Patents Assigned to BAE Systems plc
  • Publication number: 20210239436
    Abstract: An apparatus for a directed-energy weapon comprises an assessment system arranged to, during an assessment phase, perform an assessment of a target environment, wherein the target environment comprises a target; and a controller arranged to, during the assessment phase, control the directed energy weapon to direct energy towards the target environment so that the assessment system can perform the assessment using the directed energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo, Keith Antony Rigby
  • Publication number: 20210237846
    Abstract: An aircraft wing (6) is provided. The aircraft wing (6) comprises at least one structure (62), (64), 66 comprising: a foam core (626), (666); first and second carbon fibre composite layers (624a), (622a), (662a), (664a) respectively attached to top and bottom sides of the foam core to sandwich the foam core; and third and fourth carbon fibre composite layers (624b), (622b), (662b), (664b) respectively disposed adjacent to the first and second carbon fibre composite layers, wherein the total thickness of the structure is between 1 mm and 11 mm. An aircraft having the aircraft wing and a method of manufacturing a structure are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Darryl James Sergison
  • Publication number: 20210237903
    Abstract: A method of producing a component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200), the method comprising: providing a first digital model, the first digital model being a digital model of the component part (202, 204); producing an initial physical part using the first digital model; measuring a surface of the initial physical part; creating a second digital model using the measurements of the surface of the initial physical part, the second digital model being a digital model of the initial physical part; specifying one or more fastener holes (606) in the second digital model; and drilling one or more fastener holes (606) in the initial physical part using the second digital model with the one or more fastener holes specified therein, thereby producing the component part (202, 204) of an aircraft airframe (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Graham Peter Coulier, Jonathan Michael Carberry, Alistair James Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11077943
    Abstract: A rotary-wing air vehicle comprising a main body (12) and at least two rotor devices (16a, 16b) arranged and configured to generate propulsion and thrust, in use, to lift and propel said air vehicle, said rotor devices (16a, 16b) being arranged and configured relative to said main body (12) such that the blades thereof do not cross through a central vertical axis of said main body (12) defining the centre of mass thereof, wherein said main body (12) is provided with an aperture (100) that extends therethrough to define a channel about said central vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Julian David Wright, Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo, Clyde Warsop
  • Publication number: 20210229835
    Abstract: An assembly method comprising: providing a digital model of an aircraft airframe (200), the digital model comprising digital models of component parts (202, 204) of the airframe (200); providing the component parts (202, 204), each comprising one or more predrilled fastener holes; fixing a first component part (202a) to a support structure (1102); fixing a second component part (204a) to an end effector (1112) of a robot arm (1110); using the airframe digital model, controlling the robot arm (1110) to move the second component part (204a) relative to the first component (202a) as specified in the airframe digital model to cause one or more predrilled holes in the second component (204a) part to align with one or more predrilled holes in the first component part (202a); and attaching the second component part (204a) to the first component part (202a) using fasteners through the aligned predrilled holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Carberry, Graham Peter Coulier
  • Publication number: 20210229836
    Abstract: A method of producing a shim (1500) for use in an aircraft, the method comprising: providing an aircraft airframe (200); measuring a surface of the airframe (200); creating a digital model of the airframe (200) using those measurements; providing an aircraft skin (1506); measuring a surface of the aircraft skin (1506); creating a digital model of the aircraft skin (1506) using those measurements; digitally assembling the digital model of the airframe (200) with the digital model of the aircraft skin (1506); using the digitally assembled models, creating a digital model of a shim (1500), the digital model of the shim (1500) substantially filling a gap between the digitally assembled digital models of the airframe (200) and the skin (1506); and producing a physical shim (1500) using the digital model of the shim(1500).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Jack Richard Sharples, Alistair James Fletcher, Jonathan Michael Carberry
  • Patent number: 11070188
    Abstract: Disclosed is an impedance matcher for use in a communication system, operable to match a transmitter or receiver, respectively, to an associated antenna, comprising a stub matching circuit and a phase shifter, whereby, in use, energy flows from a source to the phase shifter, to the stub matching circuit and to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventor: Roy Threadgall Miller
  • Publication number: 20210215462
    Abstract: Apparatus for a Directed-Energy Weapon An apparatus for a directed-energy weapon comprises: an assessment system arranged to, during an assessment phase, perform an assessment of a target environment, wherein the target environment comprises a target, and the assessment comprises determining a possible engagement efficiency of the target by the directed-energy weapon; and a controller arranged to, during an engaging phase, control the directed-energy weapon to direct energy towards the target environment conditionally upon the possible engagement efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo, Keith Antony Rigby
  • Patent number: 11059562
    Abstract: A wing member (14b) for an air vehicle (10), said wing member comprising a core section (20) defining its longitudinal axis and having upper and lower surfaces, at least one of said surfaces comprising apparatus (22) selectively configurable between at least two positions, wherein in a fully extended position, at least portions of said apparatus extend outwardly from said respective surface so as to increase the effective cross-sectional area of said wing member and define an effective aerofoil in respect thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Julian David Wright, Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo, Clyde Warsop
  • Publication number: 20210208421
    Abstract: A modular wearable optics device including: at least one wearable support element; one or more active optical elements adapted in use to display an image to a user; one of a plurality of bridging elements selected to position or orientate the one or more active optical elements in a predetermined location based on one or more anthropometric characteristics of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Rory Thomas Alexander Mills, Ian Thomas Macken
  • Patent number: 11054221
    Abstract: A Launch Acceptability Region [LAR] display system and method for a payload-releasing platform, the system being configured to be communicably coupled to a LAR computing module (104) configured to compute LAR data representative of a Launch Acceptability Region in respect of said platform based on a set of input parameters and predefined payload performance parameters, the system comprising: —an input module (100) configured to obtain or receive a first input parameter value in respect of a first of said input parameters, generate a set of second input parameter values in respect of said first of said input parameters, said second input parameter values being different to and at respective intervals from, said first input parameter value, and input said first input parameter value and said second input parameter values to said LAR computing module so as to cause said LAR computing module to compute, based on each of said first and second input parameter values, a respective LAR and output a set of LAR data, e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Jason Paul Parison, David Rawlinson
  • Publication number: 20210199976
    Abstract: A combiner assembly for a ceiling mounted projection head up display system for an aircraft cabin has an optical combiner (10), and a support mechanism (30, 32, 35) for supporting the optical combiner to be movable between an operational position and a stowage position, above the user, and laterally displaced, and facing an underside of the projector assembly by means of a lateral component of movement and a rotation component to reach the stowage position under the projector assembly (20). Such a two axis movement can make better use of limited headroom in cabins such as those of small aircraft, by enabling a stowage location offset to one side of the line of sight, while providing sufficient clearance from the user's head and from cabin structure, during the movement and/or when in the storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Samuel William Harris, Russell Christopher West
  • Patent number: 11051114
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer, comprising a piezoelectric part comprising a piezoelectric material having a first acoustical impedance and an acoustical thickness, a substrate part comprising a material having a second acoustical impedance, and an intermediate part comprising a material having a third acoustical impedance and at least partially sandwiched between the piezoelectric part and the substrate part for acoustical communication therewith. The first acoustical impedance and the second acoustical impedance each has a respective value within a range of values for which the value of third acoustical impedance: is an upper limit if said acoustical thickness is less than 0.4?, or is a lower limit if said acoustical thickness is greater than 0.4? where ? is an acoustical wavelength in the material of the piezoelectric part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventor: Lionel William Kent
  • Publication number: 20210190465
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of munition fuzes and is a device for monitoring the status of a munition fuze, said device comprising; a visible marker capable of being switched between an off state and an on state; an indicator strip, capable of actuation, from a first state to a second state; a power source, capable of activation, wherein the power source provides power to the munition initiation system, the visible marker and/or the indicator strip; wherein said visible marker and indicator strip are positioned to be visible to an observer when the fuze has been fitted for use on said munition; and wherein activation of the power source causes switching of the visible marker from an off state to an on state and actuation of the indicator strip from a first state to a second state, such that the power source's activation is indicated by the actuation of the indicator strip to its second state; and wherein the visible marker remains in an on state only if there is sufficient power to operate the initiati
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventor: Martyn John Hucker
  • Publication number: 20210195813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an enclosure and method of manufacture of an enclosure arranged to define a cavity for electromagnetic shielding of equipment to be housed within the cavity, the enclosure comprising: an aperture (16) arranged to allow access to the enclosure; a conductive membrane (18) arranged to close the aperture; and a waveguide element (20) arranged between the conductive membrane (18) and the cavity; wherein the waveguide element (20) and conductive membrane (18) are configured to attenuate electromagnetic radiation originating from the equipment to be housed within the enclosure (10) thereby to inhibit the transmission of electromagnetic radiation from the enclosure via the aperture (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Lucas, Carl Martin Matthews
  • Publication number: 20210190729
    Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing of an article (20) is described. The article has a first surface (21). The article (20) article (20 comprises a set of passageways (200), including a first passageway (200 A). Respective sets of flaws (2000) are associated with respective passageways of the set of passageways (200), including a first set of flaws (2000A), optionally including a first flaw (2000AA), associated with the first passageway (200 A). The method comprises phased array ultrasonic scanning of the article (20) using a phased array probe communicatively coupled thereto through the first surface (21); and detecting the first flaw (2000AA), if included in the first set of flaws (2000A) associated with the first passageway (200A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Andrew Joseph Pye
  • Patent number: 11041946
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a transmission beam with a transducer array comprising a plurality of transducers, the method comprising: receiving at least one desired property for an intended transmission beam; determining an optimised operation parameter for a transducer of the transducer array based on the received at least one desired property and an array model for modelling a relationship between at least one beam property and at least one transducer protection property whilst taking into account of an acoustic mutual coupling of the plurality of transducers of the transducer array; and generating the transmission beam using the optimised operation parameter on the transducer array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventor: Gary Roy Moore
  • Patent number: 11035654
    Abstract: This invention relates to a combination of a gun having a rifled barrel and a round of enhanced performance ammunition, and to a projectile for use in the combination. The invention is especially, but not exclusively related to an improved form of projectile for small arms ammunition. There is provided a projectile with a nominal calibre, for use in a rifled barrel, the projectile comprising: a monolithic body, said monolithic body comprising a. an ogival portion forming the front of the monolithic body; said ogival portion at a point of intersection abuts with b. an elongate cylindrical core, said elongate cylindrical core comprising at least three bands located circumferentially thereon, said bands protruding radially outward therefrom; and said elongate cylindrical core abuts c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Neil McLaren, Simon France Parker
  • Patent number: 11037451
    Abstract: A method for coordinating a plurality of vehicles (102, 104) comprising: defining, as a command vehicle (C), a vehicle in the plurality; storing, by one or more storage devices (204) located on one or more of the vehicles (102, 104), a list of capabilities of each vehicle (102, 104); receiving, by one or more processors (202) on the command vehicle (C), a specification of a goal; based on the stored vehicle capabilities, allocating, by the one or more processors (202), to one or more of the vehicles (102, 104), one or more tasks, the one or more tasks being such that, if each of those tasks was to be performed, the goal would be accomplished; and sending, from the command vehicle (C), to each vehicle (102, 104) to which a task has been allocated, a specification of the one or more tasks allocated to that vehicle (102, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Roderick Buchanan, Richard Charles Freeman, David William Thomas Clark, Andrew James Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210173361
    Abstract: There is provided a load controller for a system, the system comprising a first sub-system arranged to deliver a first load, the load controller being operable to: acquire a first target load profile, being the load initially desired for delivery by the first sub-system over an operational period; measure in real time during an update window within the operational period: a first parameter of the first sub-system, to obtain a first measured Load Controller monitor signal; and the first load, to obtain a first measured load signal; develop in real time a model of the first sub-system, using the first measured monitor signal and the first measured load signal, the model relating the first load to the first parameter; given the first target load profile, and the model of the first sub-system, generate for a future period a first predicted monitor signal, the future period being ahead of the update window; and determine whether the first predicted monitor signal satisfies at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Georgios Alexandros Amarantidis-Koronaios, Ian Roger Harrington, Roger Dixon