Abstract: A method of fabricating quantum confinements is provided. The method includes depositing, using a deposition apparatus, a material layer on a substrate, where the depositing includes irradiating the layer, before a cycle, during a cycle, and/or after a cycle of the deposition to alter nucleation of quantum confinements in the material layer to control a size and/or a shape of the quantum confinements. The quantum confinements can include quantum wells, nanowires, or quantum dots. The irradiation can be in-situ or ex-situ with respect to the deposition apparatus. The irradiation can include irradiation by photons, electrons, or ions. The deposition is can include atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, MOCVD, molecular beam epitaxy, evaporation, sputtering, or pulsed-laser deposition.

Abstract: A flight control system loading test apparatus includes a surface-mounted sector, a cam profile sector, a dummy weight, and a cable. The surface-mounted sector attaches to an aircraft flight control system body such that the surface-mounted sector pivots along with the body about a pivot axis. The cam profile sector is configured to rotate about a rotational axis among a plurality of loading positions. The cam profile sector includes a profile surface having a plurality of curves. Each curve follows a different radius emanating from a respective axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the cam profile sector. The cable contacts the cam profile sector along the profile surface. An applied hinge moment using the dummy weight varies as the cam profile sector rotates about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A door assembly for an aircraft includes a partition panel disposed laterally within a fuselage of the aircraft and a descender panel moveably secured to a lower end of the partition panel for selectively closing an aisle opening defined below the partition panel. The door assembly further includes a handle disposed on the partition panel that is operatively connected to the descender panel through a link mechanism such that rotation of the handle is translated into movement of the descender panel to move the descender panel between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an aircraft includes a master cylinder, a wheel brake, a pressure supply, a reservoir, and a shut-off valve in communication with the master cylinder, the wheel brake, the pressure supply and the reservoir. The shut-off valve can include a seal that is configured to preclude fluid flow between the pressure supply and the reservoir through the valve. The shut-off valve can be operable in a first position which blocks fluid flow between the pressure supply and the wheel brake through the valve and a second position which allows fluid flow between the pressure supply and the wheel brake through the valve. Fluid pressure from the master cylinder can control operation of the valve between the first position and the second position. Failure of the seal can result in fluid flow from the brake pressure supply toward the master cylinder.

Abstract: A fuel transfer system for an aircraft includes an upper tank, a lower tank, a fuel transfer line connecting the upper tank to the lower tank, an upper fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, a lower fuel transfer line outlet in the lower tank, an upper float valve associated with the upper fuel transfer line outlet, and a lower float valve associated with the lower fuel transfer line outlet. The upper fuel transfer line outlet, which is in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank. The lower fuel transfer line outlet, which is located in the lower tank, is in fluid communication with the upper tank.

Abstract: An aircraft emergency brake system includes a modulating emergency/parking brake valve in fluid communication with and disposed between a pressure source and a wheel brake and a lever assembly operatively connected with the brake valve. The emergency brake system is operative in first and second stages. The lever assembly includes a handle, a lock mechanism and an unlock mechanism. The handle is movable between a non-actuated position and a fully-actuated position. The brake pressure provided to the wheel brake through the brake valve depends on a position of the handle. The lock mechanism is operatively connected with the handle to obstruct the handle from moving from the first stage to the second stage. The unlock mechanism is disposed on the handle to unlock the lock mechanism allowing movement of the handle to the second stage position from the first stage position.

Abstract: An aircraft control surface operating device is provided for operating a control surface on an aircraft body portion to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The aircraft control surface operating device includes a control surface mounting assembly which movably secures the control surface to the aircraft body portion, a drive arm rotatable about a drive axis relative to the aircraft body portion, an actuator for rotating the drive, and a drive link connecting the drive arm to the control surface mounting assembly. The drive link has a control end connected to the control surface mounting assembly and a driven end connected to the drive arm via a drive bearing joint. The drive link connects the drive arm and the control surface mounting assembly such that rotation of the drive arm is causes extending or retracting movement of the control surface.

Abstract: A brake handle assembly for an aircraft emergency/parking brake includes a handle movable between a non-actuated position wherein the brake is disengaged and a full actuated position wherein, during movement therebetween, the brake applies a modulated braking force in an emergency brake state. A button actuator is disposed on the handle. Movement of the handle from the intermediate stop position to the full actuated position is obstructed to prevent inadvertent operation of the brake in the parking brake state unless the button actuator is depressed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating quantum confinements is provided. The method includes depositing, using a deposition apparatus, a material layer on a substrate, where the depositing includes irradiating the layer, before a cycle, during a cycle, and/or after a cycle of the deposition to alter nucleation of quantum confinements in the material layer to control a size and/or a shape of the quantum confinements. The quantum confinements can include quantum wells, nanowires, or quantum dots. The irradiation can be in-situ or ex-situ with respect to the deposition apparatus. The irradiation can include irradiation by photons, electrons, or ions. The deposition is can include atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, MOCVD, molecular beam epitaxy, evaporation, sputtering, or pulsed-laser deposition.

Abstract: A method for determining a target steering angle for nose landing gear of an aircraft includes receiving rudder pedal input data into a steering control unit, receiving aircraft speed data into the steering control unit, calculating a normal gain, calculating a parking gain, and adding the normal gain and the parking gain to determine the target steering angle. The normal gain is a positive quantity in all aircraft speed and pedal stroke ranges. The parking gain is a positive quantity in parking and taxiing speed ranges. A nose wheel steering system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition having a composite material having a polymer with about 1% to about 3% by weight thin-graphite materials dispersed therein; the thin-graphite materials having diameters less than or equal to 2 microns and a surface area greater than or equal to about 300 m2 per gram; and the composite material having a tensile modulus that is at least 25% greater than the unfilled polymer.

Abstract: A skid rail for aircrafts comprising (i) a base member comprising a long board fixed to a bottom surface of an aircraft fuselage, and bosses integrally projecting from an outer surface of the long board with longitudinal intervals, (ii) cores bonded to the long board between the bosses to form a rail-shaped, integral structure, and (iii) a skin covering the bosses and the cores, the base member and the skin being formed by a first fiber-reinforced plastic having fabrics of glass fibers and/or carbon fibers, and the cores being formed by a second fiber-reinforced plastic having fabrics of fibers having higher wear resistance than that of fibers in the first fiber-reinforced plastic.