Patent ID: 6690866
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: E21B,G02B

Abstract:
A fiber optical cable for use in harsh environments, such as oil and gas wells, which have temperatures in a range of 10 to 200 degrees Celsius, comprising:a fiber in metal tube core (11) having one or more optical fibers (16, 17) positioned within an inner metal tube (13) made from a corrosion resistant metal material; and an outer protective layer (33) surrounding the inner metal tube (13), having a buffer material (35) and an outer metal tube (38), the buffer material (35) providing a mechanical link between the inner metal tube (13) and the outer metal tube (38) to prevent relative movement between the inner metal tube (13) and the outer metal tube (38), including sliding under its own weight within the outer metal tube (38), the buffer material (35) being a compressible buffer material having a thickness in a range of 4.65 to 4.95 millimeters, the outer metal tube (38) surrounding the buffer material (35) and being made from a corrosion resistant metal material.