公开(公告)号：US10451469B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-22

申请号：US16203980

申请日：2018-11-29

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Tuong K. Truong

IPC: G01F23/292 ,  F21V8/00 ,  B64D37/00 ,  B65H57/16 ,  H02G7/12 ,  B64D37/02

Abstract: An airplane fuel level optical sensor using one side-emitting plastic optical fiber (SPOF) and two fluorescent plastic optical fibers (FPOFs) to detect the airplane fuel level without using any electrically conductive component or element placed inside the fuel tank. This dual-FPOF sensor is capable of achieving high resolution and high accuracy with a one-time calibration in the actual airplane's fuel tank environment. One embodiment of the dual-FPOF sensor uses one SPOF and two FPOFs to detect fuel level change based on the optical signal output from the two FPOFs. The sensor design uses large-diameter (core and cladding), lightweight, low-cost and high-durability plastic optical fiber, which is very desirable for airplane installation.

公开(公告)号：US10447423B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-15

申请号：US15802523

申请日：2017-11-03

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Tuong K. Truong ,  Dennis G. Koshinz

IPC: H04B10/24 ,  H04J14/02 ,  H04B10/25 ,  H04B10/278 ,  H04B10/291 ,  G02B6/42 ,  G02B6/26

Abstract: A bidirectional, multi-wavelength fiber optical network that enables communication between electrical components (such as line replaceable units) at high data transmission rates. The proposed fiber optical network in accordance with some embodiments comprises a single plastic or glass optical fiber capable of transmitting data at rates faster than 1 Gbits/sec. In accordance with some embodiments, the number of fiber cables between line replaceable units onboard an airplane can be reduced by a factor of eight or more by substituting one gigabit plastic or gigabit glass optical fiber for four or more plastic or glass optical fibers.

公开(公告)号：US20190107431A1

公开(公告)日：2019-04-11

申请号：US16203980

申请日：2018-11-29

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Tuong K. Truong

IPC: G01F23/292 ,  B64D37/02 ,  F21V8/00 ,  B64D37/00

CPC classification number: G01F23/2927 ,  B64D37/005 ,  B64D37/02 ,  B65H57/16 ,  G01F23/292 ,  G02B6/0003 ,  G02B6/001 ,  H02G7/12

Abstract: An airplane fuel level optical sensor using one side-emitting plastic optical fiber (SPOF) and two fluorescent plastic optical fibers (FPOFs) to detect the airplane fuel level without using any electrically conductive component or element placed inside the fuel tank. This dual-FPOF sensor is capable of achieving high resolution and high accuracy with a one-time calibration in the actual airplane's fuel tank environment. One embodiment of the dual-FPOF sensor uses one SPOF and two FPOFs to detect fuel level change based on the optical signal output from the two FPOFs. The sensor design uses large-diameter (core and cladding), lightweight, low-cost and high-durability plastic optical fiber, which is very desirable for airplane installation.

公开(公告)号：US20180302165A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-18

申请号：US15489810

申请日：2017-04-18

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Tuong K. Truong ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Eric Y. Chan ,  Kim Quan Anh Nguyen ,  Sean M. Ramey ,  Timothy E. Jackson ,  Barkhung Henry Pang

IPC: H04B10/278 ,  G02B6/42 ,  G02B6/44 ,  G02B6/30 ,  H04L12/40 ,  H04B10/272 ,  H04B10/50 ,  H04B10/66

CPC classification number: H04B10/278 ,  G02B6/28 ,  G02B6/30 ,  G02B6/4206 ,  G02B6/4246 ,  G02B6/443 ,  H04B10/27 ,  H04B10/272 ,  H04B10/50 ,  H04B10/66 ,  H04L12/40 ,  H04L2012/40215

Abstract: A controller area network (CAN) comprising a plurality of CAN nodes that communicate via a CAN bus that comprises a fiber optical network. The fiber optical network uses a single fiber and a single wavelength for transmit and receive, and comprises a passive reflective optical star. The reflective optical star comprises an optical mixing rod having a mirror at one end. The other end of the reflective optical star is optically coupled to the transmitters and receivers of a plurality of optical-electrical media converters by way of respective high-isolation optical Y-couplers. Each CAN node produces electrical signals (in accordance with the CAN message-based protocol) which are converted into optical pulses that are broadcast to the fiber optical network. Those optical pulses are then reflected back to all CAN nodes by the reflective optical star.

公开(公告)号：US20180299318A1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-18

申请号：US15489066

申请日：2017-04-17

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Tuong K. Truong ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Eric Y. Chan ,  Kim Quan Anh Nguyen

IPC: G01F23/292 ,  G01N9/00 ,  G01G9/00

CPC classification number: G01F23/2925 ,  B64D37/005 ,  G01F23/292 ,  G01G9/00 ,  G01N9/00

Abstract: Systems and methods that use a passive differential optical sensor to measure the level of liquid in a reservoir (e.g., a fuel tank or other storage container). More specifically, the passive differential optical liquid level sensor solves the problem of common-mode intensity variations by employing three optical fibers that will be disposed vertically in the reservoir. The system comprises a side-emitting optical fiber having one end optically coupled to an optical source, a side-receiving optical fiber optically coupled to a first optical detector, and a total internal reflection optical fiber having one end optically coupled to the other end of the side-emitting optical fiber and another end optically coupled to a second optical detector. A computer or processor is configured to perform differential processing of the detected light and then determine the liquid level based on the differential processing results.

公开(公告)号：US20180224317A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-09

申请号：US15428626

申请日：2017-02-09

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Tuong K. Truong

IPC: G01F23/292 ,  F21V8/00 ,  B64D37/00

CPC classification number: G01F23/2927 ,  B64D37/005 ,  B64D37/02 ,  G01F23/292 ,  G02B6/0003 ,  G02B6/001

Abstract: An airplane fuel level optical sensor using one side-emitting plastic optical fiber (SPOF) and two fluorescent plastic optical fibers (FPOFs) to detect the airplane fuel level without using any electrically conductive component or element placed inside the fuel tank. This dual-FPOF sensor is capable of achieving high resolution and high accuracy with a one-time calibration in the actual airplane's fuel tank environment. One embodiment of the dual-FPOF sensor uses one SPOF and two FPOFs to detect fuel level change based on the optical signal output from the two FPOFs. The sensor design uses large-diameter (core and cladding), lightweight, low-cost and high-durability plastic optical fiber, which is very desirable for airplane installation.

公开(公告)号：US10012793B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-03

申请号：US15643823

申请日：2017-07-07

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Tuong K. Truong ,  Henry B. Pang

IPC: G02B6/28 ,  G02B6/02 ,  G02B6/255 ,  G02B6/26 ,  H04B10/25 ,  G02B6/38

CPC classification number: G02B6/2808 ,  G02B6/02038 ,  G02B6/255 ,  G02B6/262 ,  G02B6/2804 ,  G02B6/2821 ,  G02B6/2826 ,  G02B6/3885 ,  H04B10/25 ,  H04B10/2507

Abstract: An optical network having at least one star coupler comprising transmit and receive optical mixers which are respectively optically coupled to transmitters and receivers of a plurality of optical-electrical media converters. Each optical-electrical media converter comprises a respective receiver optically coupled to the receive optical mixer by way of plastic optical fibers and a respective transmitter optically coupled to the transmit optical mixer by way of plastic optical fibers. The output plastic optical fibers attached to an output face of the receive optical mixer have a diameter less than the diameter of the input plastic optical fibers attached to an input face of the receive optical mixer.

公开(公告)号：US09989709B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-05

申请号：US15161552

申请日：2016-05-23

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Eric Y. Chan

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/02

CPC classification number: G02B6/3863 ,  B24B19/226 ,  G02B6/02033 ,  G02B6/3847

Abstract: A process for polishing the end face of a plastic optical fiber (POF) to produce a mirror smooth surface without any defect. Smooth POF end faces reduce the optical coupling loss when two plastic optical fibers are connected. The polishing process can be used to produce POF end faces which are recessed relative to the adjacent end face of a ferrule surrounding the fiber. When the ends of two ferrules are inserted in a connector designed to align the end faces of the ferrules while allowing those end faces to abut each other, the confronting recessed POF end faces will be separated by an air gap.

公开(公告)号：US09851518B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-26

申请号：US15061879

申请日：2016-03-04

Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Tuong K. Truong ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Henry B. Pang

IPC: G02B6/32 ,  G02B6/42 ,  G02B6/245 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B37/14 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B32B38/10 ,  G02B6/44 ,  H04B10/40 ,  G02B6/28 ,  G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/43

CPC classification number: G02B6/4245 ,  B32B37/1284 ,  B32B37/142 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B38/0004 ,  B32B38/10 ,  B32B2307/40 ,  B32B2457/00 ,  B32B2551/00 ,  G02B6/245 ,  G02B6/28 ,  G02B6/32 ,  G02B6/3897 ,  G02B6/4239 ,  G02B6/4246 ,  G02B6/4249 ,  G02B6/4253 ,  G02B6/4255 ,  G02B6/4257 ,  G02B6/4262 ,  G02B6/4263 ,  G02B6/4268 ,  G02B6/4277 ,  G02B6/4278 ,  G02B6/428 ,  G02B6/4293 ,  G02B6/43 ,  G02B6/4441 ,  H04B10/40

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an optical sub-assembly (OSA) are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed apparatus involves a package body, and a lock nut, where a first end of the lock nut inserted into a first cavity of the package body. The apparatus further involves a transistor outline (TO) can, where a first end of the TO can is inserted into a second cavity of the package body. Also, the apparatus involves an optical fiber, where a portion of the jacket from an end of the optical fiber is stripped off, thereby exposing bare optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber. The end of the optical fiber is inserted into a second end of the lock nut such that the bare optical fiber passes into the package body and at least a portion of the bare optical fiber is inserted into the TO can cavity.

公开(公告)号：US09778419B1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-03

申请号：US15191427

申请日：2016-06-23

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Y. Chan ,  Dennis G. Koshinz ,  Tuong K. Truong ,  Henry B. Pang

IPC: G02B6/28 ,  G02B6/255 ,  G02B6/02

CPC classification number: G02B6/2808 ,  G02B6/02038 ,  G02B6/255 ,  G02B6/262 ,  G02B6/2804 ,  G02B6/2821 ,  G02B6/2826 ,  G02B6/3885 ,  H04B10/25 ,  H04B10/2507

Abstract: An optical network having at least one star coupler comprising transmit and receive optical mixers which are respectively optically coupled to transmitters and receivers of a plurality of optical-electrical media converters. Each optical-electrical media converter comprises a respective receiver optically coupled to the receive optical mixer by way of plastic optical fibers and a respective transmitter optically coupled to the transmit optical mixer by way of plastic optical fibers. The output plastic optical fibers attached to an output face of the receive optical mixer have a diameter less than the diameter of the input plastic optical fibers attached to an input face of the receive optical mixer.