| 摘要 |
An embeddable fiber optic connector (10) includes a small diameter protective sheath embedded within a plurality of composite layers of a composite structure (11). The sheath has a first end that is flush with a surface of the composite structure (11). An alignment sleeve (13) is disposed within the sheath and an internal ferrule (14), mounted on an internal optical fiber, is snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve proximate a second end of the sheath. An external ferrule (15) is mounted on an external optical fiber (17) and is inserted into the first end of the sheath so as to be snugly disposed within the alignment sleeve (13) proximate the internal ferrule (14), thereby establishing optical communications between the internal (16) and external (17) optical fibers. The external optical fiber (17) is easily disconnected by gripping and removing the external ferrule (15) from the connector (10). Reconnection is accomplished by reinserting the external ferrule (15) into the connector (10). <IMAGE> |
