Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure such as an aircraft, method of operating a system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of the structure, and a sensor node for use in a monitoring system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of the structure, are provided. An example of a monitoring system can include a plurality of sensor nodes coupled to the structure and a controller for monitoring the sensor nodes. Each sensor node can include a communications interface including memory storing a plurality of sensor node communication protocol attributes used for communicating with the controller.

Abstract: Monitoring systems, sensor nodes, and methods of operating a system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure, are provided. An exemplary monitoring system includes one or more sensor nodes each including a power supply, a sensor configured to sense whether or not the power level of the power supply, and a communications interlace for communicating sensed operating conditions. The system also includes a controller in communication with the sensor nodes through a communication network to monitor the sensor nodes.

Abstract: A system and method to monitor the condition of a structure is provided. In one embodiment, a sensor node can include a power supply that can scavenge available energy, a sensor for sensing conditions in the immediate environment, and a communications interface for communicating the sensed operating conditions. Readers can be used to acquire data from the sensor nodes. In one embodiment, the readers can determine if the data from the sensor nodes is an exception and, if so, determine whether trend data is sufficient.

Abstract: A distributed monitoring system for monitoring one or more operating conditions of a structure includes: one or more sensor nodes coupled to the structure, each sensor node including: a power supply adapted to scavenge energy directed at the power supply; a sensor operably coupled to the power supply for sensing one or more operating conditions of the structure in the environment; and a communications interface operably coupled to the power supply and the sensor for communicating the sensed operating conditions of the structure; a communication network operably coupled to the sensor nodes; one or more controllers operably coupled to the communication network for monitoring the sensor nodes; and an energy radiator positioned proximate the structure adapted to radiate energy at the power supplies of the sensor nodes.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft.

Abstract: A distributed monitoring system for a structure.

Abstract: A distributed monitoring system for a structure.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft.

Abstract: A broad band energy harvesting system to harvest energy from a structure and associated methods are provided. The system includes a structure carrying a plurality of environmentally produced vibration frequencies extending over a frequency range and an energy harvesting apparatus positioned in vibration receiving communication with the structure to harvest energy from the structure. Each energy harvesting apparatus includes broadly tuned energy harvesting generators having relatively low quality factor and corresponding relatively wide bandwidth. The energy harvesting generators collectively provide energy harvesting over multiple modes to thereby provide energy harvesting over a substantial portion of the frequency range. Each energy harvesting generator can include a cantilevered beam connected to a common backbone comprised of a resilient material configured to transfer energy between adjacent generators to further enhance energy harvesting.

Abstract: A system to monitor the health of a structure, health monitoring sensor nodes, program product, and associated methods, are provided. The system includes an array of health monitoring sensor nodes connected to or embedded within a structure to monitor the health of the structure. Each health monitoring sensor node includes sensor elements positioned to sense parameters of the structure and to provide data related to the parameters to a health monitoring sensor node interrogator. Each health monitoring sensor node includes a processor or other means to reduce raw sensor data to thereby reduce communication bandwidth requirements and data collisions, and can include memory or other storage for storing the reduced data and an antenna arrangement for providing the reduced data to the health monitoring sensor node interrogator.

Abstract: A broad band energy harvesting system to harvest energy from a structure and associated methods are provided. The system includes a structure carrying a plurality of environmentally produced vibration frequencies extending over a frequency range and an energy harvesting apparatus positioned in vibration receiving communication with the structure to harvest energy from the structure. Each energy harvesting apparatus includes broadly tuned energy harvesting generators having relatively low quality factor and corresponding relatively wide bandwidth. The energy harvesting generators collectively provide energy harvesting over multiple modes to thereby provide energy harvesting over a substantial portion of the frequency range. Each energy harvesting generator can include a cantilevered beam connected to a common backbone comprised of a resilient material configured to transfer energy between adjacent generators to further enhance energy harvesting.

Abstract: A power module includes a substrate that includes an upper layer, an electrical insulator and a thermal coupling layer. The upper layer includes an electrically conductive pattern and is configured for receiving power devices. The electrical insulator is disposed between the upper layer and the thermal coupling layer. The thermal coupling layer is configured for thermal coupling to a heat sink. The power module further includes at least one laminar interconnect that includes first and second electrically conductive layers and an insulating layer disposed between the first and second electrically conductive layers. The first electrically conductive layer of the laminar interconnect is electrically connected to the upper layer of the substrate. Electrical connections connect a top side of the power devices to the second electrically conductive layer of the laminar interconnect.

Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes: an interconnect layer including an electrical conductor patterned on a dielectric layer, the electrical conductor including a power coupling portion having a thickness sufficient to carry power currents and a control coupling portion having a thickness thinner than that of the power coupling portion; and a semiconductor power device physically coupled to the interconnect layer and electrically coupled to the power coupling portion of the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A system to monitor the health of a structure, health monitoring sensor nodes, program product, and associated methods are provided. The system includes an array of health monitoring sensor nodes connected to or embedded within a structure to monitor the health of the structure. Each health monitoring sensor node includes sensor elements positioned to sense parameters of the structure and to provide data related to the parameters to a health monitoring sensor node interrogator. Each health monitoring sensor node includes a processor or other means reducing raw sensor data to thereby reduce communication bandwidth requirements, and can include memory or other storage for storing the reduced data and an antenna arrangement for providing the reduced data to the health monitoring sensor node interrogator.

Abstract: A system to monitor the health of a structure, health monitoring sensor nodes, program product, and associated methods are provided. The system includes an array of health monitoring sensor nodes connected to or embedded within a structure to monitor the health of the structure. Each health monitoring sensor node includes sensor elements positioned to sense parameters of the structure and to provide data related to the parameters to a health monitoring sensor node interrogator. Each health monitoring sensor node has a tunable antenna arrangement individually tunable to minimize data collisions between each other of the health monitoring sensor nodes. Each health monitoring sensor node also includes a processor and memory in communication with the processor storing a parameter processing program product adapted to control tuning the antenna arrangement and providing data to the health monitoring sensor node interrogator.

Abstract: A power circuit package includes a base including a substrate, a plurality of interconnect circuit layers over the substrate with each including a substrate insulating layer patterned with substrate electrical interconnects, and via connections extending from a top surface of the substrate to at least one of the substrate electrical interconnects; and a power semiconductor module including power semiconductor devices each including device pads on a top surface of the respective power semiconductor device and backside contacts on a bottom surface of the respective power semiconductor device, the power semiconductor devices being coupled to a membrane structure, the membrane structure including a membrane insulating layer and membrane electrical interconnects over the membrane insulating layer and selectively extending to the device pads, wherein the backside contacts are coupled to selected substrate electrical interconnects or via connections.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging system is presented. The system includes a system controller and a plurality of sub-system controllers. Each sub-system controller is configured to facilitate generation of a radiation beam through an imaging volume in a desired sequence. In addition, the system includes a first communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the sub-system controllers, where the first communication link is configured to communicate sequencing commands and imaging protocol data. The system also includes a second communication link configured to couple the system controller and each of the sub-system controllers, where the second communication link is configured to communicate X-ray source event data. The X-ray source event data comprises a plurality of pulses of individually addressable radiation sources. Additionally, the system includes one or more detector sections configured to receive a transmitted radiation beam.

Abstract: Interconnects for electronic devices. More specifically, stacked photoelectric devices, such as parallel tandem photovoltaic devices are provided. Each of the photovoltaic devices comprises photovoltaic cells formed between two substrates. Each of the substrates may include one or more interconnects to route a voltage from one side of the substrate to another. Each substrate includes an edge portion extending beyond the edge portion of an immediately adjacent substrate. All interconnects are exposed to one side of the device for easy and flexible electric connectivity and fabrication. The interconnects, which may include conductive vias or conductive edge wraps, are formed in the edge portion of the substrates.