Dual function composite system and method of making same
AssigneeFoster-Miller, Inc.
InventorsBrian Farrell, John J. Gannon, Jr., Thomas G. Campbell, Pat Anthony Coppola, Sean Gerald O'Reilly, Joseph F. Burke
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Abstract
A dual function composite system includes a first electronic subsystem, a second electronic subsystem, and a composite member between the first and second electronic subsystems. The composite member includes plies of fabric, and resin impregnating the plies of fabric. At least one ply of the fabric includes signal transmission elements integrated therewith and interconnecting the first electronic subsystem with the second electronic subsystem.
Claims75
A dual function composite system comprising:
- a first electronic subsystem;
- a second electronic subsystem;
- and
- a composite structural support member between the first and second electronic subsystems and including:
- plies of fabric,
- resin impregnating the plies of fabric, and
- the plies of the fabric including wire signal transmission elements woven, knitted or braided with threads of the plies of fabric and running mainly in the plane of said composite member, said signal transmission elements interconnecting the first electronic subsystem with the second electronic subsystem.
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 structural support 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 wire signal transmission elements integrated with threads of the fabric and running mainly in the plane of said composite member, said signal transmission elements 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 including multiple fabric plies impregnated with resin for structural support, said composite member extending between first and second electronic subsystems, in plies of the composite member, wire signal transmission elements woven, knitted or braided with threads of the fabric plies and running mainly in the plane of said composite member to interconnect 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;
- an electronic subsystem including electronics for the notional antenna subsystem;
- and
- a structural support wing spar 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 wire signal transmission elements woven, knitted or braided with threads of the fabric and running mainly in the plane of the said structural support member, said signal transmission elements interconnecting the notional antenna subsystem with the electronic subsystem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.