Staggered Optical Fiber Splices in Marine Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine geophysical survey systems require numerous robust hermetic seals for optical fibers, which are costly and potential failure points, especially in subsea applications where sensors are exposed to water for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
The use of vented optical conduits with staggered splices and pinless sleeves allows for the flooding of conduits with seawater, eliminating the need for multiple seals by maintaining a pressure-balanced configuration and accommodating multiple splices within a uniform cross-sectional area, reducing the number of seals required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robust hermetic seals are used at every optical fiber connection and sensor splice, then the system maintains integrity in subsea environments, but the cost increases and the number of potential failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for hermetic seals at optical fiber splices by extracting the sealing function from the splice structure. Instead of sealing each individual splice, the system uses vented conduits that allow water ingress but maintain pressure balance, eliminating the need for seals while preserving system integrity in subsea environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (vented conduit with pressure-balanced configuration) between the optical fiber splices and the subsea environment. This intermediary allows the splices to remain unsealed while still protecting them from harmful effects, as the pressure-balanced design prevents water from damaging the splice points.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple hermetic seals are installed at each sensor splice, then protection against water ingress is improved, but the cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water ingress protection function from individual seals and relocates it to the conduit level. By using vented conduits with pressure-balanced configurations, the system provides protection against water ingress without requiring seals at each splice point, significantly simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vented conduit structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects against water ingress, maintains pressure balance, accommodates multiple splices, and eliminates the need for seals. This multi-functional design reduces both cost and installation complexity compared to traditional sealed approaches.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sealed conduits are used for optical fibers, then protection from water exposure is maintained, but the number of seals increases potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes seals from the system entirely by extracting the sealing function and replacing it with a pressure-balanced vented conduit design. This eliminates potential failure points associated with seals while maintaining protection from water exposure through pressure equilibrium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water exposure into a beneficial pressure-balanced environment. By allowing water to freely enter and exit the vented conduit, the system maintains pressure equilibrium that actually protects the optical fiber splices from damage, turning potential harm into a protective mechanism.
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
This solution reduces the number of potential failure points and costs associated with seals while maintaining the integrity of optical signals in subsea environments, enhancing the durability and reliability of marine geophysical survey systems.
Implementation Method 1
allows for the flooding of conduits with seawater, eliminating the need for multiple seals by maintaining a pressure-balanced configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Staggered Splices. At least some illustrative embodiments are apparatus including a tube having a wall defining an interior volume, first and second optical fibers disposed within the interior volume and the first and second optical fibers joined at a first splice. Also included are third and fourth optical fibers disposed within the interior volume, the third and fourth optical fibers joined at a second splice. The first splice and the second splice have an axially spaced-apart relationship within the interior volume of the tube.