Abstract: A water-based acrylic latex paint has a dispersant-over-pigment (DOP) ratio between 0.5 and 1.5 to form a coating in which the pigment has a low concentration and is highly dispersed throughout to absorb in the visible band to produce a color (e.g., black) and is transmissive in the NIR and SWIR bands. The variables that determine absorption in the visible band and transmission in the NIR and SWIR bands include the DOP ratio, a pigment weight percentage between 1-2% in the paint and a coating thickness between 2 and 4 mil. To control the viscosity, the dispersing agent is suitably an acrylate-based block co-polymer, of molecular weight above 2,000 grams per mole, that includes an amine-functional block to anchor onto the pigment.

Abstract: A method of forming a degassing system includes the step of forming a bundle of hollow tube membrane members by wrapping hollow tube membrane members to form the bundle at a temperature above 100° F. (38° C.). Another method of forming a degassing system includes the step of the inserting bundle into an outer canister at a temperature above 100° F. (38° C.). A fuel supply system made by these methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fire suppression systems for aircraft include an air source, a first ASM configured to generate inert gas from air from the air source and supply inert gas to a fuel tank, and a second ASM configured to generate inert gas from the air from the air source and supply inert gas to a protected space of the aircraft. The second ASM comprises a membrane having inherent microporosity. A controller, in operable communication with the ASMs, is configured to operate the first ASM and not the second ASM during a first state of operation, and in response to a fire detected in the protected space, operate the second ASM to supply an inert gas from the second ASM to the protected space in a second state of operation.

Abstract: A system for monitoring fuel additives on board a vehicle includes a fuel line carrying fuel from a fuel source to an engine; a fuel additive sensor configured to measure concentration of additives in fuel at a point along the fuel line; a fuel additive dispenser connected in parallel to the fuel line; at least one flow control device for controlling an amount of flow from the fuel line into the fuel additive dispenser; and a controller configured to receive input from the fuel additive sensor and to control the flow control device to adjust the amount of the flow from the fuel line into the fuel additive dispenser.

Abstract: A fiber de-gassing membrane includes a plurality of membrane fibers. At least one of the membrane fibers has a first stiffness. The membrane includes reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers are positioned adjacent to at least one of the membrane fibers. The reinforcing fibers have a second stiffness. The second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the effectiveness of an oxygen removal unit for a fuel supply system. The method includes contacting a tube bundle with a repair liquid at 20 to 40° C. for less than two hours. The tube bundle includes tubes having an air permeable, non-porous polymer layer with discontinuities. The repair liquid includes a solvent and a curable thermoset material. The curable thermoset material is deposited in the discontinuities of the air permeable, non-porous polymer layer and cured. Also disclosed is a fuel system oxygen removal unit including a tubular bundle formed of tubes having an air permeable, non-porous polymer layer disposed on a microporous support wherein the air permeable, non-porous polymer layer includes discrete segments of a cured thermoset material.

Abstract: A powertrain system of an aircraft includes one or more electrical components to provide electrical power to one or more electrical loads of the aircraft. The system further includes a rechargeable cryogenic heat sink containing a volume of cryogenic cooling material. The cryogenic heat sink is configured to cool the one or more electrical components. A method of operating a powertrain system of an aircraft includes generating thermal energy at one or more electrical components of the powertrain system, fluidly connecting a cryogenic heat sink to the one or more electrical components, and cooling the one or more electrical components via a volume of cryogenic cooling material of the cryogenic heat sink.

Abstract: A conductor assembly including an electrically conductive material defining a longitudinal axis, a microporous membrane surrounding the electrically conductive material defining a series of pores, and a ceramic material within at least a first portion of the series of pores.

Abstract: A reactor furnace for coating fiber tow includes an elongate reactor having a fiber tow inlet and a fiber tow outlet; a thermo-chemical reactor section positioned along the elongate reactor; a first microwave source for directing microwave energy along the reactor from a first end of the reactor toward a second end of the reactor; a second microwave source for directing microwave energy along the reactor from the second end of the reactor toward the first end of the reactor; a gas inlet upstream of the thermo-chemical reactor; and a gas outlet downstream of the thermo-chemical reactor.

Abstract: A separator for removing contamination from a fluid of a heat pump includes a housing having a hollow interior, a header plate arranged within the hollow interior and having at least one mounting hole, and a separation module mounted within the hollow interior. The separation module includes a connector for forming an interface with the at least one mounting hole. A sealant is located at the interface between the connector and the mounting hole.

Abstract: A method of fuel tank inerting includes separating process air into nitrogen-enriched air and oxygen-enriched air with an air separation membrane. A vacuum is applied to the air separation membrane to produce a pressure differential across the air separation membrane. The vacuum is manipulated to vary the pressure differential and vary purity of the nitrogen-enriched air.

Abstract: A system, and associated method, for reducing oxidation of a friction disk may include a braking assembly comprising the friction disk and a coolant loop coupled to the braking assembly, with the coolant loop being configured to circulate liquid coolant from the braking assembly. That is, the coolant loop may be configured to reduce the temperature of the braking assembly, thus reducing the rate/extent of oxidation of the friction disks and potentially enabling the concentration of oxygen around the braking assembly to be reduced.

Abstract: A electronic component including a first protective layer covering the substrate and the conductive tract, a second protective layer covering at least a portion of the first protective layer, wherein the second protective layer includes Parylene, and a third protective layer covering at least a portion of the second protective layer.

Abstract: An electroplating system includes an enclosure with an interior, an anode lead extending through the enclosure and into the interior, and a porous body. The porous body is supported within the interior of the enclosure for coupling an electroplating solution within the interior with a workpiece. A conduit extends through the enclosure and into the interior of the enclosure to provide a flow of nitrogen enriched air to the interior of enclosure for drying and removing oxygen from the electroplating solution.

Abstract: A system, and associated method, for reducing oxidation of a friction disk may include a braking assembly comprising the friction disk and a conduit coupled to the braking assembly, with the conduit being in selectable fluid providing communication with the braking assembly. That is, the conduit may be configured to deliver inert fluid to the braking assembly, thus reducing the concentration of oxygen in the vicinity of the friction disks and thus reducing/mitigating oxidation of the friction disks.

Abstract: A system and method for providing inerting gas to a protected space is disclosed. The system includes an air separation module that includes an air inlet, a membrane with a permeability differential between oxygen and nitrogen, a nitrogen-enriched air outlet, and an oxygen-enriched air outlet. The system also includes an air flow path between an air source and the air separation module inlet, and an inerting gas flow path between the air separation module nitrogen-enriched air outlet and the protected space.

Abstract: A field grading composite body includes a polymeric matrix and a particulate filler distributed within the polymeric matrix. Particles of the particulate filler include a core formed from a semiconductor material, an oxide mixed layer deposited on the core, and conducting oxide layer. The conducting oxide layer deposited on the oxide mixed layer to provide an electrical percolation path through the polymeric matrix triggered by strength of an electric field extending through the field composite body. Conductors and methods of making field grading composite bodies for conductors are also described.

Abstract: A swing bed absorption apparatus including a first absorption bed including a first plurality of solid amine based sorbent beads, a second absorption bed including a second plurality of solid amine based sorbent beads, and a solvent pump configured to alternately pump a liquid solvent through the first absorption bed and the second absorption bed. The liquid solvent is configured to alternately desorb the carbon dioxide from the first plurality of solid amine based sorbent beads and the second plurality of solid amine based sorbent beads.

Abstract: A field grading composite body includes a polymeric matrix and a particulate filler distributed within the polymeric matrix. Particles of the particulate filler include a core formed from a semiconductor material, an oxide mixed layer deposited on the core, and conducting oxide layer. The conducting oxide layer deposited on the oxide mixed layer to provide an electrical percolation path through the polymeric matrix triggered by strength of an electric field extending through the field composite body. Conductors and methods of making field grading composite bodies for conductors are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving the effectiveness of an oxygen removal unit for a fuel supply system. The method includes contacting a tube bundle with a repair liquid at 20 to 40° C. for less than two hours. The tube bundle includes tubes having an air permeable, non-porous polymer layer with discontinuities. The repair liquid includes a solvent and a curable thermoset material. The curable thermoset material is deposited in the discontinuities of the air permeable, non-porous polymer layer and cured. Also disclosed is a fuel system oxygen removal unit including a tubular bundle formed of tubes having an air permeable, non-porous polymer layer disposed on a microporous support wherein the air permeable, non-porous polymer layer includes discrete segments of a cured thermoset material.