Abstract: A pitot tube includes an outer tube extending from a first tube end to second tube end, the second tube end defining a tip portion of the pitot tube, the tip portion including an inlet opening. A tube sleeve inside of the outer tube at least partially defines a tube passage extending from the first tube end to the second tube end. The tube sleeve includes a sleeve outer surface having a sleeve body portion having a first outer diameter and a sleeve tip portion located at the tip portion of the pitot tube. The sleeve tip portion has a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. A heating element is located between the outer tube and the tube sleeve at at least the sleeve tip portion.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for performing encryption and decryption in accordance with one or more embodiments. The embodiments include generating a random key address, obtaining a pre-stored key using the random key address, and re-arranging portions of the pre-stored key using the random key address. Embodiments also include selecting a dynamic logic operation based on the random key address, receiving data for encryption, and combining portions of the received data for encryption with the re-arranged portions of the pre-stored key using the dynamic logic operation to produce encrypted data. Embodiments include re-arranging portions of the encrypted data based on the random key address and combining the re-arranged portions of the encrypted data with the random key address into an encrypted data packet for transmission. Also provided are embodiments for a transmitter and receiver for performing the encryption and decryption.

Abstract: An acoustic air data system includes first and second acoustic transmitters, an array of acoustic receivers, and control circuitry. The array is positioned to receive first and second acoustic signals. The control circuitry determines time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the first and second acoustic signals. The control circuitry determines, for each of a first and second set of acoustic receiver pairs, a signal velocity of the first and second acoustic signals, respectively, based on a distance between an inner acoustic receiver and an outer acoustic receiver and a corresponding TDOA for each pair of acoustic receivers. The control circuitry estimates one or more of wind angle, speed of sound, Mach number, and true airspeed of the airflow about the exterior of the vehicle based on parameters of a best fit circle.

Abstract: An adapter clip includes a first portion configured to fit within an engine clip or an engine clamp, a second portion including an annular portion, the annular portion being configured to fit around an engine component, and a web portion connected to the annular portion and the first portion. A diameter of the first portion differs from a diameter of the annular portion.

Abstract: A method including providing power to an aircraft probe anti-ice system, monitoring an actual power demand of the aircraft probe anti-ice system, monitoring an air data parameter and atmospheric conditions surrounding an aircraft and calculating an expected power demand of the aircraft probe anti-ice system based on the air data parameters and the atmospheric conditions, comparing the actual power demand of the aircraft probe anti-ice system to the expected power demand, and performing a corrective action if the actual power demand and the expected power demand are different by more than an acceptable amount.

Abstract: An aircraft pressure measurement device includes a pressure sensor, a pressure measurement path, a valve, and a fluid port. The pressure measurement path extends between an aircraft skin and the pressure sensor, and the valve is positioned within the pressure measurement path between the aircraft skin and the pressure sensor. The valve is configured to regulate airflow through the pressure measurement path, and the fluid port is configured to allow a pressurized fluid into the pressure measurement path to clear the pressure measurement path of debris. The improved pressure measurement device allows the aircraft to automatically clear debris from the pressure measurement path both during flight and while on the ground, removing the need for manual cleaning processes.

Abstract: A probe head of an air data probe includes an insert, a portion of a heater, an outer shell, a tip weld, and a braze. The insert includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body portion extending between the first end and the second end. The body portion includes a groove. The portion of the heater is positioned within the groove. The outer shell surrounds the insert and the portion of the heater. The outer shell includes a tip portion defining a first end of the outer shell and a body portion extending from the tip portion defining a second end of the outer shell. The tip weld is between the outer shell and the first end of the insert, and the braze is between the insert and the second end of the outer shell adjacent a second end of the insert. The portion of the heater is hermetically sealed between the insert and the outer shell.

Abstract: An air date probe includes a strut assembly extending from a base, and a tube assembly coupled to the strut assembly. One or both of the strut assembly and the tube assembly comprises a self-regulating thin film heating arrangement. The self-regulating thin film heating arrangement includes at least one circuit including a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element connected in series with a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) heating element.

Abstract: A configurable windshield wiper system for a variable sweep angle and/or variable sweep speed. The system includes a bidirectional motor, a gearbox, the gearbox having and input shaft operably coupled to the motor and an output shaft; the gear box configured to ratiometrically step down the number of turns at its output shaft relative to its input shaft; a wiper arm for sweeping a surface of a windshield, the wiper arm operably coupled to an output of the gearbox; and a controller in operable communication with the motor, the controller configured to execute an algorithm to control the position and speed of the motor to achieve a configured sweep angle and configured sweep speed for the wiper arm.

Abstract: A hinge assembly configured for attachment to two objects is described herein. The hinge assembly includes: a flexible circuit board having planar conductive circuitry and including at least one preformed undulation in a region of the flexible circuit board, wherein the at least one undulation is configured to allow the flexible circuit board to bend at the region; and a plurality of plated-through holes defined by the flexible circuit board, wherein the holes are configured to allow attachment of the flexible circuit board to the two objects, wherein the flexible circuit board is configured to movably and electrically connect the two objects.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to detecting turbulence of an airstream over an airfoil surface of an aircraft using a sequence of acoustic transducers attached to the airfoil surface of the aircraft along a path. Each of the sequence of acoustic transducers is configured to detect acoustic waves indicative of airstream condition proximate the acoustic transducer. A processor is configured to determine, for each of the sequence of acoustic transducers, a level of turbulence of the airstream proximate the acoustic transducer.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for a method for monitoring a wiper system, the method includes reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag embedded in a wiper blade using a reader, comparing the read RFID tag to stored wiper blade information, determining a blade usage ratio for the wiper blade based on determining whether the wiper blade has been replaced, and providing an indication of a status of the wiper blade based at least in part on the blade usage ratio. Also provided are embodiments for a system for monitoring the health of the wiper system.

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: Provided are embodiments for a system having an avionics system that is configured to dynamically communicate one or more configurable parameters of a wiper and wash system based at least in part on a selected mode, and an avionics bus that is configured to communicate dynamic parameters from the avionics system. The system also includes a wash system having a fluid reservoir and fluid level sensor, and a wiper system including a control unit (ECU) that is configured to operate the system based at least in part on the one or more configurable parameters, wherein the wiper system is coupled to the wash system and supplies the wash fluid to the wiper system. Also provided are embodiments of a method for performing dynamic control of the aircraft windscreen wiper and wash system configuration parameters.

Abstract: An air data probe with a corrosion protection coating system includes a body with an external and an internal surface and a uniform, pinhole-free first protection layer applied by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to reduce corrosion of the body, including corrosion initiated by sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The air data probe further includes a second protection layer, covering the first protection layer over the external surfaces of the body to protect the air data probe from foreign object impact damage.

Abstract: A system used to additively manufacture an object layer-by-layer using direct energy deposition (DED) includes a base where the object is formed, a depositor configured to deposit material layer-by-layer on the base or a previously deposited layer of the object, an energy source configured to selectively direct an energized beam at the material to fuse a new layer of the material to a previously formed layer, and a heating element in contact with at least a portion of the base and configured to supply heat to the base.

Abstract: A laser sensing system includes an emitter configured to emit a laser, and a controller. The intensity of the laser is based upon power provided to the laser sensing system. The controller is configured to control the power provided to the laser sensing system, obtain feedback parameters indicative in part of molecular content of the atmosphere, and control the power provided to the laser sensing system based upon the feedback parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to aligning a taxi-assist camera such that each image frame of real-time video that the camera generates has a standard presentation format. The taxi-assist camera is configured to be mounted on an aircraft and oriented such that each image frame includes both a specific feature of the aircraft and of nearby objects external to the aircraft. The specific feature of the aircraft is detected and a location within the image frame of the specific feature is determined. The determined location within the image frame is compared with a reference location. A transformation operator is generated to transform the image frame such that the specific feature of the aircraft will be located within the image at a location corresponding to the reference location. The transformation operator is then applied to each of the image frames of the real-time video that the camera generates.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system (WWS) blade assembly is provided. The WWS blade assembly includes a composite frame and a blade that has a length which is normally shorter than a corresponding length of the composite frame. The blade includes first and second ends attachable to corresponding first and second ends of the composite frame, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring leakage current in a heater connected to a heater power supply by a power cable having a first power lead conducting an inlet current defining an inlet current direction and a second power lead conducting an outlet current defining an outlet current direction that is opposite the inlet current direction. The system includes a differential current electromagnetic sensor having a magnetic core with a center region that the power cable passes through one or more times. The magnetic core has an air gap in which a magnetic flux sensing device is positioned and configured to provide a signal that is representative of magnetic flux across the air gap, which is indicative of a difference between the inlet current and the outlet current. This difference defines the leakage current.