Abstract: An engine bleed air system of an aircraft, comprising a heat exchanger which comprises a rectangular core with a rectangular outlet section, a cylindrical outlet duct and a transition area between the rectangular outlet section of the rectangular core and the cylindrical outlet duct, and at least a downstream system, further comprising a flow deflector located at least in the cylindrical outlet duct, such that the outlet flow characteristics homogeneity are improved and a particular flow deflection and distribution of the outlet flow is achieved, avoiding the damage of the at least one downstream system. The invention also provides a method for homogenizing the temperature of the outlet flow of a heat exchanger outlet in an engine bleed air system of an aircraft.

Abstract: A lightweight shield for aircraft protection against threat of high energy impacts, which comprises, a structural layer that has a first side and a second side, the first side being intended for receiving the impact, and a ballistic material layer for absorbing high energy impacts, having a first side and a second side. The first side of the ballistic material layer is faced to the second side of structural layer and joined to the structural layer via a progressively detachable interface and, the second side of the ballistic material layer is a free surface.

Abstract: A system for testing bonded joints that comprises a swing tool, an actuator, pressure measuring device and a first fixing arrangement. The actuator of the system is configured to apply a compression force or a traction force on the swing tool in order to separate two elements, and the pressure measuring device is configured to measure the force applied on the swing tool. A method for testing bonded joints using the system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door for closing an opening in a structure, including: a body arranged to be capable of abutting against a first side of the opening; at least one clamping member configured to be capable of abutting against an opposite second side of the opening; and a fastener arranged to fasten or release the clamping member relative to the body. The clamping member is moveable relative to the body between a first position where the clamping member abuts against the second side of the opening so as to clamp the structure between the body and the clamping member and a second position where the clamping member allows the door to be opened. The present invention further relates to an aircraft including the above door.

Abstract: An aircraft with an auxiliary power unit attached to the aircraft fuselage via an attachment system. The auxiliary power unit is placed inside the aircraft fuselage structure. The attachment system comprises a plurality of structural wires that link the auxiliary power unit to the aircraft fuselage structure. An attachment device is located at the end of each structural wire to connect the structural wire to the aircraft fuselage structure. Each attachment device comprises a metallic plate adjacent to the aircraft fuselage structure and a layer of damping elastomeric material adjacent to the metallic plate. The metallic plate is placed between the layer of damping elastomeric material and the aircraft fuselage structure. The attachment device is joined to the aircraft fuselage structure by attachment fasteners.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the manufacturing of a leading edge section with hybrid laminar flow control for an aircraft. A manufacturing method involves: providing an outer hood, a plurality of elongated modules, first and second C-shaped profiles having comprising cavities, and an inner mandrel; assembling an injection molding tool by placing each profile on each end of the inner mandrel, arranging a first extreme of each elongated module in one cavity of the first profile and a second extreme of the module in another cavity of the second profile, both cavities positioned in the same radial direction; and placing the hood on first and second profiles to close the tool. Further, the injection molding tool is closed and filled with an injection compound comprising thermoplastic and short-fiber. Finally, the compound is hardened and demolded.

Abstract: A sandwich structure architecture for high speed impact resistant structure includes sandwich skins which enclose a sandwich core formed by a plurality of spacing layers and a plurality of trigger layers, wherein these layers are stacked alternatively in the core. The walls of the trigger layers are thicker than the walls of the spacing layers and/or the walls of the trigger layers include at least one part inclined with respect to the walls of the spacing layers. The spacing and the trigger layers are made of the same type of material, preferably composite materials or metallic materials. The structure is capable of absorbing high-speed impacts, and at the same time can be used as load carrying structure in aircraft fuselages, wings, vertical or horizontal stabilizers.

Abstract: A propulsion engine comprising at least a first propulsion unit including a first fan encased by a geared ring and a gas turbine engine driving a first shaft connected to the first fan, at least a second propulsion unit including a second fan encased by a geared ring connected to a second shaft operatively coupled to an electric machine and at least an electric storage device connected to the electric machine. The geared rings are configured to transmit torque between the fans so that they can rotate in conjunction (directly or through an intermediate gear) when they are driven by at least one of said first and second shafts. The propulsion engine is arranged for controlling the torque to be supplied to the assembly of the first and second fans by the gas turbine engine and/or by the electric machine acting as a motor or as a generator.

Abstract: A self-destruction device adapted to be installed in a propeller blade, the self-destruction device including a detector adapted to detect a release of the propeller blade, a warning mechanism adapted to send a release alarm in the event of the detector detecting release of the propeller blade, and a destruction mechanism adapted to destroy the propeller blade in the event of receiving a release alarm from the warning mechanism. An engine and an aircraft are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for measuring thickness in any type of carbon fiber component, even in components having parts with different thickness and integrating at least a second material. The method includes measuring with the maximum and minimum real thickness of the component, and measuring with ultrasonic equipment the time that the ultrasound takes to propagate across the component part with maximum and with minimum thickness, calculating a thickness correction value, and calculating an ultrasound test speed from said thickness correction value, said measured times, and said measured maximum and minimum real thickness. Then, the total thickness of each of the parts of the component are measured, using ultrasounds with the same calculated ultrasound test speed, and the thickness correction value is applied to each of the measuring total thickness of each part, to determine a corrected carbon fiber thickness for each part.

Abstract: A leading edge for an airfoil comprising a torsion box, the leading edge comprising a leading plate and a first inflatable element suitable for being filled with air. The leading plate comprises a convex side and a concave side. The first inflatable element is in contact with at least part of the concave side, thus reinforcing the leading plate. An airfoil comprising such a leading edge is also provided.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of structures formed co-bonding second structural components to a first structural component. The method comprises the following steps: a) preparing for each second structural component an ensemble wherein a preform of the second structural component, surrounded by a band of a suitable material to form a vacuum bag, is disposed between curing tools which are thus in contact with the bag and not with the preform; b) positioning the ensembles on the first structural component and forming the vacuum bag for the complete structure joining the bands and complementary pieces; c) applying to the resulting assembly an autoclave cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to the manufacturing process of an aperture surrounding frame for an aircraft fuselage. The method includes providing a tubular braiding material (2) with a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the frame to be manufactured, cutting the tubular braiding material (2) to obtain annular-shaped braiding slices (3), providing an annular-shaped inner mold (4) where the annular-shaped inner mold has a surface with a desired shape for the aperture surrounding frame, layering up at least one braiding slice (3) around the inner mold (4), forming the at least one braiding slice (3) around the inner mold (4), and curing the aperture surrounding frame pre-form. The present disclosure also refers to an aperture surrounding frame (1) for an aircraft fuselage formed as a continuous body by at least one annular-shaped braiding slice (3) with a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the desired aperture surrounding frame.

Abstract: A pressure bulkhead for an aircraft comprising a fuselage. The pressure bulkhead comprises an inflatable element, suitable for being filled with air, which in turn comprises a cover which delimits an inner zone. The pressure bulkhead further comprises a seal suitable for providing an airtight seal between the cover and the fuselage of the aircraft.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a vertical tail plane of an aircraft, comprising a matrix of LEDs or lasers, a laser diode with a diffractive optical element, an electronic board with a microcontroller, a power supply unit and a housing enclosing one or more of the matrix of LEDs, the laser diode, the electronic board and the power supply unit. The LEDs or lasers and the laser diode are individually and electronically controlled by the microcontroller, in such a way that the LEDs or lasers can be individually dimmed to create a dynamic illumination pattern on the side surfaces of the vertical tail plane. The illumination pattern is transmitted by the microcontroller. The laser diode with the diffractive optical element can create a fixed figure on the side surfaces of the vertical tail plane. An aircraft is provided with exterior illumination on its vertical tail plane, comprising such illumination devices.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a heat exchanging pack comprising an energy recovering module with a hot and a cold side, the hot side thermally contacting the cold side, providing a heat exchange. The heat exchanging pack also comprises a secondary heat exchanger and a compressor coupled with a turbine. The hot side module inlet fluidly communicates with the bleed air duct, the cold side module inlet fluidly communicates with the ram air duct, the hot side module outlet fluidly communicates with the compressor inlet, the compressor outlet fluidly communicates with the hot side secondary inlet, the hot side secondary outlet fluidly communicates with the turbine inlet, and the cold side secondary inlet fluidly communicates with the ram air duct. The energy recovering module comprises a conversion apparatus, configured to generate energy out from the heat exchange taking place in the energy recovering module between the hot and cold sides.

Abstract: The invention refers to an APU compartment, and a method for extinguishing a fire in an APU compartment. The APU compartment (1) comprises an APU (2), an exhaust (5), an aperture (7) providing a passage between the APU compartment (1) and the inside of the exhaust (5), and a fire detection system, wherein the APU compartment (1) of the invention is constructed as an air tight compartment, and additionally comprises a conduit (9) for providing external air to the APU compartment (1), a door (8) for closing the conduit (9) inlet, and a control unit (6) configured to close the door (8) when a fire is detected, such that when the door (8) is closed and the APU (2) is in operation, the air contained in the APU compartment (1) is sucked through the aperture (7) to be expelled out of the APU compartment (1) to extinguish the fire.

Abstract: An external part of an aircraft (such as a fairing) comprising a skin made with flexible materials attached to rigid supporting elements (such as longerons and frames) arranged in, at least, two directions. The skin comprises inner inflatable panels in all bays delimited by the rigid supporting elements and/or an external inflatable panel. The skin is joined to the supporting elements so that its external surface complies with aerodynamic requirements.

Abstract: A system for making an autoclave inert such that flame propagation is prevented in the event of spontaneous internal combustion, which thus prevents damaging the actual system or equipment, tools and parts, for which it essentially has sodium azide capsules which produce a chemical reaction when they reach an activation temperature, releasing nitrogen, making the chamber inert, venting equipment to prevent damage due to overpressure inside the chamber when the capsules have come into action and released the gas, a main cooling circuit and an additional cooling circuit for the capsules, all of this automatically controlled and managed by a control device.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a method for operating a landing gear system, preferably in a tricycle configuration, wherein main landing gear (MLG) and the nose landing gear (NLG) are operable from a retracted position where they are housed respectively inside landing gear bays, to a fully extended position where they are extended for landing the aircraft. According to the disclosure, the extension of the nose landing gear (NLG) is delayed in time with respect to the extension of the main landing gear (MLG), and the nose landing gear (NLG) is kept retracted during a major part of the time that the main landing gear doors (MLGD) are extended. In this manner, vibrations on the main landing gear doors are reduced and incidents caused by fatigue are also reduced, which in turn implies that the maintenance cost of the aircraft is greatly reduced.