Abstract: Rotor blades may be modified with field-installable profiles, or wedges towards the rear trailing end. The wedges may incorporate one or more porous sections to enhance fluid flow through the wedge, and thus reduce trailing edge noise and rotor vibrations when the rotors are in use. The use of porous materials on the trailing end of the blade and/or wedge reduces the intensity of high-frequency noise. A portion of the wedge may retain impermeable characteristics and be paired with a more porous section to minimize the boundary layer, and thus reduce noise. The wedges may be installed in the field, and easy removed, replaced, and/or applied manually to the rotor blade trailing edge. As the vehicle is used, the placement and choice of location and number of wedges applied to one or more rotor blades may be modified each time the vehicle rotor blade come to rest.

Abstract: Tail boom drive systems for helicopters are described which utilize a fan internal to the tail boom to provide yaw control, and an external propulsor to provide forward thrust. In one embodiment, the tail boom drive system includes a shaft, a fan, and a propulsor. The shaft is disposed lengthwise within an interior space of the tail boom, and the shaft has a first end and a second end. The fan is mechanically coupled coaxially to the shaft within the interior space between the first end and the second end, and the fan generates a variable airflow directed towards the second end that is ejected from the interior space substantially perpendicular to the tail boom. The propulsor is external to the tail boom and is mechanically coupled coaxially to the shaft at the second end, and the propulsor generates a variable thrust directed towards the first end.

Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade of the rotorcraft having a rotor shaft and a rotor azimuth. The method comprises estimating a total rotor flapping value associated with the rotor blade during an operating condition of the rotorcraft. The estimated total rotor flapping value is relative to the rotor shaft as a function of the rotor azimuth. The method also comprises comparing the estimated total rotor flapping value to a rotor flapping limit value during the operating condition of the rotorcraft. The method further comprises sending a warning signal to a warning device when the estimated total rotor flapping value lies outside of the rotor flapping limit value to alert the rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of the rotor blade of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: A high performance wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The high performance wall assembly includes a frame assembly having a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members. The vertical members are coupled to and extend between the top and bottom members. The high performance wall assembly also includes a rigid foam insulating panel coupled to the frame assembly. A structural foam layer is disposed on the plurality of vertical members and on the rigid foam insulating panel. The structural foam layer couples the rigid foam insulating panel to the frame assembly and couples the plurality of vertical members to the top and bottom members such that the high performance wall is free of fasteners.

Abstract: A high performance wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The high performance wall assembly includes a frame assembly having a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members. The vertical members are coupled to and extend between the top and bottom members. The high performance wall assembly also includes a rigid foam insulating panel coupled to the frame assembly. A structural foam layer is disposed on the plurality of vertical members and on the rigid foam insulating panel. The structural foam layer couples the rigid foam insulating panel to the frame assembly and couples the plurality of vertical members to the top and bottom members such that the high performance wall is free of fasteners.

Abstract: A method is provided for alerting a rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of a rotor blade of the rotorcraft having a rotor shaft and a rotor azimuth. The method comprises estimating a total rotor flapping value associated with the rotor blade during an operating condition of the rotorcraft. The estimated total rotor flapping value is relative to the rotor shaft as a function of the rotor azimuth. The method also comprises comparing the estimated total rotor flapping value to a rotor flapping limit value during the operating condition of the rotorcraft. The method further comprises sending a warning signal to a warning device when the estimated total rotor flapping value lies outside of the rotor flapping limit value to alert the rotorcraft crew member of a potential collision of the rotor blade of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: Tail boom drive systems for helicopters are described which utilize a fan internal to the tail boom to provide yaw control, and an external propulsor to provide forward thrust. In one embodiment, the tail boom drive system includes a shaft, a fan, and a propulsor. The shaft is disposed lengthwise within an interior space of the tail boom, and the shaft has a first end and a second end. The fan is mechanically coupled coaxially to the shaft within the interior space between the first end and the second end, and the fan generates a variable airflow directed towards the second end that is ejected from the interior space substantially perpendicular to the tail boom. The propulsor is external to the tail boom and is mechanically coupled coaxially to the shaft at the second end, and the propulsor generates a variable thrust directed towards the first end.

Abstract: A high performance wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The high performance wall assembly includes a frame assembly having a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members. The vertical members are coupled to and extend between the top and bottom members. The high performance wall assembly also includes a rigid foam insulating panel coupled to the frame assembly. A structural foam layer is disposed on the plurality of vertical members and on the rigid foam insulating panel. The structural foam layer couples the rigid foam insulating panel to the frame assembly and couples the plurality of vertical members to the top and bottom members such that the high performance wall is free of fasteners.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly comprises a frame assembly and an outer foam layer. The outer foam layer is coupled to the frame assembly. The outer foam layer extends from the frame assembly to an exterior surface of the outer foam layer. The exterior surface of the outer foam layer is configured to receive the exterior covering of the building. The outer foam layer comprises a plurality of particles and a binder that define a plurality of pathways. The pathways extend vertically through the prefabricated wall assembly from the top member to the bottom member of the frame assembly for allowing airflow and drainage between the frame assembly and the exterior covering.

Abstract: Provided herein is an improved lacrosse stick with a teaching aid. The lacrosse stick includes an elongate member comprising a shaft with a near end and a far end designed for a user to hold the lacrosse stick. The lacrosse stick further includes a basket for holding a ball, the basket being attached to the far end of the shaft. The shaft further includes a teaching aid positioned near the far end of the shaft. The teaching aid is a curling aid which serves as a physical barrier forcing a hand to engage the shaft in a curling position.

Abstract: Provided herein is an improved lacrosse stick with a teaching aid. The lacrosse stick includes an elongate member comprising a shaft with a near end and a far end designed for a user to hold the lacrosse stick. The lacrosse stick further includes a basket for holding a ball, the basket being attached to the far end of the shaft. The shaft further includes a teaching aid positioned near the far end of the shaft. The teaching aid is a curling aid which serves as a physical barrier forcing a hand to engage the shaft in a curling position.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly includes a frame assembly and an insulating foam layer. The frame assembly includes a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members coupled to and extending between the top and bottom members. The frame assembly also has an interior side and an exterior side opposite the interior side. The insulating foam layer is disposed between the plurality of vertical members of the frame assembly and also extends from the exterior side of the frame assembly terminating in a plurality of integral ribs. An exterior surface of the insulating foam layer is presented between the plurality of ribs. The ribs space the exterior covering from the exterior surface of the insulating foam layer for allowing airflow and drainage between the prefabricated wall assembly and the exterior covering.

Abstract: A high performance wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The high performance wall assembly includes a frame assembly having a top member, a bottom member opposite the top member, and a plurality of vertical members. The vertical members are coupled to and extend between the top and bottom members. The high performance wall assembly also includes a rigid foam insulating panel coupled to the frame assembly. A structural foam layer is disposed on the plurality of vertical members and on the rigid foam insulating panel. The structural foam layer couples the rigid foam insulating panel to the frame assembly and couples the plurality of vertical members to the top and bottom members such that the high performance wall is free of fasteners.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall assembly receives an exterior covering of a building. The prefabricated wall assembly comprises a frame assembly and an outer foam layer. The outer foam layer is coupled to the frame assembly. The outer foam layer extends from the frame assembly to an exterior surface of the outer foam layer. The exterior surface of the outer foam layer is configured to receive the exterior covering of the building. The outer foam layer comprises a plurality of particles and a binder that define a plurality of pathways. The pathways extend vertically through the prefabricated wall assembly from the top member to the bottom member of the frame assembly for allowing airflow and drainage between the frame assembly and the exterior covering.

Abstract: This invention provides convenient airframe vibration and tracking improvements of a helicopter rotor blade by use of an elastomer profile system that is attached through an adhesive system that allows convenient removal and relocation for use by the helicopter manufacturer or by the helicopter operator in a field environment.

Abstract: A control system for operating vanes of a turbocharger turbine (16T) and for operating a turbine-shunting bypass valve (22) according to a strategy wherein a processor executes an algorithm for selectively unenabling the control system to operate the bypass valve when the control system is operating the vanes to adjust exhaust back-pressure on the engine within a range of effectiveness for the vanes to control the exhaust back-pressure and enabling the control system to operate the bypass valve when the control system has operated the mechanism to a limit of the range of effectiveness.

Abstract: This invention provides convenient airframe vibration and tracking improvements of a helicopter rotor blade by use of an elastomer profile system that is attached through an adhesive system that allows convenient removal and relocation for use by the helicopter manufacturer or by the helicopter operator in a field environment.

Abstract: Testing of temperature sensors (28, 30, 32) in an emission control system, such as in an exhaust system (10) of a diesel engine, serves to condition further component and/or system testing by determining that sufficient sensor cooling has occurred and that no sensor is “stuck within range” using a strategy (50).

Abstract: A control system for operating vanes of a turbocharger turbine (16T) and for operating a turbine-shunting bypass valve (22) according to a strategy wherein a processor executes an algorithm for selectively unenabling the control system to operate the bypass valve when the control system is operating the vanes to adjust exhaust back-pressure on the engine within a range of effectiveness for the vanes to control the exhaust back-pressure and enabling the control system to operate the bypass valve when the control system has operated the mechanism to a limit of the range of effectiveness.

Abstract: A system of adjustable balancing weights is provided for a helicopter main rotor blade. The trailing edge of the rotor blade is formed with a plurality of recesses that each receive an aerodynamically shaped weight to adjust and balance the weight of the rotor blade. A forward weight recess and a forward weight are also provided on the rotor blade adjacent the rotor blade leading edge. The lateral spacing between the weight adjacent the rotor blade leading edge and the weights adjacent the rotor blade trailing edge provides greater flexibility in balancing the mass of the rotor blade.