Abstract: There is provided a store ejection system and method that use a pressurized non-pyrotechnic gas as the source of energy and transfer mechanism for jettisoning a store from an aircraft. The ejection system includes an on-board pressure vessel for holding the pressurized gas, a releasable seal configured to hermetically seal the pressure vessel, and a pressure regulator fluidly connected to the releasable seal and configured to control a flow of the gas from the pressure vessel when the releasable seal is configured in an open position. The pressure vessel is releasably connected to the pressure regulator and the releasable seal is configured to be released after the pressure vessel is connected to the pressure regulator so that the releasable seal hermetically seals the pressure vessel before the pressure vessel is connected to the pressure regulator. The ejection system also includes at least one actuation system and at least one pneumatically-driven jettison mechanism for releasably retaining the store.

Abstract: A circuit assembly has a heat sink assembly and a chip scale package assembly. The chip scale package assembly has an integrated circuit die coupled to a first printed wiring board. The heat sink assembly has an integrated circuit die coupled to a second printed wiring board. Preferably, the heat sink assembly and the chip scale package assembly are assembled separately then assembled together. The circuit pads on the first printed wiring board correspond with circuit pads on the second printed wiring board. The circuit pads may be coupled together by solder or adhesive bonding. The circuit pads on the first printed wiring board may have solder balls formed of high temperature solder that do not melt when the heat sink assembly is assembled with chip scale package assembly. The solder balls allow chip scale package assembly to maintain a predetermined distance from the circuit pads on the second printed wiring board.

Abstract: A hybrid reflector antenna particularly suited for reflecting a frequency band in a satellite includes a central portion fully reflective to the frequency band. A first annular band is disposed directly adjacent to the central portion. The first annular band is partially reflective to the frequency band. The reflector may include several annular bands having various degrees of reflectivity and thus attenuation. The present invention may be implemented using two such reflectors, one for transmitting and one for receiving in a satellite, for either single or multiple beam applications. This invention offers more compact and lower mass/cost antenna configurations compared to conventional antennas from multiple beam satellite payloads.

Abstract: Aircraft engine nacelles and methods for structurally attaching them to aircraft structures, such as aircraft wings. In one embodiment, an aircraft engine nacelle is attached to a wing between a trailing edge region of the wing and an aft deck region of the wing. In one aspect of this embodiment, the engine nacelle includes a forward portion having first and second structural attach points offset from each other in a first direction at least generally perpendicular to a central axis of the engine nacelle. The first and second structural attach points can be configured to fixedly attach the engine nacelle to the wing at least proximate to the trailing edge region. In another aspect of this embodiment, the engine nacelle includes a side portion having at least a third structural attach point offset from the first and second structural attach points in a second direction at least generally parallel to the central axis.

Abstract: A light trap includes a light focusing assembly and a light trap assembly. The light focusing assembly includes an access member and an intermediate member. The access member has a frustoconical shape and includes a first end and a second end having a larger cross-sectional area than the first end. The intermediate member defines an internal cavity therethrough. The intermediate member also includes a first end and a second end, with the first end being in optical communication with the second end of the access member. The light trap assembly includes a housing and a conical member. The housing defines an internal cavity that opens through one end thereof. The housing is positioned relative to the intermediate member proximate the second end of the intermediate member. The conical member has a base and an opposing apex, and is disposed within the internal cavity defined by the housing.

Abstract: A method of joining a ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle to a metal manifold is provided, wherein a silicon nitride insert is disposed inside the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle and the metal manifold to provide a joint therebetween. The silicon nitride insert is preferably co-processed with the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle such that the ceramic matrix provides a bond between the rocket nozzle and the insert. The metal manifold is then secured to the silicon nitride insert, preferably using brazing, to form a joint assembly.

Abstract: An equalizing apparatus includes an equalizer which has a plurality of adjustable tap weights that equalizes a received signal based on values of the adjustable tap weights, a tap weight update calculation unit coupled to the equalizer and which determines tap weight updates for use in adjusting the tap weights during operation of the equalizer, an offset memory that stores one or more tap weight update offset values and a summer coupled to the tap weight update calculation unit and to the offset memory. The summer combines each of the tap weight updates with one of the tap weight update offset values to produce modified tap weight updates which, in turn, are provided to the equalizer to adjust the tap weights.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite uses a hybrid tool which serves both as a form on which constituent materials are applied for bonding or curing into a part in a desired configuration, and as a fixture for holding the bonded or cured materials in the originally applied position during subsequent machining of a peripheral edge of the part. The method includes fabricating a face sheet of composite material having a facing surface configured to the reverse of a desired shape of one surface of a part to be made on the tool. The materials for the part are applied on the face sheet, debulked, bonded or cured, and edge trimmed thereon, all while on the face sheet in the originally applied position.

Abstract: A charging circuit (28) particularly suited for use in a satellite (20) has a battery cell (32). A voltage sensor (36) is coupled to the battery for generating a cell voltage signal. A current sensor (34) is coupled to the battery cell (32) and generates a cell charge current signal. A controller (38) is coupled to the voltage sensor (36) and the current sensor (34). The controller (38) determines a compensated voltage in response to the cell voltage signal and the charge current signal and controls the charging of the battery cell (32) in response to the compensated voltage.

Abstract: The vented cell structure and fabrication method of the present invention provide an efficient and effective honeycomb structure that allows fluids to flow in and out of the honeycomb without any obstructions that may trap gases and/or liquid in the honeycomb cells. First and second honeycomb layers, including first and second cell walls, respectively, that define first and second cells, respectively, are positioned adjacent one another such that the first and second cells are misaligned. The first and second honeycomb layers are connected with adhesive only at intersections of the first and second cell walls to permit fluid to flow between the first and second cells without obstruction. A structural layer defining at least one opening aligned with the first and/or second cells is also applied on opposite sides of the first and second honeycomb layers, to thereby create the vented cell structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one embodiment, the bus controller sends commands and data a defined bit rate, and the network device interface senses this bit rate and sends data back to the bus controller using the defined bit rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted by the network device interface into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one advantageous embodiment, the network device interface uses a specialized protocol for communicating across the network bus that uses a low-level instruction set and has low overhead for data communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an electronic device to a communications system to provide access via the device to a user in a seat on a mobile platform. A jack is pivotally attached to one end of a gooseneck assembly and receives a connector of the electronic device. Another end of the gooseneck assembly is pivotally attached to a pivot for an armrest of the seat. An interface cable extends through the gooseneck assembly and electrically connects the jack with a system connector near the seat. The gooseneck assembly is easily accessible and visible to passengers.

Abstract: A design tool and method for characterizing a circuit at a hardware level includes the steps of generating a behavioral level description of the circuit and generating a netlist from the behavioral level description. Reference equations are generated from the netlist and are translated into numeric and symbolic C-code. The symbolic C-code is compared to the numeric C-code for validation. The reference equations are translated into numeric and symbolic HDL-code. The symbolic HDL-code is compared to the numeric HDL-code for validation. The symbolic C-code is compiled and simulated. A C-code equation file is generated. The symbolic HDL-code is compiled and simulated. A HDL-code equation file is generated. A symbolic manipulation program is used to solve for a difference between the C-code equation file and the HDL-code equation file. If there are no unexpected differences, equivalence is established.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning network addresses to mobile platforms using a satellite communications link. The network address information is transmitted from a ground station only upon request by the mobile platform, with the mobile platform transmitting a confirmation signal after receiving the network address information. Bi-directional communication is thereby provided between the ground system and specific mobile platforms. The network address information is maintained on-board the mobile platform within a plurality of components to avoid losing the information in the event of a failure of one or more on-board components operating on a network on the mobile platform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling aircraft devices with multiple actuators. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first actuator coupled to a first power system having a first probability of failure, the first actuator being coupleable to at least one moveable component of an aircraft system. The apparatus can further include a second actuator coupled to a second power system having a second probability of failure less than the first. The second actuator can be operatively coupled to the first actuator and can be coupleable to the at least one moveable component, for example, to operate simultaneously with the first actuator. A second force applied by the second actuator can be less than a first force applied by the first actuator. Accordingly, the second power source can be reduced in size by virtue of the reduced probability of failure for the first power system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for automatic detection of targets from radar data are disclosed. Ground moving target indicator radar is used to collect radar data which is then filtered to suppress intensity of the clutter ridge. For each working point in a set of radar data, a working first-sense circular transmit/first-sense circular receive radar cross section, a working first-sense circular transmit/second-sense circular receive radar cross section, and a working asymmetry angle are calculated from a scattering matrix, then analyzed to classify the working point as a target point or a clutter point. This analysis suitably is performed by comparing data calculated for each working point to basis data collected in a look-up table in which combinations of a first-sense circular transmit/first-sense circular receive radar cross section, a first-sense circular transmit/second-sense circular receive radar cross section, and an asymmetry angle have been classified as target points or clutter points.

Abstract: An airborne missile launch system. The system includes a Harpoon aircraft command-launch control set (HACLCS) system, one or more Harpoon Block II missiles, and an interface controller coupled to the HACLCS system and the one or more Harpoon Block II missiles. The controller allows a user to create a missile profile mission. The controller combines the created missile profile mission with received positioning information. The missile(s) loads the combination into a navigation system of one of the Harpoon Block II missiles. The controller receives a mission-loaded signal upon completion of mission loading into one of the Harpoon Block II missiles, and converts the mission-loaded signal for interpretation by the HACLCS system.

Abstract: An injection system, injector, and associated method are provided for injecting and combusting combustion fluids in a combustion chamber. The system includes a faceplate that faces the combustion chamber and a plurality of injectors that extend through the faceplate. Each of the injectors has an injector body with an outlet side. A fuel bore extends from a fuel bore inlet to a fuel bore outlet located at the outlet side of the injector. Each injector also includes a swirler chamber with at least one inlet for receiving steam and an oxidizing fluid and an oxidizing fluid outlet located on the injector outlet side. A converging channel extends from the oxidizing fluid outlet to the swirler chamber, and the converging channel converges relative to the fuel bore so that steam and oxidizing fluid exiting the injector through the oxidizing fluid outlet impinge on a stream of fuel in the combustion chamber flowing from the fuel bore.