Abstract: A landing gear assembly for an aircraft includes an energy absorber and a land-contact assembly attached to the energy absorber. A retraction assembly is attached to the energy absorber via a pivot point. A trigger assembly is coupled to the energy absorber and the retraction assembly. The trigger assembly is configured to retract the land-contact assembly from an extended position to retracted position in response to a piston of the energy absorber reaching a maximum stroke position in which the trigger assembly triggers an actuator to actuate from a locked position to an unlocked position to release the retraction assembly in a controlled manner which rotates the energy absorber and the land-contact assembly to the retracted position. The maximum stroke position of the piston is beyond normal-operation stroke positions of the piston. A landing gear system and a method of activating the landing gear system utilizes the trigger assembly.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect generally relates to public safety communication systems employing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and/or a Digital Distribution System (DDS) as part of a distributed wireless network. More specifically, one aspect relates to a DAS/DDS architecture utilizing a software (re)configurable network. Even more specifically, one aspect relates to a DAS/DDS architecture having a redundant system topology as well as failover capabilities at one or more of the hardware/software level and/or the communication link level.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for an aircraft includes an energy absorber and a land-contact assembly attached to the energy absorber. A retraction assembly is attached to the energy absorber via a pivot point. A trigger assembly is coupled to the energy absorber and the retraction assembly. The trigger assembly is configured to retract the land-contact assembly from an extended position to retracted position in response to a piston of the energy absorber reaching a maximum stroke position in which the trigger assembly triggers an actuator to actuate from a locked position to an unlocked position to release the retraction assembly in a controlled manner which rotates the energy absorber and the land-contact assembly to the retracted position. The maximum stroke position of the piston is beyond normal-operation stroke positions of the piston. A landing gear system and a method of activating the landing gear system utilizes the trigger assembly.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect generally relates to public safety communication systems employing Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and/or a Digital Distribution System (DDS) as part of a distributed wireless network. More specifically, one aspect relates to a DAS/DDS architecture utilizing a software (re)configurable network. Even more specifically, one aspect relates to a DAS/DDS architecture having a redundant system topology as well as failover capabilities at one or more of the hardware/software level and/or the communication link level.

Abstract: A redundancy system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs). Each of the plurality of DAUs is fed by a plurality of data streams and is operable to transport digital signals between others of the plurality of DAUs. The redundancy system also includes a plurality of Digital Distribution Units (DDUs). Each of the plurality of DDUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DAUs using cross connection communication paths. The redundancy system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). Each of the plurality of DRUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DDUs using cross connection communications paths.

Abstract: Active fluid control systems and related methods are disclosed. A disclosed example active fluid control system includes a plurality of plenums coupled together to define a fluid flow passageway, and a plurality of fluidic actuators coupled to outer surfaces of respective ones of the plenums. The fluidic actuators define actuator inlets and actuator outlets. The fluid flow passageway defined by the plenums to fluidly couple the fluidic actuators and a pressurized fluid supply source. The plenums are configured to couple to an aircraft structure supporting an aerodynamic surface to enable the actuator outlets to be mounted to the aerodynamic surface. The fluidic actuators are configured to provide the pressurized fluid to the aerodynamic surface to modify an aerodynamic characteristic of the aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus are disclosed. An example filtration apparatus includes a housing including a plurality of walls defining a cavity, a filter located in the cavity, and a cleanout system coupled to the housing. The cleanout system includes a cleanout passageway between an outer surface of the housing and the filter. The cleanout system includes a cleanout inlet accessible from the outer surface of the housing and a cleanout outlet in fluid communication with the filter. The cleanout system enables removal of particulate from the filter without removing the filter from the housing.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes pre-fabricated supports arrangeable to support the three-dimensional object during additive manufacturing; and a computer configured to at least: access a computer geometric model of the three-dimensional object, and geometric parameters of the pre-fabricated supports; and generate an arrangement of the pre-fabricated supports with respective coordinates in a coordinate system, to support the three-dimensional object in the coordinate system during additive manufacturing, the computer being configured to generate the arrangement based on the computer geometric model of the three-dimensional object and the geometric parameters of the pre-fabricated supports, the computer being configured to generate different arrangements of the pre-fabricated supports for different three-dimensional objects having different computer geometric models.

Abstract: Example active flow control systems and methods for aircraft are described herein. An example an active flow control system includes a plenum, a plurality of nozzles fluidly coupled to the plenum, configured to eject high pressure air across a control surface, a compressor to supply pressurized air to the plenum, an electric motor to drive the compressor, and a control system to determine an amount of power input to the electric motor, determine a current speed of the electric motor, and determine a fault has occurred in the active flow control system based on the current speed of the electric motor.

Abstract: A redundancy system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs). Each of the plurality of DAUs is fed by a plurality of data streams and is operable to transport digital signals between others of the plurality of DAUs. The redundancy system also includes a plurality of Digital Distribution Units (DDUs). Each of the plurality of DDUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DAUs using cross connection communication paths. The redundancy system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). Each of the plurality of DRUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DDUs using cross connection communications paths.

Abstract: Cleanout systems are disclosed. An example environmental control system includes an exhaust plenum to exhaust cooling fluid from a heat exchanger outlet of a heat exchanger, and a cleanout system coupled to the exhaust plenum adjacent the heat exchanger outlet. The cleanout system includes a cleanout passageway to fluidly couple a cleanout inlet accessible from an outer surface of the exhaust plenum and a cleanout outlet in fluid communication with the heat exchanger outlet. The cleanout system is to enable removal of particulate from the heat exchanger without disassembling the heat exchanger from the exhaust plenum or an air intake.

Abstract: A redundancy system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs). Each of the plurality of DAUs is fed by a plurality of data streams and is operable to transport digital signals between others of the plurality of DAUs. The redundancy system also includes a plurality of Digital Distribution Units (DDUs). Each of the plurality of DDUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DAUs using cross connection communication paths. The redundancy system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). Each of the plurality of DRUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DDUs using cross connection communications paths.

Abstract: A redundancy system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs). Each of the plurality of DAUs is fed by a plurality of data streams and is operable to transport digital signals between others of the plurality of DAUs. The redundancy system also includes a plurality of Digital Distribution Units (DDUs). Each of the plurality of DDUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DAUs using cross connection communication paths. The redundancy system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). Each of the plurality of DRUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DDUs using cross connection communications paths.

Abstract: Cleanout systems are disclosed. An example environmental control system includes an exhaust plenum to exhaust cooling fluid from a heat exchanger outlet of a heat exchanger, and a cleanout system coupled to the exhaust plenum adjacent the heat exchanger outlet. The cleanout system includes a cleanout passageway to fluidly couple a cleanout inlet accessible from an outer surface of the exhaust plenum and a cleanout outlet in fluid communication with the heat exchanger outlet. The cleanout system is to enable removal of particulate from the heat exchanger without disassembling the heat exchanger from the exhaust plenum or an air intake.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus are disclosed. An example filtration apparatus includes a housing including a plurality of walls defining a cavity, a filter located in the cavity, and a cleanout system coupled to the housing. The cleanout system includes a cleanout passageway between an outer surface of the housing and the filter. The cleanout system includes a cleanout inlet accessible from the outer surface of the housing and a cleanout outlet in fluid communication with the filter. The cleanout system enables removal of particulate from the filter without removing the filter from the housing.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes pre-fabricated supports arrangeable to support the three-dimensional object during additive manufacturing; and a computer configured to at least: access a computer geometric model of the three-dimensional object, and geometric parameters of the pre-fabricated supports; and generate an arrangement of the pre-fabricated supports with respective coordinates in a coordinate system, to support the three-dimensional object in the coordinate system during additive manufacturing, the computer being configured to generate the arrangement based on the computer geometric model of the three-dimensional object and the geometric parameters of the pre-fabricated supports, the computer being configured to generate different arrangements of the pre-fabricated supports for different three-dimensional objects having different computer geometric models.

Abstract: A redundancy system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs). Each of the plurality of DAUs is fed by a plurality of data streams and is operable to transport digital signals between others of the plurality of DAUs. The redundancy system also includes a plurality of Digital Distribution Units (DDUs). Each of the plurality of DDUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DAUs using cross connection communication paths. The redundancy system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). Each of the plurality of DRUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DDUs using cross connection communications paths.

Abstract: Active fluid control systems and related methods are disclosed. A disclosed example active fluid control system includes a plurality of plenums coupled together to define a fluid flow passageway, and a plurality of fluidic actuators coupled to outer surfaces of respective ones of the plenums. The fluidic actuators define actuator inlets and actuator outlets. The fluid flow passageway defined by the plenums to fluidly couple the fluidic actuators and a pressurized fluid supply source. The plenums are configured to couple to an aircraft structure supporting an aerodynamic surface to enable the actuator outlets to be mounted to the aerodynamic surface. The fluidic actuators are configured to provide the pressurized fluid to the aerodynamic surface to modify an aerodynamic characteristic of the aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: A redundancy system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of Digital Access Units (DAUs). Each of the plurality of DAUs is fed by a plurality of data streams and is operable to transport digital signals between others of the plurality of DAUs. The redundancy system also includes a plurality of Digital Distribution Units (DDUs). Each of the plurality of DDUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DAUs using cross connection communication paths. The redundancy system further includes a plurality of Digital Remote Units (DRUs). Each of the plurality of DRUs is in communication with each of the plurality of DDUs using cross connection communications paths.

Abstract: A method of modifying an annotation input on an interactive display in an interactive input system is described. Reference pixel values in a region of interest of a reference frame are determined. The region of interest is associated with the annotation. The reference pixel values are stored in memory. It is determined whether current pixel values in the region of interest of a current frame differ from the reference pixel values. The annotation is faded if the current pixel values in the region of interest differ from the reference pixel values. A computing device configured to implement the method and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instruction to implement the method are also described.