Abstract: Methods and apparatus disclosed herein may facilitate the evaluation of time-correlated operational data associated with a mobile platform more effectively by presenting the relevant data in ways that are relatively straightforward to interpret and more favorable to the identification of potential root causes. In some aspects, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may facilitate the evaluation of multiple systems simultaneously at different points in time to study the initiation and evolution of one or more faults across one or more systems. In various embodiments, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein make use of graphic user interfaces containing synchronized elements such as two-dimensional plots, fault timelines, alert timelines and status information to facilitate diagnostics of mobile platforms.

Abstract: A viewing device for an aircraft includes an image receiver adapted to receive an image of a predetermined spatial area of an exterior of an aircraft, an image projector adapted to display the image of the predetermined spatial area, and an image conduit connecting the image receiver to the image projector. The image receiver is adapted to be positioned on an exterior side of the aircraft below a lateral width of a fuselage of the aircraft while the image projector is adapted to be positioned on an interior side of the aircraft above the lateral width of the fuselage of the aircraft. The image projector is adapted to be positioned at a first predetermined height above a floor on the interior side of the aircraft, consistent with a person's eye level. The image projector is separated from the image receiver by a first predetermined distance.

Abstract: A composite material includes a honeycomb layer with top and bottom sides. The honeycomb layer includes a plurality of walls defining a plurality of cells therein. A first adhesive layer is disposed adjacent to the top side of the honeycomb layer. A second adhesive layer is disposed adjacent to the bottom side of the honeycomb layer. A third adhesive layer is disposed adjacent to the first adhesive layer on the top side of the honeycomb layer. A first composite layer is disposed adjacent to the third adhesive layer on the top side of the honeycomb layer. A second composite layer is disposed adjacent to the second adhesive layer on the bottom side of the honey comb layer. At least the third adhesive layer comprises viscous properties that discourage the creation of channels within the first composite layer when co-cured.

Abstract: A landing gear system includes landing gear, an uplock that is releasably engageable with the landing gear, an uplock hydraulic actuator operably connected to the uplock, a landing gear hydraulic actuator operatively connected to the landing gear, and a controller operatively connected to the uplock hydraulic actuator and the landing gear hydraulic actuator. In response to receipt of a command to deploy the landing gear, the controller actuates the uplock hydraulic actuator and the landing gear hydraulic actuator to the UP condition and then actuates the uplock hydraulic actuator and the landing gear actuator to the DOWN condition. An alternative embodiment incorporates a piloted check valve upstream of the landing gear hydraulic actuator. The piloted check valve delays operation of the landing gear hydraulic actuator until release of the landing gear by the uplock.

Abstract: A door for an aircraft includes a first panel divisible into at least two first slats that are releasably connected to one another, a first tensioning cable attached between the at least two first slats, and a first tensioner connected to the first tensioning cable and being operative to apply a first tension thereto, thereby permitting the first tensioning cable to hold the at least two first slats together to form the first panel and to release the first tension in the first tensioning cable upon occurrence of a release action, thereby permitting the at least two first slats to dissociate from one another so that the first panel fragments.

Abstract: Tailplanes and empennages for aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary tailplane disclosed includes a stabilizer having a fixed shape and an elevator movably secured to the stabilizer. The elevator is movable from a neutral position relative to the stabilizer. The stabilizer and the elevator define an airfoil cross-sectional shape having a positive camber when the elevator is in the neutral position. The positive camber of the airfoil cross-sectional shape may facilitate movement of the elevator during some flight conditions. Also disclosed are tailplanes having camber distributions that vary along the spans of the tailplanes.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a composite material assembly. The components of the assembly originate from more than one mold while providing curing or solidifying under heat and vacuum in one step only, preferably with a composite material in a pre-preg form which does not require autoclave treatment. A removable insert is removed from a second mold prior to assembly of a first mold to the second mold. A section of a laminate extending over the removable insert overlaps over an adjacent laminate after closing and assembly of the first mold onto the second mold.

Abstract: A bias gain system for aircraft rudder comprises a pair of connector ends receiving an actuation force from a bias actuator. A rudder bar interface is positioned between the connector ends. The interface rotates about the rudder bar as a function of the actuation forces from the bias actuators. A mechanism comprises links and joints between the connector ends and the rudder bar is actuatable between a contracted configuration, in which first moment arms are defined between the connector ends and the rudder bar interface, and an expanded gain configuration, in which second moment arms have a greater dimension than the first moment arms. An actuator is connected to the mechanism to actuate the mechanism to actuate the mechanism independently from the actuation forces from the bias actuators, to move the mechanism between configurations. An aircraft and a method for controlling a torque on a rudder bar of an aircraft are also provided.

Abstract: A cable support apparatus for an aircraft cable control system comprises at least one cable support unit. The cable support unit includes a pulley adapted to carry a cable of the aircraft cable control system, a support link with a first joint between the pulley and the support link and a second joint between the support link and the structure of the aircraft, and a compensation link connected with the structure of the aircraft. The thermal expansion of the compensation link causes a displacement of the support link. An aircraft and a method for maintaining a tension of a cable of a cable control system of an aircraft are also provided.

Abstract: A bias gain system for aircraft rudder comprises a pair of connector ends receiving an actuation force from a bias actuator. A rudder bar interface is positioned between the connector ends. The interface rotates about the rudder bar as a function of the actuation forces from the bias actuators. A mechanism comprises links and joints between the connector ends and the rudder bar is actuatable between a contracted configuration, in which first moment arms are defined between the connector ends and the rudder bar interface, and an expanded gain configuration, in which second moment arms have a greater dimension than the first moment arms. An actuator is connected to the mechanism to actuate the mechanism to actuate the mechanism independently from the actuation forces from the bias actuators, to move the mechanism between configurations. An aircraft and a method for controlling a torque on a rudder bar of an aircraft are also provided.

Abstract: A cable support apparatus for an aircraft cable control system comprises at least one cable support unit. The cable support unit includes a pulley adapted to carry a cable of the aircraft cable control system, a support link with a first joint between the pulley and the support link and a second joint between the support link and the structure of the aircraft, and a compensation link connected with the structure of the aircraft. The thermal expansion of the compensation link causes a displacement of the support link. An aircraft and a method for maintaining a tension of a cable of a cable control system of an aircraft are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite structure having a skin, a plurality of webs and a plurality of flanges includes wrapping each of a plurality of first lay-ups around a corresponding one of a plurality of mandrels such that each first lay-up forms a skin section, a pair of opposed web sections, which extend from the skin section, and a pair of inwardly facing flange sections. The first lay-ups are aligned and a second lay-up is laid over their skin sections. A plurality of third lay-ups are laid over pairs of flange sections. A composite structure detained by this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a composite material assembly. The components of the assembly originate from more than one mold while providing curing or solidifying under heat and vacuum in one step only, preferably with a composite material in a pre-preg form which does not require autoclave treatment. A removable insert is removed from a second mold prior to assembly of a first mold to the second mold. A section of a laminate extending over the removable insert overlaps over an adjacent laminate after closing and assembly of the first mold onto the second mold.

Abstract: The invention is a proportional rudder boost system for manually controlled aircraft which also have a yaw dampening system. The boost system includes four sensors in the pilot's and copilot's pedals including a summation means which adds the manual inputs from both pilots to provide a combined output signal to the power boost computer. Once the combined output signal exceeds a minimum force level, the boost computer signals the yaw servo to increase its torque applied to the rudder from zero in proportion to the increase in manual force applied to the rudder pedals up to a maximum power assist force level.

Abstract: An airfoil modification device that helps maintain airstream attachment to either upper or lower airfoil surfaces, the device in the form of a plurality of spaced, low profile rods arranged generally end-to-end and attached to the airfoil and generally normal to the airstream to define a serrated edge that induces multi-directional airstream turbulence.

Abstract: A thin, high performance swept wing of the tapered type with an improved leading edge characterized by a first portion that extends from near the wing root at a fixed radius to a transition point where twice the fixed radius does not exceed about 100.6 percent of wing thickness at about 5 percent of the local chord at the transition point, and a second leading edge portion extending from the transition point to the wing tip that has a radius expressed in percent of local chord which does not exceed that percent of local chord at the transition point. Winglets are optionally provided in combination with the wing with improved leading edge to provide in combination, improved aircraft performance.