Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for additive manufacturing using titanium and titanium alloy materials. In one example, a method includes inoculating a titanium material with ceramic particles that produce nucleation sites within the titanium material during successive melt and solidification steps of an additive manufacturing process. The nucleation sites promote grain nucleation during solidification of molten titanium material into solid titanium material during the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A fastener removal assembly comprises a drive housing operable to receive a drive unit, wherein the drive housing comprises a shaft configured to rotate based on operation of the drive unit, the shaft extending downwards and out of the drive housing. The fastener removal assembly further comprises a set of gripping jaws disposed under the drive housing and around a portion of the shaft and a first pneumatic actuator coupled to the set of gripping jaws configured to actuate the set of gripping jaws to expand and retract. The fastener removal assembly further comprises at least one second pneumatic actuator disposed on top of the first pneumatic actuator. The fastener removal assembly further comprises an intermediate coupler, wherein the intermediate coupler is coupled to a side of the drive housing, and wherein the at least one second pneumatic actuator is coupled to a bottom side of the intermediate coupler.

Abstract: A rotor blade retention assembly includes a central hub, a rotor blade including an upper outer surface, a lower outer surface, a blade hole, and a proximal end coupled to the central hub, a strap member extending along a portion of the rotor blade such that a distal end receiving portion extends into the blade hole, and a retainer assembly disposed within the blade hole and coupled to the strap member. The retainer assembly includes an upper bushing and a lower bushing slidably disposed within the blade hole. The upper bushing includes a counterbored portion. The retainer assembly also includes an outboard blade pin disposed within the distal end receiving portion and includes a blade pin inner cavity.

Abstract: Printable high-strength alloys, including aluminum alloys can be produced in an additive manufacturing process. Such alloys can include aluminum-silver (“Al—Ag”) alloys that are produced by a laser melting process using a powder bed fusion. The results of the process and the characteristics of the produced alloy can be determined by controlling at least an energy beam power, an energy beam speed, and/or an energy beam size. The operational parameters can be controlled with high precision to produce a printable, high-strength aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A lens installation system that includes a tool for a keyhole in an imaging system housing. The tool includes a base having a first diameter dimensioned to fit below a lens housing cavity of an imaging system housing. The base has a top end forming a shoulder to seat the shoulder below the lens housing cavity. The tool includes a lens centering seat integrated with the base. The seat includes a ring and a recessed cavity within the ring. The ring is defined by an outer surface dimensioned to contact an inner diameter of an inner surface of the keyhole below the lens housing cavity, a first sloped surface providing a chamfered edge that is inclined for a distance above the outer surface, and a second sloped surface descending from an upper edge of the first sloped surface by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Localized measurement of turbulent airflows is provided using enhanced techniques of digital holography with computed tomography. In an implementation, an optical beam is diffracted to produce an array of signal beams which propagate at different angles through a test volume that includes a test article. A reference beam is optically interfered with the array of signal beams after propagating through the test volume, producing a corresponding array of holograms simultaneously detected by a single digital holographic sensor. Digitized versions of the holograms are processed to produce a signal field for each test beam. Computed tomography is then applied to the signal fields to determine path-resolved turbulence measurements.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system includes a three-dimensional (3D) printer, a hydraulic press, and a kiln. The three-dimensional printer includes a print bed, a first printhead, and a second printhead. The first printhead is configured to deposit a layer of a first powder on the print bed. The second printhead is configured to deposit a layer of a second powder on the print bed. The hydraulic press is configured to compress a greenware to form a compressed greenware. The kiln is configured to heat the compressed greenware to a reaction temperature to form an object. The object is surrounded by an excess of the first powder. The kiln is also configured to heat the object surrounded by the excess of the first powder to a melting temperature. The melting temperature is at least the melting point of the first powder and less than the melting point of the object.

Abstract: A method includes determining a target acoustic profile based on acoustic conditions at an exterior surface exposed to weather. The method further includes determining a plurality of foam layer characteristics based on the target acoustic profile. The method further includes determining one or more of elastomer characteristics based on the target acoustic profile and the plurality of foam layer characteristics. The method further includes providing a foam layer comprising the plurality of foam layer characteristics. The method further includes depositing an elastomer into the provided foam layer according to the one or more elastomer characteristics. The method further includes coupling the foam layer comprising the deposited elastomer onto the exterior surface exposed to weather. The foam layer including the deposited elastomer absorbs acoustic energy corresponding to the target acoustic profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mission-based path modifications are presented herein. One or more processors may be coupled with memory and housed in a vehicle. The one or more processors may receive data indicative of an issue with at least one function of the vehicle during a mission defined by a type of cargo and a flight path comprising a plurality of segments. The one or more processors may determine, responsive to the issue with the at least one function, an action to perform for the vehicle based on the issue, a current segment of the plurality of segments, and the mission. The one or more processors may execute, during the current segment or a subsequent segment of the plurality of segments, the action on the vehicle.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a device comprises a body, a mechanical propulsion system affixed to the body to cause the body to traverse a multi-oriented surface and to prevent contact between the body and the multi-oriented surface, a thrust system to apply a thrust force to the device that opposes a gravitational force acting on the device, and a payload with at least one sensor to detect a characteristics of the multi-oriented surface.

Abstract: A rotor blade configured to be installed on a rotary wing aircraft includes a spar including an inboard portion extending from a root of the rotor blade to a first spanwise position of the rotor blade and an outboard portion meeting the inboard portion at the first spanwise position. The rotor blade further includes an upper skin and a lower skin coupled the outboard portion of the spar. The first spanwise position is defined by a most inboard point at which the upper and lower skins are coupled to the spar. The inboard portion includes a top layer, a bottom layer, and an inner cavity. The top layer has a substantially constant first thickness and the bottom layer has a substantially constant second thickness, and the distance between an outer surface of the top layer and an outer surface of the bottom layer is substantially constant.

Abstract: A gear box includes a housing, an actuator coupled to the housing, and a bearing assembly pivotably coupled to the actuator. The bearing assembly including an outer raceway, a cylindrical housing positioned within the outer raceway, and an annular bearing positioned between the outer raceway and the housing. The cylindrical housing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A sensor is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical housing and configured to monitor an operating condition of the annular bearing. A linkage couples the actuator to the second end of the cylindrical housing and an output shaft is rotatably coupled to the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A circuit assembly includes a sealable enclosure and at least one electronic circuit element contained within the sealable enclosure. The at least one electronic circuit element includes a control circuit, a garnet, and a first polymer material applied on a surface of the control circuit and on a surface of the garnet. A second polymer material fills a remaining space defined within the enclosure, the second polymer material applied on an exposed surface of the first material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an inspection and projection system to measure the thickness of a coating and provide visual guidance for secondary operations. The inspection and projection system comprises a robotic arm operable to rotate about a plurality of axes, wherein an end effector is disposed at a distal end of the robotic arm. The inspection and projection system further comprises a linear rail system, wherein the robotic arm is coupled to the linear rail system, and wherein the robotic arm is operable to translate along the linear rail system. The inspection and projection system further comprises a frame, wherein the linear rail system is disposed on top of the frame, and an information handling system coupled to the frame, wherein the information handling system is operable to actuate the robotic arm and the linear rail system.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a main body having an empennage, a main rotor assembly mounted on the main body, and a movable control surface assembly supported on the empennage. The movable control surface assembly includes a tube extending from the empennage along a tube axis to a free end, the tube being supported for rotation about the tube axis with respect to the empennage, and a movable control surface mounted on the tube for rotation therewith. The movable control surface is supported on the tube by a connection element that couples the movable control surface to the free end of the tube to rotatably fix the movable control surface with respect to the tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical circuit from bulk materials includes the steps of machining a first bulk dielectric material, forming a conductive element, and placing the conductive element on a first side the first bulk dielectric material. The method further includes the step of machining a second bulk dielectric material and placing the second bulk dielectric material on the first side of the first bulk dielectric material and over the conductive element. The first bulk dielectric material and the second bulk dielectric material may be laminated together.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe defining a first enclosed space, an engine bay disposed within the first enclosed space, and a cooling system. The engine bay includes a firebox defining a second enclosed space and an engine disposed at least partially within the second enclosed space. The cooling system is configured to selectively fluidly couple the first enclosed space with the second enclosed space.

Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for antenna systems and directed radio frequency energy structures. In one example, an apparatus includes an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements formed by waveguide structures embedded within a substrate and positioned about a longitudinal axis of the substrate to form at least two concentric ring arrangements of antenna elements. Apertures of the waveguide structures are configured to emit or receive radio frequency (RF) energy generally along the longitudinal axis. Feed elements are coupled to each of the waveguide structures on an end opposite of the apertures, and configured to couple the RF energy for the antenna array.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a method of assembling a mandrel includes assembling a plurality of members via interlocking features arranged at opposing edges of each member of the plurality of members to form a compartment, the assembled members having a collective outer surface that conforms to an inner surface of the spar. A support member is inserted into the compartment formed radially inward from the assembled members, the support member making contact with a portion of each member of the plurality of members.

Abstract: Load volume predication for slung loads of aerial vehicles are disclosed. A system can identify parameters of a load. The system can determine a volume occupied by a superposition of locations of the cone. The system can receive from sensors or models, characteristics of an environment associated with the aerial vehicle or the load. The system can detect an obstacle in the environment. The system can take a navigational action in response to detecting the obstacle.