Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for modeling at least one section of a curve. Each section can be modeled by initially providing a pair of positions (fi, fi+1) of the section of the curve including associated directions (di,di+1) and curvatures (&kgr;i,&kgr;i+1). Then, points b0,b1,b2,b3 and b4 can be identified based upon the pair of positions (fi,fi+1) and associated directions (di,di+1) and curvatures (&kgr;i,&kgr;i+1). Thereafter, a quartic interpolant p(t) can be determined over an interval (i≦t≦i+1) based upon points b0,b1,b2,b3 and b4 to thereby model the section of the curve. The quartic interpolant can be determined such that the interpolant p(t) has a position, direction and curvature equal to fi, di and &kgr;i, respectively, at t=i, and the interpolant p(t) has a position, direction and curvature equal to fi+1, di+1, and &kgr;i+1, respectively, at t=i+1.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided in which the most important communications that occur onboard the air vehicle and between the air vehicle and other locations continually have sufficient communication bandwidth and are not impeded by less important communications to ensure that the flight crew and flight control personnel on the ground have the most complete and accurate information. Other aspects of the method and system further assist in maintaining a safe flight by permitting the air vehicle to be both flown and landed while in an auto-pilot mode engaged in the air vehicle or from the ground and disengaged from the ground or by entering a code in the air vehicle, displaying target settings of respective parameters provided by the ground control center, providing detailed flight data to the air vehicle from the ground control center, and examining data in the ground control center captured onboard the air vehicle to identify individuals that may pose a security risk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing closed loop power control for RF transmissions over a plurality of TDMA links. A data file including of the power level and time interval for each transmission from a given primary node to each one of a plurality of secondary nodes in a TDMA network is maintained in a buffer. Power level correction messages are transmitted by each secondary node back to the primary node indicating a power correction needed to maintain closure of a communication link with a given secondary node. The power level of subsequent transmissions from the primary node are modified such that only that amount of power needed to maintain closure of the link with each secondary node is used. Time stamp information from each secondary node is also used to update the buffer to ensure that power level corrections are being accurately applied.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat treating a structural member, for example, to relieve stresses therein, are provided. The structural member is restrained in a die cavity by one or more inflatable bladders so that a desired dimensional accuracy is achieved. The structural member can be heated by an electromagnetic field generator, such as an induction coil, that heats one or more susceptors to a characteristic Curie temperature. The apparatus can be used to process structural members of various sizes and shapes, and the heating and cooling cycle can be performed relatively quickly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring a thickness of a nonconductive coating disposed over portions of first and second conductive surfaces that intersect at an intersection angle. The apparatus is a thickness measurement gauge having an eddy current sensor. The thickness measurement gauge includes an eddy current sensor and electronic analyzer. The thickness gauge may be provided with a pressure enclosure. A method of calibrating a thickness measurement gauge and a calibration stand are also provided. The calibration stand has third and fourth conductive surfaces intersecting at the intersection angle. The conductivities of the third and fourth surfaces correspond to the conductivities of the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A system for inspecting adhesive in a composite structure, such as for soft or improperly cured regions, includes a transducer and a processing element. The transducer can transmit a signal, such as an ultrasonic signal, into the adhesive such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic signal can propagate through the adhesive, reflect off of an interface between the adhesive and another material, and propagate back through the adhesive. Upon exiting the adhesive, then, the transducer can receive a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal. Thereafter, the processing element can identify a defect, such as soft or improperly cured regions, in the adhesive upon a relationship of an amplitude of the reflected portion of the reflected ultrasonic signal to a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system compensates for vertical deflection for parts manufactured by a numerically controlled (NC) machine. The (NC) machine has an application head position programmed to a plurality of nominal tool coordinates. Each nominal tool coordinate has a horizontal coordinate, a rotational coordinate, and a vertical coordinate. A tool used to manufacture the part is placed on the NC machine. The tool has a plurality of actual tool coordinates, each actual tool coordinate has a horizontal component, a rotational component, and a vertical sag component. A difference between each vertical sag component and a corresponding one of the nominal tool coordinates is calculated. Each difference is multiplied by a multiplier value providing an adjusted sag value. Each adjusted sag value is subtracted from the application head position for each actual tool horizontal or rotational coordinate to compensate the part for the vertical sag of the tool during manufacture.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a structural assembly includes positioning a first structural member at least partially adjacent a second structural member to define an interface therebetween and inserting a rotating plug into the first and second structural members at the interface to thereby join the first structural member to the second structural member. The resulting friction plug weld provides a relatively strong joint between the structural members, requires less forming and machining time, and is compatible with single-sided tooling. Additionally, the friction plug weld is compatible with other joining methods, such as friction stir welding.

Abstract: A reliable, long-lived soldered electrical connection is made to a ceramic substrate having a thick-film metallization thereon, over which is deposited a joint-structure-stabilizing thin-film metallization. The thin-film metallization is a multilayered structure having an adhesion layer overlying and in contact with the thick-film metallization, a readily wettable base-metal layer overlying and in contact with the adhesion layer, and an oxidation-prevention layer overlying and in contact with the base-metal layer. An electrical conductor is soldered to the thin-film metallization of the ceramic substrate. The electrical conductor may be a bonding pad of a flip chip having a solder bump thereon.

Abstract: A portable precision flange grinder grinds a flange on a duct. The flange has an axis, a radius, and a periphery. A mount mounts the grinder within the duct. The mount attaches to openings at ends of the duct. A grinding wheel grinds a flange on a duct and arranged to rotate along a periphery of the flange. A first linkage translates the grinding wheel along an axis of the flange to bring the grinding wheel laterally in grinding contact with the flange. The first linkage engages with the mount along an axis of the flange. A second linkage translates the grinding wheel along a radius of the flange bringing the grinding wheel radially in grinding contact with the flange. The second linkage attaches to the first linkage. A bearing assembly rotates the grinding wheel about the periphery of the flange. The bearing assembly is attached to the first linkage.

Abstract: A passive-adaptive indentor is provided for cold working a material that includes a material surface and a depth extending in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of the material surface. The passive-adaptive indentor has a first member that includes a first working end that is configured to create a first residual stress field that extends to a predetermined depth in the material. The passive-adaptive indentor also has a second member that includes a second working end that is configured to create a second residual stress field that extends to a generally fixed second depth of the material regardless of the depth to which the first residual stress field extends. A method of using a passive-adaptive indentor for cold working a material is also presented.

Abstract: A method and system for autoflight information display. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes determining if an automatic aircraft controller is controlling an aircraft function based at least in part on a target aircraft speed. If so, the method further includes displaying alphanumeric information corresponding to the operation of the automatic aircraft controller at a first location of a display medium. If not, the method further includes displaying the alphanumeric information at a second location of the display medium different than the first location. The first location can be aligned with a display of the aircraft speed, and the second location can be aligned with a display of the aircraft altitude. In another embodiment of the invention, engine control information can be integrated with a display of aircraft autopilot and/or autothrottle information.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and supplying a net-moulded article of expandable syntactic material and a related shipping package are provided. The moulded article is formed at a manufacturing facility where the forming process can be controlled to ensure production of quality syntactic material articles. The moulded article is formed by dispensing the material into a mould having a cavity with a shape matching that of a desired syntactic article to be used in an assembly at a point of use. The mould and moulded article are covered with a protective film to form a mould kit which is shipped to the point of use location. At the point of use location the moulded article is removed from the mould and preferably immediately positioned in the assembly without significant cutting, trimming, forming or other labor intensive actions. Once positioned, the net-moulded article and the assembly are cured to integrate the moulded article with the assembly.

Abstract: A combined generator device for use in a satellite capable of generating electrical power and thrust from an optical solar image. The combined generator includes a first receiver positioned to receive and store the outer, low-intensity region of the optical solar image. An electrical power generator thermally coupled to the first receiver uses the stored thermal energy to produce electricity. The combined generator also includes a thrust generator having a second receiver. The second receiver is positioned to receive and absorb the inner, high-intensity region of the optical solar image. A heat exchanger of the combined generator transfers the thermal energy from the second receiver into a supply of propellant which is vented to a nozzle to produce thrust.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter for input signals having a low frequency component (such as DC) upon which is superimposed an AC component, the magnitude of the AC component being less than or equal to one-half the span of the analog to digital converter.

Abstract: An unmanned air vehicle includes a singular rear landing gear wheel on the aft end of the fuselage. Port and starboard wings with rear facing propellers are retractable to the aft of the fuselage. Upon retraction, the propellers may freewheel and a reversible motor-generator is provided to convert the freewheeling propeller energy into electric power. Photovoltaic cells also provide electric power to the unmanned air vehicle. Port and starboard nose fairings are control surfaces for the vehicle. The port and starboard nose fairings also include landing gear wheels. A method of flying an unmanned air vehicle includes retracting port and starboard wings to achieve a ballistic dive.

Abstract: An electronically scanned antenna system includes a plurality of array elements and a control system. Each array element has a plurality of reflecting components capable of reflecting an electromagnetic wave incident thereon. Each reflecting component, in turn, is interconnected to at least one reflecting segment by at least one switch. In this regard, when the switches are in a closed state the respective reflecting segments are electrically coupled to the respective reflecting components to thereby alter a reflective geometry of the respective reflecting components. The control system is capable of controlling the switches to thereby control the array elements to provide a desired degree of phase shift to a signal reflected from the antenna. Advantageously, the control system is capable of controlling the switches of one reflecting component at the same time the control system controls corresponding switches of other reflecting components.

Abstract: A method and system for probing incident radar fields in a target test zone of a radar cross-section (RCS) test facility is provided. The present invention accomplishes probing by exploiting the angular radar response of a string or wire stretched horizontally or vertically through the test zone. One end of the string is fixed, while the other end is moved by a wall-mounted or floor-mounted actuator. The angle of the string is gradually changed with respect to the direction of arrival of incident waves generated by the test facility. The radar echo from the string is measured as a function of the string angle. The data is then processed to yield a profile of the incident wave intensity along the string. This probing can be routinely achieved for any desired frequency.

Abstract: A bundling tie includes a silicone rubber tape and at least one flat polyester string embedded therein. The silicone rubber tape may meet or be similar to Federal Specifications AA-59163 and the flat polyester string may meet or be similar to Federal Specifications AA-52081. The bundling tie is resistant to a wide range of temperature extremes, cracking, hardening, aging, and a variety of chemicals, solvents, fuels and oils. The bundling tie is easy to install/remove and is suitable for use in aerospace and other applications.

Abstract: An automated tube trimming system accurately trims tubes to the correct height and angle. The tube trimming system is a combination of an automated trimming saw and a unique spherical tube clamping system. A spherical clamp having a fixed clamp section and an internal swivel portion is used to clamp a tube at an appropriate angle for cutting in an automated tube trimming saw. The spherical clamp may be tightened onto the tube at an angle appropriate to provide the correct mating cut to easily weld to a second mating tube section or fitting. Conventional methods cut perpendicular to the direction of the tube, thereby requiring time consuming and labor intensive grinding and deburring. The ability to provide accurate and simple formation of trimmed tubes may be useful in a wide variety of industries where the movement of air and fluid through tubes is performed.