Edward B Dowd

US Patent:

6931194, Aug 16, 2005

Filed:

Dec 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/730716

Inventors:

Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US
Robert Winiarski - Bristol CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B006/00

US Classification:

385135

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for terminating an end of an optical cable is disclosed such that coaxial tubes of the cable and fibers therein are all prevented from moving relative to one another. For some embodiments, the coaxial tubes crimp together by a mechanical crimp that compresses the outer tube onto the inner tube without roller crimping. A fiber retention subassembly crimps to one of the coaxial tubes, and an adhesive fills the fiber retention subassembly, thereby fixing the fibers therein and isolating tension from the ends of the fibers that extend from the fiber retention subassembly. The ends of the fibers of the optical cable connect with fibers of another optical cable or device by a fusion splice. A splice cover holds and/or seals the spliced section and prevents relative movement between the optical cables or the optical cable and the device at the spliced section.

US Patent:

7024081, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Apr 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/422396

Inventors:

Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385109, 385113, 385111, 367 25, 367 35, 166351

Abstract:

Fiber optic cables suitable for use in harsh environments such as down hole oil and gas well applications and methods for fabricating the same have been provided. In one embodiment, an optic cable suitable for down hole oil field applications comprises one or more optical fibers disposed in an inner tube and a corrosion resistant metal outer tube disposed over the inner tube, where the inner and outer tubes make intermittent contact. In another embodiment, an optic cable suitable for down hole oil field applications comprise one or more optical fibers disposed in a polymer tube having fins extending therefrom.

US Patent:

7080529, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Jun 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/458773

Inventors:

Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US
Joseph J. Baraglia - New Britain CT, US
Andrew S. Kuczma - Clinton CT, US
Brian J. Pike - Wallingford CT, US
Thomas W. Engel - East Hampton CT, US
Martin A. Putnam - Cheshire CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C03B 37/023

US Classification:

65393, 65408, 65409, 65411, 65412

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0. 3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and one or more side holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The method features the steps of: assembling a preform for drawing a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0. 3 millimeters, by providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0. 3 millimeters and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide from the heated preform. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.

US Patent:

7424190, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Apr 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/397791

Inventors:

Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385109, 385111, 385113

Abstract:

Fiber optic cables suitable for use in harsh environments such as down hole oil and gas well applications and methods for fabricating the same have been provided. In one embodiment, an optic cable suitable for down hole oil field applications comprises one or more optical fibers disposed in an inner tube and a corrosion resistant metal outer tube disposed over the inner tube, where the inner and outer tubes make intermittent contact. In another embodiment, an optic cable suitable for down hole oil field applications comprise one or more optical fibers disposed in a polymer tube having fins extending therefrom.

US Patent:

7437044, Oct 14, 2008

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/614606

Inventors:

Paul E. Sanders - Madison CT, US
Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US
Andrew S. Kuczma - Clinton CT, US
Trevor W. MacDougall - Simsbury CT, US
Brian J. Pike - Wallingford CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/24

US Classification:

385126, 385123, 385124, 385125

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus provide for birefringent waveguides suitable for optical systems exhibiting polarization dependence such as interferometer sensors including Sagnac interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes (IFOG). The waveguides, for some embodiments, may offer single polarization performance over lengths of about a kilometer or more due to polarization dependent attenuation. According to some embodiments, the waveguides incorporate a pure silica core for resistance to radiation-induced attenuation (RIA).

US Patent:

7512292, Mar 31, 2009

Filed:

Sep 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/531145

Inventors:

Trevor MacDougall - Simsbury CT, US
Edward Dowd - Madison CT, US
Domino Taverner - Delray Beach FL, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/00
G02B 6/22
G02B 6/34

US Classification:

385 12, 385 24, 385 37, 385126

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for discrete point temperature sensing include a temperature sensor that can be part of an array of temperature sensors for location in a wellbore. A single unitary ribbon-like structure can form the temperature sensor that has separate optical cores possessing different characteristics such that one core is unique from another core. Each core has a reflective grating disposed therein such that the wavelength of light reflected by the gratings is in response to temperature and any strain applied to the sensor from a surrounding environment. For some embodiments, the responses to strain from each of the gratings are similar while the responses from each of the gratings to temperature are dissimilar due to the different characteristics of the cores. These responses provided separately by each grating therefore enable compensation for strain in order to provide an accurate temperature measurement at the sensor.

US Patent:

7646953, Jan 12, 2010

Filed:

Jun 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/139973

Inventors:

Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US
John J. Grunbeck - Northford CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385109

Abstract:

Purging interior regions of a cable reduces or prevents hydrogen darkening of an optical fiber located in the cable. While hydrogen may permeate through an outer surface of the cable, fluid circulating through the cable purges the hydrogen from within the cable. This circulation of the fluid occurs between an inner tube containing the fiber and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube.

US Patent:

7668419, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Oct 23, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/551853

Inventors:

Domino Taverner - Delray Beach FL, US
Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/28
G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385 30, 385 50, 385 12

Abstract:

Method and apparatus enable optical evanescent sensing utilizing a waveguide with an annular core. The annular core can provide detectable sensitivity to a measurand due to optical interactions with contents along an inside surface of the annular core since optical properties of the contents vary with changes in the measurand.