Advanced Fiber Optic Connectors for Condition Based Maintenance

During SBIR Phase I program, we successfully developed the passive fiber alignment, fiber tapering and bending techniques incorporated with the corresponding UV glue process for the field fiber connections, fabricated the testing samples of permanent fiber connectors and fiber in-line 900 benders, which demonstrated the promising performances of extremely low insertion loss, compact size, high reproduce-ability. Based on the Phase I success, we propose to develop these techniques further to produce the prototype of permanent fiber connecting components with the high performances satisfying the all requirements for structural health monitoring applications of military assets. The significant improvements of design and fabrication during Phase II program can be anticipated to realize the intrinsic advantages in eliminating damaging mechanical shock and vibration, thermal cycling stress for achieving excellent temperature stability and longevity. Furthermore, the produced connection components offer advantageous attributes of quick action, minimum operation space, built-in cable retention, low cost, and withstand severe environmental conditions. The mechanical tool kits suitable to use in the field with the fiber connecting components will be developed as well. At the end of the Phase II program, the engineering prototyping sample and splicing tool kit will be delivered for the further evaluations.