Edward P 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:

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.

US Patent:

7805039, Sep 28, 2010

Filed:

May 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/744327

Inventors:

Paul E. Sanders - Madison CT, US
Edward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US
Brian J. Pike - Wallingford CT, US

Assignee:

Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/02

US Classification:

385123, 65397

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus relate to optical fibers suitable for use in sensing applications exposed to radiation environments. The fibers include a core of pure silica or chlorine doped silica surrounded by a fluorinated silica cladding. These glasses for the core and cladding utilize dopants that resist radiation-induced attenuation. A two step process for forming the cladding can achieve necessary concentrations of the fluorine by performing a soot deposition process in a different environment from a consolidation process where the soot is sintered into a glass. Concentration of fluorine doped into the cladding layer enables obtaining a numerical aperture that confines a mono-mode of the fiber to resist bend-induced attenuation. Dimensions of the fiber further facilitate bending ability of the fiber.