Abstract: A computing device, method and computer program product are provided to generate synthetic images of abnormalities on the surface of an object, such as a vehicle. The synthetic images of abnormalities on the surface of an object may be utilized for training a machine learning algorithm to detect and/or classify abnormalities. In the context of a method, a respective abnormality is parametrically modeled by selecting one or more control points that satisfy parameters associated with the respective abnormality and generating a surface representative of the respective abnormality based on the one or more control points. The method also renders a synthetic image of at least a portion of the surface of the object having the respective abnormality as defined by the parametric modeling thereof. The rendering of the synthetic image includes rendering the synthetic image in accordance with a predefined lighting condition and from a predefined viewpoint.

Abstract: A method for debonding a bonded part includes attaching a handle to a third side of a first substrate of the bonded part with an adhesive layer. The bonded part has a plurality of inter-substrate bond structures that couple a first side of the first substrate to a second side of a second substrate. The third side of the first substrate is opposite the first side. The first substrate and the second substrate have different thicknesses. The method includes absorbing a solvent into the adhesive layer, swelling the adhesive layer in response to the absorbing of the solvent, bending the first substrate in response to the swelling, and breaking a plurality of thermocompression bonds between the plurality of inter-substrate bond structures and the second side of the second substrate in response to the bending to debond the first substrate.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating an aircraft during a climb phase of flight include a control unit configured to receive data regarding one or both of a current flight or one or more previous flights of the aircraft from one or more sensors of the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to determine efficient climb phase parameters for the aircraft based on the data. The aircraft is operated during the climb phase of one or both of the current flight or one or more future flights according to the efficient climb phase parameters.

Abstract: A system and a method include a scheduling control unit configured to determine one or more retiming options for one or more tail assignments of one or more aircraft scheduled for flights according to an original schedule. The one or more retiming options include one or more retiming times that differ from one or more original times of the one or more tail assignments within the original schedule. The scheduling control unit can select the one or more retiming options, and revise the original schedule based on the one or more retiming options as selected.

Abstract: One or more solar cells are connected to a flex circuit, wherein: the flex circuit is single sheet; the flex circuit is comprised of a flexible substrate having one or more conducting layers for making electrical connections to the solar cells; and the flex circuit includes one or more flat sections where the solar cells are attached to the flex circuit that remain flat when the flex circuit is folded and one or more folding sections between the flat sections where the flex circuit is folded.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating an aircraft during a cruise phase of flight include a control unit configured to receive data regarding one or both of a current flight or one or more previous flights of the aircraft from one or more sensors of the aircraft. The control unit is further configured to determine efficient cruise phase parameters for the aircraft based on the data. The aircraft is operated during the cruise phase of one or both of the current flight or one or more future flights according to the efficient cruise phase parameters.

Abstract: A system and a method for protecting one or more surfaces of one or more components within an internal cabin of a vehicle include panels configured to removably couple together in relation to the one or more surfaces of the one or more components.

Abstract: A system and a method include a software management control unit configured to receive one or more changes to one or more portions of a first software configuration for hardware components of one or more vehicle, such as aircraft, or other assets. The software management control unit is further configured to revise the first software configuration for the hardware components of the one or more aircraft to provide a second software configuration that includes the one or more changes.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for connecting a door to a fuselage of an aircraft includes a hinge arm having a fuselage fitting pivotably coupled to a fuselage rotatable interface and a door fitting pivotably coupled to a door rotatable interface. The hinge assembly includes a programmable gear assembly coupled to the hinge arm allowing the hinge arm to pivot around the fuselage fitting when the door is moved from a door closed position to a door open position and causing the door to maintain in a generally parallel orientation relative to the fuselage between the door closed position to the door open position. The programmable gear assembly includes a fuselage gear coupled to the fuselage fitting, a door gear coupled to the door fitting, and a rack operably coupled between the fuselage gear and the door gear.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for power generation and/or thermal management on a high speed flight vehicle include circulating a power generation loop working fluid through a power generation loop, which absorbs heat associated with the flight vehicle. A generator operably coupled to the power generation loop generates electrical power. Additionally, a heat transport loop working fluid may circulate through a heat transport loop to provide thermal management through heat transfer.

Abstract: Methods of preparing phthalonitrile coating compositions are provided, including phthalonitrile sprays, phthalonitrile pastes, and phthalonitrile composite films. In embodiments, such a method comprises, heating a phthalonitrile precursor composition comprising a bisphthalonitrile compound to a temperature and for a period of time to form a phthalonitrile prepolymer composition comprising a bisphthalonitrile prepolymer; cooling the phthalonitrile prepolymer composition to ambient temperature and pulverizing the phthalonitrile prepolymer composition to form particles; combining the particles with a liquid medium to form a phthalonitrile solution; optionally, adding an additive to the phthalonitrile solution; and mixing the phthalonitrile solution to form a phthalonitrile coating composition.

Abstract: A method for forming an electromagnetic shielding material includes causing a first portion of a matrix material to enter a target region of a magnetic field, thereby causing first ferromagnetic particles within the first portion of the matrix material to move such that first longitudinal axes of the first ferromagnetic particles become more aligned with the magnetic field. The method also includes curing the first portion of the matrix material within the target region of the magnetic field and thereafter causing a second portion of the matrix material to enter the target region of the magnetic field, thereby causing second ferromagnetic particles within the second portion of the matrix material to move such that second longitudinal axes of the second ferromagnetic particles become more aligned with the magnetic field. The method also includes curing the second portion of the matrix material within the target region of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compacting objects onto tools. One embodiment is a method for compacting an object onto a rigid tool. The method includes placing an object onto a surface of a rigid tool, disposing an end effector over the object, spreading linkages of the end effector, causing a scroll of material between the linkages to be disposed atop the object while surrounding the object, and applying a negative pressure to the scroll that offsets air leaks between the scroll and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object onto the rigid tool.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling aircraft roll operations are disclosed. An example system includes an aileron actuator including a mode selector valve to control fluid flow through the aileron actuator, and a valve spring coupled to the mode selector valve, the valve spring to adjust the mode selector valve from the active position to a block position, the block position to prevent fluid flow through the aileron actuator, a wing cable system coupled to the aileron actuator, a wing actuator coupled to the wing cable system, the wing actuator to control displacement of the aileron of the aircraft in response to the mode selector valve being in the block position, and a differential linkage coupled to the wing actuator and the aileron, the differential linkage to translate the displacement of the wing actuator into rotational movement to adjust the aileron from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A method and a system can be used for reporting proximity between technicians in an assembly environment. The method includes monitoring, by a proximity server, a distance between a first proximity detector and a second proximity detector based on a first signal and a second signal. The first proximity detector is configured to generate the first signal, and the second proximity detector is configured to generate the second signal.

Abstract: A hybrid power system for an aircraft. The hybrid power system comprises a high-voltage DC (HVDC) bus and a generator-motor system configured to (1) selectively receive electric power from the HVDC bus to assist in providing propulsion and (2) provide electric power to the HVDC bus during regulated power extraction. An LPS generator/motor is coupled with an LPS shaft of an engine. An HPS generator/motor is coupled with an HPS shaft of the engine. A first AC/DC converter is connected to the LPS generator/motor and the HVDC bus. A second AC/DC converter is connected to the HPS generator/motor, the first AC/DC converter, and the HVDC bus. An electric motor is connected to the HVDC bus and configured to provide propulsion and/or electric power. Further, AC and DC distribution systems are connected to the HVDC bus. A control system is configured to selectively control connections to the HVDC bus.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting an aircraft to execute a mission in which the aircraft maneuvers in an airspace system. The method includes detecting a lost-link event in which a datalink between the aircraft and a control station is interrupted or lost, and responsive to which the aircraft is preconfigured to execute a procedure. The method also includes conveying an intent of the aircraft to execute the procedure over a radio channel assigned for voice communication in the airspace system. In this regard, conveying the intent includes composing a message that indicates the intent of the aircraft to execute the procedure. The message is applied to a text-to-speech engine to convert the message to a corresponding verbal message in which the intent of the aircraft is conveyed. The corresponding verbal message is then sent over the radio channel assigned for voice communication in the airspace system.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes use of an air corridor model to enable aerial vehicles to travel an air corridor while maintaining safe separation distance from other vehicles. A trained air corridor model associated with an air corridor is received by an aerial vehicle, wherein the trained air corridor model is configured to maintain safe separation distance between vehicles in the air corridor. The current position of the aerial vehicle in the air corridor is identified and positions of other agents in the air corridor are received. A next position of the aerial vehicle is determined based on the trained air corridor model, the current position, and the agent positions. The aerial vehicle is controlled to travel from the current position to the determined next position, whereby the aerial vehicle and other agents are enabled to efficiently use the airspace of the air corridor while maintaining safe distances between each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling access of a computing device to a multi-layer network implementing a zero-trust architecture, the multi-layer network including a switch and apparatus for controlling access to a plurality of hierarchical levels of the multi-layer network. The method includes receiving, at the apparatus, an access request message from the computing device, the access request message including one or more identifiers associated with the computing device for requesting access to the multi-layer network. The method further includes determining a hierarchical penetration level among the plurality of hierarchical levels of the multi-layer network to be assigned to the computing device based on the one or more identifiers within the access request message.

Abstract: Thermal anti-icing systems are disclosed. An example anti-icing system includes a housing defining an inner recess, a first support fitting, a second support fitting spaced away from the first support fitting. The housing is positioned between the first support fitting and the second support fitting. The first support fitting, the second support fitting and an outer wall of the housing define a heating chamber that is fluidly separated from the inner recess.