CN100409509C - Electrical insulation ring between end cap and ferrule of subsea pressure vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

A pressure vessel for use in a subsea environment is provided. The pressure vessel includes a pressure housing and two cable receiving elements disposed at opposite ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of optical cables each including an electrical conductor therein, the cable receiving elements for making electrical contact with the respective electrical conductors in the optical cables. At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component for receiving electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cable. The pressure vessel further includes an electrically insulating element that electrically isolates at least one of the cable receiving elements from the pressure shell.

Description

Translated fromChinese

位于海底压力容器的端盖和箍圈之间的电绝缘环Electrical insulating ring located between the end cap and ferrule of a subsea pressure vessel

相关申请的声明Statement of relevant application

本申请是2003年11月17日提出的名称为“用于电隔离通用光缆接头中容纳的光放大器模块的方法和设备”的共同未决美国专利申请序列号10/715,330的继续部分，其整体在此并入作为参考。This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/715,330, filed November 17, 2003, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Electrically Isolating Optical Amplifier Modules Received in Universal Fiber Optic Cable Splices," the entirety of which incorporated herein by reference.

本申请还是2004年3月12日提出的名称为“通用光缆接头中容纳的光放大器模块的热学管理”的共同未决美国专利申请序列号10/800,424的继续部分，其整体在此并入作为参考。This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/800,424, filed March 12, 2004, entitled "Thermal Management of Optical Amplifier Modules Contained in Universal Fiber Optic Cable Splices," the entirety of which is hereby incorporated as refer to.

本申请还涉及2003年10月16日提出的名称为“用于海底光传输系统的通用光缆接头中容纳的光放大器模块”的共同未决美国专利申请序列号10/687,547，其整体在此并入作为参考。This application is also related to co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/687,547, filed October 16, 2003, entitled "Optical Amplifier Module Housed in a Universal Optical Cable Splice for Submarine Optical Transmission Systems," the entirety of which is incorporated herein Enter as a reference.

技术领域technical field

本发明涉及光中继器领域，并且更加具体地，涉及海底光传输系统中使用的光中继器。The present invention relates to the field of optical repeaters, and more particularly, to optical repeaters used in subsea optical transmission systems.

背景技术Background technique

在海底光传输系统中，通过光缆传输的光信号在可能跨越数千英里的光缆的长度之上变得衰减。为了补偿这种信号衰减，在关键地方沿着光缆的长度安置光中继器。In subsea optical transmission systems, optical signals transmitted through fiber optic cables become attenuated over the length of the fiber optic cable, which may span thousands of miles. To compensate for this signal attenuation, optical repeaters are placed at strategic locations along the length of the cable.

在典型的光中继器中，运送光信号的光缆进入中继器，并且在退出中继器之前，通过至少一个放大器和诸如光耦合器和退耦器之类的各种部件耦合。这些光学部件经由光纤相互耦合。在保护中继器免受环境损坏的密封结构中容纳中继器。在部署的过程期间，将光缆盘绕到位于船上的大光缆盘上。因此，中继器变得与光缆一起在光缆盘周围缠绕。由于信号的性质，以及光纤中传输的信息的不断增加的量，中继器正在变得更大，并且当它们围绕光缆盘盘绕时，它们增加的长度造成了问题。尽管光缆盘直径可能高达9-12英尺，但是当前的中继器长度可能大于5英尺，并因而不能沿着光缆盘放平，或者甚至基本上平坦。特别是在光缆的放出和卷绕期间，在中继器及其连接的光缆之间的连接点处遭遇到由高达100,000磅量级的力引起的巨大应力。由于施加到与中继器接头处的光缆上的严重局部弯曲，可能发生穿过光缆的非等轴加载。这种加载在远远低于光缆自己的抗拉强度的负荷下会不可避免地导致光缆部件故障。In a typical optical repeater, an optical cable carrying optical signals enters the repeater and is coupled through at least one amplifier and various components such as optical couplers and decouplers before exiting the repeater. These optical components are coupled to each other via optical fibers. Contains the repeater in a sealed structure that protects the repeater from environmental damage. During the process of deployment, the fiber optic cable is coiled onto a large fiber optic cable drum located on the ship. As a result, repeaters become wound around the cable drum along with the cable. Due to the nature of the signal, and the ever-increasing amount of information transmitted in optical fiber, repeaters are becoming larger, and their increased length creates problems when they are coiled around optical cable coils. While cable drums may be as high as 9-12 feet in diameter, current repeaters may be greater than 5 feet in length and thus do not lay flat, or even substantially flat, along the cable drum. Particularly during payout and winding of the cable, enormous stresses caused by forces of the order of up to 100,000 pounds are encountered at the connection point between the repeater and its attached cable. Non-isometric loading through the fiber optic cable may occur due to severe localized bends applied to the fiber optic cable at the junction with the repeater. Such loading inevitably leads to failure of cable components at loads well below the cable's own tensile strength.

为了防止中继器部署期间光缆的故障，常常提供弯曲限制器，其目的是为了平衡光缆上施加的力。另外，在弯曲限制装置连接到的中继器的每个纵向末端处可以提供万向架。万向架在两个方向上提供了自由的角运动。中继器和弯曲限制装置之间的万向架所允许的弯曲角度进一步减少了光缆上施加的局部弯曲。To prevent failure of the fiber optic cable during repeater deployment, bend limiters are often provided, the purpose of which is to balance the forces exerted on the fiber optic cable. Additionally, a gimbal may be provided at each longitudinal end of the repeater to which the bend limiting means are connected. The gimbal provides free angular movement in both directions. The allowable bend angle of the gimbal between the repeater and the bend limiting device further reduces the local bend imposed on the cable.

传统中继器的大物理尺寸在它们的部署方面造成困难的同时增加了它们的复杂性和成本。The large physical size of conventional repeaters increases their complexity and cost while creating difficulties in their deployment.

发明内容Contents of the invention

根据本发明，提供了在海底环境中使用的压力容器。所述压力容器包括压力壳体和两个光缆接收元件，所述光缆接收元件布置在所述压力壳体的相对端，用于分别接收每个在其中都包括电导线的光缆的末端，所述光缆接收元件适合于与所述光缆中的所述各个电导线电接触。至少一个光放大器位于所述压力容器中。所述光放大器包括至少一个电气部件，其用于从所述光缆中的所述电导线接收电功率。所述压力容器还包括电绝缘元件，其使所述光缆接收元件中的至少一个与所述压力壳体电隔离。According to the present invention, a pressure vessel for use in a subsea environment is provided. The pressure vessel comprises a pressure housing and two fiber optic cable receiving elements arranged at opposite ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of fiber optic cables each including electrical conductors therein, the A cable receiving element is adapted to make electrical contact with said respective electrical conductors in said cable. At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component for receiving electrical power from the electrical conductors in the fiber optic cable. The pressure vessel also includes an electrical isolation element that electrically isolates at least one of the fiber optic cable receiving elements from the pressure housing.

根据本发明的一个方面，所述电绝缘元件包含陶瓷元件。According to one aspect of the invention, said electrically insulating element comprises a ceramic element.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述压力壳体和所述电绝缘元件形状为圆柱形并且直径相等。According to another aspect of the invention, said pressure housing and said electrically insulating element are cylindrical in shape and equal in diameter.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述压力壳体由金属材料形成。According to another aspect of the invention, the pressure housing is formed of a metallic material.

根据本发明的另一个方面，提供了包含所述光放大器的光放大器模块。所述模块包括内壳，其具有基本上和海底光缆接头的内部光纤接续壳体的外部尺寸相等的外部尺寸。所述内壳包括一对相对的端面，其每一个都具有保持元件，用于将所述内壳保持在所述海底光缆接头的外壳之内。所述内壳还包括互连所述相对端面的侧壁，其在所述相对端面之间纵向延伸。由导热材料形成的所述侧壁包括插孔部分，其具有多个通孔，每个所述通孔的尺寸适于接收光放大器中使用的无源光学部件。所述模块还包括至少一个电路板，在所述电路板上驻留诸如与所述光放大器相关的至少一个降压元件之类的电子器件。According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical amplifier module including the optical amplifier is provided. The module includes an inner housing having outer dimensions substantially equal to outer dimensions of an inner fiber optic splice housing of the submarine cable splice. The inner shell includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the inner shell within the outer shell of the submarine cable joint. The inner shell also includes side walls interconnecting the opposing end surfaces, extending longitudinally between the opposing end surfaces. The sidewall formed of a thermally conductive material includes a socket portion having a plurality of through holes each sized to receive passive optical components used in an optical amplifier. The module also includes at least one circuit board on which resides electronics such as at least one voltage drop component associated with the optical amplifier.

根据本发明的另一个方面，至少一个光泵源与所述端面中的一个热接触。According to another aspect of the invention, at least one optical pump source is in thermal contact with one of said end faces.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述端面每个都包括至少一个向内延伸的凸台。所述光泵源驻留在所述向内延伸的凸台中的一个上。According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the end faces includes at least one inwardly extending boss. The light pumping source resides on one of the inwardly extending bosses.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述电路板的第一面驻留在通过所述侧壁延伸的表面上。导热垫片安装到所述电路板的所述第一面，并且提供了所述降压元件和所述侧壁之间的导热路径。According to another aspect of the invention, the first face of the circuit board resides on a surface extending through the side wall. A thermally conductive spacer is mounted to the first side of the circuit board and provides a thermally conductive path between the voltage drop element and the sidewall.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述降压元件安装到所述导热垫片。According to another aspect of the present invention, the pressure reducing element is mounted to the thermal pad.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述降压元件为稳压二极管。According to another aspect of the present invention, the step-down element is a Zener diode.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述多个通孔通过所述侧壁的所述插孔部分水平地纵向延伸。According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of through holes extend horizontally and longitudinally through the insertion hole portion of the side wall.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述内壳具有普通圆柱形的形状。所述侧壁的所述插孔部分具有规定所述圆柱形形状直径的曲率。According to another aspect of the invention, the inner shell has a generally cylindrical shape. The receptacle portion of the side wall has a curvature defining a diameter of the cylindrical shape.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述海底光缆接头是通用的接头，用于连接具有不同构造的光缆。According to another aspect of the present invention, the submarine optical cable connector is a universal connector for connecting optical cables with different configurations.

根据本发明的另一个方面，光纤存放区包括至少一个光纤线轴，在所述线轴周围能够缠绕光纤。According to another aspect of the invention, the optical fiber storage area includes at least one optical fiber spool around which the optical fiber can be wound.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述内壳由一对半单元形成，每个所述半单元包括所述保持元件中的一个。According to another aspect of the invention, said inner shell is formed by a pair of half-units, each said half-unit comprising one of said retaining elements.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述侧壁包括一对从所述侧壁的所述插孔部分纵向延伸的肋式部件。所述肋式部件每个都具有从中水平地纵向延伸的拉杆通孔，用于支撑所述海底光缆接头使用的拉杆。According to another aspect of the present invention, said side wall includes a pair of rib members extending longitudinally from said receptacle portion of said side wall. Each of the rib members has a tie rod through hole extending longitudinally and horizontally therethrough for supporting a tie rod used in the submarine optical cable joint.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述内壳的外部尺寸小于大约15cm×50cm。According to another aspect of the invention, the outer dimensions of the inner shell are less than about 15 cm x 50 cm.

根据本发明的另一个方面，所述内壳的外部尺寸大约为7.5cm×15cm。According to another aspect of the invention, the outer dimensions of the inner shell are approximately 7.5 cm x 15 cm.

附图说明Description of drawings

图1显示了海底光缆的例子；Figure 1 shows an example of a submarine cable;

图2显示了供海底光学电信系统之用的用于连接光缆的通用光缆接头的简化示意图；Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a common optical cable connector for connecting optical cables for use in submarine optical telecommunication systems;

图3显示了通用光缆接头的特殊例子，该通用光缆接头可以从全球海运系统有限公司(Global Marine Systems Limited)和通用接头联盟(the Universal Joint Consortium)得到；Figure 3 shows a particular example of a universal fiber optic cable joint available from Global Marine Systems Limited and the Universal Joint Consortium;

图4显示了根据本发明构造的光放大器模块的侧视图；Figure 4 shows a side view of an optical amplifier module constructed in accordance with the present invention;

图5显示了形成图4中描绘的光放大器模块的半单元中的一个的透视图；Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one of the half-units forming the optical amplifier module depicted in Figure 4;

图6显示了形成图4中描绘的光放大器模块的半单元中的一个的侧视图；Figure 6 shows a side view of one of the half-units forming the optical amplifier module depicted in Figure 4;

图7显示了形成图4中描绘的光放大器模块的半单元中的一个的横截面侧视图；Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of one of the half-cells forming the optical amplifier module depicted in Figure 4;

图8是图4中显示的光放大器模块的横截面侧视图；Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the optical amplifier module shown in Figure 4;

图9是与端盖互连的光放大器模块的部分的放大横截面侧视图；Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a portion of an optical amplifier module interconnected with an end cap;

图10显示了电路板中的一个的底面的平面图，其显示了安装稳压二极管以利于传热的方式；Figure 10 shows a plan view of the underside of one of the circuit boards, showing the manner in which Zener diodes are mounted to facilitate heat transfer;

图11显示了容纳光放大器组件的压力容器的一个实施例的透视图。Figure 11 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a pressure vessel housing an optical amplifier assembly.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

本发明人已认识到，通过首先减少中继器的长度，能够得到显著较小的中继器，以便大大减轻其部署期间施加于其上的应力，从而消除对万向架的需要。万向架的消除又允许进一步减少中继器的尺寸。The present inventors have realized that by first reducing the length of the repeater, a significantly smaller repeater can be obtained so that the stress placed on it during its deployment is greatly reduced, thereby eliminating the need for a gimbal. Elimination of the gimbal in turn allows further reduction in repeater size.

本发明人已进一步认识到，能够在这样的单元中容纳尺寸显著减小的中继器，所述单元从适合于海底环境的现成部件形成。具体地，本发明人已认识到，传统上用于互连不同海底光缆的壳体也能够用作极小形状因数的中继器壳体。如下面讨论的那样，一种这样的壳体，其通常被称作通用接头，已成为用于维护海底光缆的事实上的全世界的标准，而且拥有成功部署的长远历史。本发明因而提供了一种中继器，其中，由于其小的尺寸，所述中继器易于部署，并且位于经济的、适合于海底的壳体中，所述壳体已经在海底光通信工业中沿用已久。此外，因为通用接头能够互连不同的光缆，所以中继器能够用来连接来自不同制造商的多种光缆和系统。The present inventors have further realized that repeaters of significantly reduced size can be accommodated in such a unit formed from off-the-shelf components suitable for the subsea environment. In particular, the inventors have realized that housings traditionally used for interconnecting different submarine cables can also be used as repeater housings of extremely small form factor. As discussed below, one such housing, commonly referred to as a universal splice, has become the de facto worldwide standard for maintaining submarine fiber optic cables and has a long history of successful deployment. The present invention thus provides a repeater which, due to its small size, is easy to deploy and is housed in an economical, subsea-suitable housing which is already used in the subsea optical communications industry. It has been used for a long time. In addition, because the universal connector can interconnect different cables, repeaters can be used to connect a variety of cables and systems from different manufacturers.

为了便于理解本发明，结合图1来说明海底光缆的例子。尽管不同的光缆产品使用具有不同构造和尺寸的光缆，但是大多数光缆都以一种形式或其他形式使用图1中描绘的大多数部件。光缆330包含由诸如铝或不锈钢之类的金属制成的单个的、位于中心的充满凝胶的缓冲管332。充满凝胶的缓冲管332包含光纤335。在某些情况下，缓冲管332被替换为由嵌入聚合物中的光纤所包围的置于中心的光缆主钢丝(kingwire)。在缓冲管的周围缠绕充当强力层的两层绞合线。一层包括绞合线338，而另一层则包括绞合线339。铜导线340包围绞合线，并且充当电导线和密封屏障。由聚乙烯形成的外套342封装铜导线340并且充当绝缘层。In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, an example of a submarine optical cable is described with reference to FIG. 1 . Although different fiber optic cable products use cables with different configurations and sizes, most cables use most of the components depicted in Figure 1 in one form or the other. Fiber optic cable 330 contains a single, centrally located gel-filledbuffer tube 332 made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. A gel-filledbuffer tube 332 contains anoptical fiber 335 . In some cases, thebuffer tube 332 is replaced with a centrally located cable kingwire surrounded by optical fibers embedded in a polymer. Wrap two layers of stranded wire as a strength layer around the buffer tube. One layer includes twistedwires 338 and the other layer includes twistedwires 339 .Copper conductors 340 surround the stranded wires and act as electrical conductors and a sealing barrier. Asheath 342 formed of polyethylene encapsulates thecopper wire 340 and acts as an insulating layer.

图2显示了供海底光学电信系统之用的用于连接光缆的通用光缆接头的简化示意图。这样的接头被称作通用光缆接头，因为它能够互连许多不同类型的海底光学电信光缆而不管其制造商是谁。光缆接头包括光纤接续位于其中的公共部件组件10。光纤接续由两个光纤形成，所述两个光纤分别来自两个光缆，其每一个在光缆端接单元12中端接。保护组件15包围公共部件组件10和光缆端接单元12，以提供免于外部环境的保护。Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a generic cable joint for connecting optical cables for use in submarine optical telecommunication systems. Such a splice is known as a universal cable splice because it is capable of interconnecting many different types of submarine optical telecommunication cables regardless of their manufacturer. The fiber optic cable splice includes acommon component assembly 10 in which the fiber optic splice is located. The fiber splice is formed by two optical fibers from two optical cables, each of which is terminated in thecable termination unit 12 . Aprotection assembly 15 surrounds thecommon component assembly 10 and thecable termination unit 12 to provide protection from the external environment.

图3显示了通用光缆接头的特殊例子，该通用光缆接头可以从全球海运系统有限公司和通用接头联盟得到，如前所述，该通用光缆接头通常被简称为通用接头。在图2和图3以及后面的附图中，同样的参考数字指示同样的元件。在图3中，图2中描绘的保护组件15包括：不锈钢套筒14，其包围公共部件组件10；以及聚乙烯套筒16，其被模制于公共部件组件10之上。不锈钢套筒14提供对拉力、扭力和压力负荷的抵抗，并进一步提供导电路径，通过该导电路径，能够从一个光缆的铜导线向另一个光缆的铜导线传输电功率。FIG. 3 shows a particular example of a universal fiber optic cable joint, which is available from Global Marine Systems, Inc. and the Universal Splice Alliance, and which, as previously mentioned, is often referred to simply as a universal joint. In FIGS. 2 and 3 and subsequent figures, like reference numerals designate like elements. In FIG. 3 , theprotective assembly 15 depicted in FIG. 2 includes astainless steel sleeve 14 surrounding thecommon part assembly 10 , and apolyethylene sleeve 16 molded over thecommon part assembly 10 . Thestainless steel sleeve 14 provides resistance to tensile, torsional and compressive loads and further provides a conductive path through which electrical power can be transmitted from the copper conductors of one fiber optic cable to the copper conductors of the other fiber optic cable.

连接过程始于剥去光缆的各层以露出预定长度的外套、铜导线、绞合线和光纤组(例如包含光纤的缓冲管或被光纤包围的光缆主钢丝)。在位于光缆端接单元12中的套圈组件中夹紧绞合线。光纤组延伸进入公共部件组件10，在那里通过一系列的夹具被固定就位。在公共部件组件10中，单独的光纤被分开并接续到来自另一个光缆的它们的相应光纤。接头和多余的光纤一起在公共部件组件10内形成的通道中被打成环并缠绕。在不锈钢套筒14中插入公共部件组件10，并将端盖13拧到组件10的每个末端。两个拉杆17和19通过端盖13和公共部件组件10延伸。设计拉杆17和19以支撑拉力负荷，其中，在接头从船上向其海底环境转移时的部署期间，所述拉力负荷被施加到通用接头上。最后，在模具中放置接头，所述模具被注入熔化的聚乙烯以提供绝缘(亦即聚乙烯套筒16)，其与光缆的外套相连。不锈钢套筒14和端盖13规定的组件充当在其中容纳光缆接头的压力容器。The splicing process begins with stripping the layers of the cable to expose a predetermined length of jacket, copper conductors, stranded wires, and groups of optical fibers (such as buffer tubes containing the optical fibers or the main cable wires surrounded by optical fibers). The stranded wires are clamped in a ferrule assembly located in thecable termination unit 12 . The fiber optic group extends into thecommon component assembly 10 where it is held in place by a series of clamps. In thecommon component assembly 10, individual optical fibers are split and spliced to their respective optical fibers from another optical cable. The splice and excess optical fiber are looped and wound together in a channel formed within thecommon component assembly 10 . Thecommon part assembly 10 is inserted in astainless steel sleeve 14 andend caps 13 are screwed onto each end of theassembly 10 . Twotie rods 17 and 19 extend throughend cap 13 andcommon part assembly 10 .Tie rods 17 and 19 are designed to support the tensile loads that are applied to the universal joint during deployment when the joint is transferred from the ship to its subsea environment. Finally, the splice is placed in a mould, which is injected with molten polyethylene to provide the insulation (ie the polyethylene sleeve 16), which is attached to the jacket of the cable. The assembly defined by thestainless steel sleeve 14 andend cap 13 acts as a pressure vessel in which the cable splice is received.

本发明人已认识到，能够修改诸如图2-3中描绘的通用光缆接头之类的光缆接头，以充当一个或多个光放大器位于其中的中继器壳体。图4-9显示了取代图1-4中看到的公共部件组件10的光放大器模块400的一个实施例。光放大器模块400必须具有和公共部件组件大体相同的尺寸，其仅为大约7.5cm×15cm。如前所述，这在尺寸上远小于传统的中继器壳体，其通常为几英尺长。附图中描绘的光放大器模块400能够支持4个铒掺杂光纤放大器(EDFA)，其中，对于两个光纤对中的每一个，其在物理上被归类为双重放大器单元。当然，本发明包含了能够支持任意数目EDFA的光放大器模块。The present inventors have realized that a fiber optic cable connector, such as the universal fiber optic cable connector depicted in Figures 2-3, can be modified to function as a repeater housing in which one or more optical amplifiers are located. 4-9 show an embodiment of anoptical amplifier module 400 that replaces thecommon component assembly 10 seen in FIGS. 1-4. Theoptical amplifier module 400 must have approximately the same dimensions as the common component assembly, which is only about 7.5 cm x 15 cm. As mentioned earlier, this is much smaller in size than conventional repeater housings, which are typically several feet long. Theoptical amplifier module 400 depicted in the figure is capable of supporting 4 erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which are physically classified as dual amplifier units for each of the two fiber pairs. Of course, the present invention includes optical amplifier modules capable of supporting any number of EDFAs.

每个光放大器都包括铒掺杂光纤、光泵源、隔离器和增益平整过滤器(GFF)。放大器为单级，用交叉耦合泵激光器向前泵送。如果两个泵激光器中的一个故障，则3dB耦合器允许双重放大器中的铒掺杂光纤的两个线圈都被泵送。在输出端，隔离器保护防止反向散射光进入放大器。增益平整过滤器被设计用来在设计的输入功率下平整放大器增益。考虑到COTDR类型的线路监测，可以提供另外的光学路径，以允许任一光纤中的反向散射光的过滤部分被耦合返回到相反的方向上。当然，光放大器模块400可以支持诸如多级放大器、向前和相反泵送放大器之类的具有不同构造的EDFA，以及使用除了铒之外的稀土元素的光纤放大器。Each optical amplifier includes an erbium-doped fiber, an optical pump, an isolator, and a gain-flattening filter (GFF). The amplifier is a single stage, pumped forward with a cross-coupled pump laser. The 3dB coupler allows both coils of the erbium-doped fiber in the dual amplifier to be pumped if one of the two pump lasers fails. At the output, an isolator protects against backscattered light entering the amplifier. Gain flattening filters are designed to flatten amplifier gain at a designed input power. To allow for COTDR type line monitoring, additional optical paths can be provided to allow a filtered portion of the backscattered light in either fiber to be coupled back in the opposite direction. Of course, theoptical amplifier module 400 can support EDFAs with different configurations such as multi-stage amplifiers, forward and reverse pumped amplifiers, and optical fiber amplifiers using rare earth elements other than erbium.

光放大器模块400被设计以与其他的光缆接头兼容，以便它连接到光缆端接单元12，并以与公共部件组件10相同的方式安装在不锈钢套筒14内。Theoptical amplifier module 400 is designed to be compatible with other cable connectors so that it connects to thecable termination unit 12 and fits within thestainless steel sleeve 14 in the same manner as thecommon component assembly 10 .

以端盖13就位的方式在图4中显示了光放大器模块400的侧视图。通常用圆柱形结构来规定模块400，所述圆柱形结构具有位于相对端面403上的凸缘402(见图5)。纵向平面405通过光放大器模块400延伸，从而将模块400切成两个半单元404和404’，其关于垂直于纵向平面405的旋转轴对称。亦即，最好如图5中看到的那样，不是将端面403分成位于不同半单元404上的两个部分，而是每个半单元404都包括各个凸缘402位于其上的端面403中的一个的部分。图5显示了单元404中的一个的透视图。在图4-9中描绘的本发明的实施例中，每个半单元404容纳两个铒掺杂光纤放大器。A side view of theoptical amplifier module 400 is shown in FIG. 4 with theend cap 13 in place. Themodule 400 is generally defined by a cylindricalstructure having flanges 402 on opposite end faces 403 (see FIG. 5 ). Alongitudinal plane 405 extends through theoptical amplifier module 400, thereby cutting themodule 400 into two half-units 404 and 404', which are symmetrical about an axis of rotation perpendicular to thelongitudinal plane 405. That is, instead of splitting theend face 403 into two parts on different half-units 404, as best seen in FIG. part of one. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one of theunits 404 . In the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figures 4-9, eachhalf cell 404 houses two erbium-doped fiber amplifiers.

凸缘402和图3中显示的通用接头的光缆端接单元12配对。如在图7和8的截面图中看到的那样，通孔407从端面403向内延伸，通过该通孔407插入通用接头的拉杆。端面403还包括隙孔430，用于将通用接头的端盖13固定到光放大器模块400。沿着这样的直线布置隙孔430，所述直线垂直于连接拉杆通孔407的直线。Theflange 402 mates with thecable termination unit 12 of the universal connector shown in FIG. 3 . As seen in the sectional views of FIGS. 7 and 8 , a throughhole 407 extends inwardly from theend face 403 , through which a tie rod of the universal joint is inserted. Theend face 403 also includesclearance holes 430 for securing theend cap 13 of the universal connector to theoptical amplifier module 400 . Theapertures 430 are arranged along a straight line perpendicular to the straight line connecting the tie rod throughholes 407 .

如图4-6所示，每个单元404包括形成半个圆柱体的弯曲侧壁412，所述半个圆柱体规定了圆柱形结构的一部分。脊椎部件406和弯曲侧壁412构成整体并与之相切，而且从那里纵向延伸。包含通用接头的拉杆的通孔407通过脊椎部件406延伸。陶瓷凸台440位于远离末端凸缘403的脊椎部件406的末端。如图5和7所示，通孔407通过陶瓷凸台440延伸。如下面讨论的那样，陶瓷凸台440防止电流从一个半单元404流向另一个。As shown in Figures 4-6, eachcell 404 includes acurved side wall 412 forming a half cylinder defining a portion of a cylindrical structure. Thespine member 406 is integral with and tangent to thecurved sidewall 412 and extends longitudinally therefrom. A throughhole 407 containing a tie rod of the universal joint extends through thespine member 406 . Theceramic boss 440 is located at the end of thevertebral member 406 away from theend flange 403 .Vias 407 extend throughceramic bosses 440 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 . As discussed below,ceramic bosses 440 prevent current flow from one half-cell 404 to the other.

电路板支撑表面416在纵向平面405上沿着单元404的外围延伸。在支撑表面416上安装电路板426。当装配半单元404和404’时，通过一对互锁功率传导销423互连电路板426和426’，所述一对互锁功率传导销423在两个电路板426和426’之间提供电连接。位于电路板支撑表面416和脊椎部件406之间的单元404的内腔充当光纤存储区。光纤线轴420位于光纤存储区中的脊椎部件406的内表面上。围绕光纤线轴420缠绕铒掺杂光纤及任何多余的光纤。光纤线轴420具有至少足够大到可以防止光纤弯曲超过其最小指定弯曲半径的外部直径。The circuitboard support surface 416 extends along the periphery of theunit 404 in thelongitudinal plane 405 . Acircuit board 426 is mounted on thesupport surface 416 . When the half-units 404 and 404' are assembled, thecircuit boards 426 and 426' are interconnected by a pair of interlocking power conducting pins 423 provided between the twocircuit boards 426 and 426'. electrical connection. The lumen of theunit 404 between the circuitboard support surface 416 and thespine member 406 acts as a fiber storage area. Thefiber optic spool 420 is located on the inner surface of thespine member 406 in the fiber storage area. The erbium doped fiber and any excess fiber are wound around thefiber spool 420 . Thefiber optic spool 420 has an outer diameter that is at least large enough to prevent bending of the fiber beyond its minimum specified bend radius.

弯曲侧壁412足够厚，以支撑多个通过那里纵向延伸的通孔418。通孔418充当用于光放大器的无源部件的插孔。亦即，每个插孔418都能够包含诸如隔离器、增益平整过滤器、耦合器以及类似物之类的部件。Thecurved sidewall 412 is thick enough to support a plurality of throughholes 418 extending longitudinally therethrough. Via 418 acts as a jack for the passive components of the optical amplifier. That is, eachjack 418 can contain components such as isolators, gain flattening filters, couplers, and the like.

端面403每个都包括一对泵支撑凸台403a(见图6和7)，其向内延伸并平行于电路板426。电路板426具有切口，以便露出泵支撑凸台403a。在每个泵凸台403a上安装为每个光放大器提供泵送能量的泵源427。The end faces 403 each include a pair of pump support bosses 403 a (see FIGS. 6 and 7 ) that extend inwardly and parallel to thecircuit board 426 . Thecircuit board 426 has a cutout to expose the pump support boss 403a. Apump source 427 providing pumping energy for each optical amplifier is installed on each pump boss 403a.

电连接electrical connection

如前所述，在两个光缆端接单元12中的光缆之间必须保持电连接。然而，必须电隔离光放大器模块400中的各种部件，以使必须供应给位于电路板426上的电气部件的小电压(例如5-20V)成为可能。As previously mentioned, an electrical connection must be maintained between the cables in the twocable termination units 12 . However, the various components in theoptical amplifier module 400 must be electrically isolated to enable the small voltages (eg, 5-20V) that must be supplied to the electrical components located on thecircuit board 426 .

再次参考图3，充当电介质的聚乙烯套筒16包围了光放大器模块400和套筒14。电功率从位于端接单元12中的光缆中的导线获得，并通过位于电路板426中的导线传送。以电路板的环氧树脂充当局部电介质的方式，使电路板从光放大器模块400电隔离。在电压降落到电路板中的一个上的电气部件之后，电压经由一对相容导电销423从电路板426向电路板426’传递，其中，所述相容导电销423每个都包含销和套接组件。销423允许由于拉力或流体静压而发生的任何轴向运动。Referring again to FIG. 3 , thepolyethylene sleeve 16 acting as a dielectric surrounds theoptical amplifier module 400 and thesleeve 14 . Electrical power is obtained from the wires in the fiber optic cable located in thetermination unit 12 and transmitted through the wires located in thecircuit board 426 . The circuit board is electrically isolated from theoptical amplifier module 400 in such a way that the epoxy of the circuit board acts as a local dielectric. After the voltage drops to the electrical components on one of the circuit boards, the voltage is transferred from thecircuit board 426 to the circuit board 426' via a pair of compliantconductive pins 423 each comprising a pin and a Socket components.Pin 423 allows any axial movement due to tension or hydrostatic pressure.

更加具体地，现在参考图7和8，向电气部件供应功率如下。由于光缆端接单元12是电动的或有源的，所以端盖13也是电有源的。电源线在电路板426和426’中的每一个内延伸。电源线直接从泵支撑凸台403a接收电功率。诸如稳压二极管之类的一个或多个降压元件位于电路板426上。将电源线电耦合到电路板上的其他电气部件的稳压二极管，降落了足以供电电气部件的电压。电连接沿着电源线延伸，并且经由导电销423维持穿过电路板到另一个电路板。用这种方法，电连接从一个端盖13延伸，通过与端盖13接触的末端凸缘403和泵支撑凸台403a，通过位于搁在泵支撑凸台403a之上的电路板426上的电源线，通过导电销423中的一个，并且通过位于另一个电路板426中的电源线。最后，电连接经由另一个泵支撑凸台403a和末端凸缘403延伸到另一个端盖13。More specifically, referring now to Figures 7 and 8, power is supplied to the electrical components as follows. As thecable termination unit 12 is electrically powered or active, theend cap 13 is also electrically active. Power lines extend within each of thecircuit boards 426 and 426'. The power cord receives electrical power directly from the pump support boss 403a. One or more step-down components, such as zener diodes, are located oncircuit board 426 . Zener diodes, which electrically couple the power line to other electrical components on the board, drop enough voltage to power the electrical components. Electrical connections run along the power lines and are maintained across the circuit board to another circuit board viaconductive pins 423 . In this way, electrical connections extend from oneend cap 13, through theend flange 403 in contact with theend cap 13 and the pump support boss 403a, through the power supply located on thecircuit board 426 resting on the pump support boss 403a. wire, through one of theconductive pins 423, and through a power wire located in theother circuit board 426. Finally, the electrical connection extends to theother end cap 13 via the other pump support boss 403 a and theend flange 403 .

使电路径从光放大器模块400隔离如下。在电路板支撑表面416和电路板426之间布置电绝缘垫片。用这种方法，除了通过前述的电源线之外，泵支撑凸台403a与电路板426电隔离。陶瓷隔离器442包围了螺栓，其将电路板426固定到每个半单元404的侧壁412。陶瓷隔离器442防止从螺栓向位于电路板426上的部件放电。位于每个半单元404上的陶瓷凸台440使与其连接的脊椎部件406从与其接触的端盖13和末端凸缘403两者电隔离。The electrical paths are isolated from theoptical amplifier module 400 as follows. An electrically insulating spacer is disposed between the circuitboard support surface 416 and thecircuit board 426 . In this way, the pump support boss 403a is electrically isolated from thecircuit board 426 except by the aforementioned power cord.Ceramic spacers 442 surround the bolts that secure thecircuit board 426 to theside walls 412 of each half-unit 404 .Ceramic isolators 442 prevent electrical discharge from the bolts to components located oncircuit board 426 .Ceramic bosses 440 located on each half-unit 404 electrically isolate thespine member 406 connected thereto from both theend cap 13 and theend flange 403 with which it contacts.

图9显示了下述方式：通过通孔407延伸的拉杆409与端盖13电隔离。如用于最左边的端盖13的图9所示，陶瓷垫圈444包围了每个拉杆409的头部。陶瓷垫圈444使端盖13与拉杆409电隔离。因为通过陶瓷垫圈444建立的封闭不是密封的，所以还提供了铜垫圈446和448，以确保在拉杆和端盖13之间实现这样的密封。拉杆409的螺纹末端在相对的端盖13中端接，而且螺纹末端与端盖13并不电隔离。FIG. 9 shows the manner in which thetie rod 409 extending through the throughhole 407 is electrically isolated from theend cap 13 . As shown in FIG. 9 for theleftmost end cap 13 , aceramic washer 444 surrounds the head of eachtie rod 409 .Ceramic gasket 444 electrically isolatesend cap 13 fromtie rod 409 . Since the closure established by theceramic gasket 444 is not airtight,copper gaskets 446 and 448 are also provided to ensure such a seal between the tie rod andend cap 13 . The threaded ends oftie rods 409 terminate in opposingend caps 13 and are not electrically isolated fromend caps 13 .

由于压力容器的套筒14和压力容器的端盖13接触，所以套筒14应当优选地由非导电材料形成。例如，套筒14可以由导热陶瓷形成，所述导热陶瓷因其强度而有利。然而，因为这样的陶瓷通常名义上导电，所以它们需要配备氧化物表面以充当电介质。氧化物的表面加工被优选地抛光以利于形成密封。Since thesleeve 14 of the pressure vessel is in contact with theend cap 13 of the pressure vessel, thesleeve 14 should preferably be formed of a non-conductive material. For example,sleeve 14 may be formed from a thermally conductive ceramic, which is advantageous for its strength. However, because such ceramics are often nominally conductive, they need to be equipped with an oxide surface to act as a dielectric. The oxide surface finish is preferably polished to facilitate sealing.

在本发明的一些实施例中，如果套筒14由诸如不锈钢之类的金属材料形成，则可能是有利的。在这种情况下，借助于端盖13中的一个和套筒14之间插入的电绝缘环，可以打破压力容器的套筒和端盖13之间的电连续性。在图11中显示了这样的环的例子。在这个例子中，绝缘环6被构造以具有与套筒14相同的半径尺寸。绝缘环6可以由诸如陶瓷之类的任何适当材料形成。优选地抛光陶瓷环6的相对端面，以便每个端面都与端盖或箍圈14形成密封。In some embodiments of the invention, it may be advantageous if thesleeve 14 is formed from a metallic material, such as stainless steel. In this case, by means of an electrically insulating ring interposed between one of the end caps 13 and thesleeve 14 , it is possible to break the electrical continuity between the sleeve of the pressure vessel and theend cap 13 . An example of such a ring is shown in FIG. 11 . In this example, insulatingring 6 is configured to have the same radial dimension assleeve 14 . The insulatingring 6 may be formed from any suitable material, such as ceramic. The opposite end faces of theceramic ring 6 are preferably polished so that each end face forms a seal with the end cap orferrule 14 .

热学管理thermal management

泵源427和稳压二极管生成相当数量的热，其必须被消散，以确保各种部件的温度不超过它们的运行极限。这是特别具有挑战性的问题，因为泵源427和稳压二极管在小区域之上可以生成几瓦的功率。此外，在实现这些相同部件的电隔离的同时必须消散热能，两个目标在某种程度上明显地相互不一致。如下面详述的那样，光放大器模块400的若干特征增强了热学管理，以致热被充分地消散。Thepump source 427 and Zener diodes generate a considerable amount of heat which must be dissipated to ensure that the temperatures of the various components do not exceed their operating limits. This is a particularly challenging problem because thepump source 427 and Zener diodes can generate several watts of power over a small area. Furthermore, thermal energy must be dissipated while achieving electrical isolation of these same components, two goals that are somewhat clearly at odds with each other. As detailed below, several features of theoptical amplifier module 400 enhance thermal management so that the heat is adequately dissipated.

如前所述，泵源427安装在末端凸缘403的泵支撑凸台403a上。来自泵源427的热从而通过泵支撑凸台403a被传导到了末端凸缘403，其具有相对大的质量，所以充当了有效的散热器。末端凸缘403依次将热传导到图3中看到的端面13。As previously mentioned, thepump source 427 is mounted on the pump support boss 403a of theend flange 403 . Heat from thepump source 427 is thus conducted through the pump support boss 403a to theend flange 403, which has a relatively high mass and so acts as an effective heat sink. Theend flange 403 in turn conducts heat to theend face 13 seen in FIG. 3 .

光放大器模块400的侧壁412由诸如金属之类的优选地为铝的导热材料制成。由于侧壁412具有相对大的表面积，所以它们充当了散布器，其以均匀的方式在它的表面之上散热，所以它的局部和总的温升被保持在最小值。稳压二极管优选地尽可能接近侧壁412布置，以便能够容易地将二极管生成的热传导到侧壁412。Theside walls 412 of theoptical amplifier module 400 are made of a thermally conductive material such as metal, preferably aluminum. Since theside walls 412 have a relatively large surface area, they act as a spreader which dissipates heat over its surface in a uniform manner so its local and overall temperature rise is kept to a minimum. The Zener diode is preferably arranged as close as possible to theside wall 412 so that the heat generated by the diode can be easily conducted to theside wall 412 .

例如，最好如图10中看到的那样，在本发明的一个实施例中，稳压二极管484位于电路板426的底面上(亦即与泵源427驻留在其上的面相对的电路板的面)。在隔离将电路板426固定到支撑表面416的螺栓482的陶瓷隔离器442中的每一个之下，在这个底面上布置铜垫片480。稳压二极管484安装在铜垫片480上，邻近于螺栓482。铜垫片480充当用于稳压二极管484中每一个的电接触之一，其他的用参考数字486指示。每个铜垫片480的一部分驻留在电路板支撑表面416上。铜垫片480接触电路板426搁在其上的电绝缘垫片。电绝缘垫片是相对良好的热导体，并从而将稳压二极管484生成的热从铜垫片480传导到光放大器模块400的电路板支撑表面416。用这种方法，热从稳压二极管484流动通过铜垫片480和电绝缘垫片，并且进入光放大器模块400。一旦热已在模块400的侧壁412之上分散，则热就直接被传导到包围模块400的不锈钢套筒14。For example, as best seen in FIG. 10, in one embodiment of the invention, zener diode 484 is located on the bottom surface of circuit board 426 (i.e., the circuit board opposite the side on whichpump source 427 resides). face of the board). On this bottom surface a copper spacer 480 is arranged, under each of theceramic spacers 442 isolating the bolts 482 securing thecircuit board 426 to thesupport surface 416 . Zener diode 484 is mounted on copper pad 480 adjacent to bolt 482 . A copper pad 480 serves as one of the electrical contacts for each of Zener diodes 484 , the others being indicated by reference numeral 486 . A portion of each copper pad 480 resides on the circuitboard support surface 416 . The copper pads 480 contact the electrically insulating pads on which thecircuit board 426 rests. The electrically insulating spacer is a relatively good thermal conductor and thereby conducts the heat generated by the zener diode 484 from the copper spacer 480 to the circuitboard support surface 416 of theoptical amplifier module 400 . In this way, heat flows from the zener diode 484 through the copper spacer 480 and the electrically insulating spacer, and into theoptical amplifier module 400 . Once the heat has dissipated over theside walls 412 of themodule 400 , the heat is conducted directly to thestainless steel sleeve 14 surrounding themodule 400 .

端盖13和箍圈14的相对大的表面积之上的热的广泛分散，允许热通过周围的不是特别好的热导体的聚乙烯套筒16被有效地传导到海水。The wide spread of heat over the relatively large surface area of theend cap 13 andferrule 14 allows heat to be efficiently conducted to the seawater through the surroundingpolyethylene sleeve 16 which is not a particularly good conductor of heat.

Claims (24)

Translated fromChinese

1. 一种海底光中继器，包括：1. A submarine optical repeater, comprising:压力容器，用于在海底环境中使用，所述压力容器包括压力壳体和两个光缆接收元件，所述光缆接收元件布置在所述压力壳体的相对端，用于分别接收每个在其中都包括电导线的光缆的末端，所述光缆接收元件用于与所述光缆中的所述各个电导线电接触；A pressure vessel for use in a subsea environment, the pressure vessel comprising a pressure housing and two fiber optic cable receiving elements arranged at opposite ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving each an end of an optical cable each comprising electrical conductors, said cable receiving element for making electrical contact with said respective electrical conductors in said optical cable;至少一个光放大器，其位于所述压力容器中，所述光放大器包括至少一个电气部件，其用于从所述光缆中的所述电导线接收电功率；并且at least one optical amplifier located in said pressure vessel, said optical amplifier comprising at least one electrical component for receiving electrical power from said electrical conductors in said fiber optic cable; and其中所述压力容器包括电绝缘元件，其使所述光缆接收元件中的至少一个与所述压力壳体电隔离。Wherein the pressure vessel includes an electrical isolation element that electrically isolates at least one of the cable receiving elements from the pressure housing.2. 如权利要求1所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述电绝缘元件包含陶瓷元件。2. The subsea optical repeater of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating element comprises a ceramic element.3. 如权利要求1所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述压力壳体和所述电绝缘元件形状为圆柱形并且直径相等。3. The subsea optical repeater of claim 1 , wherein the pressure housing and the electrically insulating element are cylindrical in shape and equal in diameter.4. 如权利要求2所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述压力壳体和所述电绝缘元件形状为圆柱形并且直径相等。4. The subsea optical repeater of claim 2, wherein the pressure housing and the electrically insulating element are cylindrical in shape and equal in diameter.5. 如权利要求1所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述压力壳体由金属材料形成。5. The subsea optical repeater of claim 1 , wherein the pressure housing is formed of a metallic material.6. 如权利要求1所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述压力容器是用于海底光缆接头的压力容器。6. The submarine optical repeater of claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel is a pressure vessel for a submarine optical cable joint.7. 如权利要求1所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述压力容器是适用于用于连接具有不同构造的光缆的通用光缆接头的压力容器。7. The subsea optical repeater of claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel is a pressure vessel adapted for a universal cable joint for connecting optical cables having different configurations.8. 如权利要求1所述的海底光中继器，进一步包含光放大器模块，其位于用于包含所述至少一个光放大器的所述压力容器之内。8. The subsea optical repeater of claim 1 , further comprising an optical amplifier module located within said pressure vessel for containing said at least one optical amplifier.9. 如权利要求8所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述光放大器模块包括：9. The submarine optical repeater of claim 8, wherein the optical amplifier module comprises:内壳，其具有和海底光缆接头的内部光纤接续壳体的外部尺寸相等的外部尺寸，所述内壳包括：An inner shell having an outer dimension equal to an outer dimension of an inner optical fiber splicing housing of a submarine optical cable joint, said inner shell comprising:一对相对的端面，其每一个都具有保持元件，用于将所述内壳保持在所述海底光缆接头的外壳之内；a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the inner housing within the outer housing of the submarine cable joint;侧壁，其互连所述相对端面，并且在所述相对端面之间纵向延伸，所述侧壁包括插孔部分，其具有多个通孔，每个所述通孔的尺寸适于接收光放大器中使用的无源光学部件；以及a side wall interconnecting the opposing end faces and extending longitudinally between the opposing end faces, the side wall including a socket portion having a plurality of through holes each sized to receive light Passive optical components used in amplifiers; and至少一个电路板，在所述电路板上驻留与所述光放大器相关的电子器件。At least one circuit board on which resides electronics associated with the optical amplifier.10. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，进一步包含至少一个光泵源，其与所述端面中的一个热接触。10. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, further comprising at least one optical pump source in thermal contact with one of said end faces.11. 如权利要求10所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述端面每个都包括至少一个向内延伸的凸台，所述至少一个光泵源驻留在所述向内延伸的凸台中的一个上。11. The subsea optical repeater of claim 10, wherein said end faces each include at least one inwardly extending boss, said at least one optical pump source residing on said inwardly extending boss The one in Taichung.12. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，与所述光放大器相关的所述电子器件包括至少一个降压元件。12. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein said electronics associated with said optical amplifier includes at least one voltage drop element.13. 如权利要求12所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述电路板的第一面驻留在通过所述侧壁延伸的表面上，并且进一步包含导热垫片，其安装到所述电路板的所述第一面，并且提供了所述降压元件和所述侧壁之间的导热路径。13. The subsea optical repeater of claim 12 , wherein the first side of the circuit board resides on a surface extending through the sidewall and further comprises a thermally conductive gasket mounted to the The first surface of the circuit board provides a heat conduction path between the voltage drop element and the side wall.14. 如权利要求13所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述降压元件安装到所述导热垫片。14. The subsea optical repeater of claim 13, wherein the voltage drop element is mounted to the thermally conductive gasket.15. 如权利要求13所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述降压元件为稳压二极管。15. The submarine optical repeater according to claim 13, wherein the step-down element is a Zener diode.16. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述多个通孔通过所述侧壁的所述插孔部分水平地纵向延伸。16. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein said plurality of through holes extend longitudinally and horizontally through said receptacle portion of said side wall.17. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述内壳具有普通圆柱形的形状，所述侧壁的所述插孔部分具有规定所述圆柱形形状直径的曲率。17. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein said inner housing has a generally cylindrical shape, said receptacle portion of said side wall having a curvature defining a diameter of said cylindrical shape.18. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，进一步包含位于所述内壳之内的光纤存储区。18. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, further comprising an optical fiber storage area within said inner housing.19. 如权利要求18所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述光纤存储区包括至少一个光纤线轴，在所述线轴周围能够缠绕光纤。19. The subsea optical repeater of claim 18, wherein the optical fiber storage area includes at least one optical fiber spool around which optical fiber can be wound.20. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述内壳由一对半单元形成，每个所述半单元包括所述保持元件中的一个。20. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein said inner housing is formed from a pair of half-units, each said half-unit comprising one of said retaining elements.21. 如权利要求20所述的海底光中继器，其中，每个电路板位于每个不同的所述半单元中。21. The subsea optical repeater of claim 20, wherein each circuit board is located in each different said half-unit.22. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述侧壁包括一对从所述侧壁的所述插孔部分纵向延伸的肋式部件，所述肋式部件每个都具有从中水平地纵向延伸的拉杆通孔，用于支撑所述海底光缆接头使用的拉杆。22. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein said side wall includes a pair of rib members extending longitudinally from said receptacle portion of said side wall, said rib members each There is a pull rod through hole horizontally and longitudinally extending therefrom for supporting the pull rod used in the submarine optical cable joint.23. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述内壳的外部尺寸小于15cm×50cm。23. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein the outer dimensions of the inner housing are less than 15 cm x 50 cm.24. 如权利要求9所述的海底光中继器，其中，所述内壳的外部尺寸为7.5cm×15cm。24. The subsea optical repeater of claim 9, wherein the outer dimensions of the inner housing are 7.5 cm x 15 cm.

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