Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an additively manufactured transport structure. The transport structure includes cavities into which components that use an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle. In an embodiment, the components and frame are modular, enabling reparability and replacement of single parts in the event of isolated failures.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an additively manufactured transport structure. The transport structure includes cavities into which components that use an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle. In an embodiment, the components and frame are modular, enabling reparability and replacement of single parts in the event of isolated failures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a near-infrared imaging optode (200) and associated system and method for transmitting near-infrared radiation into and/or receiving near-infrared radiation from a subjects head. The optode (200) comprises a plurality of resilient optical fibres (201) arranged to transmit and/or receive corresponding near-infrared radiation. The plurality of optical fibres (201) each comprise a distal end (203) arranged to make contact with a subjects head. The distal ends (203) of the plurality of optical fibres (201) are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a near-infrared imaging system for identifying a target feature in an object. The system comprises a near-infrared transmitter receiver array for transmitting near-infrared radiation into the object and receiving corresponding near-infrared radiation emitted from the object and a data processing system (215) configured to process near-infrared radiation received via the near-infrared transmitter receiver array in accordance with a near-infrared imaging model (216). The system further comprises signal transmitting means (205) arranged to transmit one or more further signals into the object; and signal receiving means (206) arranged to receive the one or more further signals from the object. The data processing system (215) is further configured to process one or more characteristics of the one or more further signals received by the signal receiving means (206) to generate one or more constraints (218) to apply to the near-infrared imaging model (216).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an additively manufactured transport structure. The transport structure includes cavities into which components that use an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle. In an embodiment, the components and frame are modular, enabling reparability and replacement of single parts in the event of isolated failures.

Abstract: A landing apparatus for an airship or hybrid air vehicle. The landing apparatus comprises a hollow, non-toroidal, flexible enclosure (103), having a substantially vertical axis (104), and a substantially circular cross-section centred on the axis. A base (122) of the enclosure is arranged to contact the ground. The enclosure (103) is inflatable with air or gas for landing, and deflatable for retraction of the enclosure during flight.

Abstract: A non-rigid airship or hybrid air vehicle has a pressure-stabilised envelope (100) that includes at least one ballonet (102, 103). A system is provided for measuring the geometry of the lifting gas enclosure (101) within the pressure-stabilised envelope (100). The system comprises a plurality of sensors (104, 109) located outside the ballonet(s) but inside the envelope, for measuring the geometry of the enclosure. Some of the sensors (104) are arranged to measure an internal surface of the pressure-stabilised envelope (100), and others of the sensors (109) are arranged to measure an external surface of the at least one ballonet (102, 103).

Abstract: A device, system and method for increasing air intake by a subject is described. The device includes a vibration motor and a control unit for controlling vibrational motion output by the vibration motor. The methods include positioning the vibration motor on one or more limbs of a subject, and stimulating nerves in the limbs via the generated vibrational motion, whereby the stimulated nerve signals the brain to increase breathing rate or air intake by the subject. Accordingly, embodiments of the device activate nerve fibers that carry kinesthetic cues from the limbs in a pattern that simulates normal limb motion, and thus triggers inherent reflexes that increase ventilation in response to such motion.

Abstract: A landing apparatus for an airship or hybrid air vehicle. The landing apparatus comprises a hollow, non-toroidal, flexible enclosure (103), having a substantially vertical axis (104), and a substantially circular cross-section centred on the axis. A base (122) of the enclosure is arranged to contact the ground. The enclosure (103) is inflatable with air or gas for landing, and deflatable for retraction of the enclosure during flight.

Abstract: A non-rigid airship or hybrid air vehicle has a pressure-stabilised envelope (100) that includes at least one ballonet (102, 103). A system is provided for measuring the geometry of the lifting gas enclosure (101) within the pressure-stabilised envelope (100). The system comprises a plurality of sensors (104, 109) located outside the ballonet(s) but inside the envelope, for measuring the geometry of the enclosure. Some of the sensors (104) are arranged to measure an internal surface of the pressure-stabilised envelope (100), and others of the sensors (109) are arranged to measure an external surface of the at least one ballonet (102, 103).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an additively manufactured node having a socket. The apparatus includes a panel interconnected with node. The panel includes opposing surface layers and a core between at least a portion of the surface layers. The socket engages an end portion of the panel and shapes the surface layers on the end portion of the panel.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus including an additively manufactured node having a socket. The apparatus includes a panel interconnected with node. The panel includes opposing surface layers and a core between at least a portion of the surface layers. The socket engages an end portion of the panel and shapes the surface layers on the end portion of the panel.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an additively manufactured transport structure. The transport structure includes cavities into which components that use an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle. In an embodiment, the components and frame are modular, enabling reparability and replacement of single parts in the event of isolated failures.

Abstract: An automated wrapping technique for vehicle components is disclosed. A component to be wrapped is secured to a fixture, which in turn is coupled to an actuator. A grabber arm grabs a length of wrap from a feed roll. The grabber arm removes the backing and spreads the wrap over the component. The actuator pushes the component upward until the wrap contacts the component surface. An applicator may concurrently smooth the wrap and evacuate trapped air. The wrap may be cut around the periphery of the component, and hemmed. A controller provides instructions to automate the wrapping mechanism.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an additively manufactured transport structure. The transport structure includes cavities into which components that use an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle. In an embodiment, the components and frame are modular, enabling reparability and replacement of single parts in the event of isolated failures.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to additively manufactured vehicle exterior structures, designed to enclose the vehicle surface and support required operational loads. The vehicle structure includes cavities into which components that require an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle structure. The structure may be 3-D printed using multiple printing techniques applied in parallel or in series. In an embodiment, the components and structure are modular, use multiple materials and manufacturing techniques, and enable reparability and replacement of single parts.

Abstract: A device, system and method for increasing air intake by a subject is described. The device includes a vibration motor and a control unit for controlling vibrational motion output by the vibration motor. The methods include positioning the vibration motor on one or more limbs of a subject, and stimulating nerves in the limbs via the generated vibrational motion, whereby the stimulated nerve signals the brain to increase breathing rate or air intake by the subject. Accordingly, embodiments of the device activate nerve fibers that carry kinesthetic cues from the limbs in a pattern that simulates normal limb motion, and thus triggers inherent reflexes that increase ventilation in response to such motion.

Abstract: A device, system and method for increasing air intake by a subject is described. The device includes a vibration motor and a control unit for controlling vibrational motion output by the vibration motor. The methods include positioning the vibration motor on one or more limbs of a subject, and stimulating nerves in the limbs via the generated vibrational motion, whereby the stimulated nerve signals the brain to increase breathing rate or air intake by the subject. Accordingly, embodiments of the device activate nerve fibers that carry kinesthetic cues from the limbs in a pattern that simulates normal limb motion, and thus triggers inherent reflexes that increase ventilation in response to such motion.

Abstract: A platform for building a plurality of vehicle types is disclosed. In an embodiment, a facility may include a processing system for designing a plurality of definition nodes for a vehicle and identifying a relative position for each definition node. Based on the design, the internal volume and other vehicle parameters can be determined. The facility includes a 3-D printer for additively manufacturing the definition nodes. In an embodiment, a plurality of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts are acquired and the definition nodes are designed to interface with the COTS parts. The facility may also include a station, or primary location where the major portions of the vehicle are assembled. In another embodiment, multiple such geographically-distributed facilities can be used, such that one facility can manufacture a desired vehicle type on behalf of another facility, e.g., in the event of an overflow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of vehicles are provided. An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a printer that additively manufactures structures for a vehicle, and multiple analysis components. Each analysis component can receive information based on a design model of the vehicle and analyze the information based on an analysis factor. Each analysis component analyzes the information based on a different analysis factor. An integrator can receives the analyzed information from the analysis components, update the design model based on the analyzed information, and determine whether the updated design model satisfies criteria. If the updated design model satisfies the criteria, the integrator determines printing instructions for the printer to print one or more structures of the vehicle based on the updated design model, and if the updated design model does not satisfy the criteria, the integrator sends information based on the updated design model to the analysis components.