Abstract: An engine shaft assembly for an engine is provided. The engine shaft assembly includes a shaft and a thermal distribution layer. The thermal distribution layer is provided on the shaft, and is configured to minimize the effect of distortion of the shaft caused by asymmetric cooling on shutdown of the engine.

Abstract: A dimmable window apparatus is provided. The dimmable window apparatus includes a window including a first linear polarizing film and a second linear polarizing film, the first linear polarizing film and the second linear polarizing film having respectively a first axis of polarization and a second axis of polarization, the second axis of polarization being electronically-controllable. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the second linear polarizing film, and configured to control the second axis of polarization to thereby control the opacity of the window that is defined by the first axis of polarization and the second axis of polarization relative to one another.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsor that includes a load bearing moveable panel is described herein. In one example, the moveable panel can be coupled to a propulsor structure to receive loads from the propulsor structure. Such loads can include roll and/or torque loads generated by rotation of a core engine of the aircraft propulsor. The moveable panel can be coupled to the propulsor structure through a plurality of coupling portions on one or both of the moveable panel and the propulsor structure.

Abstract: Multi-layer thermal insulator apparatus and methods are described. An example multi-layer thermal insulator includes a first thermally insulating layer, a second thermally insulating layer, and a thermally conductive layer positioned between and adjacent to the first thermally insulating layer and the second thermally insulating layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first composite support structure and a second composite support structure. The first and second composite support structures are in a predetermined position relative to one another. The apparatus further includes an uncured pre-preg ply, wherein: the uncured pre-preg ply overlies at least a portion of the first composite support structure; the uncured pre-preg ply overlies at least a portion of the second composite support structure; and the first and second composite support structures are each stiffer than the uncured pre-preg ply.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a structure. The method may comprise sending a pulsed wave signal into the structure from a transmitter array. The method may detect a response signal in response to sending the pulsed wave signal into the structure at a group of receivers in a receiver array. The method may identify a group of time delays between sending the pulsed wave signal and may detect the response signal generated in response to the pulsed wave signal at the group of receivers. The method may identify a group of intensities for the response signal detected at the group of receivers. The method may determine a distance to a reflector within the structure using the group of time delays and the group of intensities.

Abstract: An aircraft propulsor that includes a load bearing moveable panel is described herein. In one example, the moveable panel can be coupled to a propulsor structure to receive loads from the propulsor structure. Such loads can include roll and/or torque loads generated by rotation of a core engine of the aircraft propulsor. The moveable panel can be coupled to the propulsor structure through a plurality of coupling portions on one or both of the moveable panel and the propulsor structure.

Abstract: A method of decoupling an adhesive system from a contact surface of an object is disclosed. The adhesive system has a full adhesive strength in a de-energized state. The adhesive system comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, each having a first end region, coupled to the backing, and a second end region, opposite the first end region, and charged nanoparticles, each coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes. The method comprises steps of electrically charging the backing and disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface. Electrically charging the backing creates an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles, so that the full adhesive strength of the adhesive system is decreased to a reduced adhesive strength. Disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface comprises applying a disengagement force to the adhesive system sufficient to overcome the reduced adhesive strength.

Abstract: A method of decoupling an adhesive system from a contact surface of an object is disclosed. The adhesive system has a full adhesive strength in a de-energized state. The adhesive system comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, each having a first end region, coupled to the backing, and a second end region, opposite the first end region, and charged nanoparticles, each coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes. The method comprises steps of electrically charging the backing and disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface. Electrically charging the backing creates an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles, so that the full adhesive strength of the adhesive system is decreased to a reduced adhesive strength. Disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface comprises applying a disengagement force to the adhesive system sufficient to overcome the reduced adhesive strength.

Abstract: A dimmable window apparatus is provided. The dimmable window apparatus includes a window including a first linear polarizing film and a second linear polarizing film, the first linear polarizing film and the second linear polarizing film having respectively a first axis of polarization and a second axis of polarization, the second axis of polarization being electronically-controllable. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the second linear polarizing film, and configured to control the second axis of polarization to thereby control the opacity of the window that is defined by the first axis of polarization and the second axis of polarization relative to one another.

Abstract: An adhesive system for attachment to a contact surface of an object comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, charged nanoparticles, and an electrical source. The carbon nanotubes each have a first end region and a second end region, opposite the first end region. Each of the charged nanoparticles is coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes. The electrical source is configured to selectively electrically charge the backing to cause an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles. The first end region of each of the carbon nanotubes is coupled to the backing. The second end region of each of a number of the carbon nanotubes is coupled to none of the charged nanoparticles.

Abstract: An adhesive system (100) for attachment to a contact surface (122) of an object (120) comprises a backing (110), carbon nanotubes (130), charged nanoparticles (150), and an electrical source (160). The carbon nanotubes (130) each have a first end region (132) and a second end region (134), opposite the first end region (132). Each of the charged nanoparticles (150) is coupled to the second end region (134) of at least one of the carbon nanotubes (130). The electrical source (160) is configured to selectively electrically charge the backing (110) to cause an electrical repulsion force between the backing (110) and the charged nanoparticles (150). The first end region (132) of each of the carbon nanotubes (130) is coupled to the backing (110). The second end region (134) of each of a number of the carbon nanotubes (130) is coupled to none of the charged nanoparticles (150).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first composite support structure and a second composite support structure. The first and second composite support structures are in a predetermined position relative to one another. The apparatus further includes an uncured pre-preg ply, wherein: the uncured pre-preg ply overlies at least a portion of the first composite support structure; the uncured pre-preg ply overlies at least a portion of the second composite support structure; and the first and second composite support structures are each stiffer than the uncured pre-preg ply.

Abstract: Multi-layer thermal insulator apparatus and methods are described. An example multi-layer thermal insulator includes a first thermally insulating layer, a second thermally insulating layer, and a thermally conductive layer positioned between and adjacent to the first thermally insulating layer and the second thermally insulating layer.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a structure. The method may comprise sending a pulsed wave signal into the structure from a transmitter array. The method may detect a response signal in response to sending the pulsed wave signal into the structure at a group of receivers in a receiver array. The method may identify a group of time delays between sending the pulsed wave signal and may detect the response signal generated in response to the pulsed wave signal at the group of receivers. The method may identify a group of intensities for the response signal detected at the group of receivers. The method may determine a distance to a reflector within the structure using the group of time delays and the group of intensities.

Abstract: An engine shaft assembly for an engine is provided. The engine shaft assembly includes a shaft and a thermal distribution layer. The thermal distribution layer is provided on the shaft, and is configured to minimize the effect of distortion of the shaft caused by asymmetric cooling on shutdown of the engine.

Abstract: A computer-performed method of modeling a physical structure. A plurality of geometric parameters specific to a type of the structure are applied to aerodynamic surface data in accordance with rules predefined for the structure type to geometrically describe a plurality of structural features. Based on the geometric describing, a plurality of points representing the structure are obtained. The points are used to model the structure.