Embedded fiber optic demodulator
First Claim
1. A composite material comprising:
- a plurality of laminated layers defining a surface portion generally parallel to the laminated layers and an edge portion generally perpendicular to the laminated layers and where the composite material is to be trimmed;
an optical fiber embedded in the composite material; and
a fiber optic demodulator embedded in the composite material and optically coupled to the optical fiber, the fiber optic demodulator to demodulate electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted through the optical fiber.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composite material is provided that includes laminated layers, an optical fiber, and a demodulator. The layers define a surface portion generally parallel to the layers and an edge portion generally perpendicular to the layers. The optical fiber and demodulator are embedded in the material. The demodulator is optically coupled to the optical fiber and demodulates light transmitted through the optical fiber. A method of monitoring the health of a structural member, which includes a composite material having an optical fiber, is also provided. The method includes demodulating light from the optical fiber using a demodulator embedded in the composite material. Also, a signal representative of the demodulated light is received and interpreted as a condition of the composite material.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A composite material comprising:
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a plurality of laminated layers defining a surface portion generally parallel to the laminated layers and an edge portion generally perpendicular to the laminated layers and where the composite material is to be trimmed; an optical fiber embedded in the composite material; and a fiber optic demodulator embedded in the composite material and optically coupled to the optical fiber, the fiber optic demodulator to demodulate electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted through the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of monitoring the health of a structural member, the member including a composite material including an optical fiber through which electromagnetic radiation is transmitted, comprising:
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demodulating the electromagnetic radiation from the optical fiber using a demodulator embedded in the composite material; receiving a signal representative of the demodulated electromagnetic radiation; and interpreting the signal as a condition of the composite material. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification