Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

Abstract: A coalescing filter includes a housing, a top fitting and bottom fitting. The housing includes a sidewall defining a central chamber configured to receive a filter element therein. The top fitting is coupled to a top end of the housing and includes an inlet port configured to receive a moist source gas and direct the source gas into the filter element. The bottom fitting is coupled to a bottom end of the housing and includes an outlet orifice configured to discharge a dry product gas. The bottom fitting includes a pedestal configured to extend within the central chamber a spaced distance from the plurality of sidewalls. The pedestal is configured to seat the filter element thereon and further includes an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A method of recovering performance of an air separation module (ASM) is described. A recovery system includes an air source providing inlet air, a filter to output clean air and a heater heating the air. The ASM is coupled to the system and comprises a hollow fiber membrane to output nitrogen enriched air (NEA) exhaust. The method comprises operating the system with the air source and heater in a default condition; measuring an initial purity of NEA exhaust; adjusting the air source and/or heater based on the initial purity; operating the system after adjusting the air source and/or heater; returning the air source and heater to the default condition; measuring a recovered purity of NEA exhaust; and determining whether the recovered purity is within tolerance. If the recovered purity is within tolerance, system operation is terminated. If the recovered purity is not within tolerance, the steps are repeated.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system for refueling a receiver aircraft in flight comprises a hose reel assembly mounted onto a fuel supply aircraft's fuselage. The hose reel assembly has a rotatable drum defined by an outside diameter. A hose is wound around the drum and has an outlet end with a drogue affixed thereto. A telescoping stowage tube stores the outlet end of the hose and the drogue when the system is not in use and guides the outlet end and the drogue toward the receiver aircraft when the system is in use. The telescoping stowage tube has a forward end configured to be mounted on the hose reel assembly to receive the hose from the drum and an aft end adapted to be mounted to the door. As a result, the telescoping stowage tube may be extendable between a retracted stowed position and an extended position for refueling.

Abstract: A retention system for use within a molecular sieve unit includes a perforated plate having a top face and bottom face. The perforated plate is configured to be positioned atop a packed sieve bed proximate an outlet end cap of the molecular sieve unit. A skirt is coupled to the bottom face of the perforated plate and a biasing member is configured to engage the outlet end cap and the top face of the perforated plate. The biasing member urges the perforated plate against the packed sieve bed. The biasing member may be one or more wave springs thereby reducing the risk of losing sufficient biasing force against the perforated plate. In the event that a sufficient biasing force is lost, the skirt may operate as a failsafe so as to minimize or prevent tilting of the perforated plate within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the partial pressure of gaseous mixtures comprises a housing and piston. The housing defines a chamber coupled to an oxygen metering orifice, diluent metering orifice, vent port and gas outlet. The oxygen metering orifice provides oxygen to the chamber and the diluent metering orifice provides diluent gas to the chamber. The piston is movably positioned in the chamber and includes first and second sealing devices. The chamber is sectioned into a mixing chamber, a diluent chamber and a reference chamber located between the mixing chamber and diluent chamber. The diluent chamber receives a diluent gas referenced at ambient pressure and the reference chamber is charged with a gas having a reference pressure. The piston changes positions within the chamber depending on a force balance created by a pressure differential between the reference pressure and ambient pressure.

Abstract: An air separation unit for an OBOGS includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a wet inlet air and an outlet for outputting a dry product gas. The housing includes an outer side wall and annular walls defining a series of concentric annular chambers. A first annular chamber is coupled to the inlet and includes a desiccant material to receive the wet inlet air and output a dried air. An unfilled second annular chamber is coupled to the first annular chamber. A third annular chamber is coupled to the second annular chamber at a first end and the outlet at a second end. The third annular chamber receives air separation material to selectively remove unwanted constituents from the dried air and output the dry product gas. A tap may be coupled to the second annular chamber so that dried air may be removed from the housing.

Abstract: A system for calculating maintenance predictions and making improvements to performance deficiencies to one or more components in an on-board inert gas generating system (OBIGGS) is described. The OBIGGS components include an ozone converter, heat exchanger, inlet filter, and Air Separation Module (ASM). The system comprises a prognostic health monitoring (PHM) sensor network comprising at least one respective sensor coupled to each of the components of the OBIGGS. Each at least one respective sensor is configured to output a respective data signal corresponding to a performance condition of a respective component. A control unit is operatively coupled to each component and signally coupled to each respective sensor of the PHM sensor network. The control unit includes at least one test condition algorithm configured to analyze the respective data signal to calculate the maintenance prediction for the respective component.

Abstract: A refueling hose tool kit for repairing or replacing air refueling hose end fittings may include a collapsible work stand configured to secure the hose end fitting when in a deployed extended orientation; a removal adapter ring; a hydraulically powered assembly clamp fixture; a hydraulically powered insert removal tool fixture; a wrench; a hydraulic pump; and a ruggedized case configured to receive the work stand, removal adapter ring, clamp fixture, insert removal tool fixture, wrench and hydraulic pump for storage and transport.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the bed health of a molecular sieve bed within a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system includes an oxygen sensor coupled to an outlet of the PSA system. The oxygen sensor measures an oxygen concentration of an output air produced by the molecular sieve bed. A controller is in communication with the oxygen sensor and records a series of oxygen concentrations over time. The controller is configured to determine bed health based upon the series of recorded oxygen concentrations.

Abstract: An onboard rebreathing loop system resident on an aircraft for providing oxygen to aircraft personnel includes a ceramic oxygen generating system (COGS) module configured to receive an inlet air and output a high purity oxygen (O2) gas into a breathing loop and a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber module configured to receive exhaled air from the aircraft personnel and output a CO2-scrubbed air into the breathing loop. The high purity O2 gas and CO2-scrubbed air are mixed to form a mixed gas having a partial pressure of O2 suitable for breathing by the aircraft personnel. The onboard rebreathing loop system may further include an odor removal module, an air temperature and/or humidity control module to condition the mixed gas before breathing by the aircraft personnel, and a gas sensor module to confirm the partial pressure of O2 within the mixed gas before breathing by the aircraft personnel.

Abstract: A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

Abstract: A coalescing filter includes a housing, a top fitting and bottom fitting. The housing includes a sidewall defining a central chamber configured to receive a filter element therein. The top fitting is coupled to a top end of the housing and includes an inlet port configured to receive a moist source gas and direct the source gas into the filter element. The bottom fitting is coupled to a bottom end of the housing and includes an outlet orifice configured to discharge a dry product gas. The bottom fitting includes a pedestal configured to extend within the central chamber a spaced distance from the plurality of sidewalls. The pedestal is configured to seat the filter element thereon and further includes an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A system for detecting and alleviating pilot hypoxia is provided. The system includes an oxygen generator adapted to be powered by a power supply. The oxygen generator is in communication an oxygen delivery device where the oxygen delivery device is adapted to deliver supplemental oxygen to a pilot. A control module is in communication with the oxygen generator and the power supply. A hypoxia detection device is in communication with the control module wherein the control module causes one or both of the oxygen generator and the oxygen delivery device to increase an amount of oxygen being delivered to the pilot upon detection of pilot hypoxia. The hypoxia detection device may include a pupillometer and a luminometer and/or a flash generator.

Abstract: A method of recovering performance of an air separation module (ASM) is described. A recovery system includes an air source providing inlet air, a filter to output clean air and a heater heating the air. The ASM is coupled to the system and comprises a hollow fiber membrane to output nitrogen enriched air (NEA) exhaust. The method comprises operating the system with the air source and heater in a default condition; measuring an initial purity of NEA exhaust; adjusting the air source and/or heater based on the initial purity; operating the system after adjusting the air source and/or heater; returning the air source and heater to the default condition; measuring a recovered purity of NEA exhaust; and determining whether the recovered purity is within tolerance. If the recovered purity is within tolerance, system operation is terminated. If the recovered purity is not within tolerance, the steps are repeated.

Abstract: An air separation unit for an OBOGS includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a wet inlet air and an outlet for outputting a dry product gas. The housing includes an outer side wall and annular walls defining a series of concentric annular chambers. A first annular chamber is coupled to the inlet and includes a desiccant material to receive the wet inlet air and output a dried air. An unfilled second annular chamber is coupled to the first annular chamber. A third annular chamber is coupled to the second annular chamber at a first end and the outlet at a second end. The third annular chamber receives air separation material to selectively remove unwanted constituents from the dried air and output the dry product gas. A tap may be coupled to the second annular chamber so that dried air may be removed from the housing.

Abstract: A mixed conducting ceramic element comprises a plurality of tubes each having interior and exterior surfaces, a closed end and an open end. A tube support member receives the open ends of the tubes. The ceramic element has a general composition of AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3-z, where A, A? and A? are selected from Group II elements or the Lanthanoids, and B, B? and B? are selected from the d-block transition metals, and wherein 0<x?1, 0<x??1, 0<x??1, 0<y?1, 0<y??1, 0<y??1, x+x?+x??1, y+y?+y??1, and z is selected so that the resultant composition is charge neutral. The ceramic element can be a composite consisting of two or more component materials, wherein one component is predominantly an electronic conductor and another is predominantly an ionic conductor. The ceramic element may also be a composite material containing at least one component material having a chemical composition of AxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?B?y?O3-z.

Abstract: A system for calculating maintenance predictions and making improvements to performance deficiencies to one or more components in an on-board inert gas generating system (OBIGGS) is described. The OBIGGS components include an ozone converter, heat exchanger, inlet filter, and Air Separation Module (ASM). The system comprises a prognostic health monitoring (PHM) sensor network comprising at least one respective sensor coupled to each of the components of the OBIGGS. Each at least one respective sensor is configured to output a respective data signal corresponding to a performance condition of a respective component. A control unit is operatively coupled to each component and signally coupled to each respective sensor of the PHM sensor network. The control unit includes at least one test condition algorithm configured to analyze the respective data signal to calculate the maintenance prediction for the respective component.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the partial pressure of gaseous mixtures comprises a housing and piston. The housing defines a chamber coupled to an oxygen metering orifice, diluent metering orifice, vent port and gas outlet. The oxygen metering orifice provides oxygen to the chamber and the diluent metering orifice provides diluent gas to the chamber. The piston is movably positioned in the chamber and includes first and second sealing devices. The chamber is sectioned into a mixing chamber, a diluent chamber and a reference chamber located between the mixing chamber and diluent chamber. The diluent chamber receives a diluent gas referenced at ambient pressure and the reference chamber is charged with a gas having a reference pressure. The piston changes positions within the chamber depending on a force balance created by a pressure differential between the reference pressure and ambient pressure.

Abstract: A retention system for use within a molecular sieve unit includes a perforated plate having a top face and bottom face. The perforated plate is configured to be positioned atop a packed sieve bed proximate an outlet end cap of the molecular sieve unit. A skirt is coupled to the bottom face of the perforated plate and a biasing member is configured to engage the outlet end cap and the top face of the perforated plate. The biasing member urges the perforated plate against the packed sieve bed. The biasing member may be one or more wave springs thereby reducing the risk of losing sufficient biasing force against the perforated plate. In the event that a sufficient biasing force is lost, the skirt may operate as a failsafe so as to minimize or prevent tilting of the perforated plate within the housing.