Diamond and Expro Connectors & Measurements have collaborated to develop a ferrule that would give repeatedly low insertion losses in sub-sea environments up to depths of 3,000 metres. Engineers from Expro's plant in Ulverston UK and Diamond's R&D facility in Losone, Switzerland co-operated in addressing the particular challenges of the ocean environment.
Cicorel and Diamond's fibre optic specialists established a manufacturing technique which optimised their 125 micron metal alloy ferrule for use at high pressure. A bespoke process was developed which ensured that accurate core alignment was maintained throughout the service life of the ferrule when integrated into Expro's FoeTRON connector system. The use of the Diamond ferrule has allowed an insertion loss acceptance criteria of <0.5dB in any orientation (unmatched pairs) when assembled within the FoeTRON connector, with values typically falling between 0.1dB and 0.3dB. Return loss values are typically around 40dB.
The FoeTRON offers four optical contacts (single or multi-mode) combined with four electrical cores for sub-sea deployment with operating parameters of up to 300bar over a design life of 25 years. Last year, Expro's sub-sea optical and power connectors were installed for BP on a pump project to assist in increasing oil recovery in the King field in the Gulf of Mexico.
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