Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a cold plate assembly include providing a base and a cover. The cover can be fixedly coupled to the base. Each of the base and the cover can include spaced internal ribs, which can form flow paths when the base and cover are fixedly coupled together. The internal ribs of the base and the cover can have spaced tabs that can be fixedly coupled to the other of the base or the cover. The base and the cover may also include spaced external or outer sacrificial ribs.

Abstract: Provided are flow batteries that include a fluidic train within a dynamic fluidic network system which fluidic train is convertible between a first state and a second state, the first state the first state placing a main electrolyte source and a dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and an electrode region, into fluid communication with the electrode region and the second state placing the main electrolyte source and the dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and the electrode region, into fluid isolation from the electrode region and placing the electrode region into fluid communication with a sampling segment. Also provided are methods of operating flow batteries.

Abstract: A method for controlling a rotary wing aircraft includes determining a measured airspeed of the rotary wing aircraft based on data from a pitot probe, determining an estimated airspeed of the rotary wing aircraft based on rotor control commands, and determining a blended airspeed based on both the measured airspeed and the estimated airspeed.

Abstract: A heterodyne phase-controlled beam-combiner system includes a laser source, a first beam splitter, a plurality of phase modulators, a tiled array and an optical mixer. The laser source generates a light beam, and the first beam splitter splits the light beam into multiple beamlets. A phase modulator tags each beamlet with an arbitrary phase dither signal corresponding to an arbitrary phase setpoint or offset, and a tiled array, including a number of lenslets, combines the tagged beamlets and directs the combined light to a second beam splitter. The optical mixer generates a heterodyne light including tagging information. A first output light of the second beam splitter is a target light directed to a target, and the arbitrary phase offset enables achieving a nonflat phase profile for beamlets to obtain the desired on-axis far-field intensity of the target light.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using a pressure measurement and leak test tool to measure the internal pressure of a container. A pressure measurement and leak test tool comprises a first side, a second side, a top end, a bottom end, and a front surface. The first and second side are disposed along the same plane opposite from each other, wherein the top and bottom end are coupled to the first and second side, wherein the top and bottom end are disposed opposite from each other, wherein the front surface is disposed on an edge defined by the first side, the top end, the second side, and the bottom end. The pressure measurement and leak test tool further comprises an electrical connector disposed on the top end, a power switch disposed on the front surface, and an information handling system comprising a display disposed in the front surface.

Abstract: A joint system including a support device with a plurality of radial extensions extending in at least a first direction from the support device, each individual radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions terminating at a distal engagement end and a receiving device separate from the support device with a notch area to receive the distal engagement ends of each radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions and a contact area upon which a length of the radial extensions of the plurality of radial extensions engage when the distal engagement end of each radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions are engaged within the notch area. At least one radial extension of the plurality of radial extensions is configured to be flexible between a first position to provide for at least one of assembly and disassembly of the support device to the receiving device and a second position when the support device and the receiving device are assembled. Another system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods include using an ultrasonic cutter tool to cut a seal. The system comprises an ultrasonic cutter tool disposed onto a railing system coupled to a platform, wherein the ultrasonic cutter tool is configured to translate along the railing system. The system further comprises a power source electrically coupled to the ultrasonic cutter tool, and an alignment mold disposed parallel to the railing system and offset by a distance. The system further comprises one or more roller bearing carriages coupled to the railing system, wherein each of the one or more roller bearing carriages comprises a set of roller bearings, wherein each set of roller bearings is disposed over the alignment mold, wherein each set of roller bearings is configured to translate along the alignment mold as each of the one or more roller bearing carriages translates along the railing system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a Jupiter aerospace mission can enable delivery of a science payload to a Jupiter orbit on a direct Earth-to-Jupiter trajectory. Solar power and use of avionics also allow a fast assembly, integration, and test process compared to past outer Solar System missions. The spacecraft can include an aerodynamic forebody, a shell, and a thermal protection system. The spacecraft can manage the radiation environment, generate solar power, and return data to Earth with a robust radio-frequency (RF) amplification and antenna gain.

Abstract: A rotary blade aircraft includes an airframe, a rotor shaft driven about a rotor axis, and a plurality of rotor blades driven by the rotor shaft about the rotor axis. The rotary blade aircraft includes a swashplate assembly coupled to the plurality of rotor blades. The swashplate assembly is operable to move the plurality of rotor blades about a respective longitudinal axis. The rotary blade aircraft includes a hydraulic control servo coupled between the airframe and the swashplate assembly. The hydraulic control servo is operable to move the swashplate assembly relative to the rotor axis. The rotary blade aircraft includes a harmonic control actuator coupled between the airframe and the swashplate assembly. The harmonic control actuator is operable independently relative to the hydraulic control servo to move the swashplate assembly relative to the rotor axis to reduce vibration at selected frequencies in the airframe.

Abstract: Ray-tracing for terrain mapping is provided. A system of an aerial vehicle can identify points generated from data captured by a sensor of the aerial vehicle. The points can each indicate a respective altitude value of a portion of terrain. The system can determine, based on the altitude values of the points, a threshold altitude of the terrain, and can identify a boundary defined in part based on the threshold altitude of the terrain. The system can generate a terrain map for the terrain based on applying a ray-tracing process to the points. The ray-tracing process can be performed within the boundary, using the points as respective sources and the aerial vehicle as a destination. The system can present a graphical representation of the terrain map in a graphical user interface of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Real-time light-detection and ranging point decimation is provided. A system of a vehicle can allocate, based on a resolution for data points, a region in the memory for a tree data structure. The region can have a fixed-size for a duration of a flight performed by the vehicle. The system can receive, subsequent to allocating the region in the memory, first points captured by a sensor of the vehicle at a first resolution, and convert the points to second points having a second resolution that is less than the first resolution. The system can then provide, for storage in the region in the memory, the tree data structure that stores the second points. The tree data structure can be used in a terrain map generation function.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an eddie-bolt inspection tool to measure one or more eddie-bolts. An eddie-bolt inspection tool comprises a body; a valve; a light-emitting diode (LED); a battery; a first position switch; a second position switch; a cap; a nose piece; and a cover; wherein the cap is disposed on top of the body, wherein the body is disposed on top of the nose piece, where the nose piece is at least partially disposed within the body, wherein the cover is disposed around and on at least a portion of the body, wherein the body comprises: a first side; a second side; a third side; a fourth side; and an opening.

Abstract: An optical system can include a mirror that reflects incoming light to a sensor for detection. The position and/or orientation of the mirror can be controlled to reflect incoming light from different locations and/or directions. Position and/or orientation of the mirror may be tracked and/or detected by an optical position sensor. The position sensor can transmit a beam to a reflector on the mirror, and the reflected beam can be received by the position sensor. Characteristics of the reflected beam can be measured to determine the position and/or orientation of the mirror. For example, the beam can be used for interferometric and/or intensity measurements, which can then be correlated with a position and/or orientation of the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a redox flow battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell in fluid communication with a balancing cell, said balancing cell comprising: a first and second half-cell chamber, wherein the first half-cell chamber comprises a first electrode in contact with a first aqueous electrolyte of the redox flow battery; and wherein the second half-cell chamber comprises a second electrode comprising a catalyst for the generation of O2; and wherein the second half-cell chamber does not contain an aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and system for conducting human performance assessment comprising memory devices for accessing and storing historical data from multiple sources of unstructured and structured assessment source data for a subject. The unstructured assessment source data includes free-form source data. The system includes a computing system with a user interface presented on a digital display device to enter assessment query (AQ) relating to the subject. The system includes a natural language processing engine to process an unstructured data search model based on the AQ and a semantic reasoner engine to apply unstructured and structured data search model to the assessment domain ontology for the subject to measure human performance and at the same time identify performance gaps. The system includes an assessment report generator to generate a report of the performance and gap assessments wherein the report is configured to be displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A storage vessel can include a shell that is formed by fibers wound about an axis and infused with a resin matrix. The resin matrix can include metal nanoparticles coated with a polymer and distributed within a resin. The nanoparticles provide low coefficients of thermal expansion, and the polymer coatings enhance their bonding with the resin. The shells of such storage vessels provide increased tensile strength and modulus at both room and cryogenic temperatures. Such improvements stem from the higher interfacial residual thermal stress at cryogenic temperature due to their low thermal expansion properties, which in turn promotes crack branching that increases the energy dissipation of the matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling landing gear responsive to detected aerial vehicle conditions. A system can receive, from one or more sensors of the aerial vehicle, altitude information and speed information of the aerial vehicle. The system can determine to lower landing gear of the aerial vehicle based on a change in a state of the aerial vehicle, and identify a condition corresponding to a type of the aerial vehicle and the state of the aerial vehicle. The system can compare the speed information and the altitude information to the condition to determine that a condition to lower landing gear is satisfied. Responsive to determining that the condition to lower the landing gear is satisfied, the system can provide a signal to lower the landing gear.

Abstract: A self-aligning connector assembly includes a connector frame, a connector, and an alignment adapter. The connector frame includes an end plate. The connector extends from the connector frame and is configured to engage with a mating connector. The alignment adapter is coupled to the connector. The alignment adapter is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the alignment adapter is spaced apart from the end plate and permits the connector to move relative to the connector frame. In the second position, the alignment adapter is engaged against the end plate and prevents movement of the connector relative to the connector frame.

Abstract: A panel assembly for use with a spacecraft includes a payload, a radiator panel and a heat pipe. The payload is configured to generate waste heat during operation. The radiator panel is spaced apart from the payload and is configured to dissipate waste heat. The heat pipe is coupled to the payload and the radiator panel. The heat pipe includes a compliant portion to permit the radiator panel to move relative to the payload. Further the heat pipe is configured to transfer waste heat from the payload to the radiator panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking entities and objects in an environment can include an entity-mounted instrumentation (EMI) and an object-mounted instrumentation (OMI). The OMI can include a first IMU array to detect the object orientation, and a TOF pulse transmitter to transmit a TOF pulse. The EMI can include a second IMU array to detect the entity orientation, a GPS receiver, and an array of TOF sensors to receive various versions of the TOF pulse. The EMI can determine a location and orientation of the entity using GPS data and orientation data generated by the second IMU array. The EMI can determine a relative location of the object using the various versions of the TOF pulse, and can determine a location of the object using the relative location of the object and the location of the entity. The EMI can determine the object orientation using data provided by the first IMU array.