Abstract: An artificial intelligence (AI) system is disclosed that employs windowed cellular automata to create plausible alternatives. A cellular automata-based technique may be utilized to perform pattern recognition and assess the best path available (i.e., “instant improv”). Alternative sequences (i.e., “pattern improv”) may also be used to determine alternative paths. This instant improv and pattern improv may then be used to create completely new, plausible alternative nodes. The subsequent evaluation of the sentiment further creates new, dynamic capabilities. Through the use of windowed memory learning, recall, and interpolation, new plausible structures are generated that predict dynamic systems.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques that map disallowed states and enable access to those states under certain conditions through a search algorithm are disclosed. In other words, scenario boundaries may be crossed by jumping from one scenario that is less desirable or even has no solution to another scenario that is more desirable.

Abstract: Air stair support systems, stair support cable assemblies, and hooks are disclosed herein. A stair support system includes, but is not limited to, an aircraft fuselage, a door seal, a stair door, and a stair support cable assembly. The aircraft fuselage defines a door frame and a stair hook receptacle. The stair door has a retracted position within the door frame and an extended position that forms an entry/exit stairway. The stair support cable assembly includes a cable and two hooks. The first hook includes a curved end portion configured to hook onto the stair hook receptacle, a cable end portion secured to the cable, and an intermediate portion having first and second intermediate legs that extend the intermediate portion away from the door seal when installed on the door frame and the stair door. The second hook is configured to hook on the stair door.

Abstract: In conventional MANETs, the functions of network discovery, route generation, and packets forwarding are performed at each node of the network. As a result, achieving routing convergence between all of the devices can be very time and resource intensive as no single node has a complete topology of the network. In contrast, the disclosed MANET with SDN architecture performs network discovery and route generation at centralized location, and packets forwarding is done separately at the node level. This new architecture allows the disclosed MANET to quickly adjust network operating characteristics whenever there is a change in the network topology.

Abstract: A clothes steamer for an aircraft cabin, having a closable case fixed to an internal surface of the aircraft cabin. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the clothes holding cavity configured to selectively increase the humidity of air within the clothes holding cavity. A temperature and humidity sensors are configured to produce a first signal indicative of a temperature within the clothes holding cavity. A cold finger configured to remove water from the air within the clothes holding cavity. A controller is provided which is configured to receive temperature and the humidity sensor signals and to selectively produce at least one of a steam generator control signal and a cold finger control signal to selectively operate the steam generator and the cold finger.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for avoiding a collision between an aircraft on the ground and an obstacle using a three-dimensional visual indication of the area or plane of winglets on the wingtips of the aircraft. The method includes receiving a video image from a camera positioned in one of the winglets, the video image representing a field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass along a present heading of the aircraft. Next a processor determines a three-dimensional area or plane within the field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously receiving and transmitting data in space may include a receiver configured to receive an incoming beam transmitted from a source along a receive vector between the source and the receiver. The apparatus may also include a transmitter to generate a transmitted beam along a transmit vector. The apparatus may further include a single-axis gimbal configured to rotate the transmit vector about an axis substantially perpendicular to the receive vector, and an attitude-control system configured to rotate the apparatus about an axis parallel to the receive vector or the transmit vector.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques that map disallowed states and enable access to those states under certain conditions through a search algorithm are disclosed. In other words, scenario boundaries may be crossed by jumping from one scenario that is less desirable or even has no solution to another scenario that is more desirable.

Abstract: Composite tooling systems and methods of manufacturing composite stringers of aircraft are provided herein. A composite tooling system includes a layup tool and an articulating stringer mandrel. The layup tool has a contoured surface with portions having different surface complexities. The articulating stringer mandrel includes two rigid mandrel elements and a cable. The first rigid mandrel element defines a first aperture, a first stringer surface, and a first bottom surface. The second rigid mandrel element is adjacent to the first rigid mandrel element and defines a second aperture, a second stringer surface, and a second bottom surface. A first length of the first rigid mandrel element cooperates with the surface complexity and a second length of the second rigid mandrel element cooperates with the surface complexity at the second rigid mandrel element so that a gap between the rigid mandrel elements does not exceed a predetermined gap threshold.

Abstract: An architecture and process are provided that encodes information into a cellular automata memory structure such that it can be recalled utilizing unique memory anchors (engrams) in a manner that both identifies and relates each piece of information relative to other data points. The automata may be individually programmable with a limited, local ruleset that activates other cellular automata based on prior patterns that were fed into the array. Deep Learning Neural Network (DLNN) systems may be probed to understand what discriminators are being used to classify the data, which is not possible with conventional DLNN techniques.

Abstract: Ribs for working an aircraft component having an aircraft component surface, fixtures for the same, and methods for the same, are provided herein. The rib includes a rib surface configured to receive the aircraft component and to be in abutting contact with at least a portion of the aircraft component surface. The rib further includes an extension extending away from the rib and configured to couple to a worksurface. Orientation of the rib is configured to be adjustable relative to the worksurface for improving working of the aircraft component. The fixture includes a mount defining an aperture and configured to be coupled to the worksurface and the rib. The method includes providing the fixture including the rib. The method further includes coupling the extension to a worksurface. The method further includes disposing the aircraft component on the rib surface.

Abstract: A supersonic inlet includes a relaxed isentropic compression surface to improve net propulsive force by shaping the compression surface of the inlet to defocus the resulting shocklets away from the cowl lip. Relaxed isentropic compression shaping of the inlet compression surface functions to reduce the cowl lip surface angle, thereby improving inlet drag characteristics and interference drag characteristics. Supersonic inlets in accordance with the invention also demonstrate reductions in peak sonic boom overpressure while maintaining overall engine performance.

Abstract: Baffled Calotte dome observation and/or communications systems are disclosed. For instance, a visible or infrared telescope and associated sensor systems, a laser, etc., may be enclosed in a Calotte dome with a baffle mounted on the opening and a window and/or filter mounted on top of the baffle. The Calotte dome steers the baffle in both elevation and azimuth, enabling the system to point and track objects moving on arbitrary trajectories.

Abstract: A communication node for use in a distributed communication network, a communication network and a method for monitoring communication and cybersecurity in a distributed communication network are provided. The communication node includes, but is not limited to a communication module, a memory, and a processor. The communication module is configured to communicate with a communication module of another communication node in a distributed communication network and to store a local copy of a blockchain ledger in the memory. The processor is further configured to generate a record to be added to the local copy of the blockchain ledger stored in the memory every time the communication node communicates with any of the plurality of communication nodes in the distributed communication network. The processor is further configured to verify and monitor the permissioned blockchain by consensus computing and previous hash comparisons.

Abstract: A clothes steamer for an aircraft cabin, having a closable case fixed to an internal surface of the aircraft cabin. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the clothes holding cavity configured to selectively increase the humidity of air within the clothes holding cavity. A temperature and humidity sensors are configured to produce a first signal indicative of a temperature within the clothes holding cavity. A cold finger configured to remove water from the air within the clothes holding cavity. A controller is provided which is configured to receive temperature and the humidity sensor signals and to selectively produce at least one of a steam generator control signal and a cold finger control signal to selectively operate the steam generator and the cold finger.

Abstract: Air stair support systems, stair support cable assemblies, and hooks are disclosed herein. A stair support system includes, but is not limited to, an aircraft fuselage, a door seal, a stair door, and a stair support cable assembly. The aircraft fuselage defines a door frame and a stair hook receptacle. The stair door has a retracted position within the door frame and an extended position that forms an entry/exit stairway. The stair support cable assembly includes a cable and two hooks. The first hook includes a curved end portion configured to hook onto the stair hook receptacle, a cable end portion secured to the cable, and an intermediate portion having first and second intermediate legs that extend the intermediate portion away from the door seal when installed on the door frame and the stair door. The second hook is configured to hook on the stair door.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a tubular base structure, a motor having a stator, the stator being connected to the tubular base structure, an energy storage module configured to supply power to the motor, and at least one propeller driven by the motor, wherein the tubular base structure houses at least one cable for routing power or signals, or a fuel conduit or wire conduit.

Abstract: A tunable stay device for an aircraft closure has a mounting base that is mountable to the closure or in an area of the aircraft in close proximity to the closure. The mounting base extends, at least in part, along a mounting axis. A holding element is mounted for movement along the mounting axis and configured to effect, at least in part, a hold force. An adjuster is mounted to at least one of the mounting base and the holding element and is configured and arranged to effect a change in position of the holding element with respect to the mounting base along the mounting axis. When the stay device is mounted to the closure or in the area of the aircraft in proximity to the closure, the hold force biases the closure in one of an open orientation and a closed orientation.

Abstract: Seat assemblies and methods for fabricating seat assemblies are provided. In one example, a seat assembly includes a seat frame and a seat cushion that is supported by the seat frame. The seat cushion includes a modular foam arrangement including a first modular foam section having a first interlocking feature and a second modular foam section having a second interlocking feature engaged with the first interlocking feature. An outer covering at least partially covers the modular foam arrangement.