Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a section of a fuselage of an aircraft. The method includes pulsing a half barrel section of the fuselage along a track in a process direction, utilizing an indexing feature associated with the half barrel section to determine a desired contour for a portion of the half barrel section, and enforcing the desired contour onto the half barrel section using components that enforce an inner mold line and components that enforce an outer mold line when the half barrel section is out of tolerance from the desired contour.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for low-power and high-sampling rate of analog signals received from sensors transported by host devices. The devices, systems and methods may be adapted to utilize GPS and PPS signals for synchronization with digitized signals generated based on the sampling of the analog signals that are simultaneously received and processed by multiple channels. Synchronized data packets may be recorded by the disclosed data acquisition systems, and may be further transmitted to host devices and remote devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for installing ribs and/or spars to a wing panel while a contour is enforced. Methods include suspending a wing panel beneath a shuttle that enforces the contour, advancing the wing panel through work stations via the shuttle, and installing a rib or a spar (or another wing panel) at a work station, while the contour is enforced. Other methods include locating a wing panel beneath a shuttle, coupling adjustable-length pogos to the wing panel at locations distinct from those corresponding with an installation location, e.g. for a rib or a spar, and controlling the length of the pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Some systems include a track, work stations disposed along the track, and a shuttle to advance along the track and convey a wing panel to each of the work stations while enforcing a contour onto the wing panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a wing. Methods include suspending an upper wing panel of an aircraft beneath a shuttle, translating a rib to a position it, and placing the rib into contact with, then affixing the rib to, the upper wing panel, while suspended. Some methods include installing ribs and spars to the upper wing panel, and joining a lower wing panel to the ribs and spars, while the upper wing panel is suspended. Some methods involve joining ribs to spars (e.g., all, or some) to produce a support structure that is then affixed to the upper wing panel. Systems include a shuttle that suspends an upper wing panel, and a cart that includes supports to hold a rib, a chassis to translate the rib to a position beneath the upper wing panel, and a lifting apparatus to lift the rib into contact with the upper wing panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw (16) and a second jaw (618, 718, 900) that cooperate to clamp and staple tissue (90). The second jaw includes a jaw body (620, 720, 902) and a distal tip (619, 719, 906) pivotable relative to the jaw body between a first discrete and a second discrete position. First and second openings (663, 784, 785, 932, 934) are both defined by one of the distal tip or a structure (621, 920) located proximal to the distal tip. A projection (637, 781, 918) is defined by the other of the distal tip or the structure. The projection is positionable within the first opening (663, 785, 932) to releasably retain the distal tip in the first discrete position, and within the second opening (663, 784, 934) to releasably retain the distal tip in the second discrete position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing a composite member. The system and methods are configured to move different types of composite plies from different supply stations. The composite plies are moved along a conveyance member and then with a transfer station to a forming tool. One or more forming members form the composite plies onto the forming tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for installing ribs and/or spars to a wing panel while a contour is enforced. Methods include suspending a wing panel beneath a shuttle that enforces the contour, advancing the wing panel through work stations via the shuttle, and installing a rib or a spar (or another wing panel) at a work station, while the contour is enforced. Other methods include locating a wing panel beneath a shuttle, coupling adjustable-length pogos to the wing panel at locations distinct from those corresponding with an installation location, e.g. for a rib or a spar, and controlling the length of the pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Some systems include a track, work stations disposed along the track, and a shuttle to advance along the track and convey a wing panel to each of the work stations while enforcing a contour onto the wing panel.

Abstract: The invention provides a flywheel system comprising a flywheel mounted for rotation within a chamber, a vacuum pump system and a valve for selectively closing a passage, wherein the chamber is coupled to an inlet of the vacuum pump system via the passage. The invention also provides a method of controlling the starting and stopping of the flywheel system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flywheel apparatus for energy storage and recovery including a housing within which there is a chamber in which a flywheel on a shaft rotates. The chamber is evacuated to at or near vacuum pressure, so that air resistance-related energy losses of the flywheel as it rotates are reduced. Maintaining near-vacuum pressure within the chamber requires an effective seal between the housing and the shaft. The effective seal must be maintained despite any relative movement (in particular translational movement) of the flywheel and the housing. To this end, the shaft is mounted via a bearing arrangement on a carrier on which is also mounted a sealing arrangement. The carrier is mounted on the housing such that the carrier, the bearing arrangement and the sealing arrangement move substantially together relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a flywheel system comprising a flywheel mounted for rotation within a chamber, a vacuum pump system and a valve for selectively closing a passage, wherein the chamber is coupled to an inlet of the vacuum pump system via the passage. The invention also provides a method of controlling the starting and stopping of the flywheel system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flywheel apparatus for energy storage and recovery including a housing within which there is a chamber in which a flywheel on a shaft rotates. The chamber is evacuated to at or near vacuum pressure, so that air resistance-related energy losses of the flywheel as it rotates are reduced. Maintaining near-vacuum pressure within the chamber requires an effective seal between the housing and the shaft. The effective seal must be maintained despite any relative movement (in particular translational movement) of the flywheel and the housing. To this end, the shaft is mounted via a bearing arrangement on a carrier on which is also mounted a sealing arrangement. The carrier is mounted on the housing such that the carrier, the bearing arrangement and the sealing arrangement move substantially together relative to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flywheel apparatus for energy storage and recovery including a flywheel system coupled to a flywheel drive system. The flywheel system includes a housing with a chamber in which a flywheel on a shaft rotates. The shaft is mounted on the housing via at least one damper which may allow but constrain and/or damp movement of the flywheel and shaft relative to the housing. The flywheel system has a flywheel lubrication system. The flywheel drive system may have a different type of fluid from the flywheel system. The two fluids may be kept separate by a sealing arrangement. Movement of the flywheel shaft relative to the housing is accommodated by a link member which allows the flywheel shaft to move relative to the housing. The link member also prevents the sealing arrangement from becoming damaged or becoming ineffective, and may also act as a mechanical fuse.

Abstract: The invention provides a flywheel system comprising a flywheel mounted for rotation within a chamber, a vacuum pump system and a valve for selectively closing a passage, wherein the chamber is coupled to an inlet of the vacuum pump system via the passage. The invention also provides a method of controlling the starting and stopping of the flywheel system.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably tuning an acoustic percussion instrument with a single adjustment. The system includes a cord attached to a tensioning device, the cord being arranged in connection with a plurality of brackets and tensioning elements. By increasing the tension on the cord, the tensioning elements are pulled in a downward direction with respect to the drum head, thereby increasing the tension thereon. The tuning system disclosed herein provides a substantially equal distribution of tensioning force through the arrangement of the cord and other elements of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably tuning an acoustic percussion instrument with a single adjustment. The system comprises a cord attached to a tensioning device, the cord being arranged in connection with a plurality of brackets and tensioning elements. By increasing the tension on the cord, the tensioning elements are pulled in a downward direction with respect to the drum head, thereby increasing the tension thereon. The tuning system disclosed herein provides a substantially equal distribution of tensioning force through the arrangement of the cord and other elements of the system.

Abstract: The sail toy land vehicle includes a generally rod-like elongated frame or central body, having a raised forward portion, an elongated rigid rear wheel axle structure includes a pair of rear outrigger wheels to help support the vehicle rollably along the ground. An aerodynamic upright sail structure has a sail positioned such that its center of gravity is disposed approximately over the rear axle structure of the vehicle, and positioned in a rearwardly inclined manner.