Abstract: Distributed monitoring systems and methods are provided for monitoring a vehicle, such as a rotorcraft. One exemplary system includes a plurality of sensor management modules onboard the vehicle and coupled to respective sensing arrangements mounted onboard the vehicle to provide measurement data corresponding to a respective mechanical component. A mobile device is communicatively coupled to the management modules over a wireless network associated with the vehicle. The mobile device configures the management modules for sampling their sensing arrangements, receives the measurement data obtained in accordance with the configuration information from the management modules, determines the condition of the respective mechanical components based on the corresponding measurement data, and displays a graphical representation of the condition of the respective mechanical component.

Abstract: A system and approach for addressing modules on a platform bus that may incorporate a master module and one or more slave modules. The platform bus may run through sub-base connectors that interlock modules together on a rail. Addressing of the modules may occur automatically and dynamically in that the master module may have a first address by default, and a first slave module adjoining the master module may be assigned a second address. A second slave module adjoining the first slave module, if there is one, may be assigned a third address. Each of the other slave modules, adjoining a preceding slave module assigned an address, may be assigned a next address after an address assigned to a preceding slave module. Addresses may be assigned in a numerical order to each module based on a physical position of the respective module on a rail.

Abstract: A system includes one or more protected nodes within a protected system, where each protected node is configured to be coupled to a storage device. The system also includes a server configured to perform a check-in process so that one or more files on the storage device are (i) accessible by the one or more protected nodes within the protected system and (ii) not accessible by nodes outside of the protected system while the storage device is checked-in. The server is also configured to perform a check-out process so that the one or more files on the storage device are (i) accessible by the nodes outside of the protected system and (ii) not accessible by the one or more protected nodes within the protected system while the storage device is checked-out. The server could be configured to modify a file system of the storage device during the check-in process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for icing resistant total air temperature probes are provided. In one embodiment, a total air temperature data probe comprises: a probe base; a probe body comprising: a first interior airflow passage comprising a first annulus; a temperature sensor positioned within the first annulus; a heating element; a notched intake port positioned at a distal end, wherein the probe body provides a conductive thermal path from the heating element to the intake port, the intake port including an open channel extending inward into an intake aperture of the probe body, and a cutaway region that defines a recessed second face inset from the first face and exposes the open channel at least partially from the leading edge. The notched intake port further comprises a slot inset from the recessed second face that traverses across at least a portion of the intake aperture perpendicularly to the open channel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory element and processing device. The processing device is configured to receive an identification of a first field device supporting a first protocol and a second field device supporting a second protocol. The first field device uses a first publish period that is different from a second publish period of the second field device. The processing device is also configured to configure a superframe for each of the first and second field devices based on the identification of the field devices and supported protocols. Each of the configured superframes includes a plurality of time slots supporting each of the first and second publish periods. The processing device is also configured to assign a first set of time slots of the plurality of time slots to the first field device and a second set of time slots of the plurality of time to the second field device.

Abstract: A method includes determining a scan rate associated with each of a plurality of input/output (I/O) modules. The method also includes transmitting a read request message to at least one expansion controller that controls the plurality of I/O modules, the read request message having an align index field. The method further includes receiving a reply message from the at least one expansion controller for each of the I/O modules for which a value of the align index field of the read request message is an even multiple of the associated scan rate. The method also includes incrementing the value of the align index field. In addition, the method includes repeating the transmitting, receiving, and incrementing until the value of the align index field is greater than a threshold, wherein the threshold is a least common multiple of the scan rates of the plurality of I/O modules.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a peripheral device at a protected node. The method also includes determining whether the peripheral device has been checked-in for use with at least the protected node and determining whether the peripheral device or a device type has been whitelisted or blacklisted. The method further includes granting access to the peripheral device in response to (i) determining that the peripheral device has been checked-in and has not been blacklisted or (ii) determining that the peripheral device or the device type has been whitelisted, even if the peripheral device has not been checked-in. In addition, the method includes blocking access to the peripheral device in response to (i) determining that the peripheral device has not been checked-in and has not been whitelisted or (ii) determining that the peripheral device or the device type has been blacklisted, even if the peripheral device has been checked-in.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the co-location of high-maintenance air data system components into one LRU are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, an air data sensing line-replaceable unit (LRU) comprises at least one pressure sensor and at least one probe or port coupled to the at least one pressure sensor. The at least one probe or port conduits air located outside the air data sensing LRU to the at least one pressure sensor. Further, the at least one probe or port and the at least one pressure sensor are connected to each other by a permanent connection.

Abstract: Dual alloy turbine rotors and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The dual alloy turbine rotor comprises an assembled blade ring and a hub bonded to the assembled blade ring. The assembled blade ring comprises a first alloy selected from the group consisting of a single crystal alloy, a directionally solidified alloy, or an equi-axed alloy. The hub comprises a second alloy. The method comprises positioning a hub within a blade ring to define an interface between the hub and the blade ring. The interface is a non-contacting interface or a contacting interface. The interface is enclosed by a pair of diaphragms. The interface is vacuum sealed. The blade ring is bonded to the hub after the vacuum sealing step.

Abstract: This application discloses a method and an apparatus for the measurement of gases in hydraulic fracking sites, comprising a gas sensor, a computer, and a correction factor wherein the correction factor is applied to the observed gas reading to generate a more accurate reading of the gas level at the site.

Abstract: A method and system for determining whether, when, and how an unmanned agent interrupts a human is provided. The provided method and system uses a two-step multivariate analysis to (i) process a request for human interaction to determine whether to interrupt a human, and (ii) determine when and how to interrupt the human. The provided method and system interrupts the human in a manner that reflects analysis of variables such as mission criticality, whether a delay in the mission is acceptable, and the propriety of interrupting the human.

Abstract: A rotary valve system includes a first body having a first plurality of fluid channels. The first fluid channels have a common first inlet to receive a fluid and a first outlet. The system includes a second body coupled to the first body. The second body has a second plurality of fluid channels. The second fluid channels have a second inlet and a second outlet. The system includes a plate assembly having a plate coupled between the first body and the second body. The plate is movable between at least a first, open position in which the first outlet of at least one of the first fluid channels is in fluid communication with the second inlet of at least one of the second fluid channels and a second, closed position in which the second inlet of each of the second fluid channels is substantially completely obstructed by the plate.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a turbocharger includes an inlet-adjustment mechanism operable to move between an open position and a closed position. The inlet-adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of blades disposed about the compressor air inlet and located within an annular space within the air inlet wall. The blades are pivotable about respective pivot points such that the blades extend radially inward from the annular space into the air inlet when the blades are in the closed position so as to form an orifice of reduced diameter relative to a nominal diameter of the inlet. The blades include lever arms that engage the outer periphery of a rotatable unison ring that is linked to a linear actuator for rotating the unison ring so as to pivot the blades.

Abstract: A method for providing surface collision warning data onboard a first airport vehicle comprising an aircraft or other airport vehicle configured for ground-based travel, by a processor communicatively coupled to a system memory element, is provided.

Abstract: A method for providing Electronic Circuit Breaker (ECB) data onboard an aircraft is provided. The method obtains a current checklist applicable to current operations of the aircraft, by a processor communicatively coupled to an ECB system associated with the aircraft; obtains mapping data comprising mappings of aviation checklists mapped to associated ECB data, by the processor; identifies a subset of the ECB data associated with the current checklist, based on the mapping data, by the processor, wherein the current checklist includes a plurality of checklist tasks, and wherein the subset comprises at least one of the plurality of ECL tasks that includes an ECB instruction; filters the current checklist to create a filtered ECB list of the at least one of the plurality of checklist tasks, by the processor; and presents the filtered ECB list, via an ECB display onboard the aircraft.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming high temperature coating over ceramic components, such as ceramic turbomachine components. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of at least partially filling a reactor vessel with a reaction solution containing a solution-borne rare earth cation source. A silicon-containing surface region of a ceramic component is submerged in the reaction solution, and a solvothermal growth process is carried-out. During the solvothermal growth process, the reaction solution is subject to elevated temperature and pressure conditions within the reactor vessel in the presence of a silicate anion source, which reacts with the solution-borne rare earth cation source to grow a rare earth silicate layer over the silicon-containing surface region of the ceramic component.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing aircraft operations using uplink weather data to identify predicted turbulent conditions. The method comprises uploading current weather data to a flight management system (FMS) of an aircraft. Areas of turbulence are identified according to the uploaded weather data including areas of turbulence along the client flight trajectory stored in the FMS of the aircraft. An optimal turbulence penetration speed is planned for each identified area of turbulence. The estimated time of arrival (ETA) and minimum and maximum estimate time of arrival (ETA min/max) for the aircraft is recalculated based on the optimal turbulence penetration speeds. The recalculated ETA and ETA min/max is automatically transmitted to an air traffic control (ATC) authority with the FMS of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for providing aircraft descent data and approach data onboard an aircraft is provided. The method determines a safe descent area bounded by an outer boundary region, by a processor communicatively coupled to a system memory element, based on an optimum glideslope angle, variable glideslope data, and a continuously monitored boundary exceedance condition; and presents graphical elements associated with the safe descent area, the optimum glideslope angle, and the outer boundary region, by a display device communicatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing enhanced autopilot mode awareness for a pilot of an aircraft. The apparatus comprises an autopilot control interface that allows the pilot to activate an operational mode of an autopilot system for the aircraft and to set aviation function parameters of the autopilot system. An autopilot status interface is included that displays the operational mode of the autopilot system and a current status of the aviation function parameters that are controlled by the autopilot system, and an indicator of anticipated actions by the autopilot system to control the aviation function parameters.