Abstract: Tooling apparatus for three-dimensionally forming a honeycomb core article includes a die having an array of elongated mutually parallel translating pins, each having a pin tube terminating at a tip end and arranged in a matrix for longitudinal movement between retracted and extended positions. The tip ends of the array of translating pins are engageable with an end surface of the honeycomb core article when in the extended position. Each tip end includes a pin tip assembly including an elongated pin tip member having an outwardly projecting bearing surface of shape conformable material on which is mounted a protective thrust pad, an opposed bottom surface, and an outer peripheral surface extending between the bearing surface and the bottom surface. A cup-shaped retainer having a base and an upstanding wall with an outer peripheral surface is provided for mounting engagement with the tip end of each pin tube and has an internal recess with a base surface and an internal peripheral surface.

Abstract: A printed wiring board structure having at least one chip-carrying layer adjacent a core fabricated of an organic matrix having disposed therein continuous pitch based graphite fibers. The chip carrying layers and the core have an interface therebetween and are integrally connected to each other through vias plated with an electrically and thermally conductive material to thereby provide a plurality of connection sites along this interface. An organic matrix is preferably fabricated of a polymer material such as an epoxy resin. Preferred fibers are fabricated of pitch based graphite. A typically preferred present printed wiring board structure has several circuit layers and two chip-carrying layers each on opposite sides of the core, with each of the layers and the core having respective interfaces therebetween wherein each layer is integrally connected to the core at a plurality of connection sites, as required by circuit design, along the respective interfaces.

Abstract: A sensor system for providing a cartographic overlay on a displayed sensor image for a current location within a selected region. The sensor system includes a sensor for generating the sensor image and a location device for generating a location signal corresponding to the current location of the sensor. Additionally, the system includes a storage device in electrical communication with the location device wherein the storage device electronically stores cartographic data for the selected region. The cartographic data consist of titles and symbols for known objects in the region. The storage device is operative to generate a map data signal corresponding to the cartographic data based on the location signal. The system further includes a display in electrical communication with the sensor and the storage device for presenting a final image. The display produces a final image that consists of the sensor image superimposed with cartographic data based upon the map data signal.

Abstract: A radar system employing Doppler tolerant radar pulses such as linear FM or hyperbolic FM chirps includes a pulse compressor configured as a digital finite impulse response filter. In one embodiment, the radar returns are split into in-phase and quadrature phase components for manipulation in complex form within the filter.

Abstract: In a data link system a master station is provided with transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting quadrature phase signal components representative of two diverse products either or both of which may comprise radar picture products. The dual input channels to the transmitter comprise an in-phase channel and a quadrature channel for receiving data representative of two diverse products. Independent controllers are provided in each of the dual channels capable of apportioning the power in the respective channels. A multi-mode processor is coupled to the controller in each of the dual channels so that independent control of data rates, power and picture product being transmitted is achieved.

Abstract: The fastener of the present invention has a head integrally formed with a threaded shank. The face of the head has a triangular recess with a triangular centerpost extending upward from the recess. The recess has three sides forming corners, and the centerpost has three sides forming apices. The walls of the recess and the walls of the centerpost may form a channel therebetween and the top of the centerpost may be flush with the face of the head. The corners and the apices may be rounded to provide stress relief and to facilitate tool insertion and removal. The periphery of the head may be provided with a conical side wall narrowing toward the shank so that the fastener may be countersunk. The shank may be completely threaded or only partially threaded, and may have a pointed or chamfered end. It also may be provided with a hole so that a retaining device may be inserted therethrough.

Abstract: An infrared radiation Coanda suppressor of an exhaust system encloses a Coanda surface for guiding exhaust gases into the atmosphere. The infrared radiation suppressor further uses cooling films for reducing the temperature of the Coanda surface and other exposed surfaces. A cool air entrainment flow of the exhaust gases prevents the buildup of recirculating hot gases in the exhaust chamber. As a result, IR radiation is suppressed from areas of the exhaust system which are exposed to IR detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing a threaded fastener having a sleeved or interference fit into a workpiece. The apparatus of the present invention includes a pulling device for pulling the threaded fastener into the workpiece, an adapter for connecting the threaded fastener and the pulling device, and a collar that fits over the adapter for allowing the adapter to more inside the collar when subject to a pulling force from the pulling device. In addition, the aforementioned apparatus may be used in a method for installing the threaded fastener having a sleeved or interference fit into the workpiece. The method includes inserting the threaded fastener into the workpiece until the threads of the fastener are exposed on the other side of the workpiece, attaching an adapter to the threaded fastener, placing the collar over the adapter and attaching the pulling device. The pulling device is then pressurized so as to pull the threaded fastener into the workpiece until the threaded fastener is fully seated.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an aerodynamic turbo engine nacelle, disposable about an engine having an engine face, for mitigating boundary layer separation of intake airflow comprises an engine inlet. The engine inlet is provided with an interior surface and a curved portion. The curved portion having a leading edge. The geometry of the engine inlet is such that the ratio of the circular area defined by the diameter defined by the leading edge of the curved portion to the minimum circular area defined by the interior surface of the engine inlet is less than 1.33. The engine nacelle is further provided with a pressurized fluid injecting device for injecting pressurized fluid at the engine inlet in a direction generally parallel to intake airflow in response to sensed airflow conditions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a patch antenna assembly having a generally planar patch antenna, defined by a first peripheral boundary, and a generally planar parasitic ground plate, disposed to spaced parallel relation to the patch antenna. The assembly further includes at least one conductive parasitic shielding element for segregating electromagnetic fields between the patch antenna and the ground plate. The shielding element is disposed in electrical communication with the ground plate and extends from the ground plate and substantially about the first peripheral boundary of the patch antenna.

Abstract: A footprint for adaptable MMIC arrays is disclosed in which the size, number and location of the array components is optimized for the fabrication by depositing a personalizing metal interconnecting layer on the array, of essentially any MMIC circuit from a single footprint layout.

Abstract: A fuel containment area, and method of forming the same are disclosed herein. A fuel containment area is defined in part by a vehicle interior structure, such as an aircraft wing. Portions of the fuel containment area are provided with elastomeric partial bladders or appliqu{acute over (e)}s to bridge sections of the vehicle interior structure, to provide additional container integrity, and/or to segregate fuel from certain areas of the vehicle interior, e.g., about electrical components, mechanical linkages, or high temperature areas. The appliqu{acute over (e)}s are sealed to the vehicle interior by flexible transition joints to define a continuous, hybrid fuel container.

Abstract: A structural endcap antenna for a vertical tail of an aircraft. The endcap antenna comprises an outer skin having an inner surface and an antenna element disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the outer skin. The antenna element is in electrical communication with an RF signal source. Disposed adjacent to the antenna element is an inner support structure electrically bonded thereto. The antenna element and the inner support structure are excited by the RF signal source and provide structural support to the endcap antenna.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystal polymer coatings and methods of applying the same. The liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) comprise high-melting point thermal plastics selected from the group consisting of co-polyesters, co-polyesteramides, or multiple monomer wholly aromatic polyesters. In the preferred embodiment, the LCPs may be chemically modified to provide greater hardness. The method of the present invention involves the thermal spraying of an LCP on the tooling used for curing composite structures.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an abrasion resistant ceramic material comprising a porous ceramic material having a surface, and a preceramic polymer infiltrated into the surface wherein the preceramic polymer is converted to a ceramic state.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a structural transition system for use between an aerodynamic lifting member and an aerodynamic control device attached thereto. The aerodynamic lifting member has an indenture formed therein which is defined by a first shoulder portion. The control device has a first end and is disposed within the indenture with the first end adjacent the first shoulder portion. The control device is sized and configured to rotate about a control device axis of rotation for deflecting the control device relative to the lifting member. The structural transition system is provided with a torque transfer element disposable between and in mechanical communication with the first shoulder portion and the first end. The torque transfer element is sized and configured to deform in response to deflection of the control device.

Abstract: A method for repairing a multi-layered damage area in a multi-layered composite structure. The method first includes obtaining depth measurement data, and obtaining topographical measurement data by laser scanning the surface of the damage area. This depth measurement data and topographical measurement data are inputted into a microprocessor along with thickness data of each layer. All inputted information is correlated among itself to thereby internally produce a three-dimensional damage area display-replica and interpolate a two-dimensional pattern of each layer of the damage area and of the surface of the damage area. The damage area is removed by first projecting a two-dimensional laser pattern of the damage area thereat on the surface of the structure, and thereafter manually removing the area to produce a void. Repair is accomplished by projecting onto respective replacement material a two-dimensional laser image pattern of each layer and manually cutting that layer according to the appropriate pattern.

Abstract: A PCMCIA modem card which is connectable a host computer and utilizes an integrated, extendable antenna for wireless transmission and reception, is provided with a circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a cavity interior. The cavity extends to a first end of the circuit board. The modem card is further provided with communications circuitry which is formed on the circuit board. The modem card is further provided with an antenna structure which is in electrical communication with the communications circuitry. The antenna structure is translatable from a first position wherein the antenna structure is substantially disposed within the cavity and a second position wherein the antenna structure is extended from the cavity.

Abstract: An aircraft door sealing system for use with an aircraft door. The aircraft door is movable between open and closed positions with respect to a door frame. The door has a peripheral door opening portion and a peripheral door seal portion. The door frame has a peripheral frame opening portion and a peripheral frame seal portion. The frame opening portion is aligned adjacent the door opening portion when the door is in the closed position. The frame seal portion is aligned adjacent the door seal portion when the door is in the closed position. The sealing system is provided with an elastic seal which is interposed between the door and the door frame. The seal is attached to the door seal portion and the frame seal portion. The seal is expandable and contractible for permitting movement of the door between the open and closed positions thereof. The seal has a pair of seal opening edges disposed between the door opening portion and the frame opening portion.

Abstract: Absolute strain is measured by providing a coherent beam of light and separating the coherent beam of light into first and second beams which are in quadrature with one another and which have different polarization angles. The first and second beams are combined in a manner which maintains the different polarization angles thereof, so as to form a combined beam. The combined beam is then applied to a Fabry-Perot strain sensor so as to form a reflected combined beam. The reflected combined beam is then separated into first and second reflected beams having different polarization angles. The intensity of the first and second reflected beams is then sensed, so as to determine a change in the etalon length of the Fabry-Perot sensor. The change in etalon length is indicative of the absolute strain sensed.