Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an interface which receives sensor information associated with a vehicle, a severing tool, a parachute load limiting device state controller, and a reefing device. The controller determines, based at least in part on the sensor information, whether to instruct the severing tool to release a reefing device prior to parachute deployment. If it is determined to instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the severing tool is so instructed. If it is determined to not instruct the severing tool to release the reefing device prior to the parachute deployment, the reefing device is configured to be situated around a parachute canopy to constrain the parachute canopy during an initial state and slide down the parachute canopy to a position below the parachute canopy to constrain one or more parachute tethers.

Abstract: A towed atmospheric balloon system includes an atmospheric balloon including a quantity of lift gas and a neutral buoyancy towing system coupled with the atmospheric balloon. The neutral buoyancy towing system includes one or more towing thrusters configured to move the towed atmospheric balloon system in a neutrally buoyant condition between altitudes, and a power source operatively coupled with the towing thruster. Wherein a composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system includes component masses of the atmospheric balloon and the neutral buoyancy towing system, and the composite mass is static and neutral buoyancy is maintained with movement between altitudes. At differing altitudes the composite mass of the towed atmospheric balloon system is static and the and the system remains neutrally buoyant.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for constructing an airship quickly and cost-effectively are described. In one embodiments, a jig for constructing a mainframe of an airship structure may have a first rail and a second rail that are configured to be parallel to each other, the first rail and the second rail each forming an arc, multiple first supporting structures coupled to the first rail, wherein the first supporting structures have non-uniform heights to support a curvature of the arc of the first rail, multiple second supporting structures coupled to the second rail, wherein the second supporting structures have non-uniform heights to support a curvature of the arc of the second rail, wherein the first rail and the second rail are configured to interface with detachable wheels coupled to an outer surface of the mainframe and enable the mainframe to be rotated along its axis on the jig.

Abstract: An aircraft interior structure may include a social area section including a surface. The social area section may be accessible from a floor area of an aircraft cabin. The aircraft interior structure may include a passenger seating section proximate to an aircraft seat. The passenger seating section may include a footwell. The aircraft interior structure may include a partition separating the passenger seating section and a first portion of the social area section. The footwell of the passenger seating section may be positioned underneath at least one of the partition or the surface of the social area section in a second portion of the social area section.

Abstract: A torque bar assembly for use in an aircraft wheel is disclosed. In various embodiments, the assembly includes a torque bar; and a spacer configured for positioning between the torque bar and a wheel well of the aircraft wheel and to thermally insulate the wheel well from the torque bar, wherein the spacer includes a first anodized metal oxide layer on a first surface of the spacer configured to contact the torque bar. In various embodiments, the spacer includes a second anodized metal oxide layer on a second surface of the spacer configured to contact the wheel well.

Abstract: A variable lift device includes a pressurized airtight enclosure accommodating air, a first airtight ballonet disposed inside the airtight enclosure accommodating a pressurized gas with a density lower than the density of air, the first airtight ballonet comprising a perforation means for perforating the first airtight ballonet.

Abstract: An evacuation system (10) includes an electrically insulating inflatable conveyance (11), which is stowed within, and deployed from, a framework (21) attached to an interior structure (45) or exterior structure (43) of an industrial vehicle (38). The inflatable conveyance (11) preferably has a flexible base (12) affixed to, and dependently supported by, longitudinally disposed closed tubular members (15), and may take the form of a chute that may be configured to function as a slide or as a ladder. The chute may be enclosed with a canopy (17), or may be open but provided with upwardly extending side walls (16). In implementations of a canopy (17), transparent egress windows (19) may be provided. Transversely oriented straps (14) form safety steps and/or hand rails in a “ladder” configuration of the chute.

Abstract: A morphing airfoil system includes an airfoil including a bulkhead and an airfoil body extending from the bulkhead, at least one inflatable/deflatable bladder positioned within the airfoil body, and a bladder pressurization mechanism configured for controlling pressurization of the at least one bladder. The system also includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors and storing an airfoil control module including instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the processor(s) to control operation of the bladder pressurization mechanism to increase or decrease internal pressure in the at least one bladder to change a configuration of the airfoil.

Abstract: Additive manufactured airframe structure having a plurality of additive manufactured airframe segments operable to be linked together in an assembled direction. Each of the plurality of additive manufactured airframe segments are separate from one another in an unassembled configuration. Plurality of reinforcement elements operable to be received in a receiving portion of the plurality of airframe segments and extending through the plurality of airframe segments in a normal direction. Receiving portion is located on the interior of a respective one of the plurality of airframe segments.

Abstract: A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft. The modal restraint system includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch from the unfixed mode to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an operational parameter that is beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.

Abstract: A parachute vent reefing system is disclosed. The parachute vent reefing system includes a plurality of attachment members disposed about a vent portion of a parachute canopy and a keeper routed between each attachment member of said plurality of attachment members. The keeper has a diameter less than the diameter of the vent portion and is configured to break at a preselected tensile threshold.

Abstract: A tethered aerial system includes an on-board fuel cell for powering on-board electronics and a tether cable which is less conductive than air. The tether cable includes a pipe for carrying a flow of gas to the fuel cell and/or maintain the gas level in a lighter-than-air platform, so that the tethered aerial system can remain operational for an extended period of time. The system is particularly applicable for maintaining communication links in remote areas, agriculture and applications in the IoT (Internet of Things), event coverage, interactive marketing, for post-disaster situations in rural areas and at mining sites or construction sites in remote environments. The system also is immune to rays.

Abstract: A life raft system for an aircraft, comprising a storage container; an inflatable life raft that is stored in the storage container in normal operation mode, an inflation device for inflating the inflatable life raft in an emergency mode, and a control unit for activating the inflation device in the emergency mode; wherein the control unit comprises a floatable control buoy with an activation member that is operable for activating the inflation device, wherein the floatable control buoy is provided for operation at a predetermined distance remote from an associated aircraft in an emergency mode.

Abstract: A rotor-regulation system includes a rotor comprising a plurality of blades, a mechanically driven hydraulic pump, a rotor drive shaft operable to drive the rotor and the mechanically driven hydraulic pump, and a throttling valve coupled to the mechanically driven hydraulic pump and operable to modulate rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: The disclosed propulsion system of a space vehicle and the methods of operating the propulsion system use a microwave energy source to heat propellant in a propellant chamber that pierces and traverses a waveguide carrying the microwave energy. In some implementations, the microwave energy ionizes and further heats the propellant in the propellant chamber. The partially ionized and heated propellant may exit the propellant chamber via a nozzle to generate thrust.

Abstract: A nose-wheel steering system may comprise an actuator and a bevel gear rotationally coupled to a drive shaft of the actuator. The bevel gear may be configured to rotate about a first axis. A collar gear may be intermeshed with the bevel gear. The collar gear may be configured to rotate about a second axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A system for use with a tripod landing gear assembly of an aircraft may comprise: a tension strut assembly having a tension strut extending from an upper end to a lower end; a drag brace assembly having an upper brace and a lower brace, the upper brace pivotably coupled to the lower brace at a center point, the lower brace rotatably coupled to the lower end of the tension strut; and a jury linkage pivotally coupled to the drag brace assembly at the center point rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the tension strut, the middle portion between the upper end and the lower end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an unmanned aerial vehicle adapted to be positioned against a substantially vertical wall while hovering in the air, including a body and rotors, an arm end, a first leg end and a second leg end intersected by a front plane and adapted for together contacting the wall at three spaced apart positions, the front plane intersecting a vertical axis of the UAV at an upper side of a first plane spanned by a lateral and longitudinal axis of the UAV, the front plane extending at a first angle of between 45 to 85 degrees to the first plane; wherein the UAV is adapted for tilting upon contact of the first and second leg ends with the wall while the arm end approaches the wall, about the first and second leg ends and towards the wall, until the arm end contacts the wall.

Abstract: A noise reduction apparatus, an aircraft, and a noise reduction method capable of increasing the amount of noise reduction are provided. The noise reduction apparatus 1 includes a porous plate 2 disposed to face a fluid flow, the porous plate 2 including a bend region 5 bent toward an upstream side of the fluid flow. The bend region 5 is provided at the end portion 6 of the porous plate 2, and has a concave R-shape on an upstream side of the fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a landing gear (1) for a light aircraft, i.e. weighing less than 5.7 tonnes, the landing gear consisting of at least one wheel (3) attached to a chassis or to a fuselage of the aircraft by means of a connecting element (2). According to the invention, the wheel (3) is connected to the connecting element (2) via a system (4) of two damping cylinders arranged between the wheel (3) and the connecting element (2).