Abstract: A vortex generation apparatus including a vortex generator that deploys in response to deployment of a wing leading edge lift augmentation device. The vortex generator deploys into a position to generate vortices over a main wing body upper surface region trailing the vortex generator.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for a transformable aerial vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a transformable aerial vehicle includes: a central body and at least two transformable frames assemblies respectively disposed on the central body, each of the at least two transformable frame assemblies having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the central body and a distal portion; an actuation assembly mounted on the central body and configured to pivot the at least two frame assemblies to a plurality of different vertical angles relative to the central body; and a plurality of propulsion units mounted on the at least two transformable frame assemblies and operable to move the transformable aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An impact protection apparatus is provided, comprising a gas container configured to hold a compressed gas and an inflatable member configured to be inflated by the gas and function as an airbag of a movable object, such as an aerial vehicle. A valve controls flow of gas from the container to the inflatable member in response to a signal from a valve controller. The valve and valve controller are powered by an independent power source than one or more other systems of the movable object. A safety mechanism may also be provided that, unless deactivated, prevents inflation of the inflatable member.

Abstract: Provided is an aircraft fuselage structure having an outer skin, a support structure arrangement comprising a multiplicity of frame elements and a floor structure arrangement having a multiplicity of floor support struts. The aircraft fuselage structure provides a connection between the floor structure arrangement and the support structure arrangement which is as simple and quick to produce as possible, while not significantly increasing the weight or weakening the structure. Either the floor structure arrangement or the support structure arrangement can have at a connection there between a male connector element or a female connector element. The male connector element can have a peg which extends in the engagement direction and which has a circumferential outer surface which is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential projections. The female connector element can have a cavity, the inner surface of which is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential tabs.

Abstract: A compound rotorcraft including a rotary wing aircraft having a fuselage and at least one rotor and a fixed-wing aircraft coupled to the rotary wing aircraft, wherein the rotary wing aircraft can fly on the rotor or the fixed-wing aircraft, and wherein the fixed-wing aircraft is detachable from the rotary wing aircraft to fly independently.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft with a tail rotor in a rotor duct of a shroud. A bumper projects from a lower transition region of said shroud, said lower transition region having a left hand and a right hand lower transition edge between respectively the left hand and the right hand annular surface around the rotor duct and the bumper. Upper leading edges of a vertical fin and of said shroud are provided with left hand and right hand trailing edges. A projection of the upper transition edge to an upright longitudinal plane is defined by a spline curve through points Pi (i=1 . . . 5) and a projection of the lower transition edge to the plane is defined by a spline curve through points Pi (i=6 . . . 10) defined by their respective coordinates (xi, zi) relative to a centre of the shrouded tail rotor.

Abstract: Controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be accomplished by using a wireless device (e.g., cell phone) to send a control message to a receiver at the UAV via a wireless telecommunication network (e.g., an existing cellular network configured primarily for mobile telephone communication). In addition, the wireless device may be used to receive communications from a transmitter at the UAV, wherein the wireless device receives the communications from the transmitter via the wireless network. Examples of such communications include surveillance information and UAV monitoring information.

Abstract: An aircraft boarding handrail that is affixable to an aircraft fuselage having an entry and exit staircase assembly formed in a cabin door of the aircraft fuselage is disclosed. The aircraft boarding handrail includes a rail member and a mounting structure coupled to the rail member and configured to secure the rail member to the aircraft fuselage. The mounting structure includes a guide pin that interfits with a guide pin slot of a doorframe of the cabin door, a mounting bracket having a notch formed therein constructed to interfit with a staircase support strut mount of the entry and exit staircase assembly, a latch arm coupled to the mounting bracket so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position to selectively provide access to and close off the notch, and a quick release pin to lock the latch arm in place when in the closed position.

Abstract: A winglet system for an aircraft wing includes an upper winglet and a lower winglet mounted to a wing. The lower winglet has a static position when the wing is subject to an on-ground static loading. The lower winglet may be substantially straight in the static position. The lower winglet is configured such that upward deflection of the wing under an approximate 1-g flight loading causes the lower winglet to move upwardly and outwardly from the static position to an in-flight position resulting in an effective span increase of the wing under the approximate 1-g flight loading relative to the span of the wing under the on-ground static loading.

Abstract: Systems and methods for launching space vehicles into outer space are disclosed. Systems include a launch vehicle with at least two stages. A thrust augmentation stage provides thrust during an initial portion of a launch trajectory. A first stage provides thrust during the initial portion and during a second portion of the launch trajectory. In some systems, the thrust augmentation stage is reusable with a distinct first stage. In some systems, the thrust augmentation stage defines a central bore, through which the first stage extends for initial launch of the launch vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a wing box and a fuselage provided with a connecting device configured to be connected to the wing box and to transmit thereto stresses undergone by the fuselage during maneuvers of the aircraft are provided. The connecting device is formed by a keel beam and a keel beam panel connected to the beam via a connecting portion of the beam, that is moreover provided with a main portion extending in a first, generally longitudinal direction and a transfer portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction and configured to be connected to the box. The main, transfer and connecting portions are configured to direct a major part of the stresses received by the beam in the second direction and transmit said major part of the stresses to the box by compression.

Abstract: A rollable and accordion foldable refractive lens concentrator flexible solar array blanket structure assembly for a spacecraft/satellite application consisting of at least one or more rows of electrically interconnected solar cells and at least one or more rows of deployable elongated refractive lenses elevated and aligned from the top surface of the solar cells. The entire blanket assembly, inclusive of lenses and solar cell substrates, kinematically deploys by unrolling or unfolding the assembly for its stowed package configuration, and the final tensioning of the blanket assembly produces an aligned assembly where the solar cell substrate subassembly and the lens subassembly are coplanar. Deployment of the integrated blanket assembly (with refractive lenses) is directly coupled through the unrolling or the accordion unfolding deployment kinematics of the concentrator blanket assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed utilize acceleration information in landing an unmanned aerial vehicle. In particular, one or more embodiments include methods and systems that determine a UAV is landing, identify an acceleration spike relative to the UAV, and modify operation of the UAV while landing based on the acceleration spike. For example, in one or more embodiment, systems and methods identify an acceleration spike, compare the acceleration spike to a pattern indicative of contact with another object, and reduce the rate of rotation of rotors utilized by the UAV for flight based on the comparison of the acceleration spike to the pattern.

Abstract: In a high-lift-device, a wing, and noise reduction device for a high-lift-device that are capable of reducing noise generated when a flap is extended, preventing deterioration of aerodynamics characteristic when retracting the flap, and preventing an increase in weight, a flap main body (5) disposed so as to be extendable/retractable relative to a main wing and a protruding portion (6A-1) that smoothly protrudes at least at the vicinity of one end portion of a positive-pressure surface (PS) of the flap main body (5) in a direction away from the flap main body (5) are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of waste in an aircraft. An apparatus comprises a receptacle system. The receptacle system is configured to hold the waste. The receptacle system is located in a space between a galley and a bulkhead of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft galley power and control system is disclosed having a plurality of electrical appliances within a monument, the galley control system including a control panel removed from the electrical appliances that include controls for operating each of the electrical appliances, The galley also includes a galley controller interface for receiving commands from a display screen on the control panel and communicating the commands to the electrical appliances.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.

Abstract: An aircraft nose structure comprising frames (2, 4, 6), a lower windshield frame member (12) and an upper windshield frame member (14) which are adapted to receive a windshield. The lower windshield frame member (12) has an arcuate shape with two branches which are connected together by a tie-rod (26).

Abstract: A collapsible wing, methods of producing the collapsible wing, and an unmanned aircraft system that includes the collapsible wing are provided.

Abstract: A cooling tube includes a tube member extending from a first end to a second end through an intermediate portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has an outside diameter. A flange is mounted at one of the first and second ends of the tube member. The flange includes a flange body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion through an intermediate section having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an inside diameter. The outside diameter of the tube member is between about 0.010-inch (0.0254-cm) and about 0.030-inch (0.0762-cm) smaller than the inside diameter of the flange.