Abstract: A method of fault-tolerant process control includes providing a network process control system in an industrial processing facility (IPF) including a plant-wide network coupling a server to computing platforms each including computing hardware and memory hosting a software application for simultaneously supporting a process controller and another process controller or an I/O gateway. The computing platforms are coupled together by a private path redundancy network for providing a hardware resource pool. At least some of the computing platforms are directly coupled by an I/O mesh network to a plurality of I/O devices to field devices that are coupled to processing equipment. Upon detecting at least one failing device in the hardware resource pool, over the private path redundancy network a backup is placed into service for the failing device from the another process controller or I/O gateway that is at another of the computing platforms in the hardware resource pool.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for data collection from landing gear components and providing predictive analytics. Methods comprise sending a signal to excite wheel assembly sensor located on a vehicle. In response to sending the signal excited the sensors, receiving a return signal encoded with measurement data. The measurement data is then stored on an RFID card, on an edge node and/or on a remote server. Upon receipt of the measurement data by the remote server, the remote server analyzes the data to generate predictive maintenance analytics data.

Abstract: A system includes a housing having multiple slots. The system also includes multiple adaptor modules each configured to be inserted into one of the slots and perform at least one function related to an associated input or output signal. For each slot-adaptor module pair, the slot includes one of a key and a receptacle configured to receive the key, and the adaptor module includes the other of the key and the receptacle. Each key fits into the receptacle associated with one type of adaptor module and cannot fit into the receptacles associated with other types of adaptor modules. Each receptacle accepts the key associated with one type of adaptor module and cannot accept the keys associated with other types of adaptor modules. Each of at least one of the keys and the receptacles is rotatable to achieve one of multiple different orientations. Different ones of the keys have different cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A system for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) based sensing including air data detection is disclosed. The system comprises a photonics substrate comprising a passive optical filter array configured to receive backscattered light produced in a region of interest when a light beam is emitted by a laser device, and a reference beam from the laser device. The passive optical filter array includes a plurality of optical notch filters in optical communication with each other, the optical notch filters operative for frequency selection, and a plurality of optical detectors each respectively coupled to an output of one of the optical notch filters. The passive optical filter array is operative to perform frequency spectrum decomposition of the received backscattered light into a plurality of signals for data extraction and processing to determine air data parameters.

Abstract: A shotgun stick for use with grounding devices is provided. An example shotgun stick includes a housing and a drive shaft supported within the housing. The shotgun stick further includes a clamp stick head attached to the housing at a first end and operably connected to a first end of the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft actuates the clamp stick head. The shotgun stick also includes a ratchet locking module that selectively limits rotation of the drive shaft via engagement between a side pin and a ratchet gear of the ratchet locking module. The clamp stick head includes an exterior housing, a head sleeve that defines an opening configured to receive a tool attachment secured thereto, and a slotted inner sleeve positioned between the exterior housing and the head sleeve that prevents rotation of a tool attachment received by the head sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate generally to improved mask displays (e.g. with thermal imaging) and/or control interfaces that may allow for hands-free operation of displays and/or devices. Specifically, such display and/or control systems may operate in the context of a mask, and may provide gesture-based control of display of information within the mask. Disclosed embodiments may comprise near-eye displays configured for gesture sensing of the wearer of the mask and/or for systems and/or methods of gesture-based control.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil that has a tip region that extends from the leading edge toward the trailing edge, and the tip region is bounded by a wall that extends at a positive angle. The leading edge has a leading edge cooling circuit that is defined from the platform to a tip flag channel, and the leading edge cooling circuit is in fluid communication with the tip flag channel. The pressure side includes at least one tip dust hole defined through the wall proximate the pressure side, and the at least one tip dust hole has an inlet and an outlet. The airfoil has at least one rib defined on the wall that extends at a second angle, and the at least one rib merges with at least one flow scoop to direct the particles and a portion of the cooling fluid into the inlet.

Abstract: A processor implemented method in an aircraft-mounted edge computing device configured for real-time monitoring and analysis of APU health information onboard an aircraft is provided. The method comprises: receiving raw APU data from an electronic control unit associated with an APU; downloading one or more tuning parameters from a cloud-based health monitoring system, wherein the one or more tuning parameters includes a threshold level that is adjustable by the cloud-based health monitoring system based on analyzed APU health information; analyzing the raw APU data using the one or more tuning parameters to capture elements of the raw APU data that indicate an APU health concern; reducing the amount of raw APU data in the captured elements by removing raw APU data indicating intermittent or false-positive APU health concerns; and transmitting the captured elements indicating an APU heath concern using an Internet of things protocol to the cloud-based health monitoring system.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for automatic cross-checking of an electronic checklist. One method may include: receiving a first user and/or system input associated with a graphical user interface (GUI) of the electronic checklist; determining whether the first user and/or system input triggers an error; in response to determining that the first user and/or system input triggers the error, displaying an error message on the GUI; receiving a second user and/or system input; determining whether the second user and/or system input resolves the error; and in response to determining the second user and/or system input resolves the error, removing the error message from the GUI.

Abstract: Secure subscription based vehicle data services are provided. In one embodiment, a device comprises: a non-volatile memory comprising an embedded public key (EPK) that comprises a public key of a public-private key pair associated with a data service system not onboard the vehicle; a protocol that initiates a communication session that includes a session validation sequence that causes a processor to transmit a session request message and validate an authenticity of a session reply request using the EPK; the protocol includes a session initiation sequence that causes the processor to: transmit an initiation request message to the data service system that includes a key derivation key, and apply the key derivation key to a key derivation function to generate a message authentication key. The processor authenticates uplink messages exchanged with a host data service using the message authentication key.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface feedback system includes a user interface, a pitch angle sensor, a roll angle sensor, a spherical motor, and a control circuit. The user interface adapted to receive user input and is configured, upon receipt of the user input, to move, about one or both of a pitch axis and a roll axis, to a user interface position. The pitch angle sensor is configured to sense the pitch angle component of the user interface position. The roll angle sensor is configured to sense the roll angle component of the user interface position. The spherical motor is coupled to the user interface and is symmetrically disposed about the origin. The control circuit determines a polar angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, determine an azimuthal angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, and supply current to the first, second, and third coils.

Abstract: A system for transferring heat via a refrigerant between an indoor heat exchange coil and an outdoor heat exchange coil of an HVAC system of a building includes an expansion valve and a compressor. The system includes a compressor discharge refrigerant temperature sensor, an outdoor air temperature source, a controller operatively coupled to the compressor discharge refrigerant temperature sensor and the outdoor air temperature source. The controller identifies a difference between the temperatures indicative of the temperature of the compressed refrigerant at or near the output of the compressor and the measure of outdoor air temperature source, identifies a change in the identified difference over time, and reports a fault when the change in the difference exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Geolocation sensor devices, methods, and systems are described herein. One geolocation sensor device includes an optical position sensor configured to receive sunlight and determine a current angular position of the sun relative to the geolocation sensor device based, at least in part, on the received sunlight, a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to determine a current location of the geolocation sensor device based, at least in part, on the determined current angular position of the sun and a current time of day.

Abstract: An improved cell structure that enables design improvements to acoustic panels is provided. The provided cell structure for an acoustic panel is (i) capable of damping a wider range of audible frequencies, (ii) able to be easily combined and integrated into a variety of panel dimensions, and (iii) manufacturable using additive manufacturing techniques such as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).

Abstract: A sheet material measurement system includes an optical system for identifying at least a first area of a moving sheet material suspected of including at least one defect. A terahertz (THz) system includes a THz generator for generating a THz beam and a THz detector and a scanner including a scanner head for positioning the THz system over the first area. A computing device is coupled to receive signals sensed by the THz detector after interacting with the first area. The computing device determines whether the first area is a metal-contaminated area including metal particles.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface configured to obtain data associated with multiple cables coupled to or forming a part of a redundant token bus control network. The apparatus also includes a traffic detector configured to determine whether valid data traffic is being received over the cables from the redundant token bus control network based on the data. The apparatus further includes at least one processing device configured to determine whether one or more of the cables has experienced a network fault or a return from a network fault based on the determination of whether valid data traffic is being received over the cables. The at least one processing device is also configured, in response to determining that one or more of the cables has experienced a network fault or a return from a network fault, to generate a notification that identifies the apparatus and the one or more cables and output the notification.

Abstract: A method of detecting gas with a photoionization detector (PID) system. The method includes powering on a photoionization detector, turning off an ultraviolet lamp of the photoionization detector by a controller of the PID system and keeping it turned off during the zero calibration procedure, flowing ambient air from a surrounding environment by a fan of the photoionization detector system past a detector electrode of the photoionization detector, processing an output of the detector electrode by the controller to determine a zero level of the photoionization detector, and storing the zero level in a memory of the photoionization detector system. The photoionization detector system in a detecting mode compares an output of the detector electrode to the zero level to determine if a threshold concentration of a gas is present.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to assembly and methods for precisely rigging a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT). For example, the probe rod assembly of a dual tandem LVDT may comprise two moveable cores, a probe fitting, and a probe rod. Generally, the first moveable core may be configured to achieve electrical zero with its respective transformer. Without adjusting the position of the probe rod with respect to the one or more coils of wire, the second moveable core may be configured to achieve electrical zero with its respective transformer. This may ensure that both moveable cores simultaneously achieve electrical zero in the null position. Typically, the probe fitting may be configured to fit at a first end of the probe rod projecting outward from the outer housing. The disclosed assembly and methods may be used to precisely rig dual tandem LVDTs, single channel LVDTs, and dual parallel LVDTs.

Abstract: A method for additively manufacturing an article includes providing or obtaining a build material, directing a first energy beam at the build material to raise the temperature of the build material above a melting point of the build material, and thereafter withdrawing the first energy beam to allow the build material to solidify into a first layer. The method further includes directing a second energy beam at the first layer, wherein the second energy beam differs from the first energy beam in that the second energy beam is of insufficient energy to cause melting of the first layer of build material and after directing the second energy beam at the first layer, providing additional build material over the first layer. The second energy beam will have an effect of reducing or eliminating residual stresses of each build layer. The energy of the second energy beam can be controlled using a thermal or optical feedback loop.