Fiber optic signal amplifier using thermoelectric power generation

Patent · 31 December 1994

OSTI ID:869842

Hart, Mark M ^[1]

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1. Aiken, SC

A remote fiber optic signal amplifier for use as a repeater/amplifier, such as in transoceanic communications, powered by a Pu.sub.238 or Sr.sub.90 thermoelectric generator. The amplifier comprises a unit with connections on the receiving and sending sides of the communications system, and an erbium-doped fiber amplifier connecting each sending fiber to each receiving fiber. The thermoelectric generator, preferably a Pu.sub.238 or Sr.sub.90 thermoelectric generator delivers power to the amplifiers through a regulator. The heat exchange surfaces of the thermoelectric generator are made of materials resistant to corrosion and biological growth and are directly exposed to the outside, such as the ocean water in transoceanic communications.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5408356
• OSTI ID: 869842
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/359/307/
238
90
amplifier
amplifier comprises
amplifiers
biological
communications
comprises
connecting
connections
corrosion
delivers
directly
electric generator
electric power
erbium-doped
exchange
exposed
fiber
fiber optic
generation
generator
growth
heat
heat exchange
materials
ocean
ocean water
optic
optic signal
outside
power
power generation
powered
preferably
receiving
receiving fiber
regulator
remote
repeater
resistant
sending
signal
signal amplifier
sr
surfaces
thermoelectric
thermoelectric generator
transoceanic
unit
water