Dual function composite system and method of making same

A dual function composite system comprising:

• a first electronic subsystem;
• a second electronic subsystem;
• the first electronics subsystem separated from a ground plane by a dielectric core and a plurality of conductive pins extending through the core each connected on one end to the first electronics subsystem and on the other end to the second electronics subsystem;
• and
• a composite member between the first and second electronic subsystems and including:
• plies of fabric,
• resin impregnating the plies of fabric, and
• at least one ply of the fabric including signal transmission elements integrated therewith and interconnecting the first electronic subsystem with the second electronic subsystem.

A dual function composite system comprising:

• a notional antenna subsystem integrated with an aircraft wing panel including:
• an array of radiating elements separated from a ground plane by a dielectric core and a plurality of conductive pins extending through the core each connected on one end to a radiating element, and
• a printed circuit board electrically connected to the other ends of the pins;
• electronics for the notional antenna subsystem;
• and
• a wing spar between the notional antenna subsystem and the electronics therefore and including:
• plies of fabric,
• resin impregnating the plies of fabric, and
• at least one ply of the fabric including wires integrated therewith and interconnecting the printed circuit board with the electronics.

A method of manufacturing a dual function composite system, the method comprising:

• adding, in a composite member extending between first and second electronic subsystems, in at least one ply of the composite member, fabric signal transmission elements integrated therewith to interconnect the first electronic subsystem with the second electronic subsystem;
• separating the first electronics subsystem from a ground plane by a dielectric core;
• disposing a plurality of conductive pins to extend through the core;
• and
• connecting one end of the pins to the first electronics subsystem and the other end of the pins to the second electronics subsystem.

A method of fabricating a composite system, the method comprising:

• driving pins through a composite to form signal transmission pathways in a first direction;
• including in at least one ply of the composite or another associated composite member, signal transmission elements integrated therewith and running in a second direction;
• and
• connecting the signal transmission elements to the signal transmission pathways formed by the pins.

A dual function composite system comprising:

• a notional antenna subsystem integrated with an aircraft panel;
• an electronic subsystem including electronics for the notional antenna subsystem;
• and
• a structural member between the notional antenna and the electronic subsystem, said structural member supporting the aircraft panel and including:
• plies of fabric,
• resin impregnating the plies of fabric, and
• at least one ply of the fabric including signal transmission elements integrated therewith and interconnecting the first electronic subsystem with the second electronic subsystem.