Termination and connection methods for optical fibres embedded in aerospace composite components

摘要

Methods are described for the termination and connection of optical fibres embedded into composite materials intended for structural airframe applications. The methods developed enable connection via standard optical fibre communications hardware to monitoring instrumentation, and interconnection to other composite parts. The connection system is designed to be sufficiently robust to withstand the rigours of the composite material manufacturing process, the aircraft assembly line and routine service.