Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The methods are enabled by equipping the UAV with tools for rapidly repairing a large structure or object (e.g., an aircraft or a wind turbine blade) that is not easily accessible to maintenance personnel. In accordance with various embodiments disclosed below, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be equipped with an easily attachable/removable module that includes an additive repair tool. The additive repair tool is configured to add material to a body of material. For example, the additive repair tool may be configured to apply a sealant or other coating material in liquid form to a damage site on a surface of a structure or object (e.g., by spraying liquid or launching liquid-filled capsules onto the surface). In alternative embodiments, the additive repair tool is configured to adhere a tape to the damage site.

Abstract: A Scalable Finite Impulse Response (“SFIR”) filter includes a pre-processing section, a post-processing section, and a finite impulse response (“FIR”) Matrix. The FIR Matrix is coupled to the pre-processing section and the post-processing section. The FIR Matrix includes a plurality of filter taps and a plurality of signal paths. Each filter tap of the plurality of filter taps has at least a first input, a second input, a multiplexer coupled to the first input and the second input, and a first flip-flop coupled to an output of the multiplexer. The plurality of signal paths are arranged to allow re-configurable data throughput between the each filter tap of the plurality of filter taps.

Abstract: Software-based solutions may mitigate physical damage to multi-layer networks, such as neural networks having shortcut (residual) connections. An example includes: providing a multi-layer network comprising a plurality of nodes; for each of a plurality of training cases: determining a set of dropout nodes, based at least on a damage model having a probability of a node being selected for dropout that is based at least on a target operating environment of the multi-layer network, wherein the probability of a node being selected is spatially correlated; and training the multi-layer network with the determined set of dropout nodes disabled (with a different set of dropout nodes for different training cases). In some examples the damage model involves expected physical radiation damage to a computing device hosting the multi-layer network, such as on board an aircraft or an earth-orbiting satellite. Thus, multiple degrees of expected damage may be addressed.

Abstract: An environmental aspect control assembly is configured to control one more environmental aspects. The environmental aspect control assembly may include at least one aspect-controlling portion formed of one or more environmental aspect-controlling materials, and at least one shape-changing actuator operatively connected to the aspect-controlling structure(s). The shape-changing actuator(s) is configured to have a first actuator shape at a first temperature and a second actuator shape at a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. The first actuator shape causes the aspect-controlling structure(s) to form a first structural shape. The second actuator shape causes the aspect-controlling structure(s) to form a second structural shape that differs from the first structural shape.

Abstract: A system and a method include a display and a control unit including one or more processors configured to create a filter, and apply the filter to spectrum graphs of digital images to create modified spectrum graphs of the digital images. The digital images being digital charts including grid lines and data lines. The control unit is configured to convert the modified spectrum graphs to modified digital images. The modified digital images being modified digital charts that include the data lines, and at least some of the grid lines are removed from the digital charts of the digital images.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a prepreg composition includes disposing a plurality of core/shell quantum dots on or in a resin matrix of the prepreg composition. The quantum dots may include an inner core that when excited by light of a first wavelength emits a detectable luminescent signal, and an outer shell that blocks light of the first wavelength from reaching the inner core when the outer shell is intact. A method of determining the suitability of a pre-impregnated composite fiber material for incorporation into a composite structure and a method of detecting damage to a prepreg composition due to ultraviolet radiation exposure utilizing the core/shell quantum dots are provided.

Abstract: A permeable pavement and cured fiber composition and a related method are provided. The permeable pavement composition includes a quantity of pavement material, and a quantity of cured carbon fiber composite material (CCFCM) configured to be added to the pavement material to produce a reinforced composition having improved characteristics. An example of pavement material includes a pervious concrete material. The method includes providing a quantity of pavement material, and adding a quantity of cured carbon fiber composite material to the pavement material to produce a reinforced composition having improved characteristics.

Abstract: An additively manufactured heat transfer device is disclosed, including an enclosure portion with outer walls. The outer walls contain an inner channel configured to direct a flow of coolant fluid. The heat transfer device further includes a fluid intake port and a fluid outtake port, each connected to the first inner channel. The fluid intake port is configured to direct a flow of coolant fluid through an outer wall of the enclosure portion into the inner channel, and the fluid outtake port is configured to direct a flow of coolant fluid through an outer wall of the enclosure portion out of the inner channel. The inner channel is defined by internal walls, and the enclosure portion and the internal walls form a single additively manufactured unit.

Abstract: An inflatable partition includes a flexible membrane, an inflatable frame, and a support member coupled to the inflatable frame. The inflatable frame extends along a periphery of the flexible membrane and has an inner edge adjacent to the flexible membrane and an outer edge. The inflatable frame further includes a sealing mechanism extending along at least a portion of the outer edge and the inflatable frame is inflatable between a first state and a second state. The inflatable partition includes a first structural member and a second structural member. Each of the first and second structural members is coupled to the inflatable frame and extends vertically from the upper portion to the bottom portion of the inflatable frame and the first and second structural members define an opening in the inflatable partition.

Abstract: Flight control surface actuation systems including skew detection systems and associated methods. A flight control surface actuation system includes a skew detection system configured to generate a skew detection signal that represents a skew condition of a flight control surface. In some examples, the skew detection system includes a skew lanyard and a detection mechanism assembly (DMA) configured to detect a lanyard displacement of the skew lanyard and to generate an analog lanyard displacement signal. In some examples, the skew detection system includes a hybrid sensing actuator that includes an actuator output and an actuator output position sensor directly coupled to the actuator output. Methods of utilizing a flight control surface actuation system include detecting a skew condition in the flight control surface utilizing DMAs and/or hybrid sensing actuators.

Abstract: Antenna components include an additively manufactured elongate body portion and one or more additively manufactured flanges. The elongate body portion extends from a base portion to an aperture opposite the base portion. The elongate body portion is at least substantially hollow and is configured to direct radio frequency signals. Each flange extends radially outwardly from the elongate body portion and around an outer circumference of the elongate body portion. Each flange is integrally formed with the elongate body portion, and includes an angled portion and a horizontal portion. The angled portion of the flange diverges from the elongate body portion at an acute angle, and the horizontal portion is at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion. Satellite systems including said antenna components also are disclosed, along with related methods of additively manufacturing antenna components with integral flanges.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed methods and systems pertaining to the use of at least one methodology or technique for the purpose of at least one of either: 1) determining that a desired and predetermined level or “degree” of surface treatment of a composite substrate surface has or has not been conducted (e.g., laser treatment of a composite substrate surface); and 2) that a composite substrate surface has been laser treated.

Abstract: A covering includes an outer material, a plurality of conductive-fibers, and a fastening material. The outer material includes a front surface and a back surface and the conductive-fibers are disposed between the front surface and the back surface. The conductive-fibers are configured to receive a voltage that causes the conductive-fibers to repel and remove dust from the front surface of the outer material. The fastening material is coupled to the back surface of the outer material and facilitates releasably attaching the outer material to an article.

Abstract: A portable sanitizing system and method includes a sanitizing head including an ultraviolet (UV) lamp. The UV lamp is configured to emit UV light having a wavelength between 200 nm-230 nm to disinfect a surface.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying relevant, natural language documents within a data repository. An electronic document specifying natural language text describing an issue with a complex system is received. One or more portions are removed from the electronic document. The portions are determined to satisfy predefined filtering rules. A first set of terms are determined using a data dictionary structure, and a second set of terms are determined, where at least one term in the second set of terms satisfies at least one predefined pattern matching rule. A third set of terms are determined by processing the electronic document as an input to a machine learning model trained to recognize relevant terms within the electronic document. A synthesized electronic document is generated from the first, second and third sets of terms, and the synthesized electronic document is used to identify a set of relevant documents within the data repository.

Abstract: A measurement probe edge guide tool includes an edge follower comprising two edge contact pins that spin around the outside of the measurement probe using a ball bearing. The edge contact pins hug the corner of a contoured edge of the workpiece or in-service part to provide a consistent distance of the center of the probe from the edge. The edge follower enables the tool to inspect the marginal portion bounded by a contoured (machined) edge of a workpiece or part. The edge follower is removable so that the tool may also be adapted for use in general acreage inspection. The tool features a spring-loaded mechanism with a positive probe protrusion relative to a roller-supported cage. The tool has either a handle which is coupled to the cage by means of a universal joint or a hand grip that is affixed to the cage.

Abstract: A vacuuming device. The device includes a sensor connected to at least a suction head, and is configured to sense a parameter of foreign object debris (FOD) in the suction head. The device also includes a positioning sensor connected to the suction head and configured to ascertain a position of the suction head within an area in which the device is located. The device also includes a computer in communication with the sensor and the positioning sensor. The computer is programmed to classify the FOD using the parameter, and use the position of the suction head to determine a pick-up location of the FOD.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for mixing parts of a thermoset resin during impregnation of a composite preform. One embodiment is a method that includes positioning a composite preform at a forming tool, flowing a first part of the thermoset resin into a mixing chamber at the forming tool, flowing a second part of the thermoset resin that is chemically distinct from the first part of the thermoset resin into the mixing chamber, mixing the first part and the second part to form the thermoset resin within the mixing chamber, and infusing the thermoset resin from the mixing chamber into the preform.

Abstract: A human machine interface (HMI), a method of interacting with an HMI and a corresponding computer program product facilitate user interaction with an HMI. In a method, a face of a person attempting to interact with the HMI is detected and a gesture made by the person relative to the HMI is also detected. The method analyzes information regarding the face of the person that has been detected to determine whether the person is wearing personal protection equipment. In an instance in which the person is determined to not be wearing personal protection equipment, the method suspends a response to the gesture made by the person. However, in an instance in which the person is determined to be wearing personal protection equipment, the method analyzes the gesture made by the person relative to the HMI and converts the gesture to a corresponding command to the system associated with the HMI.