Abstract: Systems and method for improving the presentation of sensed data (e.g., radar) by including a priori data. The a priori data is recast as if it were the output of a sensor. This allows the inclusion of the a priori data into an evidence grid that is combined with data from multiple types of sensors. Before the sensor data is combined into the evidence grid, the sensor data is aligned with the a priori data using an optimization algorithm. The optimization algorithm provides an optimum probability of a match between the sensor data and the a priori data by adjusting position or attitude associated with the sensor device. This removes any navigational errors associated with the sensor device data.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing local clocks in a distributed computer network includes a number of components that are connected to each other via bi-directional communication links. An a priori configured set of components generates synchronization messages and sends these messages to the network. An a priori configured set of components consumes the generated messages. One or more message-relaying components in between a component that generates a synchronization message and the component that consumes the message adds delay value to the message reflecting the delay imposed by the message-relaying component. A component that is configured to consume a synchronization message delays a received synchronization message upon reception for a duration that is calculated by an a priori configured value for the maximum transmission delay minus the value of the sum of all delay values added to the received message before further usage of the message in the synchronization process.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a virtual backplane, a vehicle management computer communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane and having a first predetermined schedule, a consolidated propulsion controller communicatively coupled to the virtual backplane and having a second predetermined schedule different from the first predetermined schedule, at least one engine communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one engines having a unique schedule, and at least one control system communicatively coupled to the first virtual backplane, each of the at least one control systems having a unique schedule, wherein each of the vehicle management computer, consolidated propulsion controller, at least one engines and at least one control system are configured to add and consume date from the virtual backplane according to their respective schedules.

Abstract: A method for providing flight information to a ground server is provided. The flight information is received from an aircraft system. The flight information is converted into a graphical representation and a plurality of properties associated with the flight information. The graphical representation and the plurality of properties is stored. The graphical representation and the plurality of properties is processed to generate a compressed graphical representation and plurality of properties having a compressed file size. The compressed plurality of properties is transmitted to the ground server.

Abstract: A method and system for navigating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for aerial refueling is described. A system processor in the UAV receives navigation data from a tanker aircraft and calculates a plurality of relative navigation solutions with respect to the tanker aircraft. The system processor compares the plurality of relative navigation solutions to identify any inconsistent solutions. The inconsistent solutions are discarded and the system processor navigates the UAV in position for refueling using the remaining relative navigation solutions.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method provide visual input to a pilot during takeoff roll. A runway centerline line vector is determined from a captured image, a displacement of the aircraft from the centerline line vector and an aircraft line vector are determined from the image based on the knowledge of sensor characteristics. The runway centerline line vector and the aircraft line vector are displayed to indicate a direction in which the pilot may change heading to maintain the aircraft on the runway.

Abstract: A method for collaborative navigation between two or more platforms is provided. The method comprises establishing a communication link between a first platform and a second platform, making a sensor measurement from the first platform, updating state and covariance elements of the first platform, and transmitting the updated state and covariance elements from the first platform to the second platform. A conditional update is performed on the second platform to compute a new estimate of state and covariance elements on the second platform, which takes into account the measurement from the first platform. The method further comprises making a sensor measurement from the second platform, updating state and covariance elements of the second platform, and transmitting the updated state and covariance elements from the second platform to the first platform.

Abstract: Anti-reflective coatings and coating formulations, optical elements and processes for preparing coating formulations and optical elements are described. The coating formulations are formed from at least one alkoxysilane material and at least one high boiling solvent. The coating formulation may be applied using roller coat processes.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed towards a FMCW radar having a single antenna. The radar includes a transmit path having a voltage controlled oscillator controlled by a phase-locked loop, and the phase-locked loop includes a fractional-n synthesizer configured to implement a FMCW ramp waveform that ramps from a starting frequency to an ending frequency and upon reaching the ending frequency returns to the starting frequency to ramp again. The radar also includes a delay path coupled between a coupler on the transmit path and a mixer in a receive path. The delay path is configured to delay a local oscillator reference signal from the transmit path such that the propagation time of the local oscillator reference signal from the coupler to the mixer through the delay path is between the propagation time of signal reflected off the antenna and the propagation time of a leakage signal through a circulator.

Abstract: A touch screen display and touch screen system is provided. The display and system include a rigid substrate having a top face, a plurality of parallel conductive scan lines located on the top face of the rigid substrate, a plurality of parallel conductive sense lines located on the top face of the rigid substrate, a plurality of dielectric pads located at junctions of the plurality of scan lines and plurality of sense lines electrically isolating the plurality of scan lines from the plurality of sense lines, a flexible substrate having a bottom face oriented above the top face of the rigid substrate and a plurality of conductive features located on the bottom face of the flexible substrate and electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A multiple outflow valve control system for an aircraft is provided having a plurality of outflow valves that may be controlled independently via an all electrical control system. The outflow valves may be located in various locations in an aircraft. The control system may have a control loop controlling the outflow valve motors via open-loop PWM commands and may not have a motor speed feedback in the control loop. The cabin pressure control system may have manual and auto controls controlling separate motors on each outflow valve. Auto motor control may be performed via software biasing command logic included in the control laws in the control system. Air flow may be biased through selected outflow valves and the degree of biasing may be automatically or manually set.

Abstract: A polarization plate is provided for use between a light source and a display panel, where the light source is configured to emit light having a plurality of planes of polarization and the display panel is configured to have a predetermined polarization axis. The plate includes a repolarization region and a prepolarization region. The repolarization region is configured to diffuse and to depolarize or rotate at least one plane of polarization of the light passing therethrough. The prepolarization region is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the repolarization region. The prepolarization region is configured to be substantially nonabsorbent, to allow passage of light having a plane of polarization that is substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, and to prevent passage of light having a plane of polarization that is not substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis. In another embodiment, an interface is provided between the regions.

Abstract: An actuator includes a ball nut, a ball screw, and a ball screw stop. The ball nut is adapted to receive an input torque and in response rotates and supplies a drive force. The ball screw extends through the ball nut and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw receives the drive force from the ball nut and in response selectively translates between a retract position and a extend position. The ball screw stop is mounted on the ball screw proximate the first end to translate therewith. The ball screw stop engages the ball nut when the ball screw is in the extend position, translates, with compliance, a predetermined distance toward the first end upon engaging the ball nut, and prevents further rotation of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method for displaying a flight path navigational procedure includes, but is not limited to, detecting with a position detecting system a current location of the aircraft, obtaining from an electronic storage device a plurality of flight path navigation procedures available for a geographic location, determining with a flight path analysis system a preferred flight path that will be taken by the aircraft, and displaying on a display unit a moving map corresponding with the current location of the aircraft and further displaying a depiction of the plurality of flight path navigation procedures on the moving map. The preferred flight path is displayed with a visual cue that visually differentiates the preferred flight path from the other flight paths of the plurality of flight path navigation procedures.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a body-worn unitary harness having a shoulder portion and a waist portion in tensile communication with one another, such that both the shoulder and the waist portions can be simultaneously adjusted using a single adjustment mechanism to conform to a wearer's body. In an illustrative embodiment, a length of webbing may thread through an angle-turning buckle and change direction therein. Tensile forces in the length of webbing may be directed in different directions on either side of the angle-turning buckle. A single clasp may facilitate both donning and doffing of the unitary harness. An implement connector may be coupled to a hip member and configured to connect an implement to the unitary harness. Various exemplary unitary harnesses may provide comfortable implement carrying capacity while automatically adjusting relative waist and shoulder lengths to accommodate a user's movements and positions.

Abstract: A method for displaying stop bar information to an aircrew member of an aircraft includes the steps of capturing a light signature emitted from an area surrounding the aircraft, processing the captured light signature to detect a lighted stop bar, and providing information to the aircrew member regarding the detection of the lighted stop bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to the discovery that, during the fluorination of certain fluoroolefin starting re-agents, particularly, 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa), oligomerization/polymerization of such starting reagents reduces the conversion process and leads to increased catalyst deactivation. The present invention also illustrates that providing one or more organic co-feed to the fluooelefin starting stream reduces such oligomerization/polymerization and improves catalystic stability.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an autonomous controllable valve system for providing turbulent flow to a cleaning solution during a valve-cleaning operation, the valve system includes a valve and a valve controller, the valve has an MR sensor array arranged to receive a magnetic field from a magnet coupled to the valve stem, the MR sensor array generating signals indicative of a valve stem position, the valve controller receiving the position signals and generating a control signal for a valve actuator to move the valve stem to a cleaning position between a closed position and a maximal-open position. The cleaning position may be less than twenty percent of a distance between the closed position and the maximal open position. In an illustrative embodiment, the cleaning position may be predetermined to cause a turbulent flow of the cleaning solution.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling bleed air flow into an air cycle machine that includes a bleed air inlet and a conditioned air outlet is provided. The system and method include discharging bleed air from an operating gas turbine engine, sensing exhaust gas temperature (EGT) of the gas turbine engine, sensing conditioned air temperature at the conditioned air outlet, and controlling bleed air flow into the air cycle machine based on the sensed EGT and on the sensed conditioned air temperature.

Abstract: An economizer controller system having a plug and play recognition approach with an automatic user interface population mechanism. A check may be made for sensors connected to the controller. The control type of the sensors may be determined. The menu structure may be repopulated based on the control type. The user interface may then be updated. This approach may be repeated as needed.