Strain Sensing Cable With Wrapped Fiber Bundle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic cables in the downhole drilling and completions industry lack effective strain-sensing capabilities, necessitating enhanced technologies for accurate strain measurement in harsh downhole environments.
Innovation Solution
A strain-sensing cable design featuring an outer cladding with at least one sensing bundle containing a sensing fiber wrapped strain-transmissively by strands, such as stainless steel, to facilitate direct strain transfer and improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fiber optic cables are used without strain-transmissive wrapping, then the cable structure is simpler, but strain measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces strands as intermediary elements that wrap around the sensing fiber. These strands act as a mediator to efficiently transmit strain from the cable structure to the fiber, improving measurement accuracy while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through a well-defined wrapping configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable employs a composite structure combining the sensing fiber with wrapping strands (such as aramid or stainless steel). This composite design enables effective strain transmission from the outer cable structure through the strands to the fiber, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If strands are added to wrap the sensing fiber, then strain transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strands are pre-formed and configured to wrap around the sensing fiber before final cable assembly. This preliminary preparation of the wrapping structure streamlines the manufacturing process, improving strain transmission capability while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity by establishing a repeatable assembly sequence.
3Measurement precision
If multiple strands are used to wrap the fiber, then strain measurement reliability is improved, but the cable becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies wrapping strands locally around the sensing fiber in specific regions where strain transmission is most critical. This localized approach improves strain sensing accuracy in key areas without unnecessarily increasing the complexity of the entire cable structure, maintaining simplicity in non-critical regions.
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 solution enables precise strain measurement in downhole components, enhancing the cable's ability to monitor strain and other parameters like temperature and pressure, even in high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
each sensing bundle having a sensing fiber wrapped strain-transmissively by at least one strand... transmitting strain to the fiber via the at least one strand
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing cable, including an outer cladding; and at least one sensing bundle contained within the cladding, each sensing bundle having a sensing fiber wrapped strain-transmissively by at least one strand. A method of sensing strain is also included.