Abstract: A torque transfer assembly comprising a drive shaft and a driven shaft and a dielectric insert arranged to be positioned between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, the insert assembly comprising a body of dielectric material shaped to form an insulating layer and configured to engage, respectively, with a first shaped engagement feature on the drive shaft and a second shaped engagement feature on the driven shaft, in torque transfer engagement, the insulating layer providing a dielectric barrier between the drive shaft and the driven shaft.

Abstract: An ice protection system may comprise an electrical heating mat of an electrically resistive material, wherein the electrically resistive material defines at a first spanwise zone and a first chordwise zone, wherein at least one of the first spanwise zone or the first chordwise zone include a first busbar portion contiguous with the electrically resistive material.

Abstract: A de-icing assembly for a surface of an aircraft includes: a carcass with a first layer, a second layer, and a carcass centerline and a plurality of seams sewn into the carcass, wherein the plurality of seams join the first and second layers of the carcass together. The assembly includes a plurality of inflation passages formed by the plurality of seams and disposed between the first and second layers of the carcass. The system also includes a manifold fluidly connected to and disposed beneath the carcass, the manifold comprising a width and a manifold centerline oriented approximately perpendicular or parallel to the carcass centerline. The seams are sown by a stitchline formed of carbon nanotube yarn.

Abstract: A method for controlling brake assemblies of a vehicle is provided. Responsive to identifying a locked wheel protection event for a first wheel of a paired set of wheels on the vehicle, where the paired set of wheels is the first wheel on one side of the vehicle and a second wheel on an opposite side of the vehicle, a first brake pressure to a first brake assembly associated with the first wheel is released to zero pounds per square inch (PSI) and a second brake pressure to a second brake assembly associated with the second wheel of the paired set of wheels is reduced by a predetermined amount thereby reducing a yaw effect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for repositioning rails in a cargo bay of an aircraft. The system includes a base configured to be coupled to a structure in the cargo bay and having a first side and a second side. The system further includes a cradle for receiving a rail for restricting movement of a unit load device (ULD) in at least one direction, the cradle configured to position the rail between a first position and a second position in which the rail is closer to the second side of the base than when the rail is in the second position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for antiskid brake control include a brake control unit (BCU) configured to generate a brake command signal adjusted for a wide range of brake coefficient of friction based upon a real-time aircraft kinetic energy value. A method for antiskid brake control includes receiving, by a BCU, an aircraft mass and a wheel speed signal. The BCU determines an aircraft speed based upon the wheel speed signal and calculates the aircraft kinetic energy using the aircraft speed and aircraft mass. One or more antiskid parameters (e.g., proportional gain, a derivative gain, and/or deceleration target value) are adjusted based upon the aircraft kinetic energy to generate, by the brake control unit, an optimal antiskid brake command signal.

Abstract: A braking system for an aircraft may comprise: a brake assembly; a hydraulic braking subsystem having a hydraulic brake actuator configured to operate the brake assembly; an electric braking subsystem having an electric brake actuator configured to operate the brake assembly and a load cell configured to measure a force supplied by the electric brake actuator; a hydraulic brake control unit configured to control the hydraulic braking subsystem; and an electric brake control unit configured to control the electric braking subsystem, the electric brake control unit in operable communication with the hydraulic brake control unit, the electric brake control unit configured to calibrate the load cell by a scale factor based on a measured force from the load cell, a measured hydraulic pressure used to exceed the measured force received from the hydraulic brake control unit, and a piston area of the hydraulic brake actuator.

Abstract: A multi-zone anti-icing system for an aircraft part. The system includes at least two or more-part zones configured with the aircraft part and an electrothermal heater associated with at least one part zone of the aircraft part; at least one resistive temperature detector (RTD) associated with each part zone of the aircraft part configured to generate temperature data associated with each part zone. A controller coupled to the electrothermal heater and configured to implement an algorithm of a control logic for an anti-icing operation that uses feedback temperature data from at least one RTD at an associated part zone wherein the feedback temperature data is analyzed by the controller via the algorithm to assess reliability of the temperature data generated by the at least one RTD associated with each part zone.

Abstract: An evacuation system may comprise an evacuation slide configured to be deployed from an aircraft, first strap coupled to the evacuation slide, a second strap coupled to the evacuation slide, and a releasable restraint extending through the first strap and the second strap, the releasable restraint comprising a first stem connected to a first bead and a second stem connected to a second bead, where a diameter of the second stem is different from a diameter of the first stem.

Abstract: A method for braking an aircraft is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving, by a brake controller, a first signal from a position sensor of a first pedal, receiving, by the brake controller, a second signal from a pedal sensor of the first pedal, determining, by the brake controller, that the pedal is being pressed based on the first and second signals, and sending, by the brake controller, an instruction to apply a brake pressure in response to the determination that the pedal is being pressed.

Abstract: A device for extracting a deeply embedded helical coil is provided. The device includes a shaft, the shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a blade coupled to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the blade is configured to traverse into a mounting hole to engage the deeply embedded helical coil free of contact with a side of the mounting hole and wherein the deeply embedded helical coil is at least three to five thread pitches below a surface of the mounting hole.

Abstract: A method for self-assessing components of a cargo handling system configured for autonomous control by a processor is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes receiving by the processor a sensor database from a plurality of sensing agents in operable communication with the processor; testing by the processor the plurality of sensing agents by comparing the sensor database against a sensor assessment; and performing by the processor a first calibration assessment of the plurality of sensing agents to assess whether a compromised operational status of the cargo handling system has occurred due to a failure of one or more of the plurality of sensing agents.

Abstract: A method of forming a metallic coating a workpiece is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a sacrificial deposition rod formed of a first material, receiving a workpiece of a second material, forming a coating of the first material from the sacrificial deposition rod onto the workpiece, the coating having a first thickness, and machining the coating to a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A system for inductive heating of an aircraft surface includes a conductive outer layer configured to be located on an outer portion of the aircraft surface. The system further includes a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current. The system further includes an insulator located between the conductive outer layer and the CNT yarn such that the electrical current flowing through the CNT yarn generates induction heating on the conductive outer layer.

Abstract: A system is provided for translating sections of an icing wind tunnel to expand a size range of water droplets. The system includes: a set of actuators coupled to a set of sections of the icing wind tunnel; and a controller coupled to the set of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to: receive data relating to a water droplet generated within the icing wind tunnel; determine a directional impact on a model within the icing wind tunnel based upon the data relating to the water droplet; and adjust at least one of the set of sections of the icing wind tunnel in at least one of an up or a down direction in a subsequent test.

Abstract: A torque barrel for use with a brake system may comprise a torque barrel having a cylindrical structure including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first opening at a first end, and a second opening at an opposing second end; and a longitudinal hole disposed through the outer surface of the barrel between a first spline of the plurality of splines and a second spline of the plurality of splines.

Abstract: A conformable tank includes a body with a plurality of walls defining a cavity in the body, and an internal support structure connected to an internal surface of one of the plurality of walls and protruding into the cavity of the body. The plurality of walls are formed of a first 3D woven composite material. The internal support structure is formed of a second composite material.

Abstract: A system is provided for dispersing supercooled liquid water in an icing wind tunnel. The system includes a spray bar; a spray nozzle coupled to the spray bar; a pressure control valve coupled to the spray bar; and a controller coupled to the pressure control valve and the spray nozzle. The controller is configured to receive input identifying a selected liquid water content and a selected water droplet size for dispersing the supercooled liquid water in the icing wind tunnel; configure an injector duty cycle of the spray nozzle to generate the selected liquid water content; and configure the pressure control valve to generate the selected water droplet size, wherein configuring the spray nozzle and the pressure control valve disperses the supercooled liquid water in the icing wind tunnel.

Abstract: A system for reducing a temperature of a braking assembly includes the braking assembly of a wheel assembly, an airflow amplifier, and a conduit. The braking assembly may include a plurality of friction disks. The airflow amplifier may be coupled to the wheel assembly, and the conduit may extend from a compressed gas source to the airflow amplifier. Generally, the airflow amplifier is configured to entrain ambient air (“entrained air”) in response to compressed gas from the compressed gas source flowing to the airflow amplifier via the conduit, according to various embodiments. The airflow amplifier may be configured to direct the entrained air and the compressed gas to the braking assembly to reduce the temperature of the braking assembly.

Abstract: A lightbox is disclosed herein, comprising a lower panel, a back panel connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, wherein the back panel is coated in a reflective material, an inner lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the inner lens being adjacent the back panel, a first cavity at least partially defined by the back panel and the inner lens, an outer lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the outer lens being adjacent the inner lens and opposite the back panel, and a first LED adjacent the lower panel and oriented to emit a light away from the lower panel and into the first cavity.