Cured Gel Annular Space Fiber Optic Cable Fluid Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables used in subterranean formations face issues with fluid migration through damaged armor layers, posing health hazards and environmental risks, and suffer from strain coupling problems that affect signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic cable design incorporating a cured gelling material within an annular space between the fiber in metal tube and the outer tube, which includes biopolymers, synthetic polymers, or combinations thereof, to prevent fluid migration and enhance strain coupling by providing improved interfacial shear stress transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fiber optic cable is used in subterranean formations, then it can transmit data and information, but fluid can migrate through the cable if the outer armor layer is damaged, posing health hazards and environmental risks
Solution Approach 1:
A cured gelling material is introduced as an intermediary substance filling the annular space between the inner tube and outer armor layer. This gel acts as a barrier that prevents fluid migration through the cable structure, thereby eliminating the health and environmental hazards associated with fluid leakage while maintaining the cable's data transmission function
2Strength
If layers in a fiber optic cable are strained, then strain coupling occurs, but this affects the quality of signals transmitted through the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The cured gelling material provides differentiated local properties within the cable structure. It creates a controlled strain coupling environment in the annular space that allows for managed stress distribution, thereby improving overall cable strength while maintaining signal quality through localized mechanical property optimization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cured gelling material effectively reduces fluid migration and enhances strain coupling, leading to improved signal quality and protection from environmental hazards, while maintaining thermal stability and mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Fluids such as hydrocarbon fluids, aqueous fluids, and CO2, can be around a portion of the fiber optic cables, enter the fiber optic cable if the cable outer armor layer is damaged. Such migration is highly undesirable.
Implementation Method 2
Additionally, strain coupling of layers in a fiber optic cable can play an important role in quality of signals transmitted through the fiber optic cable.
Implementation Method 3
a cured gelling material in the annular space
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic cable in the present disclosure comprises: an outer tube having an inner surface and an outer surface; a fiber in metal tube (FIMT) comprising one or more optical fibers, wherein the FIMT is disposed within the outer tube, and wherein the outer surface of the FIMT and the inner surface of the outer tube form an annular space; and a cured gelling material in the annular space. By incorporating the cured gelling material into the annular space, fluid migration through the annular space can be reduced, and sheer stress for strain coupling of the FIMT and the outer tube can be increased.