Abstract: In an embodiment, an article comprises a plurality of structural units, wherein each structural unit comprises a first portion; a second portion; wherein the second portion contacts the first portion; and a third portion; wherein the third portion is in communication with the first portion and the second portion and is more compressible than the first portion and the second portion; wherein the first portion comprises a first shape memory alloy having a first preset state and wherein the second portion comprises a second shape memory alloy that has a second preset state; wherein the second preset state is different from the first preset state.

Abstract: A semiconductor device package includes a multilayer substrate including atop layer, a bottom layer and an intermediate layer between the top layer and the bottom layer. The package also includes one or more semiconductor dies embedded in the intermediate layer and conductive connector means to provide a conductive connection from the one or more dies. The conductive connector means extend through the top layer to provide connection means for one or more devices mounted on or adjacent the top layer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a body defining a flow channel, and a pin extending across the flow channel, the pin including an at least partially non-cylindrical shape. The pin can be a double helix pin including two spiral branches defining a double helix shape. The two branches can include a uniform winding radius. The two branches include a non-uniform winding radius. The non-uniform winding radius can include a base radius and a midpoint radius, wherein the midpoint radius is smaller than the base radius. The two branches can be joined together by one or more cross-members.

Abstract: A rotor includes a base member including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a central opening passing through the first side and the second side. The second side includes an outer circumferential edge having a first dimension and the central opening having an inner circumferential edge having a second dimension. A plurality of blades extend outwardly from the first side. The plurality of blades extend about the central opening. A fuse element is formed in the second side and extends along one of a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The fuse element has a length that is less than the first dimension.

Abstract: A closure assembly including a retaining cover, a first catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover, a second catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover opposite the first catch plate and spaced apart from the first catch plate, and a closure pressing against the first catch plate and pressing against the second catch plate.

Abstract: A circuit mounting assembly can include a circuit board, a chassis, a sheet of thermally conductive dielectric material, and one or more fasteners configured to compress the sheet between the circuit board and the chassis to provide vibration isolation and electrical isolation between the chassis and the circuit board, and to provide thermal conduction between the chassis and the circuit board.

Abstract: A switch control system includes a first voltage source configured to output a first source voltage on a first voltage line. The system includes a first gate driver, a second gate driver, a third gate driver, and a fourth gate driver. Each of the gate drivers includes shoot through protection (STP) configured to prevent a first switch and a second switch of the system from ever both being closed at once thereby preventing shoot voltages from a DC bus to ground through the first and second switches.

Abstract: A glove for human work in extreme environments includes a body formed to substantially surround a human hand, at least one sensor provided in connection with the body, positioned to detect an extent of movement of a respective joint of the human hand, a controller provided in connection with the glove, adapted and configured to translate a signal generated by the sensor into a control signal, and to transmit the control signal to a receiver housed within a spacesuit informatics system.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a first printed wiring board (PWB) on a first side of the electronic assembly, and a first stiffener secured to the first PWB. The electronic assembly also includes a second PWB on a second side of the electronic assembly, opposite the first side, a second stiffener secured to the second PWB, and a center stiffener seated in the second stiffener and between the first stiffener and the second stiffener. The center stiffener has a first side facing the first stiffener, a second side that is opposite the first side and facing the second stiffener, a first end, and a second end, opposite the first end. Electronic devices are secured to the center stiffener. The center stiffener dissipates heat from the electronic devices, and the electronic devices include power dies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a part, comprising: forming the part via an additive manufacturing process, wherein the additive manufacturing process comprises layering, melting, and solidifying a metal alloy based on a three dimensional numerical model, wherein the formed part comprises a microstructure, wherein the microstructure comprises an average columnar grain length; and heat treating the formed part, wherein heat treating comprises heating to between 750° C. and 1200° C. for a time between 0.5 hours and 10 hours and then cooling the formed part below 750° C., wherein after heat treating, the formed part has an average columnar grain length of about 400 micrometers to about 1000 micrometers, as measured using electron backscattered diffraction.

Abstract: An environmental control system of a vehicle includes a first compression device including a compressor, a first turbine, and a power turbine operably coupled by a shaft. The first turbine is configured to receive a first medium, the compressor is configured to receive a second medium, and the power turbine is configured to receive a third medium. A second compression device, separate from the first compression device, includes a second turbine. The environmental control system is operable in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the second medium is provided to the compressor and the second turbine sequentially. In the second mode, the second medium bypasses the second turbine. In in both the first mode and the second mode, only the second medium is provided to an outlet of the environmental control system.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first sleeve defining a piston bore therein. A second sleeve defines a piston bore therein. The piston bore of the first sleeve and the piston bore of the second sleeve are axially aligned. A piston is slidingly engaged in the piston bores of the first and second sleeves. A seal carrier with a plurality of pieces is axially between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. The plurality of pieces of the multi-piece seal carrier are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: An aircraft electric power generation and start system (EPGSS) includes a main machine, a starter permanent magnet generator (PMG), a generator PMG, and a carrier injection sensorless (CIS) system. The main machine selectively operates in a start mode or a generator mode. The starter PMG includes a first PMG stator and a first PMG rotor and is configured to rotate along with the shaft. The generator PMG includes a second PMG stator and a second PMG rotor configured to rotate along with the shaft. The CIS system determines one or both of a PMG voltage and a PMG current corresponding to the first PMG during the start mode, and determines a rotational position of the main rotor based on one or both of the PMG voltage and the PMG current.

Abstract: A repaired turbine housing for use in an air cycle machine including a journal bearing bore having an inlet, an outlet, and an inner diameter of about 2.580±0.001 inches (6.553±0.003 centimeters). The repaired turbine housing including a cylindrical insert secured within the journal bearing bore. The cylindrical insert having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, a step located at the first end, and an outer surface with an outer diameter that provides a diametric interference with the inner diameter of the journal bearing bore. The diametric interference being between about 0.000-0.003 inches (0.000-0.008 centimeters). The cylindrical insert being inserted into the inlet of the journal bearing bore up to the step. The step has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical insert. The inner surface of the cylindrical insert includes at least one selected inner diameter.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a direct current (DC) power source and a protection circuit having input and an input and an output, the input is operably coupled to the DC power so that, in operation, it receives DC power from the DC power source. The protection circuit includes a first path and a second path that both electrically couple the input to the output, and current passes, in operation, primarily through the first path when a voltage at the input is greater than a threshold voltage related to a Zener diode in the second path and primarily through the second path when the voltage at the input is below the threshold voltage. The system also includes a voltage regulator having an input coupled to the output of the protection circuit.

Abstract: An inlet header having: an inner end, an outer end, a plurality of segments therebetween, including: an outer segment that extends from the outer end to a first intermediate end, the outer segment defines a cylindrical profile; a first intermediate segment that forms an outer elbow and extends from the first intermediate end to a second intermediate end, the second intermediate end has a rectangular shape, and the first intermediate segment increases in width proportionally as it extends toward the second intermediate end; a second intermediate segment that extends from the second intermediate end to a third intermediate end, the third intermediate end has a rectangular shape, and the second intermediate segment increases in width and height proportionally as it extends toward the third intermediate end; and an inner segment that forms an inner elbow and extends from the third intermediate end to the inner end of the inlet header.

Abstract: An electrical power generation system including a micro-turbine alternator including a combustion chamber, at least one turbine driven by combustion gases from the combustion chamber, a first stage compressor, and a second stage compressor located aft of the first stage compressor. The first stage compressor and the second stage compressor being operably connected to the combustion chamber to provide a compressed airflow thereto. The micro-turbine alternator including one or more shafts connecting the at least one turbine to the first stage compressor and the second stage compressor such that rotation of the at least one turbine drives rotation of the first and second stage compressor. An electric generator is disposed along the one or more shafts such that electrical power is generated via rotation of the one or more shafts. The electric generator is disposed along the one or more shafts between the first and second stage compressors.

Abstract: A generator shaft assembly including a primary shaft, a disconnect shaft housed within the primary shaft, where a first end of the disconnect shaft is configured to couple with the primary mover and a second end of the disconnect shaft is configured to mate with the generator. A retainer ring housed within the primary shaft having at least a landing and a groove on an inner surface thereof and a retainer member positioned between the landing of the retainer ring and an outer surface of the disconnect shaft configured to limit axial motion of the disconnect shaft relative to the primary shaft.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a base housing for electronic components. The base housing attenuates radiation entering the base housing by a base amount. An inner volume of the base housing defined by an inner surface of the base housing experiences attenuated radiation. The method also includes affixing one or more inserts to the inner surface of the base housing to further attenuate the attenuated radiation in corresponding one or more areas of the inner volume.

Abstract: A system includes a generator control unit (GCU). The GCU includes a saturable reactor and a rectifier. Each of the saturable reactor and the rectifier has a separate input to receive AC power from a separate respective permanent magnet generator (PMG). A method includes supplying AC power from a first permanent magnet generator (PMG) of a generator to a saturable reactor of a generator control unit (GCU) that is operatively connected to control the generator. The method includes supplying AC power from a second PMG to a rectifier of the GCU, wherein the first PMG supplies a lower AC voltage to the saturable reactor than the second PMG supplies to the rectifier.