US5033808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick disconnect fiber optic feedthrough for well borehole usage
Assignee: Halliburton Logging Services Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-08
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Granted: 1991-07-23
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Expires: 2010-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber quick disconnect mechanism comprised of left and right separable portions is set forth. One portion is ideally anchored to a pressure isolating bulkhead at a drilled passage which is provided with threads partly along its length; a fixed portion of the quick disconnect mechanism can be anchored there. This enables division of an optical fiber into left and right portions which provide an optical path therethrough. The left and right optical portions are supported by alignment capillaries and the detachable portion of the equipment includes a threaded body which joins to the fixed portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Darren E. Smith
- 👤 Kerry L. Sanderlin
- 👤 Randy Gold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3835; G02B6/381; G02B6/3816; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3897; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4248; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4428; G02B6/3854; G02B6/389; G02B6/3893
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
378 words
A fiber optic feed through connector adapted for well borehole use and having a fixed portion and a detachable portion comprising: (a) a fixed portion body member having an internal longitudinal bore therethrough and being of a generally cylindrical shape having plural outer surface areas, said internal bore being adapted at one end thereof for engagement with said detachable portion and at the opposite end with means for fixedly attaching said fixed portion body member to a support member; (b) a fixed portion load bearing capillary structure member being sized for and disposed in said fixed portion body member internal bore and having a smaller diameter longitudinal capillary bore therethrough sized for receiving one end of a terminated fiber optic member and means for retaining said fixed portion load bearing capillary structure member in said internal longitudinal bore in said fixed portion body member and means for forming a fluid tight seal between said fixed portion load bearing capillary structure member and said fixed portion body member; (c) a detachable portion body member having an internal longitudinal bore therethrough and being of a generally cylindrical shape having plural outer surface areas, one of said plural outer surface areas adapted at one end thereof for engagement with said fixed portion body member and a second outer surface area at the opposite end being adapted for mating engagement with a release mechanism; (d) a detachable portion non-load bearing capillary structure member sized for and disposed in said detachable portion body member internal bore and held therein by said release mechanism, said detachable portion non-load bearing capillary structure member having a smaller diameter longitudinal capillary bore therethrough sized for receiving one end of a terminated fiber optic member; (e) alignment means in said internal bore of said body member, sized to enclose the outer diameter of said fixed and detachable portion capillary structure members; and (f) said detachable portion body member and said fixed portion body member being arranged such that when an abutting engagement of said two connector portion is accomplished, said ends of said terminated fiber optic members are brought together by said alignment means in close proximity to each other and in axial alignment at an optical interface thereby defining a continuous optical path across their terminated ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
378 words
A fiber optic feed through connector adapted for well borehole use and having a fixed portion and a detachable portion comprising: (a) a fixed portion body member having an internal longitudinal bore therethrough and being of a generally cylindrical shape having plural outer surface areas, said internal bore being adapted at one end thereof for engagement with said detachable portion and at the opposite end with means for fixedly attaching said fixed portion body member to a support member; (b) a fixed portion load bearing capillary structure member being sized for and disposed in said fixed portion body member internal bore and having a smaller diameter longitudinal capillary bore therethrough sized for receiving one end of a terminated fiber optic member and means for retaining said fixed portion load bearing capillary structure member in said internal longitudinal bore in said fixed portion body member and means for forming a fluid tight seal between said fixed portion load bearing capillary structure member and said fixed portion body member; (c) a detachable portion body member having an internal longitudinal bore therethrough and being of a generally cylindrical shape having plural outer surface areas, one of said plural outer surface areas adapted at one end thereof for engagement with said fixed portion body member and a second outer surface area at the opposite end being adapted for mating engagement with a release mechanism; (d) a detachable portion non-load bearing capillary structure member sized for and disposed in said detachable portion body member internal bore and held therein by said release mechanism, said detachable portion non-load bearing capillary structure member having a smaller diameter longitudinal capillary bore therethrough sized for receiving one end of a terminated fiber optic member; (e) alignment means in said internal bore of said body member, sized to enclose the outer diameter of said fixed and detachable portion capillary structure members; and (f) said detachable portion body member and said fixed portion body member being arranged such that when an abutting engagement of said two connector portion is accomplished, said ends of said terminated fiber optic members are brought together by said alignment means in close proximity to each other and in axial alignment at an optical interface thereby defining a continuous optical path across their terminated ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 1 and further including means disposed on the terminated ends of said fiber optic members for preventing water contact with said terminated ends when engaged at said optical interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for preventing water contact comprises a high viscosity silicone grease.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connector of claim 1 and further including sealing means disposed on an exterior diameter of said fixed portion body member to provide a fluid tight pressure seal between said body member and said support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said detachable portion capillary member comprises a high temperature glass member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said detachable portion capillary member comprises a ceramic member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said detachable portion capillary member comprises a metal member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said fixed portion capillary member comprises a ceramic load bearing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said fixed portion capillary member comprises a metal load bearing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector of claim 1 and further including means disposed in the bore of said fixed capillary member for providing a seal between said capillary and said fiber optic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |