Abstract: In examples, systems for determining a position and a vector of a hole formed in a workpiece based on scanned data of the workpiece are described. The system includes a target for coupling to the hole formed in the workpieced, a scanner for projecting a light pattern onto the target and surrounding workpiece and for generating a plurality of data points representative of a surface area of a cylinder body of the target, and a processor for receiving the plurality of data points generated by the scanner and generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of at least a portion of the workpiece. The processor determines a position and a vector of the hole formed in the workpiece for the 3D model based on the plurality of data points representative of the surface area of the cylinder body.

Abstract: A composite structure curing system employs a plurality of heaters mounted in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted to sense temperature at selected locations on the structure. A control system receives an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors and is adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing takeoff performance by displaying symbology representing an initial pitch angle target that optimizes the amount of payload that can be carried by an airplane. This is accomplished by determining an optimum initial pitch angle at rotation during takeoff which is associated with an optimum ratio of the takeoff safety speed to the stall speed that satisfies a specific set of climb/obstacle constraints. Targeting this optimum initial pitch angle allows the maximum takeoff gross weight that corresponds to the optimum takeoff safety speed/stall speed ratio to be selected.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of releasing doors that are locked in a closed position. The apparatus may include a follower assembly movably attached to a locking member that moves between a secured position and an unsecured position. The follower assembly may include a first locking element. The apparatus may additionally include a second locking element configured to move between a locking position in which the second locking element engages the first locking element, and an unlocking position in which the second locking element is spaced from the first locking element. The apparatus may further include a support assembly configured to move between a proximal position in which the support assembly supports the second locking element in the locking position, and a distal position in which the support assembly allows the second locking element to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.

Abstract: In an example, a system for disinfecting a lavatory in a vehicle includes a UV light source in the lavatory and configured to emit UV light when activated. The system also includes a switch actuatable between a first state and a second state. The switch is configured to: (i) while in the first state, provide an input power from a power source of the vehicle to a lavatory device in the lavatory, and (ii) while in the second state, provide the input power from the power source to the UV light source and cease providing the input power to the lavatory device. The system further includes an activation control system configured to actuate the switch between the first state and the second state to deactivate and activate the UV light source, respectively. The input power is insufficient to simultaneously operate the lavatory device and activate the UV light source.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments may provide for an apparatus and method of controlling the folding of a wing. The apparatus may include a sensor, an actuator, and a wing fold controller. The method may include receiving a status of at least one of an aircraft and a wing fold system of the aircraft by the wing fold controller of the wing fold system. The method may also include receiving an automated command by the wing fold controller in response to receiving the status. The method may also include operating the wing fold system by the wing fold controller based on the automated command and the status. The method may also include transitioning a wingtip of a wing of the aircraft to one of a flight position and a folded position by an actuator of the wing fold system in response to commands from the wing fold controller.

Abstract: Optical fibers are described that include integrated Photovoltaic (PV) cells. The PV cells do not interfere with the optical signals that are transmitted along a core of an optical fiber. Further, the PV cells are able to convert light scattered from the core of the optical fiber into electricity. The PV cells may then be used to power remote optical amplifiers disposed along the optical fiber. For instance, the PV cells may be used to supplement or fully power the remote optical amplifiers. In one implementation, an apparatus includes an optical fiber and a PV cell. The optical fiber includes a first length and a second length that that are joined together at a splice. The optical fiber includes a core that conveys light, an inner cladding surrounding the core that is optically transparent, and an outer cladding surrounding the inner cladding that redirects scattered light from the core into the inner cladding.

Abstract: Within examples, systems for enhanced performance blades for rotor craft are provided and methods for operation. An example system for a rotary device is provided comprising a rotor blade coupled to a rotor hub. The system also comprises an air channel disposed within the rotor blade, where the air channel is sealed proximate to a distal end of the rotor blade. The system also comprises an inlet positioned at a proximal end of the rotor blade, where the inlet is in fluid communication with the air channel. The system also comprises a plurality of outlets positioned along the rotor blade, where each of the plurality of outlets are in fluid communication with the air channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented. A portion is cut from a thermoplastic sheet of a first thermoplastic material based on a three dimensional model. The portion is secured to a mold. The portion and the mold are heated under vacuum to form a structure. The structure may take the form of a protective covering. In some illustrative examples, the mold may be formed of a second thermoplastic material based on the three dimensional model using additive manufacturing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and estimating parameters for a phase-modulated signal in a continuous manner with near-optimal performance. The methods generate these estimates using streaming (or on-the-fly) calculations and so are suitable for hardware-based implementation. These estimates can be used as part of standard pulse descriptor words for radar and other pulsed or continuous signals that are reported by an electronic warfare receiver to a processing and display system. Also, the methods can be computed using sub-sampling methods in order to reduce overall computations.

Abstract: An electrical heat blanket includes an array of individual resistive heating element circuits that are spaced apart from each other. The heat blanket is trimmed to a desired size and/or shape by severing the blanket along cut lines between the circuits.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a rotational wire transport. In certain examples, the rotational wire transport may be a part of a wire processing system. The rotational wire transport may include a winding spool, a linear actuator, a cam, and a gripping tab. The rotational wire transport may be configured to wind wire into a coil and move between a plurality of different stations within the wire processing system.

Abstract: An anisotropic conducting adhesive is improved in conductivity without increasing the density of admixed conductive particles by inducing metallic fusion between the surfaces of the conducting particles and the surfaces being bonded. The metallic fusion may be promoted by physical/chemical interaction characteristic of certain materials at a compressed interface; by compression sufficient to deform the conductive particles in a manner that increases the mechanical contact area; by heating (with or without melting of a material), which may also serve to cure the adhesive matrix; or by acoustic vibration, e.g., ultrasonic vibration. The resulting metallic-fusion joint is stronger, as well as more conductive, than a joint in which the particles and surfaces are held in unfused mechanical contact.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for performing an automated inspection operation across a surface of a workpiece is disclosed. The inspection apparatus may include a positioning apparatus, a platen fabricated from a magnetic material and having a platen surface, with the platen being mounted on the positioning apparatus and the positioning apparatus being operational to move the platen relative to the surface of the workpiece, and an inspection module disposed on the platen surface and having an inspection end effector. The inspection module may generate a magnetic field that biases the inspection module toward the platen, and may be operable to generate a magnetic flux to control movement of the inspection module over the platen surface to perform the automated inspection operation across the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A tool and its method of use, where a plurality of grooves and/or a channel are formed into the tool surface of the tool. The grooves and/or channel distribute and deliver resin supplied to the tool surface throughout a dry fiber composite layup positioned on the tool surface in resin infusion and resin transfer molding. The grooves are formed in the tool surface extending to discrete areas on the tool surface to direct a flow of liquid resin to the discrete areas and infuse the dry fiber composite layup with the liquid resin at those discrete areas of the tool surface. When a channel is formed in the tool surface, a perforated plate extends over the channel to prevent fibers from the preform from being pulled from the preform and into the liquid resin flowing through the channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide airflow to a flight deck from a passenger entry area. The system includes a fan mounted within a door separating a flight deck from a passenger entry area. The fan is configured to direct airflow from the passenger entry area into the flight deck. The fan having a shield positioned adjacent to the passenger entry area that is configured to conceal the fan.

Abstract: A tool and its method of use, where a plurality of grooves are formed into the tool surface of the tool. The grooves have different cross-section dimensions, different lengths, different configurations and/or different patterns that function as tool surface resin distribution grooves. The grooves distribute and deliver resin supplied to the tool surface throughout a dry fiber composite layup positioned on the tool surface in resin infusion and resin transfer molding. The grooves are formed in the tool surface extending to discrete areas on the tool surface to direct a flow of liquid resin to the discrete areas and infuse the dry fiber composite layup with the liquid resin at those discrete areas of the tool surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curable sealant composition including: (i) a thiol-terminated prepolymer and/or monomers thereof, wherein the thiol-terminated prepolymer is a polythioether or a polysulfide; (ii) an “ene” crosslinker having a molecular weight of about 100 to about 5000; and (iii) a pH indicator molecule including a quantum dot functionalized with a pH-responsive ligand. Methods for determining a sufficient cure state of a composition by combining the thiol-terminated prepolymer and/or monomers thereof and the “ene” crosslinker with a pH indicator molecule, including a quantum dot functionalized with a pH-responsive ligand, and (ii) then subjecting a resultant mixture of (i) to curing conditions until the mixture changes its color are also disclosed.