Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130206743 | BOND LINE HEATING PAD SYSTEM - A heat pad assembly for installation and/or removal of a bracket from a structure comprises a heating element. The heat pad assembly may have at least one and, more preferably, a plurality of perforations formed therein. The heating element may be configured to generate heat upon the application of electrical current passing therethrough. The heat pad assembly may be used for temporary installation of a bracket to a mounting surface through the use of an adhesive which is installable between the bracket and the structure. | 08-15-2013 |
20130207521 | SPRING DISC ENERGY HARVESTER APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method is disclosed for forming an energy harvesting device. The method may involve providing a disc spring and supporting an outer peripheral edge of the disc spring. A pre-load force may be applied to the disc spring which is directed along its axial center. While applying the pre-load force, a piezoelectric material may be fixedly secured to a surface of the disc spring. The disc spring may be supported from a peripheral edge thereof to allow oscillating motion thereof. The support element may be used to apply a predetermined preload force to the disc spring that reduces a stiffness of the disc spring. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211806 | COMPUTERIZED TOOL AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED CREATION OF A CUTTER RAMP CURVE - An automated and computerized technique as disclosed herein can be utilized to generate a modeled cutter ramp curve for a flange component. The technique can be utilized in conjunction with any suitable CAD system to render a cutter ramp curve on the modeled flange component. The system obtains a selected amount of user inputs, verifies that the user inputs are consistent with the geometry of the flange component, and generates the cutter ramp curve in response to the user inputs and the flange geometry. | 08-15-2013 |
20130220018 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING A LAMINATED STRUCTURE - Systems and methods for inspecting a hole in a laminated structure. An exemplary system includes a transducer assembly configured to direct sound waves substantially parallel to a surface of the hole. The system further includes a controller that collects A-scan data for multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly as the transducer assembly is rotated within the hole. The controller processes the A-scan data for the multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly to generate B-scan data, and displays the B-scan data. | 08-29-2013 |
20130221160 | SPACECRAFT ACQUISITION MANEUVERS USING POSITION-BASED GYROLESS CONTROL - A system and a method for commanding a spacecraft to perform a three-axis maneuver purely based on “position” (i.e., attitude) measurements. Using an “inertial gimbal concept”, a set of formulae are derived that can map a set of “inertial” motion to the spacecraft body frame based on position information so that the spacecraft can perform/follow according to the desired inertial position maneuvers commands. Also, the system and method disclosed herein employ an intrusion steering law to protect the spacecraft from acquisition failure when a long sensor intrusion occurs. | 08-29-2013 |
20130221210 | FREQUENCY SELECTIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC DETECTOR - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a frequency selective electromagnetic detector. In particular, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector includes a nanowire array constructed from a plurality of nanowires of different compositions. At least one nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction is formed between the nanowires of different compositions. When a nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction senses a photon, the nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction emits an electrical pulse voltage that is proportional to an energy level of the sensed photon. In one or more embodiments, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector is a frequency selective optical detector that is used to sense photons having optical frequencies. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the nanowires in the nanowire array is manufactured from a compound material including Bismuth (Bi) and Tellurium (Te). | 08-29-2013 |
20130227024 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLABORATION OVER SHARED STORAGE - In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods disclosed herein enable synergy among a group of users by providing a real-time, secure collaboration environment that allows for cooperative interaction and decision making and provide the ability for users to simultaneously view, revise, and review a document or multimedia file that resides in a shared data storage location. Real-time, low latency, rich collaboration between producers and consumers provides organization efficiency, and this collaboration provides real-time, low latency transmission of data. | 08-29-2013 |
20130293415 | CORRECTING FOR TIME DELAY VARIATION IN A SATELLITE FOR POSITIONING, NAVIGATION OR TIMING APPLICATIONS - A method for correcting for time delay variations between a plurality of signal paths from a signal source to at least one transmit antenna of a satellite may include measuring a time delay for each of the plurality of signal paths. The method may also include correcting a signal for the time delay variation based on the time delay for the signal path that is currently being used by the satellite, the corrected signal being usable for at least one of navigation, determining a geographic location and determining time. | 11-07-2013 |
20130304307 | PLATFORM HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM - A platform health monitoring system including an associative memory. The associative memory stores a plurality of known health profiles for a platform. The platform health monitoring system also includes an input device in communication with the associative memory. The input device is configured to receive a current health profile of the platform. The platform health monitoring system also may include a comparator configured to compare, in conjunction with the associative memory, the current health profile with the plurality of known health profile to generate a comparison. The comparator is further configured to generate, based on the comparison and in conjunction with the associative memory, a report on a current health of the platform. | 11-14-2013 |
20130305357 | Context Aware Network Security Monitoring for Threat Detection - The disclosed method involves monitoring behavior of at least one node, associated with at least one user, in a network to generate a behavior profile for the user(s). The method further involves comparing the behavior profile for at least one user with a baseline behavior profile for the user(s). Also, the method involves determining when there is a difference between the behavior profile for at least one user and the baseline behavior profile for the user(s). Further, the method involves flagging an event associated with the difference: when the difference exceeds a baseline threshold level, does not exceed a baseline threshold level, meets at least one criterion, and/or does not meet at least one criterion. Additionally, the method involves classifying the event to an event classification. Further, the method involves transmitting the event to at least one other node in the network and/or a network operations center. | 11-14-2013 |
20130306788 | UNMANNED AIR SYSTEM (UAS) - An unmanned air system and method with blown flaps are presented. Air is guided to a fuel cell carried by the unmanned air system. The fuel cell is ventilated by the guided air such that the air is heated by the fuel cell to provide heated air. The heated air is routed from the fuel cell to one or more high lift devices on a lift device of the unmanned air system to provide routed air. The routed air is blown across the high lift devices. | 11-21-2013 |
20140019034 | VEHICLE-BASED AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC CONFLICT AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE - Systems and methods for providing vehicle-centric collision avoidance are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first flight trajectory for a first aircraft, determining a second flight trajectory for a second aircraft, determining a predicted first distance between the first aircraft and the second aircraft at a first closest point of approach based on the first and second flight trajectories, comparing the predicted first distance to a first separation perimeter layer, the first separation perimeter layer defining a first three-dimensional perimeter based on the first aircraft, determining a first adjustment having a first magnitude from the first flight trajectory when the predicted first distance is within a first perimeter, determining a second adjustment having a second magnitude from the first flight trajectory when the predicted first distance is within a second perimeter different from the first perimeter, and altering the first flight trajectory based on the first or second adjustment. | 01-16-2014 |
20140023837 | AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES BONDED WITH ADHESIVE INCLUDING MAGNETOSTRICTIVE MATERIAL - First and second aircraft structures are bonded together with an adhesive including strain-sensitive magnetostrictive material. The magnetostrictive material has a magnetomechanical coefficient greater than e−5. | 01-23-2014 |
20140026741 | BLAST LOAD ATTENUATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An apparatus may comprise an outer skin having an exterior side and an interior side, an internal structure positioned relative to the interior side of the outer skin, and an inner skin. The internal structure may be capable of absorbing a blast load applied to the exterior side of the outer skin. The internal structure may be located between the outer skin and the inner skin. | 01-30-2014 |
20140027569 | WING-TO-BODY FARING WITH SPRAY-ON FOAM AND NOISE REDUCTION METHOD - A fairing includes a fairing body having a fairing interior and an interior surface and a spray-on insulation foam layer provided on the interior surface of the fairing body. | 01-30-2014 |
20140050921 | METHOD OF REINFORCEMENT FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING - Materials and methods is present for manufacturing fiber reinforced parts. A powder material comprising a matrix material of a size particular distribution comprising substantially oriented fiber of a predetermined length distribution and diameter (L/D). A manufactured part that has substantially randomly oriented fiber is provided using an energy delivery system and the powder material. | 02-20-2014 |
20140060741 | CONFIGURABLE TOOLING AND MOLDING METHOD USING THE SAME - Configurable layup tooling used to fabricate reinforced composite parts having a common shape but varying features are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a common tool body. A first mandrel is received by the common tool body to form at least a first portion of a common shape and a first profile of a first part to be formed via the common tool body. A second mandrel is received by the common tool body to form the first portion of the common shape and a second profile of a second part that is different from the first part. | 03-06-2014 |
20140061386 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING PROPULSION OPERATIONS USING ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEMS - Methods and apparatus to methods and apparatus for performing propulsion operations using electric propulsion system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame, a power source coupled to the frame and a payload coupled to the frame, the payload to receive or transmit data. The apparatus also includes an electric propulsion system coupled to the frame. The electric propulsion system is to enable attitude control, momentum control, and orbit control of the apparatus. | 03-06-2014 |
20140065354 | Method of Fabricating a Curved Composite Structure Using Composite Prepreg Tape - A method is provided of fabricating a composite stiffener having a curved web and at least one curved flange. A substantially straight length of unidirectional prepreg tape is placed on a carrier. The at least one curved flange is formed by using the carrier to steer a first portion of the tape onto a first curved tool surface. The curved web is formed by using the carrier to form a second portion of the tape onto a second curved tool surface. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067168 | Horizontal Tail Load Alleviation System - A method for controlling control surfaces. A position limit is identified for movement of a control surface based on a load limit set for the control surface and a number of vehicle current operation parameters to form an identified position limit. Responsive to receiving a command to move the control surface on a vehicle to a new position, the control surface is commanded to move to a position within the identified position limit. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074339 | Network of Unmanned Vehicles - The present invention provides a co-operative network of unmanned vehicles that participate in co-operative task allocation. Each unmanned vehicle comprises a computer system with an executive level configured to control motion of the unmanned vehicle and an automatic decision level configured to communicate with other unmanned vehicles, to receive task descriptions, to participate in task allocation, and to provide descriptions of tasks to be performed to the executive level for execution. Each unmanned vehicle submits a bid for each task it can perform, the bid reflecting an execution cost for the task. The bids are compared and the task effectively auctioned to the unmanned vehicle with a lowest execution cost. Each unmanned vehicle builds a task plan from its allocated tasks, decomposes the associated task descriptions into elementary task descriptions and forwards the elementary task descriptions in a format suitable for the executive level to execute. | 03-13-2014 |
20140076479 | METHOD OF FORMING A TUBE FROM A THERMOPLASTIC SANDWICH SHEET - A method of forming a structural tube may include urging a substantially flat thermoplastic sandwich sheet against a mandrel and heating the thermoplastic sandwich sheet to a temperature below a glass transition temperature. The method may further include allowing the thermoplastic sandwich sheet to cool and removing the mandrel, thereby forming a tube portion. | 03-20-2014 |
20140077434 | EDGE STABILIZING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPOSITE BARREL SEGMENTS - An edge stabilizer for a composite structure includes an elongate edge support segment, defining a geometric shape of an edge of the composite structure, and a connector, configured to attach the edge support segment to the edge of the composite structure. The edge support segment comprises first and second halves configured to attach together around the edge, each half including a shoulder, opposing mating relationship of the shoulders defining a slot for receiving the edge. The edge stabilizer can be part of a system for stabilizing an edge of a composite barrel section. The system can also include a moveable cart, the barrel section being supportable upon the cart. | 03-20-2014 |
20140077969 | Forest Sensor Deployment and Monitoring System - A method and apparatus for managing a location. Soil sensor units are deployed in the location in a forest from a group of aerial vehicles. Information is generated about a number of soil conditions in the location in the forest using the soil sensor units in the location. The information is transmitted from the soil sensor units to a remote location for analysis. | 03-20-2014 |
20140084110 | Wing Root Insert System for an Aircraft Family - A single, common, fuselage and wing design of an aircraft structure provides for two different aircraft models or configurations. A fuselage ( | 03-27-2014 |
20140089773 | Panoptic Visualization Document Differencing - A system includes a differencing engine and a layout engine of the differencing engine or coupled to the differencing engine. The differencing engine is configured to direct comparison of two or more document components each of which includes respective media content, and each of which has associated metadata providing information about the respective document component. The layout engine is configured to generate a layout of a panoptically-arranged visual representation of the document components or a comparison thereof according to a layout model, and according to the associated metadata. And the differencing engine is configured to communicate the layout. | 03-27-2014 |
20140089888 | Modernization Of Legacy Software Systems Based On Modeled Dependencies - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are described herein for migrating a non-object-oriented application to an object-oriented platform. The non-object-oriented application may be received. The non-object-oriented application may be parsed into elements of the non-object-oriented application. A design structure matrix (DSM) representation of the elements may be generated. A final object model may be generated based on the DSM representation. The final object model may be mapped to a code skeleton representation of an object-oriented development environment. | 03-27-2014 |
20140090252 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WING PANEL - A system and method are provided to automate the assembly of a wing panel, such as utilized by commercial aircraft. In the context of a system, a tacking cell is provided that is configured to tack one or more stringers to a skin plank. The system also includes a riveting cell configured to receive a tacked plank from the tacking cell and to rivet the one or more stringers to the skin plank. The system also includes a splicing cell configured to receive a plurality of riveted planks from the riveting cell and to attach one or more splice stringers to the plurality of riveted planks. Further, the system includes a side of body cell configured to receive a spliced panel from the splicing cell and to attach a side of body chord thereto to produce a wing panel. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090670 | Cleaning Apparatus and Method of Cleaning a Contaminated Surface - A cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a first nozzle configured to direct a cleaning jet towards a contaminated surface at a pressure sufficient to remove contaminants from the surface. At least one second nozzle is configured to direct a rinsing jet towards the contaminated surface to remove cleaning fluid therefrom, wherein the rinsing jet is directed at a pressure sufficient to isolate the cleaning jet from an ambient environment. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091953 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSION OF GENERALIZED SENSOR DATA - Methods and apparatus for compression of generalized sensor data are described. One example method for use in compression of generalized sensor data at a first location for transmission to a second location includes analyzing the sensor data to identify high interest data and low interest data, and compressing the high interest data with a lossless compression algorithm. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092804 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROUTING IP PACKETS IN MULTI-BEAM SATELLITE NETWORKS - An example system for satellite payload communications includes a digital channelizer and a regenerative communications subsystem (RCS). The digital channelizer includes a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of uplink beams and a plurality of outputs for outputting the plurality of signals. The RCS includes a plurality of inputs selectably coupled to the digital channelizer outputs to receive signals from selected ones of the digital channelizer outputs and a plurality of outputs selectably coupled to the digital channelizer inputs to transmit the processed signals to selected ones of the digital channelizer inputs. The RCS is configured to process selected ones of the plurality of signals to produce processed signals. | 04-03-2014 |
20140094143 | PASSENGER MOBILE STATION REGISTRATION WITH A PASSENGER COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICAITONS - A method for registering a mobile station of a passenger may include receiving a message from a near field communications (NFC) module of the mobile station by an NFC terminal of a passenger communications system, the message comprising information for registering the mobile station with the passenger communications system. The method may also include registering the mobile station with the passenger communications system based on the message. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095987 | Panoptic Visualization Document Access Control - A panoptic visualization system includes an enforcer and a layout engine coupled thereto. The enforcer is configured to identify a restricted document component of a panoptic visualization document collection having a plurality of document components each of which includes respective media content and has associated metadata providing information about the respective document component. The associated metadata for the document components may further include information identifying links between the respective document components. The layout engine is configured to generate a layout of panoptically-arranged visual representations of the document components according to the document components and associated metadata. For the restricted document component, the layout engine is configured to generate the layout according to the associated metadata for the restricted document component, but the generated layout includes a visual representation of the restriction in place of the restricted document component. And the layout engine is configured to communicate the layout. | 04-03-2014 |
20140096794 | Methods for Cleaning a Contaminated Surface - A method for cleaning a contaminated surface is provided. The method includes covering at least a portion of the contaminated surface with an absorptive medium. At least a portion of the absorptive medium is saturated with a cleaning solution before the portion of the contaminated surface is covered with the absorptive medium, or at least a portion of the absorptive medium is saturated with a cleaning solution after the portion of the contaminated surface is covered with the absorptive medium. Steam is applied to the saturated absorptive medium for a period of time to facilitate removing contaminants from the contaminated surface and to facilitate transferring the contaminants to the absorptive medium, wherein the saturated absorptive medium is substantially stationary relative to the contaminated surface as steam is applied to the saturated absorptive medium | 04-10-2014 |
20140096896 | SHAPE-DISTORTING TOOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURING COMPOSITE PARTS - A tooling system may include a cure tool and a biasing element. The cure tool may have a cure tool coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and may be configured for curing a composite article formed of two or more components having dissimilar component CTEs. The biasing element may be fixedly attached to the cure tool and has a biasing element CTE that may be different than the cure tool CTE. The biasing element may be configured such that a combination of the cure tool CTE and the biasing element CTE causes a heat-up displacement in the cure tool when heated and the composite article is cured in a distorted shape. When the cured composite article is cooled, the cured composite article may substantially assume an as-designed shape. | 04-10-2014 |
20140096898 | Method of Composite Tape Lamination Over Convex Radii - A tape laminating machine having a compaction roller lays up composite tape over a substrate having a convex radius. The compaction roller folds the tape as it moves over the convex radius, while simultaneously pivoting about a trailing edge of the tape to prevent the compaction roller from lifting off the tape laid just before the convex radius. | 04-10-2014 |
20140096902 | Method and Apparatus for Fabricating an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polymer Structure - A polymer laminate is fabricated by laying down layers of an ultra-high molecular weight polymer material on top of each other, and fusing the layers to each other by cross-linking molecular chains of adjoining layers. | 04-10-2014 |
20140096903 | Method and Apparatus for Co-Curing Composite Skins and Stiffeners in an Autoclave - A composite skin and composite stiffeners are co-cured in an autoclave. Uncured stiffeners are placed in channels of a tool, and an uncured skin is placed on the tool contacting the stiffeners. The vacuum bag is sealed over the tool. Bladders placed in the stiffeners are exposed to autoclave pressure through a manifold system employing vent tubes that pass through the vacuum bag along a side of the tool. | 04-10-2014 |
20140097294 | AIRCRAFT LAVATORY AND GALLEY SEPARATED BY AN INTERNAL WALL HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE NOTCH THAT IMPROVES THE LAVATORY ENVIRONMENT - An internal wall in an aircraft cabin separates a lavatory and a galley of the aircraft. The internal wall has an intermediate notch that increases a lateral width dimension of the lavatory above the notch and thereby improves the spatial environment of the lavatory. | 04-10-2014 |
20140097296 | Aircraft Cargo Compartment Container Crane System - An aircraft cargo compartment container crane system including an aircraft having an upper passenger compartment and at least one lower cargo compartment, wherein the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment are separated by a floor and a crane assembly connected to a structural element of the cargo compartment beneath the floor, wherein the crane assembly is configured to lift and move a cargo container within the cargo compartment along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098936 | NONDESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION OF STRUCTURES HAVING EMBEDDED PARTICLES - A system comprises a structure having particles embedded at a level within the structure, and X-ray imaging apparatus for capturing images of the particles at the level. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098990 | Distributed Position Identification - A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a mobile platform. Images are provided by a camera system on a first mobile platform. The images include images of a second platform. An identified position of the first mobile platform is generated using the images and the position information for the second platform. The position information for the second platform identifies a location of the second platform. | 04-10-2014 |
20140100695 | C FRAME STRUCTURE CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE DEFLECTION COMPENSATION AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A C frame structure, a robotic system and an associated method are provided respond to and accommodate the loads placed upon the C frame structure during actuation of a working tool. The C frame structure includes a plurality of links and a plurality of pins interconnecting the links to form a pinned truss configuration. The pinned truss configuration is responsive to loads imparted in response to actuation of the tool such that each link is placed in compression or tension. The C frame structure also includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders connected to the links such that each hydraulic cylinder extends in parallel to a respective link. A first hydraulic cylinder operates in a compression mode in response to strain attributable to actuation of the tool. A second hydraulic cylinder operates in an extension mode in response to the first hydraulic cylinder operating in the compression mode. | 04-10-2014 |
20140100831 | Float Remaining Volume Identification - A method and apparatus for identifying a potential movement of a part containing features. First lines are formed by a computer system on a plane extending from a rotation point on the plane to centers of the features in a feature pattern. Second lines are formed by the computer system on the plane extending from the centers of the features in which the second lines are substantially perpendicular to corresponding first lines. Third lines are formed by the computer system extending from ends of the second lines in which the third lines are substantially perpendicular to the plane. Elongate volumes are formed by the computer system extending from the centers of the features to ends of the third lines. An intersection of the elongate volumes is formed by the computer system. The potential movement of the part containing the features is identified using the intersection. | 04-10-2014 |
20140102542 | Flow Control Actuator with an Adjustable Frequency - A method and apparatus comprising a structure and a chamber within the structure. The structure has an input port and an output port. The chamber is configured to channel a fluid from the input port to the output port of the structure. A volume of the chamber is configured to change such that a frequency at which the fluid flows out of the output port changes at the output port. | 04-17-2014 |
20140102578 | Thermoplastic Composite Tubular Structures and Methods of Fabricating the Same - A method of fabricating a thermoplastic composite tubular structure provides a mandrel of a soluble, expandable material. The method overbraids the mandrel with a continuous fiber thermoplastic composite material to form an overbraided mandrel. The method installs the overbraided mandrel into a matched tooling assembly. The method heats in a heating apparatus the matched tooling assembly with the installed overbraided mandrel at a specified heating profile in order to consolidate the thermoplastic composite material and form a thermoplastic composite tubular structure. The method cools the matched tooling assembly with the formed thermoplastic composite tubular structure at a specified cooling profile. The method removes the formed thermoplastic composite tubular structure from the matched tooling assembly. The method solubilizes the mandrel to permanently remove the mandrel from the formed thermoplastic composite tubular structure. | 04-17-2014 |
20140102781 | High Power, High Frequency Power Cable - The present disclosure provides a power cable apparatus that comprises an elongated thermal conductor, and an electrical conductor layer surrounding at least a portion of the elongated thermal conductor. In one or more embodiments, heat generated in the power cable is transferred via the elongated thermal conductor to at least one end of the power cable. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an electric insulation layer surrounding at least a portion of the electrical conductor layer. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a thermal insulation layer surrounding at least a portion of the electric insulation layer. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103134 | Externally Driven Flow Control Actuator - A method and apparatus for managing a flow of a fluid. The fluid is received at an input port of a structure. The fluid is sent through a chamber in communication with the input port. The fluid is caused to flow from the chamber and out of an output port in a direction that changes with a frequency based on an application of pressure pulses in the chamber. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103162 | Method And Apparatus For Attaching An Aircraft Fuselage Frame To A Wing Box - The present disclosure is generally directed to an aircraft body including a fuselage skin on an outboard member of the aircraft body and a wing box extending through a member of the aircraft body. The wing box being enclosed and capable of being pressurized is fixedly attached at an outer surface to at least one pair of an attachment member and an attachment link member that is fixedly attached to the aircraft body. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103164 | SPACECRAFT PROPELLANT TANK MOUNT - A spacecraft having a primary structural frame and a propellant tank, in which the spacecraft may include a tank mount adopted to engage a portion of the propellant tank, the tank mount being configured to transfer launch loads directly from the propellant tank to a lunch vehicle interface ring. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103585 | Method and Apparatus for Forming Fuselage Stringers - A composite part, such as a stiffener is formed in place. A composite charge is placed on a tool spanning a mold cavity, with the centerline of the charge offset from the centerline of the mold cavity. Opposite sides of the charge are held against the tool as the charge is formed into the mold cavity. One side of the charge is held against movement on the tool while the other side of the charge is allowed to slip over the tool toward the mold cavity. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103990 | Fault Tolerant Fail-Safe Link - The present disclosure is generally directed to a plurality of solid state switches of varying periphery sizes connected in series between a power source and a load. A built-in test circuit senses an overvoltage condition across one or more of the varying periphery sizes and opens or closes the one or more of the varying periphery sizes in accordance with a measured voltage across at least one solid state switch of the plurality of solid state switches. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104079 | Fuel Tank Monitoring System - A method and apparatus for monitoring an interior of a fuel tank. Information about a fuel level and moisture in the interior of the fuel tank of a platform is generated using a fuel sensor unit in the interior of the fuel tank. The fuel sensor unit comprises a sensor configured to be located in the interior of the fuel tank and generate information about the fuel level in the fuel tank and the moisture in the fuel tank and a wireless unit electrically connected to the sensor. The wireless unit is configured to receive the information from the sensor and transmit the information using wireless signals. A number of actions is identified based on the information about the interior of the fuel tank. | 04-17-2014 |
20140106616 | Electrical Connector for Reduction of Fluid-Induced Electrical Shorting - Technologies for reducing the risk of fluid-induced electrical shorting in electrical connectors are provided. An electrical connector comprises a non-conductive member interposed between a first end and a second end of the connector that supports electrical contacts configured to conduct an electrical signal through the non-conductive member. The non-conductive member further has one or more peaks disposed on a surface of the non-conductive member between adjacent contacts. | 04-17-2014 |
20140107987 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPUTATIONAL PLANNING IN A DATA-DEPENDENT CONSTRAINT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method of determining a conditional computational plan for a data dependent constraint network represented by a bipartite graph containing input variable nodes, output variable nodes, and relation nodes, may include specifying, using a variable node specifier, at least one output variable node for which a plan is desired. The method may further include determining, using a plan determiner, a plan from the input variable nodes to the output variable node using a backward chaining search of the bipartite graph. | 04-17-2014 |
20140109549 | THRUSTER GRID CLEAR CIRCUITS AND METHODS TO CLEAR THRUSTER GRIDS - Thruster grid clear circuits and methods to clear thruster grids are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a low voltage grid clear circuit to apply first energy to a grid at a first voltage, and a high voltage grid clear circuit to detect a failure of the applied energy to clear a short circuit condition of the grid and to apply second energy to the grid at a second voltage higher than the first voltage. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110158 | CARBON FIBER SPACECRAFT PANEL WITH INTEGRAL METALLIC FOIL POWER RETURN - An aerospace structure that includes a composite member and a conductive element attached to the composite member wherein the conductive element is configured to conduct electricity across at least a portion of the composite member is provided. The aerospace structure may also include a power distribution system and the conductive element is a part of the power distribution system for the aerospace structure. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110402 | Methods and Apparatus for Reducing the Occurrence of Metal Whiskers - Methods and apparatus for reducing the occurrence of metal whiskers on surfaces are disclosed herein. In particular, the present disclosure teaches providing at least one source of electromagnetic energy to emit energy to reduce the occurrence of metal whiskers on a surface. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110528 | AIRCRAFT FUSELAGES - Aircraft fuselages are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fuselage of an aircraft having a first section and a second section to which a tail assembly is to be coupled. The second section is aft of the first section and is to extend to at least a trailing edge of a horizontal stabilizer of the tail assembly. A first width of the first section decreases from a front to a rear of the first section, and a second width of the second section is substantially constant. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110531 | Spacecraft with Anti Nadir Battery Radiator - According to an embodiment, a satellite is disclosed comprising an anti-nadir panel having a first side and a second side. In one or more embodiments, the first side of the anti-nadir panel is mounted to an anti-nadir side of the main body of the satellite. The satellite further comprises at least one battery pack mounted to the second side of the anti-nadir panel, where at least one battery pack comprises at least one battery cell. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111332 | Water Area Management System - A method and apparatus for managing a recreational water area. A recreational water area management system comprises a water area manager. The water area manager is configured to receive information about a recreational water area from a group of autonomous vehicles, analyze the information to identify an event, and coordinate the group of autonomous vehicles to perform a mission in the recreational water area based on the event. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111533 | REAL TIME INTERVISIBILITY ANALYSIS - A method comprises supplying textures and location information to a graphics processing unit. The textures represent elevation data of obstructions in an environment. The location information indicates locations of an object in the environment and a reference point. The method further comprises using a plurality of shader units of the graphics processing unit in parallel to process the texture to determine intervisibility between the object and the reference point. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111789 | Optical Fiber Coupled Photonic Crystal Slab Strain Sensor, System And Method Of Fabrication And Use - The present disclosure is generally directed to a strain sensor, system and method of fabrication and use that includes an optical fiber, an optical signal generator that transmits an optical signal through the optical fiber, at least two photonic crystal slabs within the optical fiber separated by a first segment of optical fiber, a photo-detector that detects a reflected optical signal from the at least two photonic crystal slabs, and a processor that computes a mechanical strain over the first segment of optical fiber based on the reflected optical signal detected by the photo-detector. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112588 | Real-Time Image Reconstruction - An apparatus is provided that includes a processor (e.g., FPGA) configured to cause the apparatus to perform a number of operations. The apparatus may be caused to receive input data for a digital image represented by point samples at respective sample locations, reconstruct the digital image from the input data for presentation by a display including display pixels, and output the reconstructed digital image. The reconstruction may include a number of operations for each of at least some of the display pixels. In this regard, the apparatus may be caused to perform a convolution-based, point-sample encoding of a selected display pixel to generate an encoding that identifies point samples of the digital image nearby the selected display pixel. And the apparatus may be caused to interpolate a value of the selected display pixel from at least some of the identified point samples using the generated encoding. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114442 | REAL TIME CONTROL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods for real time control system management in networked environments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-based system for real time embedded control system behavior monitoring and anomaly detection comprises a processor and logic instructions stored in a tangible computer-readable medium coupled to the processor which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to generate a behavior training set for the embedded control system, wherein the behavior training set correlates inputs to the embedded control system with outputs from the embedded control system during a training process to define behavior fingerprints for the embedded control system monitor inputs to the embedded control system and outputs from the embedded control system in real time during operation of the embedded control system, and generate an alert when one or more of the inputs into the embedded control system or the outputs collected from the embedded control system in real time operation represent an anomaly. | 04-24-2014 |
20140115869 | Apparatus and Method for Remote Fastener Installation - A tool configured to install and torque multiple fasteners, such as nuts and/or bolts, positioned in confined and/or hard to reach areas. The tool includes a body portion, a plurality of fastener retainers, and a structure which permits both the remote tightening and torquing of such fasters. The tool also provides an actuator for the remote release of torque loads which may build up in the fastener retainers during such torquing of the fasteners. The actuator includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the body portion and a cam that is rotatable between a first position and a second position. A linkage is engaged by the cam and urges the lever arm to a torquing position upon the cam being in the first position and to a torque release position upon the cam being in the second position. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116146 | System and Method for Testing a Composite Structure Using a Laser Ultrasound Testing System - A method and apparatus for testing a composite structure. A pulsed laser beam having a number of properties is generated. Each of the number of properties is within a selected range. The pulsed laser beam generated by the generation laser system is directed towards a composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. A number of ultrasonic waves are formed in the composite structure when the pulsed laser beam contacts the composite structure without causing any undesired inconsistencies in the composite structure outside of selected tolerances. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116610 | Composite Tool Having Vacuum Integrity and Method of Making the Same - A composite tool for vacuum bag processing composite parts comprises a plurality of laminated composite plies, including a facesheet adapted to have a composite part placed thereon. A gas impermeable barrier layer sandwiched between the composite plies prevents air leaks through the tool. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116616 | Composite Layer Forming System - A method and apparatus for forming a stack of composite layers into a desired shape is present. The stack of composite layers may be positioned on a tool and a number of compressible supports such that the stack of composite layers may be substantially flat on the tool and the stack of composite layers may be substantially flat on the number of compressible supports. A flexible sheet may be placed on top of the stack of composite layers. A vacuum load may be applied on the stack of composite layers on the tool and the number of compressible supports using the flexible sheet such that consolidation of the stack of composite layers occurs to form a desired shape on the tool and the number of compressible supports compress during forming of the desired shape. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117022 | Composite Structures Having Bondlines with Matched Electrical Conductivity - Two composite laminates are joined together by a bondline having portions exposed to the ambient environment. The bondline contains scrim having an electrical conductivity and impedance matched to that of the laminates in order to mitigate effects of lightning strikes. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117106 | THRUST REVERSERS AND METHODS TO PROVIDE REVERSE THRUST - Thrust reversers and methods to provide reverse thrust are disclosed. An example thrust reverser includes a cascade to direct air from an interior volume of an engine nacelle to generate reverse thrust with respect to a direction of travel, and an air extractor to extract a portion of air approaching the cascade from within the interior volume. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117113 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING VARIABLE AREA FAN NOZZLES OF JET ENGINES - Methods and apparatus for sealing variable area fan nozzles of jet engines are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a frame and a seal to be coupled to the frame. The seal to enclose petals of a variable area fan nozzle to substantially prevent airflow between the petals. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117155 | TEMPORARY CLAMP-ON LANDING GEAR WHEEL SAFETY ZONE FENCE - A safety device to separate personnel from landing gear tires which incorporates a clamping collar configured to wrap around a landing gear post. A support frame extends outward from the clamping collar and defines a perimeter around the landing gear. A mesh skirt extends downward from the support frame. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117156 | SINGLE AISLE AIRCRAFT LAVATORY WITH OPTIMIZED USE OF FLOOR SPACE FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY - An aircraft cabin has a lavatory that is accessible from a cross-aisle of the aircraft and in which the toilet is moved from the typical outboard location to an inboard location where increased head room enables the toilet to be positioned in tight proximity to a back wall of the lavatory directly behind the toilet and thereby increases an open area of floor surface in front of the toilet for wheelchair access to the lavatory. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117157 | Circumference Splice for Joining Shell Structures - The disclosed shell structure splice and method may include a first panel having a first edge, a second panel having a second edge, the second edge being positioned in edgewise alignment with the first edge to form a splice joint, a strap bridging the splice joint and attached to the first panel and the second panel, the strap having a first tapered region and a second tapered region, a first fitting having a tapered section and a flat section, the tapered section being attached to the first tapered region of the strap, and a second fitting having a tapered section and a flat section, the tapered section being attached to the second tapered region of the strap. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117160 | DECORATIVE RING DEVICE FOR FREE-FLOATING INTERFACE OF AIRCRAFT INTERIOR SIDEWALL WINDOW LINING - An interior lining interface incorporates a decorative interface ring having a substantially flat flange with multiple bearing ring bosses on an inner surface of the flange for engagement of an inner surface of a rim of a window ring. Multiple friction fit legs extend from the flange and are received within and constrained by the interface ring to the widow ring rim. A window reveal has a mating surface contacting the flange. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117166 | NATURAL LAMINAR FLOW WINGTIP - An aircraft wing tip device may include a unitized, monolithic leading edge torque box that may be formed of polymer matrix fiber-reinforced material. The leading edge torque box may include a skin that may define a continuous, uninterrupted outer mold line surface extending aftwardly from a winglet leading edge by a distance of at least approximately 60 percent of a local chord length. The leading edge torque box may further include at least one internal component extending between opposing inner surfaces of the skin and being integrally formed therewith. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117582 | Method and Apparatus for Forming Thick Thermoplastic Composite Structures - A method and apparatus are used to pre-consolidate and de-bulk a thermoplastic composite ply stack prior to full consolidation and forming to the final part shape. Pre-consolidation and de-bulking is achieved by heating the ply stack to a temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic in order to soften the plies, and then compress the ply stack. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117593 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING FLUID MOVEMENT IN CLOSE-MOLDED COMPOSITE PARTS - A vacuum bagging system may include a layer assembly defining a fluid flow channel. The layer assembly may include a contact layer mounted to a composite part positionable within an outer mold line (OML) tool. The contact layer may have a contact layer width defined by opposing contact layer side edges. The layer assembly may further include an inner layer mounted to the contact layer and having inner layer side edges located between the contact layer side edges. The fluid flow channel may extend along at least a portion of the composite part to at least one part end. The vacuum bagging system may include an internal vacuum bag positionable against the inner layer. An inner mold line (IML) tool may support the internal vacuum bag. The contact layer width may be less than an IML tool width. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118357 | Virtual Reality Display System - A method and apparatus for displaying a virtual environment. First eye position information for a first eye in a head of a person and second eye position information for a second eye in the head of the person is received. A first image of the virtual environment for the first eye is generated based on the first eye position information. A second image of the virtual environment for the second eye is generated based on the second eye position information for the second eye. The first image and the second image for display are sent to the person. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118530 | Thermal Sound Inspection System - A method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. Images of heat generated by an inconsistency in the structure are received. A final image is generated from the images using portions of the images having a greatest amount of heat. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118718 | Modulated Laser Range Finder and Method - A laser range finder including a laser configured to project a laser beam onto a target object thereby causing a target beam to be reflected from the target object, wherein the laser beam has a frequency, and wherein the frequency is modulated at a known rate, a first beam splitter positioned to split a reference beam from the laser beam, a second beam splitter positioned to receive the target beam and the reference beam, wherein the target beam and the reference beam are coherently combined, the coherently combined beams establishing a difference frequency, and a detector configured to measure the difference frequency. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119385 | Satellite Communications Data Processing - An apparatus comprising a backplane and a number of transponder slices connected to the backplane to form a transponder. The number of transponder slices comprise an analog front end configured to receive an analog input comprising a first plurality of bandwidths and a first plurality of interface frequencies, analog to digital converters configured to convert the analog input to digital signals, a digital channelizer configured to process the digital signals to generate a plurality of frequency slices, a digital combiner configured to assemble the plurality of frequency slices to form output sub-bands, a digital switch configured to route the plurality of frequency slices from the digital channelizer to the digital combiner, digital to analog converters configured to convert the output sub-bands to an analog output, and an analog back end configured to transmit the analog output comprising a second plurality of bandwidths and a second plurality of interface frequencies. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119813 | Exposing Fibers in Composite Laminates - Fibers in a fiber reinforced resin laminate are exposed by placing a gel in contact with the resin laminate, forcing the fibers of the resin laminate into the gel, and using the gel to displace the resin surrounding the fibers being forced into the gel. The gel is removed to expose the fibers. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122000 | Apparatus And A Method For Measuring In-Plane Elastic Constants For A Laminate - An apparatus is provided that includes a wave generator, plurality of transducers and processing device. The wave generator may be configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of acoustic waves that propagate through a laminate along a plurality of in-plane directions. The transducers may be spaced apart from one another and positionable at one or more known distances from the wave generator along respective in-plane directions. The transducers may be configured to detect acoustic waves propagating through the laminate along the respective in-plane directions. The processing device may be coupled to the transducers and configured to simultaneously calculate a plurality of elastic constants of the laminate as a function of velocities of the acoustic waves detected by the transducers. And the processing device may be configured to calculate the velocities as a function of the known distance(s) and arrival times of the acoustic waves at the transducers. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122050 | Electrical Power System Stability Optimization System - A method and apparatus for electrical power system stability optimization. An electrical power system comprising source elements and load elements is simulated to generate impedance data, wherein the impedance data identifies an impedance of the electrical power system. A stability profile of the electrical power system is characterized as a function of the impedance data, wherein the stability profile identifies the source elements and load elements to control power generation by the electrical power system to optimize stability of the electrical power system. | 05-01-2014 |
20140122736 | Time-Locked Network and Nodes for Exchanging Secure Data Packets - A method and apparatus for transmitting secure data packets through a node network. Unsecure data packets are received at a set of unsecure inputs and secure data packets are received at a number of secure inputs in a node in the node network. The secure data packets are authorized to be sent to a number of secure destination devices. The unsecure data packets are not authorized to be sent to the number of secure destination devices. The secure data packets and the unsecure data packets are integrated to form a number of output data streams based on a predetermined schedule. The number of output data streams is sent to a number of next nodes in the node network. | 05-01-2014 |
20140124120 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING A MISSING TOW IN A COMPOSITE LAYUP - A system for detecting a missing tow in a tow band may include a fiber placement head for applying a tow band to a substrate forming a composite layup. The system may further include a heating device for preheating the substrate prior to application of the tow band. The system may additionally include an infrared camera mounted to the fiber placement head and configured to generate a real-time thermal image of the composite layup during the application of the tow band to the substrate. | 05-08-2014 |
20140124622 | AIRCRAFT HAVING A RECESSED CAVITY IN AN AFT PRESSURE BULKHEAD WALL SURFACE AND A GALLEY MOVED REARWARDLY INTO THE RECESSED CAVITY INCREASING FLOOR SPACE IN FRONT OF THE GALLEY - An aircraft cabin has been reconfigured with a rear fuselage galley and a modified aft pressure bulkhead that enables the galley to be moved rearwardly to provide additional floor space in the aircraft cabin. | 05-08-2014 |
20140127473 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING WRINKLES IN COMPOSITES - A wrinkle mitigation system may include at least one tooling rod disposed against a tool surface at a location on the tool where a composite ply is configured to overlap the tooling rod. The tooling rod may have an elongated shape and may be generally oriented along a direction of wrinkle formation in the composite ply. The tooling rod may have a rod width that results in the composite ply assuming a corrugated shape when compaction pressure is applied to the composite ply. | 05-08-2014 |
20140129056 | UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE - The present disclosure relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) able to harvest energy from updrafts and a method of enhancing operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle with a gliding capability comprises a generator arranged to be driven by a rotor, and a battery, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle can operate in an energy harvesting mode in which the motion of the unmanned aerial vehicle drives the rotor to rotate, the rotor drives the generator, and the generator charges the battery. In the energy harvesting mode regenerative braking of the generator reduces the forward speed of the unmanned aerial vehicle to generate electricity and prevent the unmanned aerial vehicle from flying above a predetermined altitude. | 05-08-2014 |
20140129059 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENDING THE OPERATION OF AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE - A method of extending the operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed. The method comprises detecting that an energy storage device on board the UAV is depleted below a threshold level, landing the UAV at a base station, and initiating operation of the base station to cause a replacement mechanism thereof to remove the energy storage device on board the UAV from the UAV and to replace this with another energy storage device. | 05-08-2014 |
20140130335 | STRUCTURAL BLIND FASTENER AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION - A two-piece, one-sided-installation fastener system may have an internally-threaded sleeve having a shank and a sleeve head. The fastener system may include an externally-threaded core bolt having a frangible driving provision and a core bolt head. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130910 | BUSHING ASSEMBLIES, BUSHING ASSEMBLY KITS, APPARATUSES INCLUDING BUSHING ASSEMBLIES, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Bushing assemblies include a first tubular end portion, a second tubular end portion, and a middle tubular portion. The middle tubular portion has a longitudinal compressive strength that is less than that of the end portions. In some embodiments, the middle tubular portion is constructed of braided sleeving. Also disclosed are bushing assembly kits, apparatuses that include bushing assemblies, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushing assemblies. | 05-15-2014 |
20140131518 | JOINT FOR COMPOSITE WINGS - A wing joint including a T-chord and a splice plate for connecting an inboard wing panel assembly and an outboard wing panel assembly. The wing panel assemblies include a stringer co-bonded or co-cured with a wing skin. The webbing and cap of the stringer may be trimmed to expose a noodle and base flange. The noodle and base flange interface with the bottom of the T-chord and the wing skin interfaces with the splice plate. The exposed noodle may be non-flush with the base flange of the trimmed stringer. The bottom of the T-chord may include a groove to accommodate a non-flush noodle so that a gap does not exist between the T-chord and the base flange. Alternatively, shims may be used to compensate for a non-flush noodle or the base flange and web may include sacrificial plies permitting the base flange and web to be trimmed flush with the noodle. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132332 | INTERLEAVED TRANSIENT FILTER - An interleaved filter circuit has a delay element configured to receive an input signal. An interleaved output buffer has a first input which receives the input signal and a second input which receives the output of the delay element. An output of the interleaved output buffer is driven when the first input and the second input are at a same logic level. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132427 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING IN-FLIGHT NAVIGATION PROCEDURES - A computing device for displaying procedures for an aircraft is provided. The computing device includes a presentation interface, a user input interface, and a processing device coupled to the presentation interface and to the user input interface. The processing device is configured to cause the presentation interface to display an initial procedure display, and in response to a triggering event, cause the presentation interface to display an adjusted procedure display that emphasizes a predetermined portion of a procedure. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132733 | Backfilling Points in a Point Cloud - An apparatus, system, and method for increasing points in a point cloud. In one illustrative embodiment, a two-dimensional image of a scene and the point cloud of the scene are received. At least a portion of the points in the point cloud are mapped to the two-dimensional image to form transformed points. A fused data array is created using the two-dimensional image and the transformed points. New points for the point cloud are identified using the fused data array. The new points are added to the point cloud to form a new point cloud. | 05-15-2014 |
20140133993 | Apparatus and Method for Tuning a Vibratory Response of a Rotor Blade - A method and apparatus for reducing a vibratory response in a structure using a tuning object. A selected mass may be identified for the tuning object. A plurality of channels may be formed in a workpiece having a mass greater than the selected mass to form the tuning object having the selected mass. The tuning object may be bonded to the structure using an adhesive bond to reduce the vibratory response of the structure. | 05-15-2014 |
20140134578 | Tailored Airline Training - A method and apparatus for identifying training for a flight crew member. The flight crew member is identified. Information for a flight to which the flight crew member is assigned is identified. Training for the flight crew member is identified using the flight information. | 05-15-2014 |
20140136972 | Panoptic Visualization Document Printing - A panoptic visualization document support system includes a request interface and support engine. The request interface is configured to receive a request for printout(s) of selected document component(s) of a layout of document components of a panoptic visualization document collection. The collection has a plurality of document components each of which includes respective media content and has associated metadata providing information about the respective document component. The layout includes a panoptic arrangement of visual representations of the document components of the layout according to the associated metadata of the respective document components. The support engine is configured to retrieve and prepare the selected document component(s) for printing according to at least a selected print layout style. Preparation of the selected document component(s) includes generation of one or more printable document components for respective ones of the printout(s). And the support engine is configured to communicate the printable page(s). | 05-15-2014 |
20140137537 | Rotary Switch Assembly for Ion Propulsion System - A gridded ion propulsion system comprising two power controllers, four ion thrusters, and two switch assemblies. One switch assembly is connected to the two power controllers and to two of the four ion thrusters. The other switch assembly is connected to the two power controllers and to the other two ion thrusters. Each switch assembly has first and second switching states which can be selected to enable either power controller to supply power to any one of the four ion thrusters. Each switch assembly comprises a respective movable body and a respective multiplicity of switches which change state in unison when the movable body changes position. For example, the movable body may be a rotatable hollow shaft driven by a stepper motor. | 05-22-2014 |
20140141234 | Composite Joining System and Method - A joining surface formed of a composite structure having at least one ply and a peel ply cured to an outer surface of the composite structure, the peel ply including a plurality of microcapsules each filled with a joining material, wherein upon removal of the peel ply from the outer surface of the composite structure, the microcapsules fracture and release the resin to form an uncured surface for joining. | 05-22-2014 |
20140141257 | THERMAL SPRAY COATED REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES - Forming and depositing a high temperature inorganic coating on a polymeric composite substrate surfaces having deposited thereon an interlayer, and articles produce therefrom. Methods of providing functional properties to said composites are also disclosed. | 05-22-2014 |
20140141264 | INTERLAYER COMPOSITE SUBSTRATES - An interlayer configured for a composite substrate surface, the interlayer having a higher concentration of at least one first chemical element at the interface of the substrate surface and the innermost interlayer surface and a higher concentration of at least one second chemical element at the outermost interlayer surface is disclosed. Methods of forming the interlayer and providing functional properties to said composites are disclosed. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142787 | Determination of Flight Path for Unmanned Aircraft in Event of In-Flight Contingency - An enhanced control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle adds constraints to the process of choosing a flight path in the event of an in-flight contingency, such as engine out or an encounter with jamming, which forces a diversion or unplanned landing. The constraints are: (1) ensure communications are available when needed during contingency operations; and (2) ensure signals from a global positioning system (or other navigation system) are available when needed during contingency operations. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142840 | POSITION/TIME SYNCHRONIZATION OF UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES FOR AIR REFUELING OPERATIONS - A system and methods for coordinating positioning of vehicles in motion is disclosed. The method graphically presents displayed synchronization parameters on a display screen such that a user determines a planned position of a first vehicle on a planned path in order to arrive at a predetermined position at a correct time. The method further synchronizes the first vehicle with the planned position on the planned path using the displayed synchronization parameters and performs a rendezvous between the first vehicle and a second vehicle. | 05-22-2014 |
20140142896 | System and method of refining a topological indexed mesh - A method of refining a mesh includes selecting an existing coarse element having existing nodes and existing indices, inputting a quantity of refined elements to be created along an element edge, and generating a parametric grid on the existing coarse element. The method may further include placing refined nodes at parametric grid locations wherein the refined nodes have subindices linked to the existing indices. The method may additionally include deleting the existing coarse element, and creating refined elements having subindices linked to the existing indices of the existing coarse element. | 05-22-2014 |
20140144002 | Zero-Moment Fitting - Apparatus, systems, and methods provide for a zero-moment fitting for securing a fluid conduit to a structure. According to various embodiments, a fitting may include a spherical bearing and a bearing housing. The spherical bearing may include a conduit aperture for receiving a fluid conduit through the spherical bearing. The bearing housing may be configured to encompass and retain the spherical bearing within the bearing housing, allowing for rotation of the spherical bearing within the bearing housing. The bearing housing may be fixedly attached to the structure to secure the fitting to the structure. | 05-29-2014 |
20140144740 | Energy Absorbing Device - An energy absorbing device including a housing having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposed from the first end, a crushing member positioned proximate the first end, a stopping member longitudinally spaced apart from the crushing member, an energy absorbing member positioned between the crushing member and the stopping member, and a linking member connected to the crushing member. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145031 | Vertically Integrated Stringers - Apparatus and methods provide for the reinforcement of various components of an aircraft utilizing vertically-oriented circumferential stringers. According to embodiments described herein, barrel skin of an aircraft fuselage may be reinforced using stringers that are vertically-oriented and circumferential. According to additional embodiments, the wing stringers of a wing can be aligned with circumferential stringers. According to further embodiments, the wing may also have one or more wing spars having an elliptical aperture. The shape of the elliptical may be configured for attachment to a fuselage so that an outer surface of the aperture is disposed proximate to an inner surface of the fuselage. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145032 | Multi-Box Wing Spar And Skin - Apparatus and methods provide for the construction of wing sections having multi-box wing spars. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, an aircraft wing may be constructed by applying one or more layers of composite material onto a plurality of wing mandrels. The wing mandrels, when placed together, form the shape of the wing. After the layers of composite material are applied to each individual mandrel, the mandrels are abutted together. Thereafter, the mandrels are compressed using wing surface tooling applied to the plurality of wing mandrels. The composite material is thereafter cured. After curing, the wing surface tooling and mandrels are removed, resulting in a wing having multi-box wing spars and skin. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145035 | Aircraft Bird Strike Prevention - An aircraft comprises an aircraft body, and apparatus, carried by the body, for discharging a persistent vapor of bird repellant into an elevated airspace. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145039 | Hinged Panel Operation Systems and Methods - A hinged panel operation system is provided having a mechanical linkage assembly coupled between a fixed structure and a trailing edge device. The mechanical linkage assembly has a first link operatively coupled to the trailing edge device, a second link pivotably connected at a first end to the first link and pivotably connected at a second end to a third link, and an eccentric attachment connecting the second link to the third link. The hinged panel operation system further has a hinged panel positioned forward of the trailing edge device and being operatively coupled to the mechanical linkage assembly. The hinged panel is movable by the mechanical linkage assembly between a stowed position and a drooped position. The mechanical linkage assembly provides a load path to the hinged panel. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145040 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING WAVE DRAG THROUGH BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC DESIGN - An air vehicle having a bilaterally asymmetric configuration may include a body having a longitudinal axis. The air vehicle may further include longitudinally offset engine nacelles, asymmetrically lengthened engine nacelles, and/or longitudinally offset protruding aerodynamic surfaces. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145427 | BUSHINGS, APPARATUSES INCLUDING BUSHINGS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Bushings include a tubular body that defines a through-bore for receiving a fastener for mounting a component to an object. The tubular body includes end regions and a plurality of spring elements spaced circumferentially around the tubular body and extending longitudinally along the tubular body between the end regions. Also disclosed are apparatus that include bushings, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushings and of manufacturing bushings. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145882 | GEOLOCATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method for locating an interferer is provided. The method includes determining, from a time delay of arrival (TDOA) signature between signals received from the interferer at two satellites, a first curve on which the interferer lies, determining, from direction of arrival information generated using signals received from the interferer at a plurality of elements of a linear array, a second curve on which the interferer lies, and determining, based on an intersection between the first and second curves, the location of the interferer. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146323 | Angular Resolution of Images Using Photons Having Non-Classical States - A method, apparatus, and system for improving the angular resolution of an image. A plurality of photon beams originating from a scene are received at a sensor system. Each of the plurality of photon beams is interfered with a corresponding source photon beam in a plurality of source photon beams to form a plurality of interference beams. Each of the plurality of source photon beams has a non-classical state. Fluctuations in a photon-number of the each of the plurality of source photon beams are reduced to within selected tolerances. An output signal is formed based on the plurality of interference beams. The output signal is configured for use in generating an image of the scene. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146853 | Device for Emulating Temperature of a Composite Structure Through a Thermal Cure Cycle - A temperature emulator may include a stack assembly having a pair of end plates positioned at an uppermost and lowermost location of the stack assembly, a plurality of heat sink plates disposed between the pair of end plates, each of the heat sink plates having a plurality of heat sink cutouts, a plurality of shim plates separating adjacent pairs of the end plates and the heat sink plates, each of the shim plates having a shim cutout, an open cavity formed by a plurality of adjacent heat sink cutouts and shim cutouts, thermal insulation disposed within the cavity, and at least one temperature sensor coupled to at least one of the plurality of heat sink plates. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149074 | SHIELDING EFFECTIVENESS DETERMINATION - In one embodiment a method to evaluate a shielding effectiveness of an enclosed structure, comprising collecting synthetic aperture data from an electromagnetic transmission originating from within the enclosed structure to generate a synthetic aperture dataset, performing angular spectrum processing on the synthetic aperture dataset to generate an angle of arrival dataset and determining a shielding effectiveness parameter from the angle of arrival dataset. Other embodiments may be described. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149436 | System and Method of Reduction of Irrelevant Information during Search - A system including a context-entity factory configured to build a data model defining an ontology of data objects that are context-aware, the model further defining metadata tags for the data objects. The system further includes a storage device storing the data objects as stored data objects, the device further storing associated contexts for corresponding ones of the stored objects. The system further includes a reduction component configured to capture a current context value of a first data object defined in the ontology, the component further configured to compare the current context value of the first data object with stored values of the associated contexts, and wherein when the current context value does not match a particular stored value of a particular associated context, the component is further configured to remove a corresponding particular stored data object and the particular associated context from the stored data objects. | 05-29-2014 |
20140149655 | Narrowing Comparison Results of Associative Memories - A system including an associative memory. A first input device in communication with the associative memory is configured to receive comparison criteria associated with a first entity stored in the associative memory. A search engine is configured to acquire, using a processor in conjunction with the associative memory and also using the comparison criteria, an attribute category of the first entity and an attribute value of the first entity. A second input device is configured to input, using the processor in conjunction with the associative memory, the attribute category and the attribute value into a worksheet of the associative memory. A comparator is configured to compare, using the processor in conjunction with the associative memory, the first entity and a second entity. The comparator is further configured to apply the worksheet as part of comparing the first entity and the second entity. | 05-29-2014 |
20140150526 | Electrodynamic Modal Test Impactor System and Method - There is provided an electrodynamic modal test impactor system and method. The system has a controller device and an impactor assembly coupled to the controller device. The impactor assembly has a housing and a permanent magnet positioned within the housing. The impactor assembly further has a voice coil positioned within the housing in a magnetic gap of a magnetic yoke housing. The voice coil is driven by the controller device. The impactor assembly further has a drive shaft supported by two or more support elements. The drive shaft is attached to the voice coil and is driven by the voice coil. The impactor assembly further has a load cell attached to a free end of the drive shaft and a biasing device positioned within the magnetic yoke housing. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150814 | SURFACE MATERIALS FOR DECONTAMINATION WITH DECONTAMINANTS - Reversibly switchable (transformable) surface layer changeable from (super)hydrophobic to (super)hydrophilic surface states are described. Methods of decontamination of surfaces exposed to contaminate are provided. The reversibly switchable properties of the surface layer can be controlled by an external stimulus. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150955 | LINEAR FRICTION WELDING MACHINE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A linear-friction-welding machine and a method of linear friction welding are provided which permit continuous clocking or angular positioning between a pair of workpieces without the complexity and cost associated with making either the weld head or the table of the friction-stir-welding machine rotatable. The linear-friction-welding machine may include a stationary or a movable table, a weld head, and a tapered cylindrical collet, adapted to engage a tapered cylindrical opening of a socket. The socket is either supported by the table or retained by the weld head, to permit controlled, continuous clocking of one of the workpieces, retained by the collet, relative to the other workpiece, which is either supported by the table or retained by the weld head such that the workpieces may be mutually biased and linearly oscillated relative each other. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150964 | Method and Apparatus for Applying Film Material to Elongate Members - Film material is applied to a surface of an elongate structural member. A carriage moved along the structural member dispenses, compacts and cuts the film material in a single pass along the structural member. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151507 | Split Resistant Composite Laminate - A composite laminate, method of forming same, and use for same are disclosed. One example of a composite laminate has multiple layers or plies ( | 06-05-2014 |
20140154074 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Pitching and Twisting a Blade of a Rotorcraft - A method and apparatus for moving a blade of a rotorcraft. The method comprises operating the rotorcraft and applying a torque to an elongate member connected to a tip portion of the blade during operation of the rotorcraft using a tip actuation mechanism that is external to the blade and associated with the elongate member such that the tip portion of the blade rotates about an axis through the blade. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156047 | Manufacturing Process Monitoring and Control System - A method and apparatus for controlling a manufacturing process. Statistical correlations between a plurality of tasks comprising the manufacturing process are identified. The manufacturing process is controlled using the statistical correlations. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156109 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLABORATIVELY CONTROLLING AT LEAST ONE AIRCRAFT - An unmanned vehicle management system includes an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control station controlling one or more unmanned vehicles (UV), a collaborative routing system, and a communication network connecting the UAS and the collaborative routing system. The collaborative routing system being configured to receive flight parameters from an operator of the UAS control station and, based on the received flight parameters, automatically present the UAS control station with flight plan options to enable the operator to operate the UV in a defined airspace. | 06-05-2014 |
20140157417 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ARCHITECTURE-CENTRIC THREAT MODELING, ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION - Methods and systems for use in architecture-centric threat modeling are described. One example system includes a display device, a memory device for storing a plurality of attributes for each of a plurality of network objects, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory device. The processor is programmed to receive a user selection of at least a first network object and a second network object from the plurality of network objects; create a network architecture including the first network object and the second network object; associate the stored plurality of attributes with the selected network objects in the network architecture; display, on the display device, a graphical representation of the created network architecture; receive, from the user, at least one dataflow attribute associated with at least one of the first and second network objects; and store the at least one dataflow attribute to said memory device as an attribute of at least one of the plurality of network objects. | 06-05-2014 |
20140158310 | DIVIDER CURTAIN - A curtain divider for an aircraft interior containing pivot stow bins includes a first fabric curtain, having an outboard end and an inboard end, which is attachable to the aircraft interior only at the outboard and inboard ends. The first fabric curtain includes a vertical portion, and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion has a substantially straight bottom edge, and an arcuate top edge defining a space sufficient for opening the pivot stow bins. The horizontal portion is flexibly attached to the vertical portion along the top edge and extends from the outboard end to the inboard end, having a substantially continuous curvature. The horizontal portion is adapted to impart forward and aft stability to the curtain support member at the top edge. | 06-12-2014 |
20140160279 | Multiple-Scale Digital Image Correlation Pattern and Measurement - A method and apparatus for digital image correlation. A camera system is used to obtain larger scale images of a larger scale dot pattern on a surface of a workpiece and smaller scale images of a smaller scale dot pattern on the surface of the same workpiece. The smaller scale dot pattern forms a larger dot in the larger scale dot pattern in the larger scale images. The larger scale images and the smaller scale images may be used to determine a measurement of the workpiece. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163772 | Aerial Forest Inventory System - A method and apparatus for generating information about a forest. A number of locations in the forest are identified over which an electromagnetic energy sensor system in an unmanned aerial vehicle generates the information about the forest by generating a point cloud with a resolution that meets a point cloud threshold. A route is generated for the unmanned aerial vehicle to move to the number of locations and generate the information about the forest in the number of locations. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163781 | Tree Metrology System - A method and apparatus for identifying a number of diameters for a group of trees. An unmanned aerial vehicle moves on a route through the group of trees at a height that is configured to allow measurement of the number of diameters for the group of trees by a sensor system associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. Information is generated about the number of diameters for the group of trees using the sensor system associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. | 06-12-2014 |
20140164555 | MONITORING SYSTEMS OF A VEHICLE BY GENERATING AND TRANSMITTING CUSTOMIZED INFORMATION MESSAGES TO WIRELESS NETWORKED COMPUTERS - A method for monitoring systems of a vehicle may include determining relevant information used by at least one of a plurality of wireless networked computers based on at least a function performed by the at least one wireless networked computer with respect to an associated one of a multiplicity of components of the systems of the vehicle. The method may also include formulating a customized information message for the at least one of the plurality of wireless networked computers based on at least the relevant information used and the function performed by the at least one wireless networked computer. The method may further include transmitting the customized information message to the at least one of the plurality of wireless networked computers. | 06-12-2014 |
20140170601 | Data Sharing System for Aircraft Training - A method and apparatus for managing data in a platform. A first permission level is identified for first data in the data generated by a source in the platform. A second permission level is identified for an intended recipient of the first data. The first data is modified to form second data in the data in which the second data has the second permission level. The second data is distributed to the intended recipient. | 06-19-2014 |
20140183261 | PASSIVE RFID ASSISTED ACTIVE RFID TAG - A radiofrequency identification (RFID) device includes an active RFID tag that includes a power source and a passive RFID tag reader, the passive RFID tag reader electrically coupled to the power source of the active RFID tag. | 07-03-2014 |
20140183784 | FABRICATION OF REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE PARTS - A method of fabricating a reinforced thermoplastic composite part comprises moving a laminate of reinforcing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix for sequential operations through a heating station and then a forming station. The heating station is used to soften the thermoplastic matrix in a portion of the laminate while the forming station is used to impart a geometry to a portion of the laminate whose thermoplastic matrix had just been softened. The softening and the forming are performed simultaneously on different portions of the laminate. | 07-03-2014 |
20140183879 | ANTI-SKID SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE TIRES ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS AND METHOD THEREFOR - A method of increasing the friction between a tire of a vehicle and an icy surface includes dispensing a cooling agent such that at least a portion of the dispensed cooling agent is distributed between the tire of the vehicle and the icy surface. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184605 | BOWTIE CHARTS FOR IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS IN A COMPLEX MECHANICAL SYSTEM - A method comprises characterizing a complex mechanical system in terms of functions, and using a computer system to display and fill in bowtie charts to identify problems and solutions with respect to the functions. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184789 | Automated Water Drop Measurement and Ice Detection System - A method and apparatus for detecting an icing condition. The apparatus comprises a sensor system and an icing condition detector. The sensor system is configured to collect drops of water from air on an exterior of an aircraft and generate a number of images of the drops of water collected. The icing condition detector is configured to detect a presence of a number of types of icing conditions for the aircraft using the number of images from the sensor. | 07-03-2014 |
20140189078 | Locating And Addressing Communication Devices - A system is provided that includes first- and second-network subsystems. The first-network subsystem includes a first-network device with knowledge of its physical location and assigned logical address within the first-network subsystem. The second-network subsystem includes a second-network device initially without knowledge of its physical location and assigned logical address within the second-network subsystem. The second-network device has a known spatial relationship with the first-network device. The first-network device is configured to communicate its physical location to the second-network device, which is configured to derive at least partially its physical location based on the physical location of the first-network device, and the known spatial relationship between the first- and second-network devices. The second-network device is further configured to receive an assignment of its logical address within the second-network subsystem using its derived physical location. | 07-03-2014 |
20140189986 | Composite Clamp - A composite clamp including a continuous metallic spine having a first end bending back upon a second end forming a loop, a first arm, and a second arm approximately parallel to the first arm, and a polymer casing surrounding the metallic spine from proximate the first end to proximate the second end. | 07-10-2014 |
20140190954 | DISTRIBUTED TRANSISTOR-BASED POWER SUPPLY FOR SUPPLYING HEAT TO A STRUCTURE - A heating system includes a structure to be heated, and a heating apparatus disposed to heat the structure. The heating apparatus includes a housing member, a plurality of resonant frequency power sources, and a plurality of associated controls. The plurality of resonant frequency power sources are attached to the housing member. The plurality of associated controllers is configured to separately operate the plurality of resonant frequency power sources at resonant frequencies matching heating requirements of the structure. | 07-10-2014 |
20140191078 | Airplane Emergency Supplemental Braking System And Method - A system, an apparatus, and a method for an aerospace vehicle braking system for decelerating an aerospace vehicle on a landing surface. An arm is provided having a first portion connected to the aerospace vehicle and a second portion generally distal to the first portion. The second portion of the arm includes an engagement portion configured to engage the landing surface. The arm is movable between a first position, wherein the engagement portion is substantially disengaged from the landing surface, and a second position, wherein the engagement portion engages the landing surface with a force sufficient to significantly decelerate the aerospace vehicle. The engagement portion is configured to pivot with respect to the arm in response to the direction of travel of the aerospace vehicle upon the landing surface. An actuator is connected to the arm to selectively move the arm between the first position and the second position. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192367 | Laser Detection and Warning System - A laser detection and warning system and associated methods of warning a pilot of an aircraft of incoming laser radiation and determining a location of a source of laser radiation including a detector configured to be mounted to an aircraft, the detector having an optical subsystem, a detector subsystem, and a processor subsystem to determine characteristics of incoming laser radiation and transmit a laser warning output signal, wherein the laser warning output signal may include wavelength characteristics of the laser radiation, corresponding protective eyewear type, and location of the source of the laser radiation. | 07-10-2014 |
20140193618 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCURATE REGISTRATION OF COMPOSITE LAMINATES - Methods, systems and apparatuses for dimensionally registering composite laminates are disclosed, wherein readable elements acting as alignment and identification features are incorporated integrally in laminates. | 07-10-2014 |
20140194129 | Staggered Cells For Wireless Coverage - A relay and distribution apparatus is provided for a cellular communication system. The relay and distribution apparatus includes an antenna system configured to lay down beams in overlapping first and M second N-cell frequency reuse patterns. The first frequency reuse pattern may be for communication of control channels of a cellular communication system, and the second frequency reuse patterns may be for communication of traffic channels exclusive of control channels of the cellular communication system. The second frequency reuse patterns may be staggered with one another. And cells of the second frequency reuse patterns may have a size only a fraction of which is for transmission of traffic channels any of which may be assignable through a control channel of the first reuse frequency pattern. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195148 | Augmented Mobile Platform Localization - A system includes a transformation module, alignment module and aligned localization module. The transformation module is configured to receive first and second pose estimates of a mobile platform movable within an environment. The first and second pose estimates are relative to different, respective first and second digital maps of the environment in different, respective first and second coordinate systems. The transformation module, then, may be configured to calculate a geometric transform between the first and second digital maps based on the first and second pose estimates. The alignment module may be configured to align the first and second digital maps based on the geometric transform, and thereby generate an aligned digital map. And the aligned localization module may be configured to localize the mobile platform relative to the aligned digital map, and thereby calculate an aligned pose estimate of the mobile platform. | 07-10-2014 |
20140196372 | APPARATUS FOR A NO TOUCH LAVATORY DOOR - A no touch lavatory has a first sensor outside the lavatory that is operable to cause a motor assembly to open the door of the lavatory in response to a person making a motion in close proximity to the first sensor, a second sensor inside the lavatory that causes the motor assembly to close the door and causes a lock to lock the door in response to the second sensor detecting the person entering the lavatory, and a third sensor inside the lavatory that causes the lock to unlock the door and causes the motor assembly to open the door in response to the third sensor detecting a motion made by the person inside the lavatory. | 07-17-2014 |
20140196790 | ANTIVORTEX DEVICE FOR MULTI-OUTLET LIQUID RESERVOIR - A liquid reservoir with a sump includes at least two outlet ports in fluid communication with a fluid conduit. An anti-vortex device includes a first plate extending across the at least two outlet ports and a second plate coupled to the first plate and extending substantially perpendicular to the first plate. The anti-vortex device is configured to disrupt formation of a vortex formed by liquid passing from the reservoir through said outlet ports. | 07-17-2014 |
20140197278 | AIRPLANE SIDEWALL ATTACHMENT DEVICE - A system for attaching an aircraft wall panel to an airframe member includes a top support bracket having a mating member, a lower support bracket having a mating pin, and an aircraft wall panel having a first stabilizing attachment and a first securing attachment. The first stabilizing and securing attachments are arranged on a rear surface of the aircraft wall panel. The first stabilizing attachment is configured to connect to the mating member of the top support bracket and retain the aircraft wall panel in proximity to the airframe member. The first securing attachment is configured to connect to the mating pin of the lower support bracket to (a) engage the lower support bracket and facilitate horizontal and vertical adjustments of the aircraft wall panel in relation to the airframe member, and (b) lock a position of the first securing attachment relative to the lower support bracket. | 07-17-2014 |
20140197723 | Rotating Luggage Bin - An apparatus comprising a structure having a cavity with an opening configured to receive a piece of baggage and a flange configured to retain the piece of baggage when the structure is in an open state, wherein the structure is configured to move between the open state and a closed state about an axis of rotation for the structure, and wherein the opening has a horizontal position when the structure is in the closed state and the opening has a vertical position when the structure is in the open state. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199542 | Graphene Coated Optical Elements - In one aspect, coated optical elements are described herein. In some implementations, a coated optical element comprises an optical element and a graphene coating layer disposed on a surface of the optical element. The graphene coating layer, in some implementations, has a thickness of about 100 nm or less. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199953 | ACTIVE WAVEFORM SHUTTERING FOR ROTORCRAFT - In one embodiment a communication system comprises a radiofrequency (RF) transmitter, an antenna communicatively coupled to the RF transmitter to direct an RF signal in a first direction, a laser ranger mounted to the antenna to direct a pulsed laser signal in the first direction and receive reflected laser signals from a rotorblade, and logic to determine a measure of interference resulting from a rotorblade, provide the measure of interference to a radiofrequency (RF) transmitter, and shutter an RF transmission signal from the RF transmitter in response to the measure of interference. Other embodiments may be described. | 07-17-2014 |
20140202539 | DUAL DOOR FAN AIR MODULATING VALVE - A fan air modulating valve (FAMV) employs a pair of doors rotatably attached at the fan bypass air exit of a precooler. An actuator engages the doors for simultaneous rotation through a range of motion from a first closed position to a second open position, wherein trailing edges of said doors sealingly engage an exit plenum extending from the precooler in the first closed position and fan bypass air flow is modulated by positioning the doors within the range of motion between the first and second positions. | 07-24-2014 |
20140202615 | Apparatus and Method for Associating the Edge of a Composite Object with Another Object - A method and apparatus for associating an edge of a first object with a second object. An insert comprising a structure holding a fastener element may be positioned within a hollow portion at the edge of the first object. The structure may be configured to span an entire thickness of the first object at the edge of the first object. The structure may be adhesively bonded to the first object. The second object may be attached to the edge of the first object using the fastener element. | 07-24-2014 |
20140202718 | Aircraft Fire Suppression - An aircraft comprises a fuselage having a compartment, and a fire suppression system for delivering fire suppressant to the compartment. The system includes at least one suppressant concentration sensor located in the compartment, a valve for regulating flow of the fire suppressant to the compartment, and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the valve to maintain fire suppressant concentration within the compartment at a target concentration. | 07-24-2014 |
20140203145 | Variation Compensating Assembly - An apparatus comprising an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a first channel with an inner wall with a first number of substantially planar surfaces. The inner sleeve has a second channel and an outer wall with a second number of substantially planar surfaces. The outer wall is configured to be received within the first channel. At least one of the second number of substantially planar surfaces on the outer wall of the inner sleeve is configured to slide against at least one of the first number of substantially planar surfaces. | 07-24-2014 |
20140205364 | Multi-Directional Elastomeric Dampened Ball Joint Assembly - A method and apparatus for reducing a force. An apparatus comprises a multi-directional joint assembly and a damper associated with the multi-directional joint assembly. The multi-directional joint assembly has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end move relative to each other. The damper is comprised of a number of elastomeric layers and a number of rigid layers interspersed with each other reducing at least one of a force and a moment. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208592 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Multi-Drilling and Multi-Rivet Machine - Method and apparatus for assembling, with fasteners, components of a structure having an outboard side, an inboard side, and a supporting frame. The components are placed together on the frame. An electromagnet having a core with multiple openings is positioned on the outboard side. A magnetically attractive member is placed against the inboard side opposite and aligned with the electromagnet. When activated, the electromagnet is attracted towards the magnetically attractive member and the two hold the components together. Multiple drill members pass through the openings in the core of the electromagnet and multiple openings are drilled simultaneously through the components. Subsequently, multiple rivets or huck bolts are simultaneously inserted into the drilled openings. Finally, fasteners are hammered through the drilled openings and rivets are secured by bucking bars provided on the magnetically attractive member. Alternatively, openings are provided in the magnetically attractive member for manually securing huck bolts to the components. | 07-31-2014 |
20140208761 | BI-DIRECTIONAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH AIRCRAFT AND RELATED METHODS - Bi-directional nacelle ventilation and cooling systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a passageway to fluidly couple an opening formed in a nacelle of an aircraft engine and an engine compartment of the nacelle. The opening provides an inlet into the engine compartment when passive airflow is available to vent or cool the engine compartment and the opening to provide an outlet from the engine compartment when forced air is needed to vent or cool the engine compartment. A fan is positioned in the passageway to provide the forced air when the passive air is unavailable. | 07-31-2014 |
20140208948 | Gas Separation Modules and Methods for Forming - A gas separation module includes at least one inlet port, a plurality of outlet ports, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. Individual fibers have a feed end and a product end with a retentate interior side and a permeate exterior side. The module includes a feed tubesheet within the shell segregating the at least one inlet port and the permeate side of the fibers. The feed tubesheet includes a matrix and at least one segment joint. The segment joint separates segments of the feed tubesheet from one another. A formation method includes positioning a hollow fiber membrane material in association with at least one tubesheet segment joint and applying a matrix. The method includes forming a feed tubesheet from cured matrix and the segment joint and forming a plurality of hollow fiber membranes from the fiber material. The segment joint separates segments of the feed tubesheet from one another. | 07-31-2014 |
20140209468 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TIN ANTIMONY PLATING - Systems and methods for tin antimony plating are provided. One plating method includes doping a tin (Sn) plating solution with antimony (Sb). One method also includes electroplating a component using the antimony-doped tin plating. The antimony-doped tin plating formed by one method includes between about 1% and about 3% antimony. | 07-31-2014 |
20140209744 | Box Structures for Carrying Loads and Methods of Making the Same - There is provided a box structure for carrying load having upper and lower composite integrated sandwich panels. The panels have facesheets sandwiching one or more core portions and adjacent dense packs oriented in an axial direction. The box structure further has a plurality of spars. Each spar has a web and web attachments and has a spar length in the axial direction. The plurality of spars are connected to the panels with the web attachments located at the dense packs. The facesheets are configured to carry primarily torsion and pressure loads in shear and no significant axial loads. The dense packs are configured to carry all significant box bending in axial tension and compression loads. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210165 | Surface Sealing System - A method and apparatus comprising a sealing member, an integral structure associated with the sealing member, and an engagement section extending from the sealing member. The sealing member is configured to be attached to a surface of an object. The sealing member is consolidated with the integral structure. The engagement section is deformable and configured to engage a receiving structure in the object. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210598 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RFID INSPECTION - A radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided. The RFID reader includes a transmitter/receiver module configured to transmit a radio signal at a plurality of different power levels, and a control module coupled to the transmitter/receiver module and configured to control the power level at which the radio signal is transmitted based on a number of RFID tags detected when transmitting the radio signal at an initial power level. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210824 | Panoptic Visualization Of A Three-Dimensional Representation Of A Complex System - A system is provided for panoptic visualization of a 3D representation of a complex system. The system includes a visualization engine configured to receive a digital 3D model of a complex system and produce a plurality of electronic document components including 2D images depicting elements of the complex system. The system also includes a data extractor configured to generate 2D derivatives of the 3D model, and communicate the 2D derivatives for inclusion in a panoptic visualization document collection. The data extractor may be configured to receive a document component including a 2D image depicting an element of the complex system, and extract from the 3D model, information identifying a spatial, design or functional relationship between the respective element and one or more other elements of the complex system. The data extractor may then be configured to provide the extracted information in metadata associated with the document component. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210986 | Tracking-Enabled Multi-Axis Tool for Limited Access Inspection - A multi-axis tool may include, in some embodiments, a gimbal adapted to be positioned adjacent an opening in a wall; an extended-reach device having first and second ends and an end effector adjacent the first end, the extended-reach device engaging the gimbal for relative rotational movement and relative slidable movement through the opening such that the end effector is positioned on a side of the wall opposite the second end; a sensor system configured to measure a linear position of the extended-reach device relative to the gimbal, and a position and spatial orientation of the end effector relative to the opening; and a computer control connected to receive signals from the sensor system to determine at least one of a position and an orientation of the end effector relative to the opening. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210997 | System and Method for Automated Crack Inspection and Repair - A system for automated inspection of a surface; the system may include a self-propelled, steerable carriage capable of traversing the surface, the carriage having a camera positioned to view an object on the surface, and at least of one of a sensor capable of detecting a defect in the surface, a tool for treating the defect, and a sensor for inspecting a repair of the defect; and a computer controller connected to receive image data from the camera, communicate with and selectively actuate the at least of one of a sensor capable of detecting a defect in the surface, a tool for treating the defect, and a sensor for inspecting a repair of the defect, and control the carriage to move on the surface along one or more of a pre-set path and a path to one or more pre-set locations. | 07-31-2014 |
20140212620 | Conductive Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composition - A conductive fiber reinforced polymer composition may include a composite structure having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a through axis, the composite structure including a polymer matrix, a conductive filler incorporated into the polymer matrix, and a reinforcing material incorporated into the polymer matrix. | 07-31-2014 |
20140212847 | Pilot Assessment System - A method and apparatus for assessing performance in operating an aircraft. Information for assessing a performance of a group of operations performed by a number of crew members of the aircraft is displayed on a display system during operation of the aircraft by the number of crew members for which the group of operations is assessed. User input assessing the performance of the group of operations by the number of crew members is received through an input system. The user input is stored. A report on the performance of the group of operations performed by the number of crew members using the user input is generated. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214184 | Position Control for a Positioning System Comprising Larger Scale and Smaller Scale Positioning Mechanisms - A method and apparatus for controlling a positioning mechanism comprising a smaller scale positioning mechanism for moving a tool within a smaller scale work space and a larger scale positioning mechanism for changing a position of the smaller scale work space within the larger scale work space. A commanded position for the tool is received by a processor unit. An error component is determined using a difference between the commanded position and a current position of the tool in the larger scale work space. A restoring component configured to move the tool toward a selected position in the smaller scale work space is determined. Control signals for controlling the smaller scale positioning mechanism and the larger scale positioning mechanism together to move the tool from the current position to the commanded position are generated using the error component and the restoring component. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214243 | FORMATION FLIGHT CONTROL - An apparatus for controlling the formation flight of a trailing aircraft relative to a vortex generated by a leading aircraft includes a position module, peak-seeking module, limiter module, and control module. The position module is configured to determine a position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft. The peak-seeking module is configured to determine a desired position of the trailing aircraft for providing desired vortex-induced aerodynamic benefits based on the position of the vortex relative to the trailing aircraft and a mapping function of an individual performance metric. The limiter module is configured to modify the desired position of the trailing aircraft to avoid unintended crossings of the trailing aircraft into the vortex. Finally, the control module is configured to control flight of the trailing aircraft based on one of the desired position of the trailing aircraft and modified desired position of the trailing aircraft. | 07-31-2014 |
20140215317 | Panoptic Visualization Of Elements Of A Complex System Using A Model Viewer - A system is provided that includes a model viewer configured to receive selection of a point on a visual presentation of a digital 3D model of a complex system, and translate the point to a location within a coordinate system of the complex system. A search engine configured to identify a document component that depicts an element of the complex system at or within a volume about the location. The document component is from a collection for which at least some components depict elements of the complex system and have associated metadata that includes information reflecting the 3D geometry of at least some depicted elements. A layout engine configured to generate a layout of panoptically-arranged document components including the identified document component and other document component(s) identified according to the associated metadata for the identified document component, which further includes information identifying a link between the respective document components. | 07-31-2014 |
20140215318 | Panoptic Visualization Of Elements Of A Complex System Using Localization Of A Point On A Physical Instance Of The Complex System - A system is provided that includes a localization module configured to receive and process range measurements and odometry data relative to a physical instance of a complex system to calculate an unknown location within a coordinate system of the complex system. A search engine configured to identify a document component that depicts an element of the complex system at or within a volume about the location. The document component is from a collection for which at least some components depict elements of the complex system and have associated metadata that includes information reflecting the 3D geometry of at least some depicted elements. A layout engine configured to generate a layout of panoptically-arranged document components including the identified document component and other document component(s) identified according to the associated metadata for the identified document component, which further includes information identifying a link between the respective document components. | 07-31-2014 |
20140215546 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIDEO DISTRIBUTION - Systems and methods for use in distributing video are provided. A first video distribution node includes a video processor configured to receive a video stream from a second video distribution node, and send the video stream to a third video distribution node, such that the video stream is sent substantially near real-time. | 07-31-2014 |
20140216070 | BLANKET FOR CRYOGENICALLY COOLING AT LEAST A PORTION OF A WORKPIECE - A blanket for cryogenically cooling at least a portion of a workpiece is provided. The blanket includes a body having an interior surface configured to face the workpiece. The blanket also includes a plurality of nozzles located on the interior surface of the body. The blanket further includes one or more tubes configured to deliver cryogenic liquid to the plurality of nozzles for spraying upon at least a portion of the workpiece. A method and system for cryogenically cooling at least a portion of a workpiece utilizing a blanket are also provided. | 08-07-2014 |
20140216290 | Projectile-Deployed Countermeasure System - Systems and methods described herein provide for the protection of personnel within vehicles and structures from rocket-propelled grenades and other incoming threats. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a countermeasure system includes an interceptor vehicle configured to stow and launch an expandable countermeasure. The countermeasure may have a flexible body with attached deployment mechanisms that expand the flexible body into the path of an incoming threat to capture the threat. | 08-07-2014 |
20140216634 | Method and Apparatus for Reworking Structures - An area of a structure is reworked from one side of the structure using resin infusion of a dry fiber patch. Entrapped air and excess resin is removed from the patch during the infusion process by inserting a vacuum device into the patch, and forcing the area resin through the vacuum device. | 08-07-2014 |
20140216638 | Method and System of Making Composite Structures Having Gap Fillers with Chopped Fiber Material - There is provided in an embodiment a method of making a composite structure. The method includes the step of applying chopped fiber material in varying thicknesses onto a first ply surface of a first composite charge to form a layered composite charge. The method further includes the step of folding the layered composite charge. The method further includes the step of assembling a second composite charge and the folded layered composite charge to form a composite structure. The chopped fiber material forms a gap filler in the composite structure. The gap filler conforms to a shape of the composite structure surrounding the gap filler. The method further includes processing the composite structure. | 08-07-2014 |
20140216642 | Laminate Compaction Using Magnetic Force - A device uses magnetic force generated by a magnet to intensify compaction pressure applied to a composite laminate. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218215 | Flight Deck Lighting for Information Display - A method and apparatus for lighting a flight deck on an aircraft. A status of the aircraft is identified by a processor unit. The processor unit controls the lighting on the flight deck in response to the status of the aircraft to indicate the status of the aircraft. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218257 | RADIO FREQUENCY GROUNDING SHEET FOR A PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA - A method includes coupling a printed circuit board (PCB) and a first conductive sheet to a pressure plate to form an antenna sub-assembly. The first conductive sheet defines a first plurality of openings and includes a first plurality of bumps. At least one opening of the first plurality of openings is surrounded by a set of bumps of the first plurality of bumps. The method includes coupling the antenna sub-assembly to a cover to form an antenna assembly. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219744 | CONDUCTIVE SLEEVED FASTENER ASSEMBLY - The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219745 | SLEEVED FASTENER ASSEMBLY - The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219854 | Method of Consolidating/Molding Near Net-Shaped Components Made from Powders - A method for consolidating a pre-form made of powder, comprising: (a) placing the pre-form between smart susceptors; (b) heating the smart susceptors to a leveling temperature by applying a varying low-strength magnetic field having a magnetic flux that passes through surfaces of the smart susceptors; (c) applying consolidation pressure to the pre-form at least during a time period subsequent to the temperature of the smart susceptors reaching the leveling temperature; and (d) while consolidation pressure is being applied, applying a pulsed high-strength magnetic field having a magnetic flux that passes through a surface of the pre-form. The strength and pulse rate of the high-strength magnetic field are selected so that the crystallographic phase of the pre-form will rapidly oscillate at a substantially constant temperature. The pulsed high-strength magnetic field is applied sufficiently long that superplasticity of the pre-form is attained during phase oscillation. | 08-07-2014 |
20140222337 | Route Modeler for Improving Desired Environmental and Economic Flight Characteristics - A method and apparatus for processing routes is disclosed. An area of interest associated with a number of routes for a number of aircraft and an identification of a number of weightings for a number of characteristics for the number of routes are identified. The number of characteristics includes at least one of a number of environmental characteristics or a number of economic characteristics. A number of new routes are generated based on information about the number of routes associated with the area of interest. Values are identified for characteristics in the number of characteristics for each new route in the number of new routes and for each route in the number of routes based on the information. A performance value is identified for the each new route and for the each route based on the values and the number of weightings for the number of characteristics. | 08-07-2014 |
20140222487 | Total-Ordering In Process Planning - A method is provided that includes receiving process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product. The process may include segments each of at least some of which include segment components. The method also includes determining an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered, which may include determining an instance in which the segments are total-ordered. For the total-ordered segments, the segment components may be partitioned by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions. Order flexibility may be identified for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component may be determined. In this instance, the segment components may be total-ordered. | 08-07-2014 |
20140222492 | Alpha-Chain Constraints For Process Planning - A method is provided that includes receiving process-related information describing a process for production of a product, including a logical sequence of tasks to produce respective internal products of the process. The method also includes constructing a schedule for the process based on the process-related information, with the process schedule being for execution of at least some of the tasks each of which utilizes or requires inputs including temporally a last input. Construction of the process schedule includes separating each of at least some of the respective tasks into a closure portion that requires availability of the last input of its task before being initiated, and a distinct precursor portion capable of being initiated before the respective last input is available. The closure portions of the respective tasks may be temporally sequenced without intervening precursor portions, and the precursor portions may be prepended to respective, temporally-sequenced closure portions. | 08-07-2014 |
20140230228 | SELF-ALIGNING SLEEVED PROTRUDING HEAD FASTENERS WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECT PROTECTION FEATURES - A fastener system for composite structure provides electromagnetic energy protection by incorporating a self-aligning head (SAH) fastener having a head with a spherical engaging surface and a shank extending from the head for insertion through a hole in a composite structure and a self-aligning self sealing (SASS) washer having a throat receiving the shank and a spherical mating surface interfacing with the spherical engaging surface of the head. | 08-21-2014 |
20140230430 | Air Charge System and Method for an Internal Combustion Engine - An air charge system for an internal combustion engine may include a charge path having a charge inlet configured to receive air, and a charge outlet configured to convey air to an intake of the internal combustion engine; a first compressor in the charge path, the first compressor being driven by a motor and configured to receive the air from the charge inlet and increase temperature, pressure and volumetric flow rate of the air in the charge path; a first valve in the charge path downstream of the first compressor configured to divert at least a portion of the air leaving the first compressor from exiting the charge path through the charge outlet; and a controller configured to modulate at least one of the first valve and a speed of the motor to adjust a volumetric flow rate of air leaving the charge outlet. | 08-21-2014 |
20140230649 | Counter-Flow Gas Separation Modules and Methods - A gas separation method includes flowing a gas feed along a feed flow path within a housing directionally from a product end to a feed end of a gas separation membrane. After the feed flow path, the gas feed flows along a membrane flow path defined by the membrane from the feed end to the product end. The feed flow path is counter to the membrane flow path. Heat may be exchanged between the feed flow path and the membrane flow path and increase separation efficiency. Also, heat exchanged may compensate for some temperature drop in the membrane due to enthalpy of gas separation. A gas separation module includes a feed flow path within a housing extending directionally from a product end to a feed end of a membrane. The feed flow path is counter to a membrane flow path defined by the membrane. | 08-21-2014 |
20140231022 | Elastomeric Bladder System - A method for and apparatus for forming a bladder system. A bladder with an open end is formed. The open end of the bladder is placed into an interior of a fitting. The open end of the bladder is connected to the interior of the fitting. | 08-21-2014 |
20140231402 | Induction Heating Augmentation for Thermal Curing - The thermal cycle time for curing a thermoset composite part in an autoclave is reduced by placing a heating blanket in proximity to an area of the composite part that is slow-to-heat, and inductively heating the area of the composite part that is slow-to-heat using the heating blanket. | 08-21-2014 |
20140231586 | HIGH-WING-AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE SUPPORT STRUCTURE - A structural support assembly for a high-wing aircraft may include a plurality of columns extending through a passenger compartment of the aircraft having a pair of wings mounted proximate a top of a fuselage. A column upper end of at least one of the columns may be coupled to a center wing box structure adjacent to a rear spar thereof. A column lower end of at least one of the columns may be coupled to a floor substructure. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232042 | Method and Apparatus for Fabricating Composite Fasteners - Composite fasteners have a high fraction of discontinuous, randomly oriented reinforcing fibers. A charge of thermoplastic fiber flakes are heated to melting temperature within a reservoir, flowed into multiple mold cavities and compression molded. The molded fasteners have high strength, exhibit quasi-isotropic properties and may be produced in high volume. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232103 | Bulkhead Fitting - A method and apparatus for electrically separating two fluid lines across a structural boundary. Fluid is transported between a first channel through a first fluid line and a second channel through a second fluid line across the structural boundary formed by a structure. The first channel and the second channel are connected by a channel formed by a fitting. The fitting is comprised of a first component, a second component, and an isolator. The first fluid line and the second fluid line are electrically separated using the isolator in the fitting. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232568 | Aircraft Monitoring System - A method and apparatus for monitoring an aircraft. A pilot control input signal is received. A response of a control surface system controlled by a flight control model is identified using the pilot control input signal. An alert is generated when the control surface system reaches a threshold with respect to the control surface system becoming saturated. | 08-21-2014 |
20140233958 | Uni-fiber Lasercom Terminal Design - A method, system, and apparatus for a uni-fiber laser communications (lasercom) terminal are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes an oscillator to generate a first signal having a first wavelength, and a modulator to modulate the first signal. The apparatus further includes a circulator to circulate the first signal, and a bi-directional optical amplifier (optical amp) to amplify the first signal. Also, the apparatus includes an optical fiber, which is embedded in a ferrule, and an end of the ferrule is coated with a reflective coating. Additionally, the apparatus includes at least one lens, where the first signal is transmitted through and received through the optical fiber and at least one lens. Also, the apparatus includes an acquisition detector to detect the first signal. Further, the apparatus includes an actuator associated with the ferrule to nutate and translate the ferrule according to feedback from the acquisition detector regarding the first signal. | 08-21-2014 |
20140233959 | PASSENGER SERVICES SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT - A passenger services system of an aircraft includes a cabin services system of a passenger service unit in the aircraft. The passenger service unit is associated with a passenger seat of the aircraft. The passenger services system further includes an infrared transmitting unit associated with the passenger seat. The infrared transmitting unit is configured to send signals to control operation of the cabin services system. The passenger services system includes a control unit including an infrared receiver. The control unit is associated with the passenger service unit. The infrared receiver is configured to receive the signals from the infrared transmitting unit. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the cabin services system in response to receiving the signals. | 08-21-2014 |
20140234011 | Fluid Application Device - A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid onto a surface. An applicator associated with an extension member may be positioned over the surface using a robotic operator. The extension member may be configured to maintain a selected distance between the applicator and a fluid source for the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be dispensed from the fluid source to the applicator. The viscous fluid may be applied onto the surface using the applicator. | 08-21-2014 |
20140234052 | Hybrid Fastener and Method of Making the Same - A hybrid fastener comprises a composite body having a tip, and a metal sleeve surrounding and locked to the tip. | 08-21-2014 |
20140234566 | SPIRAL LAMINATED STRUCTURAL CONE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD - A cone-shaped composite article may include an inner sublaminate containing at least four unidirectional plies having an inner stacking sequence with fiber angles of 0, 90, −45, and +45 degrees such that the inner laminate has a quasi-isotropic layup pattern at any location on the inner laminate. The cone-shaped composite article may also include an outer sublaminate containing at least four unidirectional plies having an outer stacking sequence that is a mirror image of the inner stacking sequence. Each one of the unidirectional plies may be continuous along a ply arclength wrapping 360 degrees around the cone-shaped composite article and may have opposing ply ends terminating at a ply seam. | 08-21-2014 |
20140234571 | Coupon Geometries That Induce Failure in Gauge Area of Composite Fatigue Test Coupons - A coupon geometry that reliably fails in the gauge area of the coupon during fatigue testing. The propensity to fail at the gauge area is imparted by using a bow-tie-shaped coupon coupled with similarly shaped tabs. The test coupons have a bow-tie-shaped profile with tapered sides that converge as they extend from the opposing ends of the coupon to the gauge area, forming a pair of trapezoidal portions (one the mirror image of the other) connected by the gauge area. These trapezoidal portions of the test coupon include the regions where similarly trapezoidal tabs will be adhered to the front and back of the coupon. The test coupon has a minimum width in the gauge area and a constant thickness, and a height of the gauge area is no greater than 3% of a height of the test coupon. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235122 | Methods of Refurbishing an Adhered Component and Composites Comprising Adhered Components - A composite comprising adhered components and method of refurbishing such composites are described herein. The composite includes a first component, a second component, and the first component being adhered to the second component using an adhesive stack. The adhesive stack comprises a first adhesive-impregnated scrim layer disposed between the first component and the second component and a bulk adhesive layer disposed between the first component and the second component. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236334 | MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Manufacturing systems and methods are disclosed. In one example, a computer based system comprises a non-transitory computer readable memory, a processor, and logic instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable memory. When executed by the processor, the logic instructions configure the processor to perform operations, comprising receiving a first digital map of a first component and a second digital map of a second component, defining a first surface on the first component and a second surface on the second component, wherein at least a portion of the first surface is to adjoin at least a portion of the second surface in a manufactured assembly, updating a first part definition for the first component to include the first surface and, optionally, updating a second part definition for the second component to include the second surface. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236394 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AIRCRAFT DATA COMMUNICATIONS OVER HETEROGENEOUS CONNECTIVITY - Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and an off-board network are provided. The method includes pre-loading data for the aircraft onto a secure power unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the secure power unit, validating the aircraft at the secure power unit based on air traffic management information, absolute (GMT) time, and aircraft location data, and transferring data between the aircraft and the secure power unit based on the validation. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236651 | Display of Process-Plan Execution - A method is provided that includes receiving a plan model for a process including a plurality of tasks, and generating a layout including a network diagram that expresses the plan model. The method also includes simulating execution of the plan model, and dynamically updating the network diagram to reflect an actual task duration tracked for each task during the simulation. The network diagram includes along a time-directed axis, a plurality of task nodes that express respective tasks, with each task node being expressed as a first multi-dimensional shape having an outline with a dimension along the axis sized according to a task duration for a respective task. In the updated network diagram, then, each task node further includes a fill in the same first multi-dimensional shape as the respective outline but with a dimension along the axis sized according to the actual task duration of the respective task. | 08-21-2014 |
20140237793 | Method and system for conforming assembly systems to contours of curved surfaces - Methods and systems for configuring a manual and/or automated processing system to conform to a contoured surface of a structure are disclosed. One example includes an automated processing system with a flexible rail configuration. One or more turnbuckles and/or other actuators configure and hold the flexible rail configuration into conformity with the surface (which could be flat or of a curvature) during processing by the automated processing system. Additionally, one or more combination suction-cup pressurized-air devices may be coupled to the flexible rail configuration for selectively attaching the flexible rail configuration to the contoured surface and also for selectively releasing and/or facilitating elevation and movement of the flexible rail configuration above and about the contoured surface. A multi-function end effector may be associated with the flexible rail configuration and be moveable relative thereto. | 08-28-2014 |
20140238234 | AIRCRAFT CABIN AIR ENTRAINMENT FILTRATION WITH CONDENSATION DRAIN - An aircraft has a ventilation system that employs a plurality of nozzles positioned in a cavity between a sidewall of the aircraft cabin and a section of the aircraft fuselage. The nozzles receive a supply of ventilation air and direct jets of air from the nozzles, through the cavity and into the aircraft cabin. The jets of air produced by the nozzles create low-pressure areas in the cavity. At least one return air opening in the cabin sidewall communicates the low-pressure areas with the cabin interior, whereby the low pressure areas draw air from the cabin interior into the cavity where the drawn air is entrained with the jets of air produced by the nozzles. Devices inside the cavity remove suspended impurities from the air drawn into the cavity. In this manner, the ventilation system filters or sanitizes the air drawn through the system. | 08-28-2014 |
20140238595 | Joining a Thermoplastic Material and a Metal - A method and apparatus comprising a sol-gel solution. Zirconium n-propoxide is aged in a solvent to form a first part for the sol-gel solution. The first part is combined with deionized water to form a second part for the sol-gel solution. Aminoaryltrialkoxysilane is combined with an alcohol to form a third part for the sol-gel solution. The third part is combined with the second part to form a mixture for the sol-gel solution. The deionized water, or the alcohol, or a combination thereof is combined with the mixture to form a solution. The solution is aged to form the sol-gel solution comprising a mole balance ratio of approximately 1:5 between the zirconium n-propoxide and the aminoaryltrialkoxysilane. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239121 | AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR COOLING SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, an apparatus for cooling at least one landing gear brake of an aircraft in flight is described. The apparatus includes an air handling assembly that is coupled to the aircraft. The air handling assembly includes at least one air inlet port. The apparatus also includes an air delivery assembly that is in air receiving communication with the air handling assembly. The air delivery assembly includes at least one nozzle that is configured to direct air into a first space adjacent a first side of the landing gear brake to create an air pressure differential across the landing gear brake. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239124 | SPACECRAFT WITH OPEN SIDES - A spacecraft may include a module structure having a plurality of module sides. The spacecraft may include a central cylinder extending through a center of the spacecraft. The central cylinder may be the only closed cross-section extending along a longitudinal axis of the spacecraft. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239125 | MODULAR CORE STRUCTURE FOR DUAL-MANIFEST SPACECRAFT LAUNCH - A spacecraft may include an upper core structure or a lower core structure. The upper core structure may include an upper cylinder for supporting an upper spacecraft of a dual-manifest launch configuration. The lower core structure may include a lower cylinder for supporting a lower spacecraft with the upper cylinder mounted on top of the lower cylinder. The upper cylinder may have an upper cylinder inner diameter that may be substantially similar to the lower cylinder inner diameter. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241308 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ALLOCATING RESOURCES IN A WIRELESS NETWORK - Methods and systems for allocating resources in a wireless network are described. In one implementation, a wireless network is utilized by at least a first radio and a second radio. The wireless network includes at least a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is partitioned into control slots and data slots and the second channel is partitioned into at least data slots. The method includes transmitting, using the first radio, in a first control slot of the first channel, a first control signal comprising information for data slot negotiation. The method additionally includes concurrently transmitting or receiving, using the first radio, at least one of a first data signal or a second control signal on the second channel. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241572 | Identification of Aircraft Surface Positions Using Camera Images - A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a surface on an aircraft. Image data for an image of the surface on the aircraft is received. The image data is processed to determine whether the position of the surface on the aircraft is a desired position. A surface position identification report comprising information identifying whether the position of the surface on the aircraft is the desired position is generated. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FORMING AN INJECTION-BONDED JOINT - A method of forming an injection-bonded joint may include forming a chamber wall within a bondline region between mating surfaces of a first part and a second part. The chamber wall may divide a bondline length and define at least one adhesive chamber. The method may include injecting a structural adhesive into the adhesive chamber through an injection port, and discharging excess adhesive from the adhesive chamber through a bleed hole. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241820 | AUTOMATED INSPECTION SYSTEM - A system for inspecting an aperture is disclosed. The aperture has an axis, a design geometric parameter, an actual geometric parameter, and a depth. The system includes a first measuring probe configured to produce a signal indicative of the actual geometric parameter of the aperture when inserted therein; a deployment mechanism supporting the first measuring probe and attachable to a robotic device, the deployment mechanism configured to selectively orient the first measuring probe along the axis of the aperture; and a controller, couplable to the robotic device, the first measuring probe, and the deployment mechanism. The controller is configured to cause insertion of the first measuring probe into the aperture substantially along the axis and to receive the signal from the probe. | 08-28-2014 |
20140245206 | Object Visualization System - A method and apparatus for visually querying an aircraft. A model is identified for the aircraft. Sections of the aircraft are displayed in a graphical user interface on a display device. The sections correspond to sections as manufactured for assembly of the aircraft. The sections are selectable. | 08-28-2014 |
20140247183 | SATELLITE-BASED INTEGER CYCLE AMBIGUITY RESOLUTION OF LOCAL MEDIUM WAVE RADIO SIGNALS - A system and methods for resolving integer cycle ambiguity in medium wave carrier radio signals are presented. A satellite signal is received at a receiving location and a measured code phase of the satellite signal is measured. A satellite location estimate of the receiving location is computed based on the measured code phase. Medium wave radio carrier signals from medium wave radio transmitters are received at the receiving location. A number of wavelengths of the medium wave radio carrier signals from the satellite location estimate to each of the medium wave radio transmitters is determined respectively. A carrier phase of each of the medium wave radio carrier signals is measured. An improved position estimate of the receiving location is computed based on the number of wavelengths and the carrier phase of each of the medium wave radio carrier signals, and a location of each of the medium wave radio transmitters. | 09-04-2014 |
20140249702 | Configuring Landing Supports for Landing on Uneven Terrain - A system for configuring landing supports of a load to land on uneven terrain includes a terrain sensor configured to detect a terrain characteristic of the uneven terrain. The system further includes landing supports configured to support the load upon landing. The system also includes a support control device operatively coupled to the landing supports, and a landing support control computer that is operatively coupled to the terrain sensor, landing supports, and support control device. The landing support control computer may determine if landing on the uneven terrain is allowable, based on the terrain characteristic and a load characteristic of the load. Upon determining that landing on the uneven terrain is allowable, the support control device configures the landing supports for landing on the uneven terrain. | 09-04-2014 |
20140250792 | SLIDING LAVATORY POCKET DOOR - A compact, sliding door apparatus includes three vertically curved panels positioned in a doorway. A first of the panels is solid and is operatively connected to a slot above the doorway enabling the first panel to move side to side in the doorway. The second of the panels is hollow and receives a portion of the first panel. The second panel is also operatively connected to the slot above the doorway for side to side movement of the panel across the doorway. A third of the panels has a hollow interior and is stationary adjacent the doorway. The third panel hollow interior receives a portion of the second panel. The doorway is opened by moving the first panel into the second panel interior to open a portion of the doorway, and then moving the second panel into the third panel interior to fully open the doorway. | 09-11-2014 |
20140251743 | AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT - Systems and methods to launch an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises an electrically powered buoyant aircraft, a control system to maneuver the aircraft and a tether adapted to couple to the aircraft and to a ground-based power supply to provide power to the aircraft while the aircraft is coupled to the tether, wherein the aircraft can disconnect autonomously from the tether in response to a command signal. Other embodiments may be described. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253335 | Seat Location System - A method and apparatus for indicating a seat location. An indicator is activated for a seat in a passenger cabin when a passenger leaves the seat. The indicator indicates a location of the seat when activated. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254693 | AIRCRAFT DATA TRANSMISSION MODULES - Provided are methods and systems for terrestrial data transmission between aircrafts and external networks, such as airline and/or airport computer systems. When an aircraft is parked at the gate, the aircraft is connected to and powered by an electrical cable, such as a stinger cable. This cable may be also be used for wired data transmission between the aircraft and the gate using broadband over power line (BPL) technology. The gate and the aircraft are each equipped with a BPL module. The aircraft may include other communication modules, such as a Wi-Fi module, a cellular module, and/or an Ethernet module. These other modules can be also used for data transmission in addition to or instead of communication through the BPL module. A communication link manager may be used to select one or more communication modules depending on availability of communication links, costs, speed, and other parameters. | 09-11-2014 |
20140255646 | Forming Composite Features Using Steered Discontinuous Fiber Pre-Preg - Interlaminar features of a composite structure are laid up by placing and steering individual chopped fiber pre-preg segments onto a substrate. | 09-11-2014 |
20140255718 | SUPERPLASTICALLY FORMED ULTRASONICALLY WELDED METALLIC STRUCTURE - Disclosed herein is a method of making a structure by ultrasonic welding and superplastic forming. The method comprises assembling a plurality of workpieces comprising a first workpiece including a first material having superplastic characteristics; ultrasonically welding the first workpiece to a second workpiece, to form an assembly; heating the assembly to a temperature at which the first material having superplastic characteristics is capable of superplastic deformation, and injecting a fluid between the first workpiece and the second workpiece to form a cavity between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257552 | Shop Order Status Visualization System - A method and apparatus for processing shop order instances for an aircraft. A model of the aircraft is identified. The shop order instances for the aircraft are identified. A status of the shop order instances is identified. Graphical representations of parts for a group of shop order instances in a graphical user interface are displayed on a display device. A set of graphical indicators in association with the graphical representations of the parts displayed in the graphical user interface is displayed. The set of graphical indicators indicates the status of the shop order instances. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257624 | ELECTRICAL POWER HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM - An electrical power generation and distribution health monitoring system includes a network of a plurality of nodes included in an electrical system of a vehicle. Each node of the plurality of nodes is synchronized with other nodes of the plurality of nodes. The network is configured to communicate electrical system health data associated with the electrical system to at least one vehicle health reporting system. | 09-11-2014 |
20140259596 | Condition of Assembly Visualization System Based On Build Cycles - A method and apparatus for identifying a condition of assembly of an aircraft. A current state of assembly of the aircraft is identified. Parts present in the aircraft for the current state of assembly of the aircraft are identified. The parts present in the aircraft for the current state of assembly of the aircraft are displayed in a graphical user interface on a display device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260688 | SENSOR ASSEMBLY USING MICROPILLARS AND METHOD OF USE - A sensor assembly includes a light source, a modulation layer, and at least one detector. The modulation layer includes a plurality of micropillars each having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed ends are each adjacent to the light source. The at least one detector is adjacent to the free ends of the plurality of micropillars. The detector is configured to detect light emitted from the light source. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261611 | SOLAR CELL STRUCTURES FOR IMPROVED CURRENT GENERATION AND COLLECTION - In one aspect, optoelectronic devices are described herein. In some implementations, an optoelectronic device comprises a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell comprises a space-charge region, a quasi-neutral region, and a low bandgap absorber region (LBAR) layer or an improved transport (IT) layer at least partially positioned in the quasi-neutral region of the cell. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261956 | Tool for Removing Sealant Around a Seal Cap - A method and apparatus for sealing a fastener element. A structure may be positioned over a seal cap that has been adhered and sealed to the fastener element. A number of projections associated with the structure may be moved along an interface formed between the seal cap and an object in which the fastener element has been installed such that the number of projections removes at least a portion of excess material around the seal cap while moving along the interface between the seal cap and the object. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262561 | LOCOMOTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A ROBOTIC DEVICE - A locomotion system for use with a robotic device is provided. The locomotion system includes a first micropillar array including at least a first micropillar, a second micropillar array including at least a second micropillar, a control circuit associated with each micropillar of the first and second micropillar arrays, and a controller operatively coupled to each control circuit. The controller is configured to selectively activate the first and second micropillars in a sequence that causes the robotic device to move in a predetermined direction. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263102 | FILTRATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FILTERING PARTICLES OF A PREDETERMINED SUBSTANCE - A filtration system is provided. The filtration system includes a filter media including a plurality of apertures defined therein, and an array of micropillars. Each micropillar is substantially aligned with one of the plurality of apertures and is configured to be repelled by particles of a predetermined substance entrained in a flow channeled through the filtration system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263934 | Method and Apparatus for Positioning Automated Processing Systems - Apparatuses and methods for positioning an automated processing system, coupled with a track, are disclosed. The apparatus includes an automated chassis having drive, steering, elevation, and track-gripping components actuated by an onboard controller to permit the chassis to carry a processing system together with its track from one location to another about a work surface. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264221 | HANDRAIL APPARATUS FOR USE WITH VEHICLES - A handrail apparatus and method for use with vehicles are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a first coupling plate to be coupled to a monument of a vehicle, a second coupling plate to be coupled to the monument of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a handrail coupled to the first coupling plate and a support coupled to the second coupling plate and the handrail. The handrail is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140264319 | LOW TEMPERATURE, THIN FILM CRYSTALLIZATION METHOD AND PRODUCTS PREPARED THEREFROM - An organic material with a porous interpenetrating network and an amount of inorganic material at least partially distributed within the porosity of the organic material is disclosed. A method of producing the organic-inorganic thin films and devices therefrom comprises seeding with nanoparticles and depositing an amorphous material on the nanoparticles. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266870 | COMPENSATING FOR A NON-IDEAL SURFACE OF A REFLECTOR IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method is provided that includes measuring amplitudes and phases of signals reflected off a reflector of a satellite, with the amplitudes and phases forming a first set of measurements. The method includes calculating an element correlation matrix as a function of the first set of measurements. The element correlation matrix represents a radiated feed element pattern off the reflector. And the method includes adjusting a formed beam pattern of a beamformer based on the element correlation matrix to thereby compensate for a non-ideal surface of the reflector. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266979 | CONTROL PANEL FOR USE IN CONTROLLING A LARGE AREA DISPLAY - In one aspect, an aircraft instrumentation system for a cockpit instrument panel of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a first display operable to display at least one of flight mission data or aircraft systems monitoring data, and a second display operable to control a plurality of display options of the first display. The first display and the second display are positioned outside an ejection envelope of the aircraft. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267977 | DISPLAY DEVICE USING MICROPILLARS AND METHOD THEREFOR - In one aspect, a display device includes a light source for supplying light energy and a light modulation layer including a plurality of micropillars that each have a fixed end and a free end. An activation layer is configured to activate the micropillars to modulate light energy from the light source passing through the micropillars. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268467 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE TRANSIENT EVENT PROTECTION FOR CIRCUITS - Methods and apparatus to provide transient event protection for circuits are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first clamp circuit. The first power circuit provides a first reference voltage. The first clamp circuit directs energy from a signal node to the first power circuit in response to a transient resulting in a voltage at the signal node being lower than a second reference voltage. The apparatus also includes a second clamp circuit. The second clamp circuit includes a transistor. A collector terminal of the transistor is prevented from having a lower voltage than the second reference voltage. A second power circuit provides the second reference voltage, which is lower than the first reference voltage. The second clamp circuit directs energy from the signal node to the second power circuit in response to a transient resulting in the voltage at the signal node being higher than the first reference voltage. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269310 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE USING MULTIPLE MODEMS - A mobile communications device allows communication in an ad hoc wireless network. The mobile communications device transmits, on a first radio frequency (RF) channel of the wireless network, a first signal by at least a first radio of the wireless device, the first signal encoded using at least a first modem of the wireless device. The mobile communications device concurrently transmits or receives, on an RF second channel of the wireless network, a second signal by at least a second radio of the wireless device, the second signal encoded or decoded using at least a second modem of the wireless device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269824 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR COMPONENTS OF AN AIRCRAFT LANDING SYSTEM - Methods and Apparatus to monitor components of an aircraft landing system are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a first temperature of a wheel of an aircraft via a first temperature sensor, and determining a second temperature of a brake assembly operatively coupled to the wheel via a second temperature sensor. The example method further includes estimating a peak temperature of a fuse plug disposed on the wheel based on the first temperature and the second temperature. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270359 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC GEOMETRIC AND GEOGRAPHIC FEATURE EXTRACTION - Methods and systems for facilitating detecting features in sensor data are described. One example method implemented by a computing device includes receiving a first set of sensor data about a geographical region, and generating a second set of sensor data. The first set of sensor data includes data in a plurality of bands. The second set of sensor data is generated by receiving a first input designating a first sub-region of the geographical region, and determining a single band representation of at least a portion of the first set of sensor data associated with the first sub-region. | 09-18-2014 |
20140271179 | Blade Safety Mechanism for Open Rotor Engine System - A method and apparatus for safely handling an undesired blade event in an open rotor engine system. In one illustrative embodiment, an occurrence of an undesired blade event in an open rotor engine system is detected. Electrical energy is allowed to flow into a conductor embedded in the blade in response to the undesired blade event. The conductor is vaporized when the electrical energy flowing through the conductor heats the conductor to a temperature above a selected threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140271347 | HIGH TEMPERATURE DECONTAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT COMPARTMENTS - Provided are methods for decontamination of compartments, such as aircraft compartments and other types of compartments, and systems for implementing these methods. In some embodiments, a method involves detecting presence of one or more contaminants in a compartment. This information is used to select various decontamination conditions. In some embodiments, additional information, such as the type of the compartment (e.g., an aircraft compartment), temperature, and humidity, may be also considered while selecting the decontamination conditions. The decontamination conditions include identification of one or more decontaminating agents to be dispensed in the compartment, temperature profile of the air to be flown into the compartment, and timing of the decontaminant dispensing and air flowing operations. These conditions are selected to increase efficacy of the selected decontaminating agents with respect to the one or more detected contaminants and reduce impact on the aircraft compartment. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272252 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INSULATION - Systems and methods provide a multi-layer insulation (MLI) that includes a plurality of sealed metalized volumes in a stacked arrangement, wherein the plurality of sealed metalized volumes encapsulate a gas therein, with the gas having one of a thermal insulating property, an acoustic insulating property, or a combination insulating property thereof. The MLI also includes at least one spacer between adjacent sealed metalized volumes of the plurality of sealed metalized volumes and a protective cover surrounding the plurality of sealed metalized volumes. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273787 | Air Duct Assembly and Method of Installing the Same - There is provided an air duct assembly. The air duct assembly has a deformable duct preform having securing portions formed along opposing longitudinal edges. Each securing portion has a flange portion and a radius portion. The air duct assembly further has a panel structure having a pair of longitudinal base members mounted thereon in an opposed, spaced, predetermined relationship. Each longitudinal base member has a retaining element along a longitudinal edge of the longitudinal base member. Each retaining element is pre-configured to engage the flange portion and the radius portion of each securing portion to attach the deformable duct preform to the longitudinal base members and to form an air-leak resistant seal. The deformable duct preform is adaptable in a cross-sectional profile in relation to variations in attachment of the deformable duct preform to the longitudinal base members. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274180 | Aircraft Communications Switching System - A method and apparatus for managing communications. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a communications interface, an avionics interface, and a communications manager. The communications interface is configured to be connected to a group of wireless communications units. The avionics interface is configured to be connected to an avionics system. The communications manager is configured to identify the group of wireless communications units connected to the communications interface, receive input for a communications operation from a user interface in the avionics system, identify a number of wireless communications units in the group of wireless communications units for the communications operation from the input, and control operation of the number of wireless communications units to perform the communications operation. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278221 | Self-Contained Holonomic Tracking Method and Apparatus for Non-Destructive Inspection - A self-contained, holonomic motion tracking solution for supplementing the acquisition of inspection information on the surface of a structure, thereby enabling the real-time production of two-dimensional images from hand-held and automated scanning by holonomic-motion of non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor units (e.g., NDI probes). The systems and methods disclosed enable precise tracking of the position and orientation of a holonomic-motion NDI sensor unit (hand-held or automated) and conversion of the acquired tracking data into encoder pulse signals for processing by a NDI scanning system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281120 | ACCESSING DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEMORY BY RESPECTIVE COMMANDS WITH DIFFERENT TIMING REQUIREMENTS - A system is provided that includes a remote device and bus controller coupled to the remote device via a digital network bus. The remote device includes one or more data channels for respective one or more peripherals, and includes volatile channel-based memory for each data channel and non-volatile device-based memory for the remote device. The bus controller is and configured to send a command across the network bus to the remote device, and in response thereto, the remote device is configured to acquire data from a designated data channel or command the designated data channel to perform a conversion. The command is from a communication protocol with which the remote device is compatible, and includes a set of channel commands for accessing the channel-based memory, and a different, distinct set of device-memory commands for accessing the device-based memory. The channel commands and device-memory commands have different timing requirements. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281130 | ACCESSING NON-VOLATILE MEMORY THROUGH A VOLATILE SHADOW MEMORY - An apparatus is provided that includes a non-volatile (device storage) memory configured to store data in a plurality of locations. The apparatus also includes a device interface coupled to the non-volatile memory and including a volatile (device storage) shadow memory configured to store an image of the plurality of locations of the non-volatile memory in a corresponding plurality of locations of the volatile shadow memory. The device interface is configured to receive a command across a network bus from a bus controller, and in response thereto, the device interface is configured to write data from the network bus to a location in the non-volatile memory. This write includes the device interface being configured to write the data to the corresponding location in the volatile shadow memory, and thereafter write the data from the corresponding location in the volatile shadow memory to the location in the non-volatile memory. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282183 | Condition of Assembly Visualization System - A method and apparatus for identifying a condition of assembly. A model for an aircraft is identified. A state from states of assembly for the aircraft is identified. Parts present in the aircraft for the state selected for the aircraft are identified. Sections of the aircraft with the parts present in the aircraft are displayed for the state selected in a graphical user interface on a display device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140283363 | Anti-Rotation Rivetless Nut Plate - A method and apparatus for fastening structures. A first end of a body is placed into a hole on a first side of the structures. The body has an outer surface with a noncircular cross-section. A nut element is positioned on a flange at a second end of the body. A bolt is moved into a channel at the first end of the body towards the nut element on the flange on the second end of the body on the first side the structures. The bolt and the nut element are fastened to each other. | 09-25-2014 |
20140284426 | Joint Assembly to Form a Sealed Flow Conduit - An apparatus comprising an elongated structure, a first plate, and a second plate. The elongated structure has a channel. The elongated structure is configured to be associated with a primary structure on a first side of the primary structure. The first plate is configured to be connected to the primary structure at a joint and cover a portion of the elongated structure. The first plate is connected to the primary structure on the first side of the primary structure. The second plate is configured to be connected to the primary structure on a second side of the primary structure. | 09-25-2014 |
20140284427 | HANDLE FOR DUAL MODE AIRBORNE VEHICLE LANDING - An apparatus for reorientation of an airborne vehicle during decent employs a handle rotatably attached to the airborne vehicle and connected to a parachute. Once the parachute is deployed, rotation of the handle reorients a deck angle of the airborne vehicle with respect to the parachute. | 09-25-2014 |
20140284836 | Method and Apparatus for Reducing Ply Wrinkling of Composite Laminates During Forming - Ply wrinkling during hot drape forming of a composite laminate is reduced at corner radii. A tensioning material placed over an uncured composite laminate charge maintains a compressive force on the laminate charge as the charge is formed over a tool. | 09-25-2014 |
20140293023 | LASER VIDEOGRAMMETRY - Systems and methods for measuring a surface of an object. The system, in one embodiment, includes a laser projector device mounted at a fixed location relative to an object being formed by a fabrication process, and a videogrammetry device mounted at another fixed location relative to the object. The laser projector device includes a laser element mounted on a two-axis gimbal assembly, and the gimbal assembly directs laser beams from the laser element onto target points on a surface of the object. The laser projector device measures angles of the laser beams to the target points, while the videogrammetry device simultaneously performs measurements of the target points by capturing video images of the laser beams reflecting off of the target points. A controller processes the measurements from the laser projector device and the videogrammetry device to calculate x, y, z coordinates of the target points in a 3D coordinate system. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293497 | Method and Apparatus for Providing a Current Return Network in an Aircraft Structure - According to an embodiment a current return network assembly, for an aircraft having a predetermined potential lightning strike zone, is mounted within the predetermined potential lightning strike zone. The current return network assembly includes an electrically conductive honeycomb central core that conducts electrical current both through the assembly and through the predetermined potential lightning strike zone. The electrical current is caused by a lightning strike on the aircraft at the predetermined potential lightning strike zone. According to an embodiment, an aircraft has a predetermined potential lightning strike zone. A current return network assembly is within the zone. An electrically conductive honeycomb central core is provided for conducting electrical current through the assembly and through the zone wherein the electrical current has been caused by a lightning strike on the aircraft at the zone. | 10-02-2014 |
20140297102 | MONITORING OF HIGH-LIFT SYSTEMS FOR AIRCRAFT - Monitoring of high-lift systems for aircraft. In one configuration, a method for monitoring a high-lift system includes monitoring a first current draw of a first drive station of the high-lift system, and monitoring a second current draw of a second drive station of the high-lift system. The method further includes comparing the first current draw and the second current draw to determine if a differential between the first current draw and the second current draw exceeds a threshold, and generating a failure signal if the differential between the first current draw and the second current draw exceeds the threshold. | 10-02-2014 |
20140299262 | SYSTEMS, TOOLS, AND METHODS FOR FORMING COMPOSITE TUBULAR STRINGERS AND STIFFENED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES HAVING COMPOSITE TUBULAR STRINGERS - Systems, tools, and methods for forming composite tubular stringers and stiffened composite structures having composite tubular stringers are disclosed. Systems include a tool, a supply of pliable blanks for forming composite tubular stringers with the tool, a supply of skin segments for forming a skin, and a layup mandrel for receiving the composite tubular stringers and the skin to form a stiffened composite structure. Tools include a wrapping mandrel for forming from a pliable blank a tubular structure with a first circumferential profile, and a transition mandrel for conforming the tubular structure to a second circumferential profile. Methods include wrapping a pliable blank around a wrapping mandrel to define a tubular structure having a first circumferential profile, and transitioning the tubular structure from having the first circumferential profile to having a second circumferential profile. | 10-09-2014 |
20140299268 | Thermally Curable Bonding Film Adhesive with Uniform Thickness - An adhesive bonding film comprises at least one layer of thermally curable resin. The thermally curable resin includes embedded metal particles adapted to be excited to produce heat for curing the resin. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301835 | AIRCRAFT NACELLE ASSEMBLIES - Aircraft nacelles include a frame, a cowl operatively and rotatably coupled to the frame, and a biasing member operatively coupled between the frame and the cowl. The biasing member is configured to assist in the manual opening of the cowl and the manually closing of the cowl. | 10-09-2014 |
20140302446 | Cure Control for Curable Materials - A method and apparatus comprising a cure of a curable material. A cure of a curable material is initiated by using cure parameters. The cure parameters are based on material data related to curing the curable material. Temperature values are obtained based on temperatures measured periodically during the cure by a plurality of sensors. A cure setting is adjusted during the cure based on at least one cure parameter of the cure parameters and at least one temperature value of the temperature values to substantially maintain a desired effect. The cure parameters comprise a hot threshold, a cold threshold, a hot alarm, and cold alarm. | 10-09-2014 |
20140302733 | Chemically Curable Bonding Film Adhesive with Uniform Thickness - Composite parts may be bonded together at room temperature using an adhesive resin film that is chemically activated to cure when placed in contact with a scrim containing a catalyst. | 10-09-2014 |
20140303937 | Creating Ergonomic Manikin Postures and Controlling Computer-Aided Design Environments Using Natural User Interfaces - A computer receives a set of spatial coordinates from a motion-sensing input device, the spatial coordinates describing a position of at least one joint of a limb of a human model. The computer sends the set of spatial coordinates to a computer-aided design application, the computer-aided design application representing movements of the ergonomic manikin based on changes in limb angles described by a plurality of instances of angle data. The computer receives angle specifications from a computer-aided design application, the angle specifications corresponding to an angle of the limb in at least one three-dimensional plane. The computer converts the set of spatial coordinates to angle data in accordance with the received angle specifications, the angle data describing positioning of the limb. | 10-09-2014 |
20140305220 | Ultrasonic Inspection Using Incidence Angles - A method and apparatus is presented. A signal may be sent into a structure at an incidence angle from a transducer array. A response signal reflected from the structure in response to the signal sent into the structure may be detected at the transducer array to form a received response. | 10-16-2014 |
20140305498 | OPTOELECTRIC DEVICES COMPRISING HYBRID METAMORPHIC BUFFER LAYERS - In one aspect, semiconductor structures are described herein. A semiconductor structure, in some implementations, comprises a first semiconductor layer having a first bandgap and a first lattice constant and a second semiconductor layer having a second bandgap and a second lattice constant. The second lattice constant is lower than the first lattice constant. Additionally, a transparent metamorphic buffer layer is disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer has a constant or substantially constant bandgap and a varying lattice constant. The varying lattice constant is matched to the first lattice constant adjacent the first semiconductor layer and matched to the second lattice constant adjacent the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer comprises a first portion comprising Al | 10-16-2014 |
20140306063 | AERIAL REFUELING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A refueling system may include a refueling hose and a refueling drone coupled to the hose aft end. The refueling drone may be rearwardly deployable from the tanker aircraft such that the refueling drone is towed by the refueling hose behind the tanker aircraft. The refueling drone may be engaged to a receiver aircraft for transferring fuel from the tanker aircraft to the receiver aircraft. | 10-16-2014 |
20140306628 | Electric Motor Frequency Modulation System - A method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor. A switching frequency meeting a desired operating condition is identified from information relating to operation of the electric motor. A switching of a current supplied to the electric motor with the switching frequency identified is controlled. | 10-16-2014 |
20140308519 | RECYCLING OF BROAD GOODS WITH THERMOPLASTIC STABILIZER MATERIALS - A method is disclosed for recycling broad goods material into a flaked feed material. The broad goods material includes reinforcement fibers and thermoplastic material. The recycling method includes applying heat and pressure to impregnate the reinforcement fibers at a filament level with the thermoplastic material to form an impregnated fiber material. The method also includes cooling the impregnated fiber material, and cutting the cooled impregnated fiber material into flakes to produce the flaked feed material. | 10-16-2014 |
20140309928 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A NAVIGATION CHART - In one aspect, a system for generating a navigation chart is provided. The system includes a display device and a computing device coupled to the display device. The computing device is configured to receive at least one of current geographic position data from a navigation instrument and a desired geographic position input by a user and to generate a navigation chart having a geographic area that corresponds to one of the current geographic location and the desired geographic position and that includes at least one navigation aid, the navigation chart includes at least one navigation aid symbol corresponding to a position of the navigation aid within the geographic area. The computing device is further configured to determine whether each navigation aid is visible at a predetermined position within the geographic area and to display the navigation chart on the display device. | 10-16-2014 |
20140309969 | Aircraft Comparison System - A method and apparatus for comparing aircraft parts. A first model is identified for a first aircraft for assembly. A second model is identified for a second aircraft that has been assembled. First parts for the aircraft in the first model are compared with second parts for the second aircraft in the second model. Graphical representations of the first parts and the second parts are displayed illustrating a difference between the first parts and the second parts from a comparison of the first parts and the second parts. | 10-16-2014 |
20140309970 | MANAGING A MODEL HAVING AN OBJECT CYCLE - A model-management system includes a cycles map generator, object registry generator and runtime code generator. The cycles map generator is configured to create a cycles map that, for a cycle in an information model having a plurality of objects, identifies a non-dominant association of a second or later object to a first object. The object registry generator is configured to create an object registry map. And the runtime code generator is configured to generate an instantiable information model and object registry based on the information model and maps. Generation of the instantiable information model includes generation of a plurality of instantiable objects including a second/later instantiable object that, for the non-dominant association, includes an object qualifier that identifies a referenced object for the first object to be instantiated through the object registry, instead of a contained first instantiable object to be instantiated from within the second/later instantiable object. | 10-16-2014 |
20140310312 | IDENTIFYING CONTEXTUAL RESULTS WITHIN ASSOCIATIVE MEMORIES - A system including an associative memory and an input device configured to receive a first query or comparison request. The associative memory is configured to: responsive to receiving the first query or comparison request, locate an entity value having an attribute value matching a term of the first query or comparison request; responsive to locating the entity value, return a first list of results including the entity value; add, as a required search term, at least one of first results from the first list to a second query or comparison request, the second query or comparison request further including all terms of the first query or comparison request; perform the second query or comparison request and, as a result, return a second list of resource references; use the second list to retrieve source data; combine the entity value with the source data to form a combination; and return the combination. | 10-16-2014 |
20140310629 | Nonconformance Visualization System - A method and apparatus for analyzing nonconformances. A volume in an aircraft is identified. The nonconformances within the volume of the aircraft are identified. Graphical indicators are displayed indicating the nonconformances within the volume in a graphical user interface on a display device. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312112 | BARCODE ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC RESOURCES FOR COMPLEX SYSTEM PARTS - A system is provided for access to system-related resources for complex-system parts. The system includes a barcode reader and front-end engine coupled thereto. The barcode reader is configured to scan a barcode located on a complex-system part. The barcode encodes links to respective system-related resources for the complex-system part, including software-based systems and/or electronic documents. The barcode reader, then, is configured to decode the links from the barcode. The front-end engine is in turn configured to generate a portal that identifies the complex-system part, and that includes the links decoded from the barcode. The front-end engine is also configured to cause display of the portal in a graphical user interface through which the links are navigable to access the respective system-related resources for the complex-system part. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312114 | BARCODE ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC RESOURCES FOR LIFECYCLE TRACKING OF COMPLEX SYSTEM PARTS - A method is provided that includes locating a barcode applied to a part of a complex system. The barcode may encode links to respective system-related resources for the part, which may include software-based systems and/or electronic documents. At one or more instances during a lifecycle of the part, then, the method may include scanning the barcode, and decoding the links from the barcode. The method may include displaying the links in a graphical user interface, and affecting navigation of at least one of the links through the graphical user interface to access a respective at least one of the system-related resources for the respective part. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312168 | Control Surface for Creating Variable Camber Along a Wing - An apparatus and method for controlling a shape of an outer surface of a control surface. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a control surface and a shaping system associated with the control surface. The control surface is associated with a portion of an aft edge of a wing. The control surface comprises a plurality of segments in which each of the plurality of segments comprises a number of sections. The shaping system is configured to move each segment in the plurality of segments independently of other segments in the plurality of segments to control a shape of an outer surface of the control surface. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312682 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE COMMUNICATION TO A DATA NETWORK - Methods, systems, and an integrated Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module cover assembly for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based network are provided. The assembly includes a power receptacle cover plate and a BPL module coupled to said power receptacle cover plate. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314160 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE BROADBAND CONNECTION TO A DATA NETWORK - Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based unit are provided. The method includes integrating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module and inductive coupler into the ground-based unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit, initiating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) link between the aircraft and the ground-based unit when power is supplied to the aircraft, and updating data stored in the aircraft with data received from the ground-based unit. | 10-23-2014 |
20140315004 | SYSTEMS, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS FOR CORROSION INHIBITION - Corrosion inhibition systems, including coated substrates, coating materials and corrosion inhibition compounds, and methods of making the same are disclosed. These systems and methods include corrosion inhibition compounds that are responsive to corrosion at a surface, releasing active inhibitor groups upon a corrosion stimulus. The active inhibitor groups are selected to block corrosion at the surface by inhibiting oxidation reactions, reduction reactions and/or by forming a passivation layer. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316613 | Aircraft Performance Monitoring System - A method and apparatus for monitoring an aircraft. A current performance of the aircraft is identified during operation of the aircraft using a model of the aircraft and flight state data. A current capability of the aircraft is identified from the current performance of the aircraft. An operation is performed based on the current capability of the aircraft. | 10-23-2014 |
20140322540 | SURFACE TREATMENT FOR STRUCTURAL BONDING TO ALUMINUM - Provided are methods for structurally bonding adhesives to aluminum components without using adhesive bond primers. Also provided are apparatuses that include these structural bonds. An aluminum component may be treated with a conversion coating creating a conversion layer on the surface of the aluminum component and then treated with a sol-gel material creating a sol-gel layer on the conversion layer. An adhesive layer is applied directly onto the sol-gel layer without any adhesive bond primers. After curing the adhesive layer, a structural bond is formed between the aluminum component and the adhesive layer. The sol-gel material may be specifically formulated for a specific adhesive type and may include functional groups providing covalent bonds to the adhesive layer. The sol-gel material may be cured within about 30 minutes at a room temperature in comparison to 90 minutes at 250 F needed to cure a typical adhesive bond primer. | 10-30-2014 |
20140324786 | Anomaly detection in chain-of-custody information - A method includes receiving first vehicle log data related to modification of a first software part at a first vehicle. The method also includes receiving first ground log data of a first ground system. The first ground log data indicates first chain-of-custody information regarding the first software part. The method further includes analyzing the first vehicle log data and the first ground log data based on baseline data to detect an anomaly. The method also includes sending a notification in response to detecting the anomaly. | 10-30-2014 |
20140325813 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING COMPONENTS - A system for distortional clamping of a flexible member may include a dimensional reader and a positioning fixture. The dimensional reader may have a plurality of reader pogos that may be axially movable into contacting relation with a detail to measure a detail contour. The positioning fixture may have a plurality of positioning pogos and at least one clamping finger configured to mechanically clamp a flexible member between the positioning pogos and the clamping finger. The positioning pogos may be axially movable to deflect the flexible member into a contour that may be complementary to the detail contour. | 11-06-2014 |
20140325824 | Latch with a Built-in Adjustment Mechanism - A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting a latch. An apparatus comprises a latch body, a first member, and a second member associated with the latch body. A receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body. The first member is configured to be at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body. The first member has a first coupling element. The second member has a second coupling element. Movement of the first member along an axis through the receiving area changes a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element. | 11-06-2014 |
20140325845 | SPHERICAL BEARING RETENTION CLIP - An apparatus for aligning an inner collar associated with a bearing incorporates a base member with a first member extending substantially perpendicular from the base member and a second member also extending substantially perpendicular from the base member, substantially parallel with said first member with a defined distance between the first and second member. The first member and the second member form opposing sides defined by a semi-circular contour formed therein such that the first member and the second member are operable to engage an inner collar of a bearing in a snap-fit engagement on opposite sides of the bearing such that the inner collar is maintained in a substantially orthogonal orientation with respect to walls of a structure in which the bearing has been mounted. | 11-06-2014 |
20140326717 | INCREMENTAL SHEET FORMING FOR FABRICATION OF COLD SPRAYED SMART SUSCEPTOR - An induction heating system for manufacturing a part including an induction coil and a smart susceptor positioned within an oscillating electromagnetic field from the induction coil. The smart susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material cold sprayed onto a tool. The tool may be a sheet metal component formed to a desired shape by incremental sheet forming. The smart susceptor may be heated up by eddy currents generated in the ferromagnetic material by the oscillating electromagnetic field. The smart susceptor may be designed to have a desired Curie temperature based on the composition of the ferromagnetic material. The smart susceptor is formed into a desired shape by cold spraying ferromagnetic material onto a tool already formed into the desired shape. The smart susceptor may be removed from the tool by thermally shocking the smart susceptor and the tool and may be used to heat a part to be formed. | 11-06-2014 |
20140326760 | Control Valve Having a Disposable Valve Body - A method and apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid through a valve. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises an elongate member, an actuation device, and a valve body. The actuation device is configured to move the elongate member, which may be associated with the actuation device, between an open position and a closed position. The valve body is configured for attachment to the actuation device such that the elongate member is positioned within the valve body. Fluid that flows into the valve body from a fluid source is allowed to flow out of the valve body when the elongate member is in the open position. | 11-06-2014 |
20140327278 | Configurable Tray Table - Apparatus and methods provide for a configurable tray table and method of configuring a tray table. According to aspects of the disclosure, a tray table includes a support assembly and a tray assembly. The support assembly is configured to connect to a structure. The tray assembly is coupled to the support assembly and is configurable between coplanar and multi-planar tray configurations. The tray assembly includes a number of tray table segments pivotally coupled to one another. | 11-06-2014 |
20140327564 | System and Method to Prevent Misuse of Aircraft Messages - An avionics system allows aircraft to introduce bogus “ADS-B Out” messages that are recognized as false only by authorized users. The system enables aircrafts flying at low altitudes to prevent misuse of their ADS-B Out information by maliciously operated cyber and physical attack tools. Aspects of the illustrative embodiment include the system architecture, including an Airborne ATC Processor and Ground ATM System Processor; a process employed by aircraft for generating authorized bogus ADS-B Out messages; a process employed by aircraft for transmitting authorized bogus ADS-B Out messages; and a process employed by air traffic control and other aircraft for decoding the authorized bogus ADS-B Out messages. | 11-06-2014 |
20140327581 | Device, System and Methods Using Angle of Arrival Measurements for ADS-B Authentication and Navigation - The present disclosure is directed to a receiver for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) verification of a target aircraft including a first input for receiving flight tracking information from a target aircraft that indicates positional information of the target aircraft. The receiver further includes a second input for receiving positional and heading information indicating the location and orientation of a multi-element array antenna configured to be attached to the receiver, and a processing module that generates a measured bearing derived from angle of arrival data, and an expected bearing of the target aircraft derived from the indicated positional information of the target aircraft and the positional and heading information defining the receiver location and orientation. A comparator compares the expected bearing to the measured bearing and verifies the ADS-B flight tracking information of the target aircraft and outputs an indication of authenticity based on the verification. | 11-06-2014 |
20140328694 | Protective Finish for Wing Tip Devices - The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for a protective finish for an airfoil. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves providing a sheath, and applying the sheath to the surface of the airfoil. In one or more embodiments, the sheath wraps around the surface of the airfoil from the leading edge of the airfoil towards the trailing edge of the airfoil. In at least one embodiment, the sheath covers approximately 50 percent to approximately 70 percent of the chord length of the airfoil. In some embodiments, the sheath is manufactured from at least one polymer, such as a polyurethane and/or a floropolymer. In one or more embodiments, the airfoil is a winglet, a raked wing tip, and/or a wing. | 11-06-2014 |
20140328695 | Hydraulic Pump - A pump including a cylinder body having first and second ends and a cylinder bore, a plug shaft including first and second ends and a plug shaft bore, wherein the first end of the plug shaft is fixed relative to the cylinder body, and wherein the second end of the plug shaft includes a stop, a first piston received within the cylinder bore to partially bound a first gas chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber, the first piston being received over the plug shaft and axially moveable relative to the plug shaft, a socket shaft including first and second ends and a socket shaft bore, the socket shaft bore being configured to sealingly receive the plug shaft, a second piston received within the cylinder bore to partially bound a second gas chamber and the hydraulic fluid chamber, the second piston being connected to the socket shaft. | 11-06-2014 |
20140329055 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR APPLYING AERODYNAMICALLY FUNCTIONAL COATINGS TO A SURFACE - A method for applying an aerodynamically functional coating to an exterior surface is provided. The method includes preparing an uncoated substrate surface to obtain a prepared substrate surface; applying a primer on the prepared substrate surface to obtain a primed substrate surface with a primer layer; applying and curing a basecoat field color to obtain a basecoat field color layer; masking for a basecoat design color on the basecoat field color layer; applying and curing the basecoat design color to obtain a first basecoat design color layer; masking for, applying, and curing any subsequent basecoat design color layers on the basecoat field color layer; applying and curing a clearcoat to obtain a first clearcoat layer; mechanically aero-contouring a plurality of coating edges to obtain an aero-contoured surface; and, applying additional clearcoat to obtain one or more additional clearcoat layers. | 11-06-2014 |
20140330454 | Taxiing Aircraft Vicinity Visualization System and Method - According to an embodiment, a method provides information regarding the vicinity of a vehicle. The method includes, in the vehicle, providing a sensor signal representative of an environmental condition in a vicinity of the vehicle, transmitting the sensor signal over a power line in the vehicle, receiving the sensor signal transmitted over the power line and transmitting a corresponding wireless sensor signal in the vehicle, receiving the wireless sensor signal and recovering the sensor signal, and presenting the recovered sensor signal in a human-perceivable form. | 11-06-2014 |
20140330525 | System and Method for Predicting Distortion of a Workpiece Resulting from a Peening Machine Process - A method for predicting distortion and residual stress in a workpiece resulting from a peening process may include the steps of providing a coupon including residual stress induced in a coupon surface by the peening process, calculating a moment coefficient representative of residual stress induced in the coupon surface, calibrating a stress function to the moment coefficient, applying the stress function to a workpiece model of the workpiece, and computing at least one of predicted distortion and residual stress of the workpiece resulting from application of the calibrated stress function to the workpiece model. | 11-06-2014 |
20140331473 | Apparatus and Method for Installation of a Frame Assembly to a Body - An apparatus and method for installation of a frame assembly to a body may include a tooling assembly configured to support a frame assembly, the tooling assembly being positioned with respect to a body, wherein the frame assembly is positioned with respect to the body at a plurality of predetermined engineering locations. | 11-13-2014 |
20140331477 | FLUSH FASTENER DESIGN AND INSTALLATION - A plurality of fasteners is installed in an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft. Holes for shanks of the fasteners and countersinks for heads of the fasteners are drilled. The countersinks are drilled at an included angle between 100 and 180 degrees. Fasteners having a ratio of head-to-shank diameter of less than 2.0 are installed. | 11-13-2014 |
20140331665 | Vortex Generator Using Shape Memory Alloys - In one embodiment, the disclosed vortex generator may include a flap, a bearing configured to be mounted on a surface, an axle retained in the bearing, the flap attached to the axle such that the flap rotates relative to the bearing about the axle, and an actuator made of a shape memory alloy attached to the flap and to a support, the actuator shaped to receive the axle therethrough, such that a change in temperature of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate the flap relative to the bearing. | 11-13-2014 |
20140331760 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONDITIONS - Methods and apparatus to determine aircraft flight conditions are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a gaseous packet generator to generate a gaseous packet adjacent an aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a sensor array disposed on the aircraft to acquire information related to the gaseous packet. The example apparatus further includes a processor to determine at least one of a first characteristic of air flowing along the aircraft or a second characteristic of the aircraft based on the information. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333758 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTION OF COMPOSITE IRREGULARITIES - A method for inspecting a composite structure includes acquiring an image of the composite structure. The composite structure includes at least a first ply and a second ply adjacent the first ply. The method also includes transforming the image into a binary image, and determining a first boundary line between the first ply and the second ply. The method further includes characterizing an irregularity in the composite structure based at least partially on the first boundary line. | 11-13-2014 |
20140335780 | Systems and Methods for Satellite Communication with Mobile Platforms - A method and system for communication with a mobile platform is provided. An antenna system coupled to a transmitter for use in providing a communication channel to a mobile user includes a first linear transmit array of radiating horns, a second linear transmit array of radiating horns, and at least one reflector coupled to at least one of the first linear transmit array and the second linear transmit array, the at least one reflector configured to reflect illumination from the first and second linear transmit arrays to form a communication channel for the mobile user. | 11-13-2014 |
20140337777 | Shop Order Status Visualization System - A method and apparatus for visualizing an assembly of parts for an aircraft. A shop order instance is identified for the assembly of parts for the aircraft. A volume is identified for the shop order instance. The assembly of parts is displayed within the volume in context with a number of assemblies of other parts within the volume. | 11-13-2014 |
20140367037 | FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TRANSFER DEVICES, FLEXIBLE VACUUM COMPACTION DEVICES, FLEXIBLE VACUUM CHUCKS, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING THE SAME - Flexible material transfer devices, flexible vacuum compaction devices that include the flexible material transfer devices, flexible vacuum chucks that include the flexible vacuum compaction devices, and systems and methods including the same. The flexible material transfer devices include a flexible substrate that is configured to selectively and repeatedly transition between a stowed conformation and a deployed conformation. The flexible substrate defines a material contacting surface that is configured to contact a charge of composite material and to selectively and operatively attach to the charge of composite material. The flexible substrate further defines a plurality of retention conduits that are at least partially defined by the material contacting surface and are configured to have a retention vacuum applied thereto. The flexible material transfer device further includes a retention manifold that provides fluid communication between the plurality of retention conduits and a vacuum source. | 12-18-2014 |
20140367039 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPACTING A CHARGE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL - Systems and methods for compacting a charge of composite material. These systems and methods may utilize a vacuum compaction device to compact the charge of composite material on a supporting surface. The vacuum compaction device may be reusable and may be configured to define an enclosed volume when positioned on the supporting surface and may include a barrier structure and a sealing structure that is configured to form a fluid seal when compressed between the supporting surface and the barrier structure. The vacuum compaction device also may include a vacuum distribution manifold that is in fluid communication with and configured to selectively apply a vacuum to the enclosed volume. Application of the vacuum to the enclosed volume may decrease a pressure within the enclosed volume and transition the vacuum compaction device from an undeformed configuration to a deformed configuration, thereby compacting the charge of composite material on the supporting surface. | 12-18-2014 |
20140374013 | Fabrication of Stiffened Composite Panels - A stiffened composite panel is fabricated using modular tooling. Composite pre-preg is laid up and formed over forming block modules each of which is assembled by co-linearly arranging a plurality of forming block segments. The formed stiffeners are respectively transferred to individual cure tool modules that are assembled by co-linearly arranging a plurality of cure tool module segments. The stiffeners are assembled by arranging the cure tool modules side-by-side, and a composite skin is placed on the assembled stiffeners. The panel is vacuum bagged using a segmented vacuum bag. | 12-25-2014 |
20150023437 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY OF INFORMATION FLOWS OVER A POWER CABLE CONNECTION - An aircraft includes a first electrical connector configured to couple with a first power cable, a first data communication network and a first modem coupled to first electrical connector and first data communication network and is configured to transmit data received at first electrical connector through first power cable to first data communication network and to transmit data from first data communication network to first power cable through first electrical connector. The aircraft additionally includes a second electrical connector configured to couple with a second power cable, a second data communication network and a second modem coupled to second electrical connector and to second data communication network and is configured to transmit data received at second electrical connector through second power cable to second data communication network and to transmit data from second data communication network to second power cable through second electrical connector. | 01-22-2015 |
20150025797 | Precision Multiple Vehicle Navigation System - A method and apparatus for managing movement. A navigation system comprises a first inertial measurement unit enabled global positioning system device having a first inertial measurement unit with a first level of accuracy in a first vehicle and is configured to provide first information that identifies a position of the first vehicle relative to a second vehicle. The navigation system further comprises a second inertial measurement unit enabled global positioning system device in the first vehicle having a second inertial measurement unit with a second level of accuracy that is greater than the first level of accuracy and is configured to provide second information that identifies the position of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle. The navigation system further comprises a controller that is configured to perform an action based on a desired level of accuracy of the first information. | 01-22-2015 |