Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus including an energy source configured for transmitting a laser, a build plate configured to have a powder configured to be heated by the laser for additive manufacturing, at least one mirror positioned between the energy source and the build plate, the at least one mirror configured to direct the laser from the energy source to the build plate, and an optical isolator configured to reduce energy bounce back into the energy source.

Abstract: An ultrasonic air data system can include a pole having a length longer than a boundary layer thickness of a boundary layer flow such that at least a distal end of the pole is configured to extend outwardly from an aircraft surface to be at least partially outside of the boundary layer flow. The system can include a transmitter disposed on or in the pole at or near the distal end of the pole such that the transmitter is located at least partially outside of the boundary layer flow when in use, wherein the transmitter is configured to output a transmitter signal. The system can include one or more receivers disposed downstream of the pole as defined by the boundary layer flow and configured to receive the transmitter signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to sensing pressure and mitigating the error introduced by the thermoelectric effect. A pressure sensing device includes a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and an error correction device. The pressure sensor produces a voltage output proportional to a sensed pressure. The temperature sensor measures a first temperature at a first location and a second temperature at a second location to produce a temperature difference signal. The error correction device modifies the pressure output proportionally to the temperature difference signal to produce a temperature adjusted pressure output which compensates for error introduced from the temperature difference.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for a direct drive wiper system. The system includes a motor that is operably coupled to a wiper system to drive one or more wiper arms of the wiper system, and a gearbox, wherein an input to the gearbox is coupled to the motor and an output of the gearbox is coupled to the wiper assembly, wherein the gearbox is configured to convert an input from the motor to an output to drive the wiper system. The system also includes a brake and stopper mechanism that is coupled to the gearbox and the wiper system. Also provided are embodiments for a method for operating the direct drive wiper system.

Abstract: A method can include vapor depositing a corrosion resistant coating to internal and external surfaces of a metallic air data probe. For example, vapor depositing can include using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method can include placing the metallic air data probe in a vacuum chamber and evacuating the vacuum chamber before using vapor deposition. The corrosion resistant coating can be or include a ceramic coating. In certain embodiments, vapor depositing can include applying a first precursor, then applying a second precursor to the first precursor to form the ceramic coating.

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 including obtaining at each of a plurality of nodes navigation data of the node, communicating at each node its navigation data to the other nodes via each node's datalink communication system, receiving at each node navigation data communicated from the other nodes, determining at each node distance range of the node relative to the other nodes for which navigation data was received, determining at each node a constellation of the nodes as a function of the navigation data of the node, the navigation data received from the other nodes, and the distance range of the node relative to the other nodes, accessing formation constraints to form the constellation at each node, calculating at each node first guidance commands to maneuver the node to adjust the constellation to be in compliance with the formation constraints; and navigating each node to execute a maneuver based on the first guidance commands.

Abstract: A method and system for coordinating munitions in a salvo to form a constellation in a Global Positioning System (GPS) denied attack of a plurality of targets. Each munition is provided with a datalink communication system to communicate with other munitions and a navigation system for guiding the munition in flight. An estimated position of each munition is determined relative to the other munitions in the salvo via each munitions' datalink communication system. Two-Way Timing and Ranging (TRTW) techniques are utilized to determine positioning of each munition relative to one another. A distance range of each munition relative to the other munitions in the salvo is determined via each munitions' datalink communication system. A constellation formation of the plurality of munitions in the salvo is determined based upon the determined relative position and distance range of each munition relative to one another.

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: A temperature sensor assembly for measuring a gas temperature in a gas flow stream includes a first substrate having a first surface configured to be connected to a thermally conductive structure in a gas path, a first temperature sensor mounted to the first substrate a first distance from the first surface, and a second temperature sensor mounted to the first substrate a second distance from the first surface. The second distance is less than the first distance. The first and second temperature sensors are arranged along a temperature gradient.

Abstract: A differential MEMS pressure sensor includes a topping wafer with a top side and a bottom side, a diaphragm wafer having a top side connected to the bottom side of the topping wafer and a bottom side, and a backing wafer having a top side connected to the bottom side of the diaphragm wafer and a bottom side. The topping wafer includes a first cavity formed in the bottom side of the topping wafer. The diaphragm wafer includes a diaphragm, a second cavity formed in the bottom side of the diaphragm wafer underneath the diaphragm, an outer portion surrounding the diaphragm, and a trench formed in the top side of the diaphragm wafer and positioned in the outer portion surrounding the diaphragm.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a mounting portion arranged to support a sensing device, a thermal shunt portion extending from the mounting portion, and a housing portion. The housing portion extends from the thermal shunt portion and is arranged on a side of the thermal shunt portion opposite the mounting portion to limit temperature of a sensor connector fixed to the housing portion of the sensor assembly. Gas turbine engines having sensor assemblies and methods of making sensor assemblies are also described.

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 support member coupled to a blade element through a clip and a fastener extending through the blade element. The support member can be made from a composite material and the clip and fastener allow for attachment of the blade element to the support member without piercing the support member.

Abstract: An air data system includes a laser emitter, a laser receiver, and an electronics module. The electronics module includes a processor and computer-readable memory encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the laser to emit a coherent light pulse into a target volume locating within an exhaust flow aft of an aircraft. The laser receiver detects backscatter produced by the coherent light pulse interacting with the aft target volume, and the electronics module determines an air data parameter based on the backscatter and at least one of an engine parameter indicative of an engine condition of the aircraft and an aircraft parameter indicative of a state of the aircraft before outputting the air data parameter to a consuming system of the aircraft.

Abstract: An air data probe includes a faceplate, a body connected to the faceplate, and a heating system comprising a coil, the coil being connected to the faceplate. The coil generates an electromagnetic field that couples with the body to heat the body.

Abstract: A probe head of an air data probe includes a body extending from a first end to a second end of the probe head and a rod heater. The body includes an inlet adjacent the first end of the probe head, an air passageway extending through the body from the inlet to a second end of the probe head, a water dam extending radially through the body such that the air passageway is redirected around the water dam, a heater bore extending within the body, and an enhanced conduction area between heater bore and an exterior surface of the probe head. The inlet, the air passageway, the water dam, and the heater bore are all unitary to the body. The rod heater is positioned within the heater bore.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a housing, an isolator positioned at a first end of the housing, and a first cavity formed between the first end of the housing and the isolator. The pressure sensor further includes a second cavity formed in the housing and a channel with a first end fluidly connected to the first cavity and a second end fluidly coupled to the second cavity. A pressure sensor chip is positioned in the second cavity and includes a first diaphragm positioned at a top side of the pressure sensor chip laterally outwards from the second end of the channel to prevent a fluid from jetting onto the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A sensor includes an airfoil body, a heater element, and a temperature probe. The airfoil body defines a sensor axis, an insulating cavity, and extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil body. The heater element extends axially within the airfoil body and is positioned between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the airfoil body. The temperature probe extends axially within the airfoil body, is positioned between the heater element and the trailing edge of the airfoil body, and is separated from the heater element by the insulating cavity to limit thermal communication between the temperature probe and the heater element. Gas turbine engines, methods of making sensors, and methods of thermally separating temperature probes and heater elements in sensors are also described.

Abstract: A static plate heating arrangement includes a faceplate including a port extending from an exterior surface of the faceplate to an interior surface of the faceplate, a fixed resistance heater in thermal communication with the interior surface and surrounding the port, and a self-regulating heater in thermal communication with the interior surface and surrounding the fixed resistance heater. The fixed resistance heater and the self-regulating heater are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a MEMS device body connected to a first mooring portion and a second mooring portion. The MEMS device body further includes a first cantilever and a second cantilever and connected by a spring. The spring is in operable communication with the first cantilever and the second cantilever.