Abstract: An aircraft windshield wiper system includes a wiper blade with a composite support member and a blade element that interfaces with the windshield of the aircraft to clear the windshield of rain and other debris. The composite support member includes a wash tube integral with the composite support member, such that the wash tube receives windshield washing fluid from a fluid reservoir and dispenses the fluid onto the windshield of the aircraft. A plurality of clips can be used to couple the composite support member to the blade element.

Abstract: A camera with a field of view toward an external environment of an aircraft is disposed within an aircraft door such that a wheel of a main landing gear of the aircraft is within the field of view of the camera. A display device is disposed within an interior of the aircraft. A processor is operatively coupled to the camera and to the display device. The processor analyzes image data captured by the camera to monitor the landing gear.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a heating arrangement includes applying a first polarity voltage to a heater of the heating arrangement, detecting a first polarity heating leakage current, applying a second polarity voltage to the heating arrangement, detecting a second polarity heating leakage current, and determining health of the heating arrangement via the first polarity heating leakage current and the second polarity heating leakage current.

Abstract: An aerodynamic friction energy deicing system can include a heat energy device configured to be operatively connected to an aircraft structure and to convert heat energy due to aerodynamic friction on the aircraft structure into another form or to store heat energy due to aerodynamic friction on the aircraft structure. The converted or stored energy can be used for any suitable purpose, e.g., for use in ice prevention and/or deicing and/or powering one or more aircraft systems.

Abstract: A method for collaboration of a plurality of nodes includes determining at each node SLAM data for the node, the SLAM data including estimated position of features and/or targets observed and processed by the node using SLAM algorithms and covariance associated with the estimated positions, communicating at each node the node's SLAM data to the other nodes via each nodes' datalink communication system, receiving at each node SLAM data communicated from the other nodes via each node's datalink communication system, combining at each node the node's SLAM data and the SLAM data received from the other nodes based on features or targets included in SLAM data from the other nodes, refining at each node estimated positions of features and/or targets based on results of the combining, and navigating each node to a target at the target destination as a function of at least one of the refined estimated positions.

Abstract: A method and system for constraining navigational drift in a munition caused by Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) bias error during flight of the munition in a constellation of a plurality of munitions in a Global Positioning System (GPS) denied attack. Each munition is provided with a datalink communication system to communicate with other munitions in the constellation and a navigation system having an IMU for guiding the munition in flight. An estimated position and covariance of the estimated position is determined for each munition via each munitions' navigation system. A range of each munition relative to at least one other munition in the munition constellation is determined via each munitions' datalink communication system. The estimated position and range to at least one other munition in the munition constellation is shared by each munition via each munitions' datalink communication system.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to predicting failure and/or estimating remaining useful life of an air-data-probe heater. Failure is predicted or useful life is estimated based on an electrical metric of the electrical operating power provided to a resistive heating element of the air-data-probe heater. The electrical metric of the air data probe heater is one or more of: i) phase relation between voltage across the resistive heating element and leakage current, which is conducted from the resistive heating element to a conductive sheath surrounding the resistive heating element; ii) a time-domain profile of leakage current through the heating element insulation during a full power cycle; and/or iii) high-frequency components of the electrical current conducted by the resistive heating element and/or the voltage across the resistive heating element.

Abstract: A system for determining a health status of a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTCR) heater assembly includes a PTCR heater assembly and a health monitoring system. An input voltage is provided to the PTCR heater assembly to provide heating. The health monitoring system includes a first sensor configured to sense the input voltage at the PTCR heater assembly and a second sensor configured to sense a current through the PTCR heater assembly. The health monitoring system is configured to determine a baseline characteristic and an observed characteristic each relating to an inrush peak of the PTCR heater assembly and based on the input voltage and the current. The health monitoring system compares the observed characteristic to the baseline characteristic to assess a health status of the PTCR heater assembly and outputs the health status for PTCR heater assembly diagnostics and/or prognostics.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments including a system for performing health monitoring. The system includes a measurement device configured to measure pressure of an environment, a heating element of the heater section coupled to the measurement device, a first sensing element operably coupled to a first region of the measurement device, and a second sensing element operably coupled to a second region of the measurement device. The system also includes a programmable logic that is configured to generate a status signal or flag based at least in part on conditions of the first region or the second region of the measurement device, a processing system configured to control the heating element responsive to reaching a threshold temperature, and a display configured to display a status of the first region or second region of the measurement device based at least in part on the status signal or flag.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an ice protection system of a rotorcraft or an aircraft includes applying heat to rotating blades of the rotorcraft or the aircraft according to a heater duty cycle and determining an anticipated ice shed time for ice to shed from the rotating blades. Torque of the rotating blades is sensed, and an actual ice shed time for ice to shed from the rotating blades is determined based on the sensed torque. A status of the ice protection system is determined based on the anticipated ice shed time and the actual ice shed time, and the status of the ice protection system is output for consumption by a consuming system.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to monitoring health of a system for sensing rotational frequency of a rotatable member. A plurality of magnetic speed probes, each of which is configured to sense the rotational frequency of the rotatable member, are arranged in transmissive proximity with one another. A transmitter-configured one of the plurality of magnetic speed probes includes a signal coupler that couples an electrical signal generated by a radio-frequency signal generator into the inductive coil of the transmitter-configured magnetic speed probe, thereby radiatively transmitting an electromagnetic signal. A speed-probe monitor electrically coupled to each of the plurality of magnetic speed probes determines, based on the coil current sensed by each of the plurality of magnetic speed probes in response to the electromagnetic signal radiatively transmitted, health of the system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for additive manufacturing a three-dimensional object layer-by-layer including depositing a layer of material on a bed surface or a previously deposited layer of the object to form the object layer-by-layer; providing energy to the material after each layer is deposited with the energy being provided by an energy source that forms an energized beam directed at the material; altering a property of a gas surrounding the material and through which the energized beam extends to alter a property of the object constructed from the material; melting the material with the energized beam to form a melted pool of liquefied material; and allowing the material to solidify to bond the material to a previous layer of material of the object.

Abstract: A system for determining parameters of a cloud atmosphere within a wind tunnel. The system includes: a light projector configured to project a pulse of light energy into a projection field of view; at least one light detector having a detection field of view that forms a range-limited intersection with the projection field of view, the range-limited intersection having a maximum sampling range so as to exclude wall structures of the wind tunnel, wherein the at least one light detector is configured to detect a backscattered portion of the projected pulse of light energy backscattered from within the range-limited intersection; and a cloud parameter calculator configured to determine parameters of the cloud atmosphere based on the backscattered portions detected.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) strain gauge pressure sensor includes a top wafer stack having a top surface and a first cavity that is configured to receive a first fluid at a first pressure, a backing wafer having a bottom surface opposite the top surface of the top wafer stack; a diaphragm wafer positioned between the top wafer stack and the backing wafer and having a second cavity that is configured to receive a second fluid at a second pressure, and a pedestal connected laterally to the top wafer stack, the backing wafer, and the diaphragm wafer. The diaphragm wafer includes a diaphragm extending between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a resistor positioned on the diaphragm. The MEMS strain gauge pressure sensor has a central axis such that the MEMS strain gauge pressure sensor has mechanical symmetries about the central axis.

Abstract: A sensor includes a mount arranged along a sensor axis, an airfoil body fixed to the mount and having a first face and second face extending along the sensor axis, a heater element, and a temperature probe. The heater element and the temperature probe are positioned within the airfoil body and extend axially along the airfoil body. The airfoil body defines within its interior a pressure channel having an inlet segment extending between the heater element and the first face of the airfoil body to prevent ice formation and/or melt ice entrained within air traversing the pressure channel. Gas turbine engines, methods of removing ice or preventing ice formation, and methods of making sensors are also described.

Abstract: An air data probe includes a probe head having an interior surface defining a cavity, a component positioned within the cavity of the probe head, a plurality of protrusions defining contact between the interior surface of the probe head and a peripheral surface of the component prior to brazing the component to the probe head, and a braze material located between the interior surface of the probe head and the peripheral surface of the component as a result of brazing the component to the probe head.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a metallic chassis, a slot extending through a sidewall of the metallic chassis, and a slot antenna secured to an inner surface of the metallic chassis and adjacent the slot. The slot antenna is integrated into the metallic chassis, giving the appearance and function of an internal antenna used with wireless communication devices having non-metallic chassis.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system for use on an aircraft includes a controller and a wiper assembly including a wiper arm, a wiper blade, and a moving block. Further, the windshield wiper system includes a rail assembly including a rail assembly rack, a plurality of electromagnets, and an electrical interface. The electrical interface and the plurality of electromagnets induce a force on the moving block of the wiper assembly, causing the wiper assembly to sweep across the windshield of the aircraft. The controller is coupled to the rail assembly and the controller is configured to direct the motion of the wiper assembly through command signals to the rail assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft windshield wiper system includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade coupled to a first end of the wiper arm, and an output shaft coupled to a second end of the wiper arm. The wiper blade includes a fluid dispensing system including nozzles, a fluid control unit, fluid lines, fluid source, and a user interface. The wiper blade with the fluid dispensing system is configured to dispense a variety of fluids directly from the wiper blade onto the windshield of an aircraft.

Abstract: A cover for a probe head of an air data probe includes a sleeve defining a cavity for enclosing a portion of the probe head of the air data probe, the sleeve including a closed end, an open end opposite the closed end, and an interior surface extending from the open end to the closed end, and a reservoir for holding insect repellent, the reservoir located at least partially within the cavity of the sleeve.