Abstract: An acousto-optic damage detector and locator uses acoustic energy propagated through a structure to modulate light transmitted through an optical fiber whereby the character of acoustic signals detected by the fiber varies according to the physical condition of the portion of the structure through which the pulses propagate to determine the existence, location and extent of faults within the structure.

Abstract: An aircraft stall warning system includes an angle of attack sensor which provides a signal to an angle of attack processor which provides an angle of attack signal to a display. An air pressure sensor provides an air turbulence intensity ratio signal to an aerodynamic performance processor which provides an aerodynamic performance signal to the display. The display therefore simultaneously displays both theoretical stall margin and actual stall margin to thereby provide a pilot with wing contamination information.

Abstract: An electro-expulsive deicing system 114 for attachment to an airfoil 110 is comprised of a plurality of electro-expulsive elements 120 separated by a dielectric filler regions 122 all of which are disposed between a top dielectric layer 124 and a bottom dielectric layer 128. A contiguous top skin layer 116 covers the entire deicing apparatus 114.

Abstract: In a marine vessel having a drive shaft that extend rearwardly from its hull, wherein the drive shaft has a coupling and a bearing assembly along its length that are supported by struts, which struts are also secured to the hull of the vessel. A coupling cover encompasses the coupling and is mounted adjacent to a bearing assembly. A fairwater encompasses the coupling cover and is attached to the bearing assembly or the strut associated therewith to define a chamber and a clearance space between the fairwater and the coupling cover for directing fluids therethrough and through the bearing assembly to lubricate such bearing assembly. Vanes are located on the coupling cover or on a separate support located within such chamber to enhance the fluid flow through the bearing assembly.

Abstract: Sensing device for a sensor embeddable in a structure comprising: an insulative substrate, a circuit pattern disposed on the substrate for interconnecting a plurality of electronic components, the circuit pattern comprising an inductive coil, the circuit pattern including pads for disposing components on the substrate and coupling the device to the sensor.

Abstract: A rotary transformer for aircraft deicing apparatus, the transformer including a primary winding adjacent a laminated primary core, and a secondary winding adjacent a laminated secondary core; at least one of the cores being rotatable with respect to the other core.

Abstract: An ice detector 110 includes a pair of electrodes 122, 124 connected by a pair of leads 116, 118 to a control unit 120 which measures the impedance (or other parameters) between leads 116 and 118 to thereby sense and detect ice or other contaminants formed on top thereof. Electrodes 122, 124 are integrated into patch 134 and comprised of a top layer 142 of conductive resin, a middle layer 144 of conductive cloth and a bottom layer 146 of conductive resin.

Abstract: A pneumatic deicing system includes a deicer assembly comprised of an outer layer having a low modulus of elasticity, an inner ply, and a plurality of inflatable members provided therebetween. The deicer assembly is disposed directly on top of and bonded to an airfoil. The inflatable members are inflated with an inflation apparatus that inflates in an inflation pattern comprised of a sequence of high frequency pressure pulses superimposed on a low frequency inflation pressure wave.

Abstract: An apparatus for deicing an outer shell includes an element comprised of shaped memory metal which undergoes a transformation from a weaker low temperature form (Martensite) to a stronger, high temperature form (Austenite) when the element is heated through its transformation temperature. The change in shape is utilized to deflect the outer shell to thereby shed ice accumulated thereon.

Abstract: An aircraft deicing assembly 101 for attachment to an airfoil 99 includes a deflection shell 101 disposed over a deflection means 102. The deflection shell is comprised of a primary layer 116 comprised of a high strength fabric reinforced with a phenolic resin and a backing layer 115 comprised of a high strength fabric reinforced with an epoxy resin. The thickness of the backing layer is varied as a function of curvature of the airfoil and spanwise length of the airfoil.

Abstract: A deicer for attachment to an airfoil substructure includes a segmented outer shell, with adjacent segments being decoupled from one another utilizing elastomeric decoupling members. The outer edges of the outer periphery shell segments are likewise decoupled from the airfoil structure utilizing elastomeric decoupling members. Each segment of the deicer is deflected by a respective deflection means which are provided energy from a controller.

Abstract: An improved ice protection apparatus 8 includes a top polyurethane layer 10, an active layer 12, and a base layer 14 cured together into a unitary matrix, wherein the base layer is either polyurethane or chloroprene. The active layer may be either a thermal ice protector, a pneumatic ice protector, or an electro magnetic protection apparatus.

Abstract: In a marine vessel having a drive shaft that extend rearwardly from its hull, wherein the drive shaft has a coupling and a bearing assembly along its length that are supported by struts, which struts are also secured to the hull of the vessel. A coupling cover encompasses the coupling and is mounted adjacent to a bearing assembly. A fairwater encompasses the coupling cover and is attached to the bearing assembly or the strut associated therewith to define a chamber and a clearance space between the fairwater and the coupling cover for directing fluids therethrough and through the bearing assembly to lubricate such bearing assembly. Vanes are located on the coupling cover or on a separate support located within such chamber to enhance the fluid flow through the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A liquid sensing apparatus for a fuel tank comprises a first optical sensor for producing an output having a first state that corresponds to the first optical sensor being exposed to air and a second state that corresponds to the first optical sensor being exposed to fuel; a second optical sensor for producing an output having a first state that corresponds to the second optical sensor being exposed to air or water, and a second state that corresponds to the second optical sensor being exposed to fuel; and a circuit for detecting the first and second optical sensor output states. The sensor circuits can be accessed using a two wire only interface, and thermal stability can be achieved with the electronic circuit as shown.

Abstract: A liquid gauging system for a liquid container, the system comprising sensor means for producing a first electromagnetic signal that corresponds to liquid quantity in the container, and remote interrogation means for receiving the first electromagnetic signal and producing a system output that corresponds to the liquid quantity; the sensor means being energized by a second electromagnetic signal transmitted by the remote interrogation means.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a significant departure from known shielded enclosure designs by providing an enclosure for electronic modules, comprising walls made of composite material including conductive fibers for shielding the enclosure interior from electromagnetic radiation, and means for securely mounting at least one module inside the enclosure with a fastener means, the mounting means comprising composite material. The present invention further contemplates methods for making shielded enclosures and card guides for such enclosures that represent a significant improvement over known enclosure designs. This invention contemplates composite cold walls and composite fins. These composite fins and cold walls may be used alone or together in structures and enclosures which are useful in conducting heat.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft of a ship wherein the shaft is generally to be supported by such bearing assembly in a horizontally extending position. The bearing assembly has a housing with a cylindrical shell mounted therein having a central bore with a longitudinally extending central axis. The shell has a set of circumferentially spaced staves to support the drive shaft. All of the staves are comprised of a slippery polymer alloy and project into the central bore of the shell. The staves are held in place by gripping members comprised of an elastomeric member compressed by a rigid plate.

Abstract: Axial alignment detection apparatus for a shaft rotatable about an axis includes alignment indicating means rotatable by the shaft and comprising a plurality of detectable elements; and detector means for detecting the elements and alignment of the shaft as a function of the elements; the elements comprising at least one reference element and at least one alignment dependent element, wherein the reference and alignment elements have a detectable alignment dependent relationship to each other.

Abstract: A smart structure comprising a rotatable shaft, and a sensor integrated with the shaft, a resonant detector circuit integrated with the structure for detecting a sensor output, and an external exciter circuit; the detector circuit having first coil means and the exciter circuit having second coil means magnetically coupled to the first coil means when aligned across a gap; and control means exterior the shaft for producing an output that corresponds to the sensor output compensated for the gap.

Abstract: Axial alignment detection apparatus for a shaft rotatable about an axis includes alignment indicating means rotatable by the shaft and comprising a plurality of detectable elements; and detector means for detecting the elements and alignment of the shaft as a function of the elements; the elements comprising at least one reference element and at least one alignment dependent element, wherein the reference and alignment elements have a detectable alignment dependent relationship to each other.