EMBEDDING FIBER OPTIC CABLES IN ROTORCRAFT COMPOSITES

摘要

Some examples of techniques to cost-effectively embed fiber optic cables in laminate structures and to terminate the fiber optic cables on the surface of the laminate for robust and easily-repairable connections can be implemented in rotorcraft composites. To position a cable in the rotorcraft composite, a length of a fiber optic cable is embedded between layers of a composite rotorcraft material. The length of the fiber optic cable is oriented in a substantially S-shape between the layers. An end of the length of the substantially S-shaped fiber optic cable is extended to an edge of the composite rotorcraft material. The end of the length of the substantially S-shaped fiber optic cable is terminated at the edge of the composite rotorcraft material in either a storage area or easily machinable embedded connection.

主权项

1. A method of positioning a fiber optic cable, the method comprising:
embedding a length of a fiber optic cable between layers of a composite rotorcraft material; orienting a portion of the length of the fiber optic cable in a substantially S-shape between the layers; extending an end of the portion of the length of the substantially S-shaped fiber optic cable to an edge of the composite rotorcraft material; and terminating the end of the portion of the length of the substantially S-shaped fiber optic cable at the edge of the composite rotorcraft material.