Patent ID: 8571368

Claim:
An optical fiber configuration for transmitting laser energy over great distances for use in an application, the optical fiber configuration comprising: a. an optical fiber, the optical fiber comprising a first end, a second end, a length (L F ) defined between the first and second optical fiber ends, and a fiber core, wherein the optical fiber has an outer radius (R F ), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE F ), and a minimum bend radius (R Fmin ); b. an outer protective member around the optical fiber, the outer protective member comprising a first end, a second end, and a length (L OPM ) defined between the first and second outer protective member ends at ambient temperature and with no mechanical strain, wherein the outer protective member has an inner radius (R OPM ), a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE OPM ), and the R OPM is greater than the R F ; c. the first and second ends of the outer protective member and the first and second ends of the optical fiber are substantially coterminous; d. the optical fiber configuration has a predetermined temperature range for use (ΔT), a predetermined mechanical strain (ε), and when the optical fiber is wound into a coil it has a predetermined inner radius of coil (R coil ); e. wherein the L F is greater than the L OPM , so that L F −L OPM =AFL (additionalfiber length); f. the optical fiber taking a helical non-following path within the outer protective member; and, g. the AFL is equal to or between at least one of: an AFL[L] from Formulas 2 and 4 as defined in Applicants' Specification; or an AFL[%]from Formulas 1 and 3 as defined in Applicants' Specification.