Abstract: Aircraft nacelles having adjustable chines are described. An example apparatus includes a first chine rotatably coupled to a nacelle at a first location about an outer circumference of the nacelle. The first chine is rotatable relative to the nacelle about an axis of rotation. The example apparatus further includes a second chine fixedly coupled to the nacelle at a second location about the outer circumference of the nacelle. The second location is circumferentially offset from the first location.

Abstract: Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft are provided with fixed-position port and starboard wings extending laterally from an elongate fuselage having an empennage at an aft end of the fuselage and a propeller to provide horizontal thrust to the aircraft in a direction of the longitudinal axis thereof. A series of port and starboard rotor units are provided, each of which includes axially opposed rotor blades, and a motor to rotate the rotor blades and provide vertical thrust to the aircraft. A logic control unit (LCU) controllably sets an angular position of the opposed rotor blades along a position axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft in response to determining an optimal position of the rotor blades during cruise flight operation to thereby minimize airflow disruption over the fixed-position wings.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly includes a main fitting comprising having a main barrel and a cross beam fixedly positioned relative to the main barrel and extending radially from the main barrel. The main fitting further includes a drag arm with a first end pivotally coupled to the cross beam by a first pivotal connection and a second end pivotally coupled to the main barrel by a second pivotal connection.

Abstract: A rotor system includes a rotor assembly and a duct system. The rotor assembly includes rotor blades extending from a mast axis and configured to rotate about the mast axis. The duct assembly includes a moveable duct portion and a stationary duct portion. In a first duct configuration, the moveable duct portion surrounds a first portion of the rotor assembly, the stationary duct portion surrounds a second portion of the rotor assembly, and the moveable duct portion and the stationary duct portion enclose the rotor assembly. In a second duct configuration, the stationary duct portion surrounds the second portion of the rotor assembly, and the moveable duct portion is moved away from the first portion of the rotor assembly, such that the rotor assembly is not enclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an aircraft fuselage comprises two keel beams and two roof beams. Each keel beam is formed as a single component having no joints. Each keel beam comprises a first portion that is configured to define a floor of an aircraft and a second portion that is configured to define a tail section of an aircraft. The second portion is positioned at an angle relative to the first portion. Each roof beam is coupled to the second portion of a corresponding keel beam at a point remote from the first portion. Each roof beam and a corresponding keel beam are positioned along a single butt line relative to an aircraft fuselage centerline. Frame members are coupled to both keel beams and both roof beams.

Abstract: An assembly having a pylon with an upper spar and four lateral scoops, a wing with a skin, longitudinal spars and fittings, and, for each lateral scoop, two fastening assemblies, wherein the skin and the fitting each have a first bore and wherein the upper spar and the lateral scoop each have a second bore, wherein each fastening assembly has a screw passing through the first and the second bores, a nut, two eccentric rings, threaded onto one another and onto the screw, and a system for stopping the eccentric rings rotating. The assembly makes it possible to dispense with the use of the spigots while also ensuring the reaction of the shear forces contained in the XY plane by the bolts on account of the reduced tolerances between the various bores, the external and internal surfaces of the eccentric rings and the plain zones of the screws.

Abstract: An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a biplane orientation. The aircraft has an airframe including first and second wings with first and second pylons coupled therebetween. A distributed thrust array is coupled to the airframe including a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the first wing and a plurality of propulsion assemblies coupled to the second wing. A UAV carrier assembly is coupled between the first and second pylons. The UAV carrier assembly has a plurality of UAV stations each configured to selectively transport and release a UAV. A flight control system is configured to control each of the propulsion assemblies and launch each of the UAVs during flight.

Abstract: Aircraft nacelles having adjustable chines are described. An example apparatus includes a chine coupled to a nacelle. The chine is oriented along a fore-aft direction. The chine is translatable relative to the nacelle along the fore-aft direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a structural member for a vehicle. The structural member comprises a plurality of finned spar members interlocked with one another, wherein each finned spar member of the plurality of finned spar members includes a main body, a plurality of web members extending from a flange of the main body, a circuit board formed on the main body, and a bus bar comprising a tube positioned in an opening formed in the main body, the bus bar being in electrical communication with the circuit board, wherein a compartment is formed between adjacent web members, the compartment being sized to receive a battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for door alignment of an aircraft landing gear door. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a plurality of adjustable rods configured to temporarily install in an aircraft to stand in place of a final adjustable part, each of the adjustable rods configured to position a block for stopping a door of the aircraft. Each of the adjustable rods includes a telescopic body configured to extend and retract in length, and a spring configured to compress to reduce the length of the telescopic body, and to expand to extend the length of the telescopic body. Each adjustable rod also includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the telescopic body at a fixed length to prevent expansion of the spring, and to unlock the telescopic body to release the spring and adjust the telescopic body to an adjusted length.

Abstract: Passenger seats having improved comfort emergency egress solutions for mini suites or other types of passenger seats that have a privacy screen, wall, or sliding door that divides the passenger seat from the aisle area or other common area. Specific embodiments find particular use on-board passenger transportation vehicles, such as aircraft, where comfort and privacy must be balanced with safety and federal regulations.

Abstract: Aircraft nacelles having adjustable chines are described. An example apparatus includes a chine coupled to a nacelle. The chine is oriented along a fore-aft direction. The chine is rotatable relative to the nacelle about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the chine defined by an outer mold line of the chine.

Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a housing adapted for rotation with the rotor about an axis. A first ring is rotatably carried within the housing on a first bearing, a first weight being coupled to the first ring for rotation therewith relative to the housing about the axis. A second ring is rotatably carried by the first ring on a second bearing, a second weight being coupled to the second ring for rotation therewith relative to the housing and to the first ring. A first motor is configured for rotating the first ring relative to the housing, and a second motor is configured for rotating the second ring relative to the housing and to the first ring. The first and second motors are operated to rotate the weights within the housing and position the weights relative to each other for attenuating vibrations.

Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a first ring with an eccentric weight, a coaxial second ring with an eccentric weight, and a central ring coaxial with the first and second rings and located therebetween. A first post extends from the first ring toward the central ring and is received in a first arcuate groove formed on the central ring, whereas a second post extends from the second ring toward the central ring and is received in a second groove formed on the central ring. A motor is configured for driving the central ring in rotation about the axis relative to the motor. The grooves are equal in length, and a center of the first groove is located on an opposite side from a center of the second groove. Rotation of the central ring by the motor causes rotation of the first and second rings.

Abstract: A rotorcraft having pusher propeller generated power during autorotations. The rotorcraft has an engine powered mode and an autorotation mode. The rotorcraft includes an engine and a drivetrain configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the engine in the engine powered mode. A main rotor system is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate lift and forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. A pusher propeller is coupled to the drivetrain and is rotatable to generate forward thrust for the rotorcraft in the engine powered mode. In the autorotation mode, the pusher propeller is aerodynamically driven responsive to airflow therethrough and the drivetrain is configured to receive torque and rotational energy from the pusher propeller, thereby providing power to the main rotor system.

Abstract: An embodiment is an aircraft, including at least a fuselage, a tail rotatably coupled to the fuselage, the tail coupled at an aft of the fuselage, and a tail actuator coupled to the fuselage and the tail, the tail actuator to transition the tail between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel tank communication system. The communication system includes a main body (30) used to connect two fuel bladder flanges (12, 20) to one another. The communication system provides two separate, independent locking features (42, 60) that can secure fuel bladders to one another.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite assembly with a continuous skin for a rear end of an aircraft by obtaining an upper part of the rear end by composite tooling. The upper part comprises a multi-spar vertical tail plane. The spars of the vertical tail plane comprise widening roots that form an upper shell of the rear end and an upper skin. Furthermore, a lower part comprises a lower shell of the rear end including semi-complete frames and stringers and a lower skin. The upper and lower parts are assembled with a joining procedure. The upper and lower skins are joined to obtain the composite assembly with the continuous skin.

Abstract: Aircraft nacelles having adjustable chines are described. An example apparatus includes a multi-segment chine coupled to a nacelle. The multi-segment chine includes a first segment oriented along a fore-aft direction. The first segment is translatable relative to the nacelle along the fore-aft direction. The multi-segment chine further includes a second segment oriented along the fore-aft direction. The second segment is substantially coplanar with the first segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a structural member for a vehicle. The structural member comprises a plurality of finned spar members interlocked with one another, wherein each of the finned spar members include a main body, a plurality of web members extending from a flange, a circuit board formed on the main body, and a bus bar formed on the main body, wherein a compartment is formed between adjacent web members, each compartment being sized to receive a battery.