摘要 |
A composite (40) for use in the aircraft construction industry comprise an optical transmission means (42), such as an optical fiber, embedded within a carrier. The optical transmission means is provided with a high-quality optical interface surface (50) which provides a means for optical connection to the optical transmission means (42) from outside the carrier. The optical interface surface (50) is provided as part of a micro-optical component (44) which processes the optical signals to improve light extraction from and supply to the optical transmission means (40). The buried optical transmission means is accessed by a passageway (56, 66) formed in the carrier to the interface surface (50). If the passageway (56, 66) is formed prior to completion of finishing processes on the composite, a protective plug (48) is provided to close the passageway (56, 66) until the optical connection is required.
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申请人 |
BAE SYSTEMS PLC;ALDRIDGE, NIGEL, BRUCE;PROUDLEY, GEOFFREY, MARTLAND;FOOTE, PETER, DAVID;READ, IAN, JAMES |
发明人 |
ALDRIDGE, NIGEL, BRUCE;PROUDLEY, GEOFFREY, MARTLAND;FOOTE, PETER, DAVID;READ, IAN, JAMES |