Abstract: A heat sink for a heat-generating component of an electronic device has a backbone panel with opposing upper and lower surfaces. Cooling elements extend away from the upper surface of the heat sink and terminate in upper ends that define a topological surface. Thermally conducting structures extend away from the lower surface of the heat sink and terminate in tips that define a surface that is complementary to the surface of the heat-generating component of the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for compiling and monitoring a list of operational aircraft components to determine if a threshold is met. Utilizing the list and the threshold can provide for monitoring the network of aircraft components to monitor both health and security of the aircraft network and components thereof. The system can then indicate or alert when a threshold is met or exceeded. Such an alert can be on a display to a pilot, for example, or to a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: Propeller control systems and methods for controlling the pitch of a plurality of propeller blades of a variable pitch propeller assembly operatively coupled with an engine is provided. In one exemplary aspect, the propeller control system includes features for combining overspeed and feathering protective functions in a protective control valve communicatively coupled with a controller. In such an event the controller controls the protective control valve to selectively allow a controlled amount of hydraulic fluid to flow to or from a pitch actuation assembly such that the pitch of the propeller blades can be adjusted based at least in part on the condition of the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating data transmissions are provided, such as e.g., analog radio streams received at a vehicle. In one aspect, the vehicle includes features that allow for detection and decryption of an encrypted source identifier embedded or introduced into a data transmission transmitted to the vehicle. The source identifier may be used to determine whether the source is authorized to transmit data transmissions to the vehicle and the data transmission may be authenticated accordingly. In another aspect, the vehicle includes features that determine the location of the transmitting device used to transmit the data transmission to the vehicle. The location is then used to determine whether the data transmission should be authenticated.

Abstract: A contactor apparatus and method for operating the contactor apparatus can include a contactor assembly with a contactor coil operably coupled to a contactor switch. One or more sensors can be provided in the contactor assembly adapted to measure one or more aspects of the contactor assembly. Based upon the measured aspects, a controller can initiate operation of the contactor switch to effectively toggle the contactor switch at a zero-crossing point along an alternating current waveform.

Abstract: A method of controlling an aircraft includes tracking, using at least one sensor, one of an input by a pilot or a biometric parameter of a first pilot during flight of the aircraft. The method also includes determining a lack of attention by the pilot or a depth of sleep of the pilot based on the biometric parameter.

Abstract: A modular power distribution apparatus and method includes a frame defined by a first set of parallel supports and a second set of parallel supports, the second set of parallel supports connecting the first set of parallel supports, the frame defining a generally planar assembly, as well as a set of components extending from a side of the frame. The set of components includes a set of power modules.

Abstract: Techniques for employing a smart sensor device that has a primary sensing function for sensing a state of a physical component and can concurrently enable one or more backup functions for sensing one or more states of one or more other physicals components in response to one or more other smart sensor devices not being able to perform their primary function of sensing and/or reporting on the one or more states of the one or more other physical components.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an operator workload during a travel segment including tracking over a time period, using at least one sensor, one of inputs by an operator indicative of an operator workload or image sensor data or a biometric parameter indicative of an operator stress level during the travel segment. Determining, using a controller that is operatively connected to the at least one sensor, a level of one of the operator workload or operator stress level. The method also includes adjusting, using a controller that is operatively connected to the control computer, the operator workload when the level of one of the operator workload or operator stress level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A trunnion-to-disk connection for use on an open fan configuration of a gas turbine engine may include an integral trunnion and blade spar inserted through a trunnion aperture of a fan disk and supported by top bearing and a bottom bearing. A cavity can be provided between a trunnion of the integral trunnion and blade spar and the fan disk, as well as between the top bearing and bottom bearing. Pressurized hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the cavity to urge the integral trunnion and blade spar in a direction to preload the bearings. Prior to pressurization, and prior to installation of the bottom bearing, the trunnion can be inserted into a trunnion aperture of the fan disk such that an end of the trunnion extends past the fan disk to provide sufficient space to insert the bottom bearing from within the open interior of the fan disk.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining and extinguishing electrical faults includes a power supply, and electrical load, a controller module, and electrical sensors, and when the controller module does not extinguish the electrical fault, another switch blows a fuse.

Abstract: An aircraft and non-transitory computer-readable medium for detecting the spoofing of a signal from a satellite in orbit. A receiver on the aircraft to receive an apparent satellite signal. A computer for determining at least two characteristic signatures of the signal including a power level, and indicating the apparent satellite signal is a spoofed satellite signal.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium and apparatus for restoring navigational performance for a navigational system. The apparatus including a receiver for receiving by a first navigational system and a second navigational system a collection of data points to establish a real-time navigational route for the aircraft, and a computer for comparing navigational performance values or drift ranges. The computer capable of establishing a new navigational route based on the collection of data points.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an aircraft flight management system configured to analyze a takeoff sequence for an aircraft, the aircraft slight management system comprising a memory storing runway information associated with the runway from which the aircraft will depart, one or more inputs configured to receive variables comprising real-time aircraft variables and real-time condition variables that influence an actual velocity of the aircraft, sensors for sensing the actual velocity of the aircraft; and a processor configured to compare a real-time takeoff value to a takeoff requirement value.

Abstract: A method of assessing an operator emotional state and sending an alert based on the emotional state. The method includes tracking during a time period, using at least one sensor, one of an image sensor data, voice data or a biometric parameter of an operator. Determining, using a controller that is operatively connected to at least one sensor, a probability of a likely emotional state from a list of emotional states of an operator based on one of the image sensor data, voice data or the biometric parameter. Comparing, using a processor, the probability of one of the likely emotional states of the operator with a baseline emotional state of the operator. Sending, using the controller, an alert if most likely emotional state deviates from the baseline emotional state by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring accurate vibration data, time of arrival, or other mechanical state for a mechanical system with rotary elements, such as a planetary gear system with multiple planet gears that rotate relative to a central sun gear, or blades in a turbine engine. Multiple vibration sensors are arranged at spaced intervals along the exterior of the gear system (such as along the ring gear of the system or the exterior housing of the system). Each vibration sensor is so situated as to periodically detect vibrations from each one of the planet gears in succession, as the planet gears rotate around the central sun gear. Using timing and gear-system configuration information, a determination is made as to which gear is being sensed by any one sensor at any time; also determined is which teeth of each gear are being sensed by a particular sensor at any one time.

Abstract: A network switch includes a first port configured for communication with a first electric device and a second port configured for communication with a second electric device in a deterministic network. The network switch includes one or more processors configured to receive at the first port a communication packet associated with the first electric device and the second electric device, determine if the communication packet satisfies a plurality of protocol constraints, and in response to the communication packet satisfying the plurality of protocol constraints, input one or more message characteristics from the communication packet into a model associated with a first industrial process. The model is configured to output a process behavioral classification based on the one or more message characteristics. The one or more processors receive a process behavioral classification for the communication packet, and selectively generate a control action for the ICS based on the process behavioral classification.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control module circuit having a circuit communication input port, a circuit communication output port, a first controllable unit that has a first controller module, and a second controllable unit having a second controller module. The first controller module has a first communication input port connected with the circuit communication input port and a first communication output port. The second controller module has a second communication input port connected with the first communication output port and a second communication output port connected with the circuit communication output port. The first and second controllable units are adapted to be identified with a permanent identity by way of a transmittable data signal receivable at the communication input port and sequentially received by the first and second controllable units.

Abstract: A modular power tile and method of operating a power distribution system includes generating a predetermined identifying pattern, by a reflectometry module of a power distribution node, injecting, by the reflectometry module, the predetermined identifying pattern, receiving, at the reflectometry module, a reflected incident signal of the predetermined identifying pattern, and scheduling a maintenance task.

Abstract: A method for updating, for an aircraft, a first flight plan having a first set of flight parameters, includes receiving, via an avionics device, a change to the first flight plan, determining a second set of flight parameters based on the change to the first flight plan, receiving, by the avionics device, at least one of terrain data and special use airspace (SUA) data. The method includes performing, with the avionics device, a safety validation of the second set of flight parameters, wherein the safety validation comprises: comparing the second set of flight parameters with the received at least one of terrain data and SUA data, and determining, based on the comparison, whether the second set of flight parameters presents a risk to safe flight.