Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for the formation of optical fibre structures. A fibre laying head (200) houses a source of optical fibre material (204) to which an adhesive coating is applied prior to laying the adhesive-coated optical fibre material onto a substrate (214). The fibre laying head (200) also houses a radiation source (212) that generates a radiation beam (216) to cure the adhesive in the adhesive-coated optical fibre material to form a bond between the adhesive-coated optical fibre material and the substrate.

Abstract: Communication apparatus for communicating data between a processor on board a vehicle and a display for a user of the vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first light source operable to generate a modulated output representative of the data, a first receiver for receiving the modulated output of the first light source; and a communication device for communication between the receiver and the display. The first receiver is mounted on a suit worn by the user in operation of the vehicle. The communication apparatus is expected to be applicable, for example, with head-mounted displays used by pilots of aircraft.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coupling a first optical transmission means (10,42), such as an optical fibre, embedded within an aircraft composite (12,40) to a second optical transmission means (14), such as an optical fibre, external to the composite (12,40) is described. The method comprises locating the position of the first optical means (10,42) embedded within the composite (12,40) using X-ray scanning for example; forming a passageway (20,62) by laser machining or drilling within the composite (12,40) to the first optical transmission means (10,42); and establishing an optical connection between the first and second optical transmission means (10,42,14) at the intersection of the passageway (20,62) and the first optical transmission means (10,42).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A surface-mountable interface module is attached to a central surface portion of a composite structure to interface with an optical transmission means embedded in the composite structure. The module has a mating surface for coupling to the composite structure to define an intersection between the module and the central surface portion, and contains interface optics to manipulate light that, in use, passes between the module and the optical transmission means through the intersection. A ‘smart’ variant of the module contains interrogation means for interrogating a sensor system associated with the optical transmission means, and power means for powering components within the module.

Abstract: 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 acessed 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.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coupling a first optical transmission means (10,42), such as an optical fiber, embedded within an aircraft composite (12,40) to a second optical transmission means (14), such as an optical fiber, external to the composite (12,40) is described. The method comprises locating the position of the first optical means (10,42) embedded within the composite (12,40) using X-ray scanning for example; forming a passageway (20,62) by laser machining or drilling within the composite (12,40) to the first optical transmission means (10,42); and establishing an optical connection between the first and second optical transmission means (10,42,14) at the intersection of the passageway (20,62) and the first optical transmission means (10,42).