal tube is formed from a steel.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2019
From: KAMATH, RAJESH; VILLIGER, BRETT
To: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 048227/0937 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62345402 · Jun 3, 2016
Related Publication 20200319417A1 · Oct 8, 2020