Abstract: A method of suppressing background clutter in video imagery of a scene including a foreground target and background clutter includes applying successive images of the video imagery to a clutter suppression process, thereby producing video imagery of a derived scene in which the background clutter is suppressed. This process includes processing the current image to remove a fixed pattern noise associated with the camera, and spatially re-registering the current image to a fixed geolocation or known clutter pattern of the scene in a reference image of the successive images. The process also includes subjecting independent copies of the current image to two infinite impulse response filters having different time constants to produce filtered, time-delayed images, and differencing the filtered images to reduce the background clutter, thereby producing a clutter-suppressed version of the current image in which the background clutter is suppressed with respect to the foreground target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for retrieving values from a data bus of a vehicle. One illustrative method includes applying values from sensors at a vehicle to addresses of a data bus at the vehicle, retrieving values from the addresses of the data bus based on an operational state of the vehicle, and determining that the vehicle has entered another operational state. The method further includes loading a second sampling scheme corresponding with the other operational state, and retrieving values from an address of the data bus at a new rate corresponding with the other operational state.

Abstract: A containment vessel for stowing a high energy density device therein includes a housing, a plurality of discs, and a separable collar. The housing includes a base, a sidewall enclosure extending upwardly from the base, the sidewall enclosure defining a housing cavity and an opening at a top end thereof, and a flange extending circumferentially outwardly from the sidewall enclosure. The separable collar has first, second, and third grooves on an inner circumference of the separable collar. The first groove is configured to receive the flange of the housing. The second and third grooves are configured to receive first and second of the plurality of discs.

Abstract: A method to provide control for an alternating current generator. The method includes controlling the alternating current generator by modulating a three-phase wound rotor to counter-rotate the magnetic field relative to a shaft rotation, or alternatively to become synchronous to the shaft rotation. The three-phase wound rotor controls a frequency and a voltage of the alternating current generator.

Abstract: An airplane fuel level optical sensor using one side-emitting plastic optical fiber (SPOF) and two fluorescent plastic optical fibers (FPOFs) to detect the airplane fuel level without using any electrically conductive component or element placed inside the fuel tank. This dual-FPOF sensor is capable of achieving high resolution and high accuracy with a one-time calibration in the actual airplane's fuel tank environment. One embodiment of the dual-FPOF sensor uses one SPOF and two FPOFs to detect fuel level change based on the optical signal output from the two FPOFs. The sensor design uses large-diameter (core and cladding), lightweight, low-cost and high-durability plastic optical fiber, which is very desirable for airplane installation.

Abstract: An aircraft system including an aircraft and an electronic instrument on the aircraft, the electronic instrument including a wireless connectivity interface providing wireless communication over at least one communication channel and a display, wherein the display provides a visual indication of an availability of the communication channel.

Abstract: Methods for using predictive shimming to optimize part-to-part alignment. In accordance with one embodiment, the process uses measurement data acquired from mating surfaces and key features to virtually align two parts in a manner that optimizes the final orientation of the parts and determines the geometry of the shim needed to achieve this orientation during assembly.

Abstract: A condensation-controlling insulation system includes an interior insulation layer for application to a cold surface. The system may further include an exterior absorption layer adapted to retain condensation during a first environmental condition and to release the condensation as a vapor during a second environmental condition.

Abstract: Wrinkling of a contoured composite laminate part during forming to contour is reduced by using laminate plies having off-angle reinforcing fibers that provide the part with primary axial strength along a major axis of loading.

Abstract: A compartment door of a galley within an internal cabin of a vehicle (such as an aircraft) includes a front panel having a front outer surface, and a footstep system secured to the front panel. The footstep system is moveable between a retracted position and an extended support position. The footstep system is vertically oriented in the retracted position. The footstep system outwardly extends and folds to provide a step surface in the extended support position.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for automated location and identification of multiple objects in an aircraft cabin. A method utilizes a wireless client, RFID reader, and camera, which together form a set. Each set is associated with a specific inspection zone in the cabin. The RFID reader determines the presence of a RFID tag in only one zone. Further, the camera captures an image of that zone. A data feedback is generated based on both the image and the RFID reader response. The data feedback is transmitted by the wireless client to a router and is analyzed to determine the presence of the object in the inspection zone and, if present, the identity of the object. The data feedback is associated with the location of the zone in the aircraft cabin, which is known or may be determined using a set of wireless routers positioned throughout the cabin.

Abstract: A method of cavitation peening may include coupling a moveable water source to a portable nozzle, through a flexible conduit. The method may include positioning the nozzle adjacent a treatment surface and discharging a first and second stream of fluid through a first and second channel of the nozzle, with the second channel concentrically positioned around the first channel. The first stream may have a first pressure, and the second stream may have a second pressure, the first pressure being greater than the second pressure and the two streams combining to generate a cloud of cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring electric power to an aircraft during flight. Power transfer to the receiver aircraft is effected by means of a donor aircraft using a wired electrical connection. The method for transferring electric power includes: establishing an electrical connection between a receiver aircraft and a donor aircraft during flight; and transferring electric power from the donor aircraft to the receiver aircraft via the electrical connection. In one embodiment, electric power is transferred by way of a power cable deployed by the donor aircraft, a drogue attached to a trailing end of the power cable, and a probe mounted to the fuselage of the receiver aircraft, The probe and drogue are configured to form an electrical connection when fully engaged.

Abstract: A brush for delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector is disclosed. The brush comprises a body, having a rotational axis and comprising a first channel that comprises an inlet and a first outlet. The inlet is coaxial with the rotational axis and the first outlet is offset from the rotational axis. The brush also comprises tufts, extending from the body and each comprising at least one bristle and a tip. The brush further comprises a first tube, communicatively coupled with the first outlet of the first channel of the body.

Abstract: Provided are stiffened stringer panels with integrated indexing stacks. An example composite panel comprises a skin member having an inner surface. An index for positioning a support tool comprises a first set and second set of layered laminate stacks coupled to the inner surface such that a channel is formed between the first and second set of layered laminate stacks. The first and second set of layered laminate stacks is configured to cradle a support tool in the channel to automatically align the support tool relative to the panel. A stringer may include a cap portion that extends from the first set to the second set of layered laminate stacks to form flange portions on the inner surface of the skin member. The index and the skin member may be co-cured or co-bonded.

Abstract: A composite structure including a composite body having an outer surface and a detection layer connected to the outer surface, the detection layer being discontinuous and including glass fibers embedded in a matrix material.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for generating enhanced stereographic videos of aircraft build processes. Specifically, the system comprises a stereoscopic recording device configured to capture a plurality of stages of an aircraft build process. The system further comprises one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs stored in the memory that comprise instructions for execution by the system to build a stereographic library including repositories of 3D video corresponding to the plurality of stages of the aircraft build process. The system then generates an enhanced walkthrough video of the aircraft build process. The enhanced walkthrough video may include a parallax grid overlay and/or a thermal scan overlay integrated into the video. The system may then analyze the enhanced walkthrough video using post-processing analytics to identify anomalies and irregularities that occurred during the aircraft build process.

Abstract: Various techniques provide optical limiters for facilitating aperture protection. In one example, a system includes an optical device. The optical device includes a photocathode configured to emit electrons in response to an applied voltage and an incident light. The optical device further includes a phase change material. At least a portion of the phase change material is configured to receive the electrons from the photocathode. The portion is further configured to transition from a first phase to a second phase in response to the electrons. The portion is further configured to reflect the incident light when the portion of the phase change material is in the second phase. Related methods and products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for verifying sequences of different operations and controlling processing order in accordance with these sequences. Also provided are apparatuses for executing these methods. A method may involve determining a current configuration of an indicator positioned on a part. This operation may be performed using a tester coupled to a processing portion. If the current configuration of the indicator corresponds to this particular processing portion, then the part is processed using this processing portion. The indicator is then changed to a new configuration corresponding to another processing portion for performing the next operation in the sequence. The processing is only performed if the indicator has the current configuration corresponding to the processing portion. Otherwise, the operation is not performed, and the current configuration of the indicator not changed retained. The indicator may be a mechanical device or an electronic device.

Abstract: A fastening system for joining a first composite sandwich panel and a second composite sandwich panel comprising a cam assembly and a stud receiving assembly. The cam assembly is configured to be positioned within a first hole extending through a thickness of a first composite sandwich panel. The cam assembly comprises a housing and a cam connector rotatable within the housing. The cam connector is configured to engage a head of a stud. The stud receiving assembly is configured to be positioned within a second hole extending through a thickness of a second composite sandwich panel. The stud receiving assembly has internal retaining channels configured to secure a first end of the stud.