Long distance high power optical laser fiber break detection and continuity monitoring systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A system for advancing a borehole in hard rock, the system comprising:
- a. a source of high power laser energy, the laser source capable of providing a laser beam having at least 20 kW of power;
b. a laser bottom hole assembly;
c. a high power optical fiber placing the laser bottom hole assembly in optical communication with the laser source thereby defining an operational beam path;
the optical fiber having a length of at least about 1,000 feet; and
,d. a means for monitoring and detecting a condition of the high power laser energy along the high power optical fiber and thereby along the operational beam path,wherein the means for monitoring and detecting comprises a plurality of light detecting devices that are distributed along the high power optical fiber and in optical proximity to the high power optical fiber,wherein the plurality of light detecting devices is capable of detecting light leaked from the high power optical fiber and sends a signature indicating a location and the condition of the high power optical fiber to a monitoring device via a monitoring fiber.
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Abstract
A monitoring and detection system for use on high power laser systems, long distance high power laser systems and tools for performing high power laser operations. In particular, the monitoring and detection systems provide break detection and continuity protection for performing high power laser operations on, and in, remote and difficult to access locations.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for advancing a borehole in hard rock, the system comprising:
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a. a source of high power laser energy, the laser source capable of providing a laser beam having at least 20 kW of power; b. a laser bottom hole assembly; c. a high power optical fiber placing the laser bottom hole assembly in optical communication with the laser source thereby defining an operational beam path;
the optical fiber having a length of at least about 1,000 feet; and
,d. a means for monitoring and detecting a condition of the high power laser energy along the high power optical fiber and thereby along the operational beam path, wherein the means for monitoring and detecting comprises a plurality of light detecting devices that are distributed along the high power optical fiber and in optical proximity to the high power optical fiber, wherein the plurality of light detecting devices is capable of detecting light leaked from the high power optical fiber and sends a signature indicating a location and the condition of the high power optical fiber to a monitoring device via a monitoring fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for monitoring an operational high power laser beam path associated with a high power laser drilling system, the system comprising:
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a. a monitoring fiber associated with a high power laser fiber; b. the monitoring fiber having a plurality of light detection devices positioned along the high power laser fiber and in optical proximity to the high power laser fiber; and
,c. a monitoring device in optical association with the monitoring fiber; d. wherein high power laser beam is transmitted through the high power laser fiber to a high power laser tool, and wherein the plurality of light detection devices are capable of detecting light leaked from the high power laser fiber, wherein the plurality of light detection devices is optically associated with the monitoring device via the monitoring fiber and sends a signature indicating a location and the condition of the operational high power laser beam to the monitoring device via the monitoring fiber.
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Specification