Abstract: A printed circuit board chassis device for securely holding printed circuit boards (PCB) while allowing for easy insertion and extraction. The device includes circuit board securing devices. The securing devices include a base section and a securing member. The base section is attached to a structural component of the chassis device. The base section includes a groove formed by a first and second wall. A first component moves the securing element at a first end longitudinally within the groove of the base section. A second component keeps a second end of the securing element within the groove of the base section. Force-producing devices move the securing element closer to the first wall of the base section as the first component is adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product that utilizes user defined channel and frequency preferences to effect airborne voice and data telecommunications.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product that performs self-calibration of pulse-compression radar signals. The system includes an antenna, a receiver, a transmitter, and a radar signal processor. Under normal (non-calibration) operation the radar transmitter generates a pulse compression waveform and transmits it via the antenna. Any reflections from this waveform are detected by the same antenna and processed by the receiver. The received radar signal then undergoes pulse compression followed by more mode-specific processing (windshear, weather, ground map, etc.) by the radar processor. During calibration, the radar transmitter generates a similar pulse compression waveform (i.e., calibration pulses), but the calibration pulses bypass the antenna and go directly to the receiver via a “calibration path” built into the hardware. The resulting calibration pulses are used to generate a calibration filter.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the security state of an aircraft cabin. The method includes surveiling the main cabin of an aircraft, monitoring radio frequencies predesignated for handheld radio devices for signals, recording the generated images and monitored sounds on non-volatile media, and generating an alert in response to a threat perceived while surveiling and monitoring.

Abstract: A resonator having temperature and electronic compensation. The resonator has several layers on a substrate having opposite thermal coefficients of the sound velocity for temperature compensation. Also, the frequency of the resonator is adjusted in accordance with an external time reference. The resonator has a high quality factor and a very small size.

Abstract: A low cost, pendulous, capacitive-sensing Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer is provided. The accelerometer includes a pendulous proof mass, one or more securing pads, and one or more flexures coupled with the pendulous proof mass and the one or more securing pads. The flexures flex linearly with respect to motion of the pendulous proof mass. First and second capacitor plates are positioned relative to the pendulous proof mass for detecting motion of the proof mass according to a sensed difference in capacitance. One or more strain isolation beams are connected between the one or more flexures and the pendulous proof mass or the securing pads. The strain isolation beams protect the flexures from mechanical strain.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for alerting rotary wing aircraft of potentially hazardous proximity to terrain also reduces nuisance warnings and provides a terrain display consistent with the unique performance capabilities of such aircraft.

Abstract: The invention provides a primary flight display instrument in which a symbol—such as a small star or triangle—indicates the bearing to the current waypoint in the flight navigation plan. The display may also show a bearing indication symbol showing a follow-on waypoint in the flight plan. These symbols are preferably located on the horizon line of the primary flight display (or the attitude indicator) providing bearing to the current waypoint in the flight plan and/or to the following waypoint. An image processing unit generates the display, including earth ground and horizon, in a view substantially conformal with a VMC view from the aircraft.

Abstract: A striker pin in a thermal switch configured as a mechanical link between a bimetallic disk and an armature spring is provided. The striker pin includes a pin of molded ceramic material. The pin has a generally cylindrical shape, a first axial end, and a second axial end. The first axial end is fastenable in fixed relation to an armature spring. A metalizing film is fused to the second axial end. A metallic deposit is fused to the metalizing film such that the metallic deposit substantially covers the second axial end.

Abstract: A fluid flow shutoff device that eliminates exposure to scalding hot water. The device includes a housing with a first and second opening for allowing fluid flow from the first to the second opening and a bimetallic element supported within the housing. When temperature of fluid flowing through the housing passes a threshold temperature, the bimetallic element changes shape causing stoppage of fluid flowing through the housing. The device further includes a flapper valve that is activated by the bimetallic element. When the element changes shape, the flapper valve is repositioned within the housing to stop fluid flow.

Abstract: A triaxial sensor substrate is adapted for use in measuring the acceleration and angular rate of a moving body along three orthogonal axes. The triaxial sensor substrate includes three individual sensors that are arranged in the plane of the substrate at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to one another. Each sensor is formed from two accelerometers having their sensing axes canted at an angle with respect to the plane of the substrate and further being directed in opposite directions. The rate sensing axes thus lie along three orthogonal axes. In order to reduce or eliminate angular acceleration sensitivity, a two substrate configuration may be used. Each substrate includes three accelerometers that are arranged in the plane of the substrate at an angle of 120 degrees with respect to one another. The sensing axes of the accelerometers of the first substrate are canted at an angle with respect to the plane of the first substrate toward the central portion thereof so that they lie along three skewed axes.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for displaying terrain and terrain alerts to pilots of rotary wing aircraft provides a terrain display consistent with the performance capabilities of such aircraft.

Abstract: The ground proximity warning system and method provide a number of alerts based upon a substantially reduced list of input parameters relative to a conventional ground proximity warning system and method. The ground proximity warning system and method generally constructs alert envelopes and generates alerts if the upcoming terrain or other obstacles pierce the alert envelopes. The ground proximity warning system and method can also generate alerts if the aircraft has an excessive descent rate at a relatively low altitude and if the aircraft descends immediately following takeoff in a similar fashion to Mode 1 and Mode 3 alerts. Further, the ground proximity warning system and method can provide altitude call outs at predefined altitudes above a target runway and can provide alerts if the aircraft appears to be landing short of a runway.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting vibration, including a laser light, a first optical fiber for transmitting the laser light, an oscillator to receive the transmitted laser light and reflect the light as a frequency modulated light; a second optical fiber to transmit the frequency modulated light; and a frequency modulated discriminator for receiving the frequency modulated light from the second optical fiber and producing a signal responsive of vibration of the oscillator. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency modulated discriminator further includes a frequency meter for determining the average number of cycles per unit time to provide a second signal responsive of the temperature of the oscillator. The optical fibers may be a pair of different fibers positioned for transmitting the laser light and the frequency modulated light respectively, or the same fiber positioned for transmitting both the laser light and the frequency modulated light.

Abstract: A navigational system for surface vessels that provides warning of impending grounding occurrences. A data base of bottom contours and submerged obstructions is compared to various indicators of the surface vessel's position and motion to provide alerts and to display bottom hazards ahead of the vessel.

Abstract: A vibratory transducer (22) for an accelerometer (2) having a pair of parallel beams (50, 52) with first and second fixed end portions, and a pair of electrodes (62, 64) positioned adjacent to the beams for generating an electrostatic force to transversely vibrate the beams at a resonant frequency. The vibration frequency of the beam is generally related to axial (i.e., compression or tension) forces applied to either one of the fixed ends of the beam so that the magnitude of the force applied can be measured by changes in the vibration frequency. The electrodes and the beams each have a plurality of fingers (82, 80) extending laterally outward so that the beam fingers and the electrode fingers are intermeshed with each other. The intermeshed fingers reduce the transducer's sensitivity to changes in applied voltage, thereby increasing the accuracy of the frequency signal.

Abstract: A device and method to provide backup electrical power to a vehicle data acquisition and recording system. The device operates to control its charging state, discharge state, and interval of discharge to ensure reliable operation of the recording system. The method delineates the process by which continuous electrical power can be supplied to the recording system.

Abstract: A method and system for suppression of ground returns in a vertical profile radar display. The method includes receiving radar returns each comprising a plurality of range bins collated to a vertical profile radar display. The received range bins are analyzed to locate ground returns. A plurality of range bins are selected based upon the located ground returns. The radar returns are modified based upon the selected range bins.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for alerting the pilot of a helicopter of a possible tail strike hazard.

Abstract: A navigational system for submersible vessels that provides warning of impending grounding occurrences. A data base of bottom contours and submerged obstructions is compared to various indicators of the submersible vessel's position and motion to provide alerts and to display bottom hazards ahead of the vessel.