Abstract: A tooling apparatus for manufacturing a composite structure may include a rigid outer tool for receiving a composite layup, a tubular inner vacuum bag in contact with the composite layup and defining an inner vacuum chamber, and an outer vacuum bag covering at least a portion of the rigid outer tool. The outer vacuum bag and the tubular inner vacuum bag may collectively define an outer vacuum chamber containing the composite layup. An outer bag vacuum source may be fluidly coupled to the outer vacuum bag for applying an outer bag vacuum pressure on the outer vacuum chamber. An inner bag vacuum source may be fluidly coupled to the tubular inner vacuum bag for applying an inner bag vacuum pressure on the inner vacuum chamber during application of the outer bag vacuum pressure on the outer vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An airfoil comprises a skin, comprising an external surface and an internal surface. The skin has a controlled region. The airfoil also comprises an interior space, formed by the skin. The airfoil additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system, configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface. The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system comprises an induction coil and a control system. At least a portion of the induction coil is sufficiently close to the internal surface to produce an eddy current within the controlled region when an alternating electrical current is flowing in the induction coil. The control system is configured to generate inductive heat and acoustic pressure in the controlled region by supplying the alternating electrical current to the induction coil based, at least in part, on an ambient temperature of a layer of fluid flowing over the external surface.

Abstract: A tool for use in cutting a tie wrap that is bound about at least one wire is provided. The tool includes a housing having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side are coupled together to define a cavity. The housing further includes a groove formed in the first side and in the second side, wherein the groove is in flow communication with the cavity. A blade is coupled to the first side and positioned with the cavity, wherein the blade includes a cutting surface partially extending into the groove. The tool also includes a spacer coupled to the housing and configured to maintain the wire a distance away from the cutting surface when the housing is applied to the tie wrap.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for delivering a substantially homogeneous and substantially transparent single film coating comprising siloxane-containing precursor materials onto a substantially transparent substrate surface on large components via atmospheric pressure plasma deposition techniques.

Abstract: A composite part is fabricated by rastering a deposition head over a substrate, and additively forming part features by extruding a polymer having an entrained continuous nanotube reinforcement from the deposition head onto a substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing aircraft flight information and flight plan information are described. Specific techniques are described for managing flight data in real time, sharing flight data between a plurality of systems, dynamically managing flight information, generating flight plan information, providing flight plan information to a user, and closing flight plan discontinuities.

Abstract: A holder for attaching an acoustic emission sensor to a non-metallic and non-magnetic material has a tubular body with a closed top end and an open bottom end through which the sensor is insertable into the tubular body. The closed top end has a plurality of unitary flexible flaps angularly extending inwardly from an inner surface of the enclosed top end. An inner surface of the tubular body has a plurality of spacers extending radially inward proximate the bottom end of the tubular body. The unitary flexible flaps and the spacers fix the sensor within the tubular body. The tubular body may also have a plurality of capture tabs extending outwardly from an exterior surface thereof proximate the open bottom end that are slidably and removably engageable with an engagement keyway in a retainer bracket that is affixed to a non-metallic and non-magnetic material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for restricting movement in a flow mixer of an exhaust duct, the flow mixer having a first row of flutes and a second row of flutes generally opposite to the first row of flutes, each flute being elongated and defining an elongated axis. At least two flute ties connect, or couple, together at least two flutes from the first row of flutes and at least two flutes from the second row of flutes. A retainer is coupled to the flute ties and extends generally perpendicularly to the elongated axis of each of the flutes from the first and second rows of flutes. The combination of the retainer and flute ties is configured to generally restrain relative movement between the flutes from the first row and the flutes from the second row.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a structure. The apparatus may comprise the end effector and a sensor system. The end effector may be configured to perform an operation on the structure. The sensor system may have a plurality of sensors extending outward from the end effector.

Abstract: A flow reactor system and methods having tubing useful as polymerization chamber. The flow reactor has at least one inlet and at least one mixing chamber, and an outlet. The method includes providing two phases, an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase and forming an emulsion for introduction into the flow reactor.

Abstract: An offset bushing for a structural member may include a tubular body having a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface. The cylindrical inner surface may have an inner diameter defining an inner axis. The cylindrical outer surface may have an outer diameter defining an outer axis. The inner axis may be spaced apart from the outer axis to define a linear offset. The offset bushing may include a bushing indexing feature configured to align with a member indexing feature of a member when the offset bushing is installed in a member bore. Alignment of the bushing indexing feature with the member indexing feature may cause the linear offset to be oriented substantially parallel to a loading axis of a load on the member.

Abstract: In one example, a strut for mounting a jet engine to a wing of an aircraft includes a plurality of engine mounts and a space frame truss supported from the wing and including front and aft portions, the front portion being coupled to and supporting the engine mounts, the aft portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from an aft end of the front portion. By removing the aft end of the strut from the core exhaust zone of the engine, substantial reductions in the weight and drag of the strut, and a corresponding increase in the specific fuel consumption of the associated aircraft may be achieved.

Abstract: A waste containment system includes a flexible bag having a moldable top opening and a flexible frame including an attachment mechanism configured to couple the frame to the bag. Manipulation of the top opening causes the frame to change in shape such that the shape of the frame at least partially corresponds to the shape of the top opening.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for re-pointing at least one beam are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves receiving and/or transmitting, with at least one feed, electromagnetic (EM) energy towards a non-parabolic reflector. In at least one embodiment, reflected EM energy that is reflected from the non-parabolic reflector originates from and/or generates at least one beam. The method further involves rotating, at least one feed, from at least one first angular position to at least one second angular position, such that at least one beam shifts from at least one first coverage location to at least one second coverage location.

Abstract: Lighting panels and methods of manufacturing lighting panels are described. An example lighting panel includes a substrate that has a planar surface, electrically conductive traces printed onto the planar surface of the substrate, and light sources mounted onto the electrically conductive traces at mounting positions such that the electrically conductive traces form an electrical interconnection between selected ones of the electrically conductive traces and associated ones of the light sources. The lighting panel also includes a polymer sheet provided over the light sources, and a composite base upon which a stack-up of the substrate with the printed electrically conductive traces, the light sources, and the polymer sheet is applied. The light sources are embedded into the composite base and are also flush with a top surface of the stack-up, and the substrate is also embedded into the composite base underneath the light sources at the mounting positions.

Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for determination and assessment of arc flash hazards at an equipment in an electrical power system operative at 400-Hz. According to various embodiments, a method is provided comprising determining an arc current at the equipment and generating an arc flash model based on the determined arc current. The method further comprises determining a value of arc flash incident energy by use of the arc flash model. In some embodiments, an arc flash protection boundary distance and/or a level of Prosomal Protection Equipment (PPE) are further determined by use of the value of arc flash incident energy for the equipment in the 400-Hz electrical power system.

Abstract: A hydraulic joint is disclosed. The hydraulic joint includes a tube, a hydraulic fitting, and a tip seal. The hydraulic fitting may be positioned around the tube. The hydraulic fitting may include a first open end for receiving the tube. The tip seal may be configured to define an opening that allows for the passage of leaks. The tip seal may be positioned on the hydraulic fitting adjacent the open end and forming a mechanical barrier between the fitting and the tube.

Abstract: A nanotube particle device for two dimensional and three dimensional printing or additive/subtractive manufacturing. The nanotube particle device comprising a nanotube, a particle shooter, a positioning mechanism, and a detection sensor. The particle shooter shoots a particle down the nanotube towards a target, the detection sensor senses the collision of the particle with the target, and the positioning mechanism re-adjusts the positioning of the nanotube based on the results of the collision. A method for aiming the particle shooter and additive/subtractive manufacturing are also disclosed and described.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a panel, including a first face sheet, a second face sheet and a core sheet between the first face sheet and the second face sheet, may include a molding tool defining a forming cavity shaped to correspond to the panel, a heating system positioned adjacent to the forming cavity and configured to heat the forming cavity, and a pressurization system configured to pressurize a cavity volume between the tool and the panel and pressurize a panel volume between the first face sheet and the second face sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a collar concentrically in line with a central axis of a fastener and a working axis of a swager is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a collar feeder, comprising a first end, a second end, an inlet, an outlet, and a through cavity in communication with the inlet and the outlet. The apparatus also comprises a contact element, a cam surface configured to be stationary relative to the swager, and a slider pivotally coupled to the collar feeder. The apparatus further comprises a means for biasing the slider relative to the swager along the working axis of the swager, and at least one resilient flexure coupled to the collar feeder at the outlet.