Abstract: A detector includes a sensor configured to sense a moving object in at least one of the electromagnetic spectrum and the acoustic spectrum. A fixed coded aperture of the detector is disposed between a moving object and the sensor.

Abstract: A method of additively-manufacturing a flexible sensor system having a lattice topology includes a number of electrical interconnects, each having one or more electrically-conductive layers alternately sandwiched between two or more dielectric layers, and two or more sensors defining a sensor array, each sensor located at an intersection of and electrically connected to the interconnects on the lattice topology and electrically-connected to the interconnects. Each of the electrically-conductive layers includes a cured material base and silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, ruthenium, carbon, and/or alloys thereof, and each of the dielectric layers includes a cured material base. The additively-manufactured flexible sensor system is configured to be installed on the surface of an asset for the monitoring of that asset.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material includes disposing a carbon-based particulate material, such as graphene or carbon nanotubes, in an activation solution and activating surfaces of the carbon-based particulate material using the activation solution. Once the surfaces of the carbon-based particulate material have been activated a metallic coating is applied to the activated surfaces to form a composite material. The composite material is then recovered as a particulate material formed having carbon-based particulate material with a metallic coating that is suitable for fusing together for forming electrical conductors, such as with an additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: A method of producing electrical coils includes preparing a plurality of coil layers. Each coil layer is prepared by printing an electrically conductive coil pattern on a layer substrate. Each coil pattern includes an inner end at a first via through the substrate at a point radially inside the coil pattern, and an outer end at a second via through the substrate at a point radially outside the coil pattern. The method also includes joining the coil layers into a stack and electrically connecting successive coil patterns of the plurality of coil layers to one another through the vias to form a conductive coil extending through the stack.

Abstract: A sensor array having a lattice topology includes interconnects having an electrically-conductive layer sandwiched between two dielectric layers, the interconnects defining first-axis interconnects, second-axis interconnects, and interconnect junctions, sensor nodes located on associated interconnect junctions thereby defining an associated first-axis line and second-axis line, a sensor on an associated sensor node, a primary first-axis interconnect interface that is electrically connected to the first-axis interconnects, and a primary second-axis interconnect interface that is electrically connected to the second-axis interconnects. Each sensor node includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to an associated first-axis line, a second electrode that is electrically connected to an associated second-axis line, and a bypass bridge that electrically isolates the associated second-axis line from the associated first-axis line.

Abstract: An extendable sensor system having a lattice topology includes a number of extendable interconnects having one or more electrically-conductive layers alternately sandwiched between two or more dielectric layers, two or more interconnect nodes, each located on the lattice topology and electrically-connected to the extendable interconnects to define a sensor array topology, and one or more sensors. The extendable interconnects are arranged in a serpentine pattern that is configured to be expanded, thereby extending the extendable sensor system. The expanded interconnects define an extended sensor system topology, and is configured to be installed on the surface of an asset. Methods of manufacturing an extendable sensor system are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ultraviolet radiation (UV) sensor includes a UV sensitive material and a first electrode and a second electrode connected in series through the UV sensitive material such that UV radiation can reach the UV sensitive material. The UV sensitive material can include at least one of zinc tin oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium zinc oxide, or zinc oxide. The electrodes can be interdigitated comb electrodes.

Abstract: A fault detection assembly for an aircraft system according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a transmitter that communicates an electrical input signal to a first portion of an electrical connector, the first portion moveable between a fully seated position and a fully unseated position relative to a second portion of the electrical connector to define a range of insertion depths, a receiver that senses an electrical output signal relating to the electrical input signal, and a comparison module that determines an insertion depth in the range of insertion depths based on a change in a resonant frequency of the electrical output signal with respect to the electrical input signal.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a conformal surface. An array of resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensors is disposed across at least a portion of the conformal surface and a plurality of printed circuit traces are deposited on the conformal surface. The printed circuit traces connect each of the RTD sensors to a controller via a corresponding four wire circuit. Each circuit trace in the plurality of circuit traces extends to a circumferential edge of the conformal surface.

Abstract: An extendable sensor system having a lattice topology includes a number of extendable interconnects having one or more electrically-conductive layers alternately sandwiched between two or more dielectric layers, two or more interconnect nodes, each located on the lattice topology and electrically-connected to the extendable interconnects to define a sensor array topology, and one or more sensors.. The extendable interconnects are arranged in a serpentine pattern that is configured to be expanded, thereby extending the extendable sensor system. The expanded interconnects define an extended sensor system topology, and is configured to be installed on the surface of an asset. Methods of manufacturing an extendable sensor system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing electrical coils includes preparing a plurality of coil layers. Each coil layer is prepared by printing an electrically conductive coil pattern on a layer substrate. Each coil pattern includes an inner end at a first via through the substrate at a point radially inside the coil pattern, and an outer end at a second via through the substrate at a point radially outside the coil pattern. The method also includes joining the coil layers into a stack and electrically connecting successive coil patterns of the plurality of coil layers to one another through the vias to form a conductive coil extending through the stack.

Abstract: A system for monitoring incursion depth of a disk having an outer surface for use in a disk brake system includes a plurality of conductive leads each configured to be located at different distances from the outer surface of the disk. The system further includes a plurality of resistors each coupled to one of the plurality of conductive leads such that total resistance across the plurality of conductive leads changes in response to disconnection of one or more of the plurality of conductive leads caused by wearing of the outer surface of the disk.

Abstract: A method of additively-manufacturing a flexible sensor system having a lattice topology includes a number of electrical interconnects, each having one or more electrically-conductive layers alternately sandwiched between two or more dielectric layers, and two or more sensors defining a sensor array, each sensor located at an intersection of and electrically connected to the interconnects on the lattice topology and electrically-connected to the interconnects. Each of the electrically-conductive layers includes a cured material base and silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, ruthenium, carbon, and/or alloys thereof, and each of the dielectric layers includes a cured material base. The additively-manufactured flexible sensor system is configured to be installed on the surface of an asset for the monitoring of that asset.

Abstract: A system for direct writing a conformal or free-form magnet includes producing a magnetic ink compound by mixing an photopolymer base and a magnetic material powder, extruding a layer of the magnetic ink compound through a nozzle on to a target substrate to form a layer, soft-curing the layer by exposing the layer to a first light, repeatedly extruding a layer and soft-curing the layer, then post-curing the magnet by exposing the magnet to a second light and an elevated temperature.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ultraviolet radiation (UV) sensor includes a UV sensitive material and a first electrode and a second electrode connected in series through the UV sensitive material such that UV radiation can reach the UV sensitive material. The UV sensitive material can include at least one of zinc tin oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium zinc oxide, or zinc oxide. The electrodes can be interdigitated comb electrodes.

Abstract: A tool comprises a first rod that extends along a first axis and moves perpendicular to the first axis along a second axis. A first sliding guide moves along the first rod. A second rod extends parallel to the second axis and moves perpendicular to the second axis and parallel to the first axis, and a second sliding guide moves along the second rod. A third rod extends along a third axis and moves perpendicular to the third axis and parallel to the second axis, and a third sliding guide moves along the third rod. A fourth rod extends along a fourth axis and moves perpendicular to the fourth axis and parallel to the first axis, and a fourth sliding guide moves along the fourth rod. The periphery of the sensor network film is secured to the rods, and the rods and guides move simultaneously to stretch the film.

Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric is disclosed. The method includes: (a) providing a roll of a film comprising an electrocaloric material or a supply of multiple sheets of a film comprising an electrocaloric material; (b) delivering film from the roll or the supply of multiple sheets to a conductive material application station; (c) forming electrodes comprising a patterned disposition of conductive material on the film at the application station to form an electrocaloric article (d) delivering film from the application station to a take-up roll or an inventory of electrocaloric sheets; and (e) repeating (b), (c), and (d) to form multiple electrocaloric articles.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electronic component is provided. The method includes manufacturing elements that are produced by an additive manufacturing process. Moreover, the elements are produced in the same plane or out of plain with one or more foil substrates. The elements may be various structures, including, for example, connectors, electrical components (e.g., a resistor, a capacitor, a switch, and/or the like), and/or any other suitable electrical elements and/or structures.

Abstract: A wear monitoring system for measuring incursion depth into an abradable coating includes a layer of abradable coating including a depth, and a measurement circuit including a plurality of conductive leads disposed within the abradable coating. The conductive leads are spaced radially apart within a common radial plane corresponding to the depth of the abradable coating. A radio frequency identification tag (RFID) is disposed within the abradable coating and connected to the measurement circuit. A plurality of resistor elements corresponds with the plurality of conductive leads. Each of the plurality of resistor elements in electrical communication with one of the plurality of conductive leads is disposed within the common radial plane of the corresponding one of the plurality of conductive leads. An electrical characteristic of the measurement circuit varies responsive to cutting of one or more of the plurality of conductive leads by a passing airfoil.

Abstract: A multilayer structure for deicing an aircraft airfoil component includes an electrically and thermally insulating bottom layer formed in a defined pattern directly on the aircraft airfoil component, an electrothermal middle layer of electrically resistant heater element arrays formed in the defined pattern on the electrically and thermally insulating bottom layer, and a thermally conductive and electrically insulating top layer encapsulating the electrically and thermally insulating bottom layer and the electrothermal middle layer of electrically resistant heater element arrays. The multilayer structure may be directly applied to the airfoil component by direct writing/additive manufacturing, and may be done with the assistance of a multi-axis robot.