Optic Fiber Sensor Cable With Recessed Core For Strain-Free Cladding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable manufacturing processes face challenges with less than desired performance and higher than desired cost, particularly in producing armored cables for harsh environments, where strain on optic fibers during cladding can affect functionality.

Innovation Solution

A cable core design featuring a recess and radially extending protrusions that allows for strain-free cladding without a conductor, enabling fluid insertion of the conductor and adhesive after cladding, creating a sealed and efficient optic fiber sensor cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conductor is inserted before cladding in traditional manufacturing, then cable assembly can be completed, but strain is induced on optic fibers during cladding process affecting functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable assembly completionVSAvoidoptic fiber functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable core is prepared with recesses and protrusions before the conductor is inserted. The protrusions are formed on the core surface, and recesses are created to receive the conductor, establishing a predefined pathway that guides the conductor into place without inducing strain during the cladding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cable construction is divided into separate stages: first the core is prepared with structural features (recesses and protrusions), then the conductor is inserted into the prepared recesses, and finally the cladding is applied. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional cladding process is used, then cable structure can be formed, but strain on conductors affects measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable structure formationVSAvoidstrain measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses in the cable core act as intermediaries that receive and accommodate the conductor elements. These recesses provide a strain-free environment for the conductors during the cladding process, allowing the conductors to be properly positioned and protected without being subjected to manufacturing-induced strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conductor is placed before cladding, then assembly is simplified, but precise conductor placement and fluid sealing cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidconductor placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cable core features localized recesses at specific positions where conductors need to be placed. These recesses provide precise positioning for the conductor elements, ensuring they are correctly located within the cable structure. The protrusions also create localized sealing points where the cladding makes loaded contact to seal the fluid pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11501895B2Conductor cable and method

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A cable core including a body, a recess in the body, and a protrusion extending radially outwardly from the body and along the recess. A cladding disposed radially outwardly of the core is used to create a cable.