# US 2010/0166371 A1 · Fiber optic connection device for composite structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166371 A1 - Document ID: US20100166371A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/426,340 - Filed: 2009-04-20 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-30 - Assignees: Airbus Espana, S.L. - Inventors: Carlos MIGUEL GIRALDO; Julio Orcha Villacorta; Manuel Paton Gutierrez; Rafael Contento Tercedor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166371A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/3877: {Split sleeves} - G02B 6/381: {of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres} - G02B 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)} - G02B 6/3894: {Screw-lock type} - G02B 6/3897: {Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The invention relates to a device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50), said device (1) comprising a first connection element (2) which is embedded in the mentioned composite structure (50), internally comprising said at least one optical fiber (7), characterized in that the device (1) further comprises: a protecting element (3) which is attached to the first connection element (2) during the manufacture and assembly of the composite structure (50), being embedded therein, such that it prevents the penetration of resin in the mentioned first connection element (2) during the curing of said structure (50); a second connection element (4) comprising at least one optical fiber lead (7) and an elastic element (14), said second connection element (4) being attached to the first connection element (2) after the removal of the protecting element (3) once the curing of the structure (50) has ended, making the mentioned structure (50) start to operate, the at least one optical fiber (7) of the first connection element (2) and of the second connection element (4) thus being connected as a result of the elastic element (14). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50), said device (1) comprising a first connection element (2) which is embedded in the mentioned composite structure (50), internally comprising said at least one optical fiber (7), characterized in that the device (1) further comprises: a protecting element (3) which is attached to the first connection element (2) during the manufacture and assembly of the composite structure (50), being embedded therein, such that it prevents the penetration of resin in the mentioned first connection element (2) during the curing of said structure (50); a second connection element (4) comprising at least one optical fiber lead (7) and an elastic element (14), said second connection element (4) being attached to the first connection element (2) after the removal of the protecting element (3) once the curing of the structure (50) has ended, making the mentioned structure (50) start to operate, the at least one optical fiber (7) of the first connection element (2) and of the second connection element (4) thus being connected as a result of the elastic element (14). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (1) is located on one of the edges of the mentioned structure (50). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (1) is located on the surface of the mentioned structure (50), on a reinforcement (60) thereof, said reinforcement (60) being integrated in said structure (50) through a series of additional layers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mentioned second connection element (4) is attached to the first connection element (2) through a threaded attachment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 4, characterized in that the threaded attachment is implemented externally to the mentioned first connection element (2). ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 4, characterized in that the threaded attachment is implemented internally to the mentioned first connection element (2). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a mechanical protection element (5) which is attached to the second connection element (4) once the structure (50) starts to operate, such that the first and second connection elements (2, 4) are mechanically protected, the stresses of any mechanical aggression on the device (1) being absorbed by the mentioned protection element (5). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device (1) for connecting at least one optical fiber (7) embedded in a composite structure (50) according to claim 7, characterized in that the protection element (5) comprises a first element (17) for housing the protecting element (3) of the device (1), this element (1) fixing the protecting element (3) to one of the faces of the structure (50), further comprising a second element (18) which is fixed to the first element (17) and fixing the protecting element (3) to the opposite face of the structure (50), such that the protection element (5) is valid for different ranges of thickness of the composite structure (50) since said thickness can be adjusted to the margin allowed by the movement of the parts (17, 18) in relation to one another.