Brian J Pike

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:

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:

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.

US Patent:

7907807, Mar 15, 2011

Filed:

Oct 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/251334

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 6/44

US Classification:

385108, 385102

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:

20070028651, Feb 8, 2007

Filed:

Jul 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/459854

Inventors:

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

International Classification:

C03B 37/022
C03B 37/028
C03B 37/027

US Classification:

065393000, 065412000

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:

20110091175, Apr 21, 2011

Filed:

Sep 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/892752

Inventors:

PAUL E. SANDERS - Madison CT, US
Eward M. Dowd - Madison CT, US
Brian J. Pike - Wallingford CT, US

International Classification:

G02B 6/028
C03B 37/075

US Classification:

385124, 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.