Abstract: A method for forming composite components includes disposing composite laminate over a mandrel. The method further includes infusing the composite laminate with a resin. A gelation of the infused resin is caused by applying a first environmental condition to the composite laminate and mandrel. At least a portion of the mandrel is deformed by applying a second environmental condition to the composite laminate and mandrel. The method further includes forming a composite structure by curing the composite laminate infused with resin. The deformed mandrel is removed from the composite structure after forming the composite structure.

Abstract: One example of a mount for a rotorcraft comprises a structural support member, a bracket, and an elastomer. The bracket is configured to attach to a component of the rotorcraft. The component of the rotorcraft produces vibrations at a first frequency. The structural support member configured to transfer a weight of the component of a rotorcraft to an airframe of the rotorcraft. A rotor system of the aircraft vibrates the airframe of the rotorcraft at a second frequency. The elastomer is located between a structural support member and a bracket. The elastomer is configured to attenuate noise caused by the vibrations at the first frequency by isolating the vibrations at the first frequency from reaching the airframe of the rotorcraft while the airframe vibrates at the second frequency.

Abstract: One embodiment is an apparatus including a mold configured to manufacture a composite structure at a heated temperature. The mold includes a first mold tool configured to mold a first portion of the composite structure, wherein the first mold tool comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands; and an anisotropic thermal expansion property, wherein the anisotropic thermal expansion property is based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the first mold tool; and a second mold tool configured to mold a second portion of the composite structure.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for coupling an accessory to a frame including a base configured to be coupled to the frame; the base having a hollow portion; the hollow portion including a receiving end including a tapered socket; an internal interlocking portion adjacent to the tapered socket; and a securing end opposite from the receiving end; a shaft configured to be connected to an accessory at a first end and received in the hollow portion of the base in an engaged position, the shaft including a tapered boss adjacent to the first end, the tapered boss configured to engage the tapered socket; an external interlocking portion adjacent to the tapered boss configured to engage the internal interlocking portion; and a second end opposite from the first end, the second end including a threaded surface; wherein when the shaft is in an engaged position, the shaft is static in the hollow portion.

Abstract: A material dispensing system including a first frame and a first application head. The first application head supported by the first frame including a first bias ply assembly comprising a bias ply roll supported on a bias ply dispenser unit, the first bias ply assembly configured to pass bias ply material along a bias path; and a first non-bias ply assembly comprising a non-bias ply roll supported by a non-bias ply dispenser unit, the non-bias ply assembly configured to pass non-bias ply material along a non-bias path; wherein the bias path and the non-bias path are substantially parallel. Another aspect provides a material dispensing system including a first frame and a first application head supported thereby; and a second frame and a second application head supported thereby; wherein the first frame and the second frame move in an X direction during operation. Another aspect includes preparing a composite article.

Abstract: In one aspect, a heating tool includes a heat source having a discharge outlet; and a manifold including an intake conduit configured to releasably connect to the discharge outlet of the heat source and a chamber coupled to the intake conduit having a ventilation path. The chamber includes a diverging portion configured to provide uniform airflow through the ventilation path to provide heating to a surface. In an embodiment, the chamber has a first portion and a second portion configured for assembly and disassembly. A method of curing an aircraft component is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes fastening a plurality of components of a composite structure in an assembly fixture, wherein the assembly fixture comprises a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, wherein the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the assembly fixture further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the assembly fixture; and heating the assembly fixture in an autoclave to bond the plurality of components of the composite structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method may comprise heating a composite material into a viscous form, wherein the composite material comprises a thermoplastic and a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is randomly arranged within the thermoplastic. The method may further comprise extruding a plurality of strands of the composite material, wherein extruding the plurality of strands causes the plurality of reinforcement fibers within each strand to align. The method may further comprise arranging the plurality of strands of the composite material to form a mold tool, wherein the mold tool is configured to mold a composite structure at a heated temperature, and wherein the mold tool comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property, wherein the anisotropic thermal expansion property is based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the mold tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling a tail rotor system includes pivoting a swashplate of the tail rotor system about an axis passing through a diameter of the swashplate. Pivoting the swashplate causes a first linkage of a first pair of linkages coupled between the swashplate and a collective crosshead to move in a first direction and a second linkage of the first pair of linkages coupled between the swashplate and the collective crosshead to move in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The movement of the first and second linkages causes a plane of rotation of a pair of rotors of the tail rotor system to cant relative to a centerline of a mast of the tail rotor system. A tail rotor system is also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is a system including a component for installation on a vehicle comprising a central maintenance computer (“CMC”); a configuration/maintenance module (“CMM”) associated with the component and including memory for storing component information, a sensor for detecting a condition and generating data indicative thereof; a microprocessor for processing the sensor data and updating the component information with the processing results; and a communications interface between the CMM and the CMC. The system further includes a remaining useful life (“RUL”) module associated with the component that periodically updates an RUL, the RUL module periodically updating an RUL value for the component and communicating the updated RUL value to the CMM for storage in the memory. The CMC communicates with the CMM to update the component information included in the memory based on information input to the CMC by a user or changes in a condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gimbal joint may employ a plurality of wear sleeves, each disposed between a pin or pin receptive bore of a first structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a second structure and between another pin or bore of the second structure and a corresponding bore or pin of a third structure. Each of these structures may be adapted to rotate in a single plane, with one structure adapted to also tilt about a first axis, and one other structure adapted to tilt about a second axis. Each integral flanged wear sleeve may comprise a right circular hollow cylindrical body portion, which may be interiorly sized to be retained on one of the pins and externally sized to be retained in one of the pin receptive bores, and a flange portion may radiate from one end of the cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an assembly fixture may include a base structure including a plurality of strands of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic embedded with a plurality of reinforcement fibers, wherein the plurality of reinforcement fibers is aligned within each strand of the plurality of strands, and wherein the base structure further comprises an anisotropic thermal expansion property based on an orientation of the plurality of reinforcement fibers within the base structure, The assembly fixture may further include a plurality of fastening structures coupled to the base structure, wherein the plurality of fastening structures is configured to fasten a plurality of components of a composite structure for assembly using a heated bonding process.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes monitoring environmental conditions via a plurality of sensors positioned in proximity to a vehicle. The method also includes receiving, from one or more of the plurality of sensors, a first measured value of a first environmental variable and at least one additional measured value of at least one additional environmental variable. In addition, the method includes automatically determining, via a machine-learning model, a first expected value of the first environmental variable given the at least one additional measured value of the at least one additional environmental variable. Furthermore, the method includes automatically generating a storage decision in relation to the first measured value based, at least in part, on an evaluation of the first measured value relative to the first expected value. Additionally, the method includes causing execution of the storage decision at least with respect to onboard storage of the vehicle.

Abstract: A parasite aircraft for airborne deployment and retrieve includes a wing; a fuselage rotatably mounted to the wing; a dock disposed on top of the fuselage and configured to receive a maneuverable capture device of a carrier aircraft; a pair of tail members extending from the fuselage; and a plurality of landing gear mounted to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for flight includes unfolding an end portion of a wing; unfolding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft; and rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft so that the fuselage is perpendicular to the wing. A method of preparing a parasite aircraft for storage includes rotating a fuselage of the parasite aircraft to be parallel with a wing of the parasite aircraft; folding an end portion of the wing; and folding an end portion of a tail member of the parasite aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft including a nacelle disposed at a fixed location relative a wing member; a proprotor housing coupled to the nacelle, the proprotor housing configured to selectively rotate between a horizontal orientation and a non-horizontal orientation; a door pivotably coupled to the proprotor housing; and a linkage to connect the door and the nacelle, the linkage configured to move with the door from a closed position when the proprotor housing is in a horizontal orientation to an open position when the proprotor housing is in a non-horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, there can be a hinge member for hingedly coupling the door to the proprotor and/or nacelle. In other embodiments, the door includes a flexure portion. In some embodiments, the nacelle includes a plurality of doors. In other embodiments, proprotor includes a forward portion and a stationary aft portion; wherein the forward portion is configured to selectively pivot.

Abstract: A method for selectively modulating bleed air used for cooling a downstream turbine section in a gas turbine engine. The method including: measuring an engine and/or aircraft performance parameter by an engine sensor device; comparing the engine and/or aircraft performance parameter to a performance threshold; determining a bleed trigger condition, if the engine and/or aircraft performance parameter crosses the performance threshold; determining a non-cooling condition, if the engine and/or aircraft performance parameter is below the performance threshold; actuating a flow control valve to an open position, in response to the bleed trigger condition, so that bleed air is extracted from the compressor section and flowed to the downstream turbine section; and terminating, in response to the non-cooling condition, the flow of the bleed air to the downstream turbine section of the engine by actuating the flow control valve to a closed position.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a maximum asymmetric condition between pylon tilt angles due to a degraded pylon in a fly-by-wire tiltrotor aircraft during transitions between airplane mode and helicopter mode includes a conversion system for imparting movement on a right and left pylon. A flight control computer is operatively connected to a set of transducers for measuring pylon angles. The flight control computer is further connected to a set of actuators which are attached to each pylon. The flight control computer receives flight dynamics input from the set of transducers and/or the pilot and sends pylon command to the set of actuators. The conversion system measures the difference between the pylon angles during the transition and provides a pylon command adjustment if the difference exceeds a preset threshold.

Abstract: An exemplary liquid tank level measurement system includes a tank having a wall, an accelerometer attached to the wall and configured to measure a vibration in the wall, and an instrument electronically connected to the accelerometer, the instrument configured to communicate a liquid level condition responsive to a vibration measurement received from the accelerometer.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a variable-speed gearbox. The variable-speed gearbox includes a low-speed gear train and a high-speed gear train, each gear train of which is configured to selectively provide torque from an engine of the aircraft to a proprotor. The variable-speed gearbox also includes a hydraulic system configured to provide torque to the proprotor. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump driven by the engine of the tiltrotor aircraft and a variable-displacement motor driven by a hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A method of selectively preventing flapping of a rotor hub includes providing a flapping lock proximate to a rotor hub and shaft assembly and moving the flapping lock from an unlocked position to a locked position, the flapping lock operable in the locked position to prevent at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft, the flapping lock operable in the unlocked position to allow the at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft.