Patents by Inventor Michel Leblanc
Michel Leblanc has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9170173Abstract: An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: EXFO INC.Inventors: Stéphane Perron, Michel Leblanc
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Publication number: 20150198503Abstract: The reflectometric method for measuring an optical loss value of an optical fiber link generally comprises: obtaining at least one bias value being indicative of a bias induced by differing backscattering characteristics of a first optical fiber length and a second optical fiber length; propagating at least one test signal serially into the first optical fiber length, the optical fiber link and the second optical fiber length; monitoring at least one return signal resulting respectively from the propagation of the at least one test signal; and determining the optical loss value based on the at least one return signal and the at least one bias value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Michel Leblanc, Stéphane Perron
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Publication number: 20140368202Abstract: Sensors, systems and methods for downhole electromagnetic field detection, including a downhole micro-opto-electro-mechanical system (MOEMS) electromagnetic field sensor that includes a first surface that is at least partially reflective, a second surface that is at least partially reflective and suspended by one or more flexible members to define an optical cavity having a variable distance between the first and second surfaces, and a first conductive layer attached to the second surface and having a first electric charge. An electric field passing through the optical cavity interacts with the first electric charge and displaces the second surface to alter the variable distance and cause a spectrum variation in light exiting the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Luis E. SAN MARTIN, Michel LEBLANC, Etienne M. SAMSON
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Publication number: 20140037285Abstract: An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: EXFO INC.Inventors: Stéphane Perron, Michel Leblanc
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Patent number: 8576389Abstract: An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Exfo Inc.Inventors: Stéphane Perron, Michel Leblanc
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Publication number: 20130192640Abstract: According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a system for removal of deleterious chemicals from a fiber optic line. The system may a fiber optic line having two ends, an outer tube, an optical fiber, and an inner volume, a fluid operable to move through the inner volume, the fluid operable to remove at least one deleterious chemical other than hydrogen from the fiber optic line, and a fluid controller connected to at least one end of the fiber optic line and operable to control movement of the fluid through the inner volume. According to another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of removing a deleterious chemical from a fiber optic line. According to a third embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of removing a deleterious chemical from a fiber optic line by introducing a vacuum in an inner volume of a sealed fiber optic line in a static or cyclical manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, JR., Etienne M. Samson, David P. Sharp, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen, Michel LeBlanc
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Patent number: 8482725Abstract: In order to simplify and expedite identification of fibers (DF1/1, . . . , DF2/4) in multi-fiber cables (DF1, DF2), a method of identifying each of a plurality of fibers includes the steps of launching light into each of the fibers using an OTDR and applying a unique signature to each resulting OTDR trace by means of an event feature box comprising signature-applying means (EB) connected to a distal end of the fibers. The resulting plurality of OTDR traces have different signatures, enabling identification of each of the fibers by detecting its signature in the corresponding OTDR trace.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Exfo Inc.Inventors: Stéphane Perron, Bernard Ruchet, Michel Leblanc
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Patent number: 8432552Abstract: A sensor assembly having an optical fiber, a lens in optical communication with the optical fiber, a reflective surface spaced from the lens, for reflecting light from the beam back to the lens, a partially reflective surface positioned between the reflective surface and the lens, the partially reflective surface for reflecting light from the beam back to the lens, and an alignment device for aligning the lens and reflective surface with respect to one another, such that light from the beam of light transmitted from the lens reflects from the reflective surface back to the lens. The alignment device can have a rotational component and a base component, where the rotational component rotates to align a beam of light transmitted from the lens. The rotational component can also cooperate with the base component to move axially with respect to the reflective surfaces to align the beam for optimum power.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: William N. Gibler, Larry A. Jeffers, Richard L. Lopushansky, Frederick J. Gillham, Michel LeBlanc
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Publication number: 20130088718Abstract: An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: EXFO INC.Inventors: Stéphane Perron, Michel Leblanc
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Publication number: 20110170112Abstract: A sensor assembly having an optical fiber, a lens in optical communication with the optical fiber, a reflective surface spaced from the lens, for reflecting light from the beam back to the lens, a partially reflective surface positioned between the reflective surface and the lens, the partially reflective surface for reflecting light from the beam back to the lens, and an alignment device for aligning the lens and reflective surface with respect to one another, such that light from the beam of light transmitted from the lens reflects from the reflective surface back to the lens. The alignment device can have a rotational component and a base component, where the rotational component rotates to align a beam of light transmitted from the lens. The rotational component can also cooperate with the base component to move axially with respect to the reflective surfaces to align the beam for optimum power.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: William N. Gibler, Larry A. Jeffers, Richard L. Lopushansky, Frederick J. Gillham, Michel LeBlanc
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Publication number: 20090268197Abstract: In order to simplify and expedite identification of fibers (DF1/1, . . . , DF2/4) in multi-fiber cables (DF1, DF2), a method of identifying each of a plurality of fibers includes the steps of launching light into each of the fibers using an OTDR and apply a unique signature to each resulting OTDR trace by means of an event box comprising signature-applying means (EB) connected to a distal end of the fibers. The resulting plurality of OTDR traces have different signatures, enabling identification of each of the fibers by detecting its signature in the corresponding OTDR trace.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Stephane Perron, Bernard Ruchet, Michel Leblanc
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Publication number: 20090071080Abstract: The invention relates to a temporary construction that includes a roof panel (201), a facade panel (111), and a component for attaching (204) the roof panel (201) to the facade panel (111), the attachment component (204) having one end intended to be attached to the roof panel and one end intended to be attached to the facade panel, one of the ends of the component including a hook able to engage with an orifice (212) provided in one of the panels (201, 111) or in an element (202) attached to the panel, in order to tension the component (204) so as to keep the roof panel (201) supported on the facade panel (111). The component may to advantage include a length adjustment means to tighten the attachment if necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Philippe Bourgain, Francois Groussard, Michel Leblanc
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Patent number: 6957576Abstract: A well pressure and temperature measurement system and method are provided. In a described embodiment, a sensor system includes multiple strain sensors attached to a structure which changes dimensionally in response to well pressure and temperature changes. The strain sensors may be fiber optic sensors. The structure may be tubular and the strain sensors may detect axial and hoop strains in the structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John R. Dennis, Michel Leblanc, Gregg Johnson, Michael D. Todd
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Patent number: 6747743Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system permits multiple parameters to be sensed using a single sensor. In a described embodiment, a method of sensing multiple parameters is provided in which an interferometric fiber optic sensor is connected to a variable wavelength light source. Light is transmitted from the light source through the sensor, with the light being swept over a range of wavelengths to measure relatively low frequency signals, and the light being maintained at a constant wavelength to measure relatively high frequency signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John R. Dennis, Michel LeBlanc
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Patent number: 6724469Abstract: In a method of polarization optical time-domain reflectometer (P-OTDR) for measuring a parameter of an optical transmission path, for example an optical fiber, by transmitting pulses of light into the path and measuring the state of polarization of backscattered light against distance, statistical analysis of the degree of polarization (DOP) of the backscattered signal is used to detect sections of an optical transmission path for which mode-coupling behaviour (long h) leads to high PMD. Preferably, successive DOP measurement are taken with different state of polarization, SOP, for the P-OTDR light source.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering Inc.Inventor: Michel Leblanc
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Publication number: 20040016295Abstract: A well pressure and temperature measurement system and method are provided. In a described embodiment, a sensor system includes multiple strain sensors attached to a structure which changes dimensionally in response to well pressure and temperature changes. The strain sensors may be fiber optic sensors. The structure may be tubular and the strain sensors may detect axial and hoop strains in the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2003Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John R. Dennis, Michel Leblanc, Gregg Johnson, Michael D. Todd
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Publication number: 20030174312Abstract: In a method of polarization optical time-domain reflectometer (P-OTDR) for measuring a parameter of an optical transmission path, for example an optical fiber, by transmitting pulses of light into the path and measuring the state of polarization of backscattered light against distance, statistical analysis of the degree of polarization (DOP) of the backscattered signal is used to detect sections of an optical transmission path for which mode-coupling behaviour (long h) leads to high PMD. Preferably, successive DOP measurement are taken with different state of polarization, SOP, for the P-OTDR light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventor: Michel Leblanc
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Publication number: 20020057436Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system permits multiple parameters to be sensed using a single sensor. In a described embodiment, a method of sensing multiple parameters is provided in which an interferometric fiber optic sensor is connected to a variable wavelength light source. Light is transmitted from the light source through the sensor, with the light being swept over a range of wavelengths to measure relatively low frequency signals, and the light being maintained at a constant wavelength to measure relatively high frequency signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John R. Dennis, Michel LeBlanc
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Patent number: 5854346Abstract: An improved toughened blend of an aromatic polyester with from 5 to 20 phr of an impact modifier, which impact modifier is a blend of (a) 80 to 85 weight percent of a core/shell impact modifier having a polybutadiene core and at least one shell formed from methyl methacrylate and styrene; and (b) 15 to 20 weight percent of a linear copolymer which contains from 50 to 85 parts of units derived from ethylene, from 5 to 40 parts of units derived from (meth)acrylic esters, and from 2 to 10 parts of a copolymerizable monomer containing an epoxy group. The toughened blend exhibits higher impact strength than would be calculated for the blend using a linear relationship based on values of notched Izod for two blends, each containing only one of the impact modifiers at an equal use level.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Inventors: Jean-Philippe Gaetan Meyer, Didier Michel Leblanc, Yannick Jean Yvon Chiquet
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Patent number: 5754284Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer suitable for determining its front panel insertion loss comprises a four-port coupler having first and second ports connected to a light source and an optical detector, respectively, and third and fourth ports connected to a front panel connector and a reference reflector, respectively. In use, a fiber-under-test is connected to the front panel connector. The coupler splits light from the light source between the front panel connector and the reference reflector and couples light returning from the front panel connector and reflector to the detector. The optical path between the front panel connector and the coupler is longer than the optical path between the reference reflector and the coupler by such a distance that a Fresnel reflection pulse from the reference reflector, produced by a pulse emitted by the light source, will be received by the detector before a corresponding reflection pulse returned from the front panel connector.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1996Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: EXFO Electro-optical Engineering Inc.Inventors: Michel Leblanc, Robert Larose, Robert Tremblay