Bae Systems, Inc.

Nigel Bruce Aldridge

Ian James Read

Peter David Foote

Geoffrey Martland Proudley

Jagjit Sidhu

Henry Jameson White

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the formation of optical fiber structures. An exemplary fiber laying head houses a source of optical fiber material to which an adhesive coating is applied prior to laying the adhesive-coated optical fiber material onto a substrate. The fiber laying head can also house a radiation source that generates a radiation beam to cure the adhesive in the adhesive-coated optical fiber material to form a bond between the adhesive-coated optical fiber material and the substrate.

Optical fibre fixed on substrates

A method of and an apparatus for coupling a first optical transmission means (), such as an optical fibre, embedded within an aircraft composite () to a second optical transmission means (), such as an optical fibre, external to the composite () is described. The method comprises locating the position of the first optical means () embedded within the composite () using X-ray scanning for example; forming a passageway () by laser machining or drilling within the composite () to the first optical transmission means (); and establishing an optical connection between the first and second optical transmission means () at the intersection of the passageway () and the first optical transmission means ().

Optically connecting embedded optical fibers in composite panels

A composite for use in the aircraft construction industry includes an optical transmission device, such as an optical fiber, embedded within a carrier. The optical transmission device is provided with a high-quality optical interface surface which provides for optical connection to the optical transmission means from outside the carrier. The optical interface surface is provided as part of a micro-optical component which processes the optical signals to improve light extraction from a supply to the optical transmission means. The buried optical transmission device is accessed by a passageway formed in the carrier to the interface surface. If the passageway is formed prior to completion of finishing processes on the composite, a protective plug is provided to close the passageway until the optical connection is required.

Growing community of inventors

Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Nigel Bruce Aldridge