Embedding fiber optic cables in rotorcraft composites

A composite rotorcraft material comprising:

• a primary section including a plurality of composite fibers;
• a secondary section attached to and protruding from the primary section;
• and
• a fiber optic cable embedded in part between layers of the primary section and in part between layers of the secondary section in a substantially S-shaped orientation, wherein an end of the fiber optic cable terminates at an edge of the protruding section, wherein the substantially S-shape is defined by a first concave portion and a second concave portion, a first direction of orientation of the first concave portion is opposite a second direction of orientation of the second concave portion, and the first direction of orientation of the first concave portion substantially tracks a circumference of an ellipse having a maximum radius and a minimum radius.

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, wherein the substantially S-shape is defined by a first concave portion and a second concave portion, a first direction of orientation of the first concave portion is opposite a second direction of orientation of the second concave portion, and an angle by which the fiber optic cable turns along the second concave portion is less than or equal to about 7 degrees;
• 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.

A composite rotorcraft material comprising:

• a primary section including a plurality of composite fibers;
• a secondary section attached to and protruding from the primary section;
• and
• a fiber optic cable embedded in part between layers of the primary section and in part between layers of the secondary section in a substantially S-shaped orientation, wherein an end of the fiber optic cable terminates at an edge of the protruding section, wherein the substantially S-shape is defined by a first concave portion and a second concave portion, a first direction of orientation of the first concave portion is opposite a second direction of orientation of the second concave portion, and an angle by which the fiber optic cable turns along the second concave portion is less than or equal to about 7 degrees.