Abstract: A sensor package for sensing rotational positional data includes a stack of separated printed circuit boards that includes a first position target printed board, a second printed circuit board having a rotary sensor and a third printed circuit board having power supply components. The sensor package is included in a skew detection system for an aircraft control system, which includes a control surface having opposed first and second ends. A first drive mechanism is operatively connected to the first end of the control surface by a first rack and pinion assembly and a second drive mechanism is operatively connected to the second end of the control surface by a second rack and pinion assembly. Each rack and pinion assembly includes a respective sensor package operatively connected to the pinion thereof. A processing component is operatively connected to both sensor packages to determine presence of skew in the control surface.

Abstract: A rotary transformer for an electrical machine includes a rotary printed circuit board and a stator printed circuit board. The rotary printed circuit board is operatively connected to the stator printed circuit board for relative rotation with respect to the stator printed circuit board. A conductor is fixed to the one of the printed circuit boards and includes a spiral coil for transferring electrical energy between the rotary printed circuit board and stator printed circuit board.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hoist and hook assembly may determine a position of a target using a position sensor. A hook assembly may be positioned in response to the position of the target as detected by the position sensor. Positioning the hook assembly may include articulating a boom coupled to a hoist, using one or more local thrust sources on the hook assembly, and/or moving an airframe relative to the position of the target.

Abstract: A configuration for a capacitive pressure sensor uses a silicon on insulator wafer to create an electrically isolated sensing node across a gap from a pressure sensing wafer. The electrical isolation, small area of the gap, and silicon material throughout the capacitive pressure sensor allow for minimal parasitic capacitance and avoid problems associated with thermal mismatch.

Abstract: A wing deformation monitoring and analysis system includes at least one image sensor installed on a portion of the aircraft such that at least one wing of the aircraft is located in a field of view (FOV) of the at least one image sensor. The image sensor outputs at least one image signal representing a captured wing image of the at least one wing. An electronic deformation controller is configured to compare the captured wing image to a nominal wing image, determines a deformation of the at least one wing based on the comparison.

Abstract: An air data probe is disclosed. The air data probe may include a probe body having an interior cavity and coated by a protective shell. A sensing port may be disposed in the air data probe and may extend through the probe body. The sensing port may also be lined by the protective shell. The protective shell may be made of an austenitic nickel-chromium alloy, or stainless steel, or any relatively corrosion resistant material. The probe body may be made of nickel, or a nickel alloy, or any relatively thermally conductive material. The protective shell may be joined to the probe body by additive manufacturing, such as laser cladding. In this manner, an air data probe capable withstanding high temperatures without corrosion and yet also being relatively thermally conductive is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronics systems are provided herein. An electronics system may comprise a heating circuit and a fault detection system. The heating circuit may include a heating element. The fault detection system may include a first resistor comprising a first resistance, a second resistor comprising a second resistance, the first resistance being equal to the second resistance, a voltage level detector, and a controllable switch connected in series with the first resistor and the second resistor, the controllable switch in electronic communication with the voltage level detector. A fault may be detected in response to the first voltage being greater than the second voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronics systems are provided herein. An electronics system may comprise a heating circuit and a fault detection system. The heating circuit may include a heating element. The fault detection system may include a current-to-voltage converter, a voltage level detector, and a controllable switch connected in series with the heating element, the controllable switch in electronic communication with the voltage level detector. A fault may be detected in response to a secondary voltage being greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a signal indicative of a differential pressure using a first absolute pressure sensor and a second absolute pressure sensor, each having a positive relation transducer configured to generate an electrical signal that increases in response to increasing pressure and a negative relation transducer configured to generate an electrical signal that decreases in response to increasing pressure. The first and second positive relation transducers of the first and second absolute pressure sensors, respectively, are electrically connected as a first leg of a Wheatstone bridge at a first output node. The first and second negative relation transducers of the first and second absolute pressure sensors, respectively, are electrically connected as a second leg of a Wheatstone bridge at a second output node. Both positive and both negative relation transducers are connected to a first and a second bias node of the Wheatstone bridge, respectively.

Abstract: A method of isolating a source of an altitude split in a plurality of altitude sensors includes receiving a static pressure reading from a first altitude sensor and receiving a static pressure reading from a second altitude sensor. The method also includes comparing each of the static pressure readings with an expected static pressure value to determine which of the altitude sensors is the source of a split in altitude readings of the altitude sensors.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method of installing a display mounting apparatus in a vehicle is provided. A base mount member of the display mounting apparatus is coupled to a surface of the vehicle. The base mount member includes a pair of pivot attachment holes. An angular position of a pivot support member is adjusted. The pivot support member includes an upper mounting surface and a locking pin passage, where the pivot support member is coupled to the base mount member by a pivot pin that passes through the pivot attachment holes. A lower surface of an upper mount member is positioned proximate the upper mounting surface to align a pair of locking pin holes in the upper mount member with the locking pin passage. A locking pin is engaged through the pair of locking pin holes in the upper mount member and through the locking pin passage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is attached to a substrate with a controlled stand-off height, by mounting a plurality of stud bumps of the controlled stand-off height to the substrate at predetermined locations, placing adhesive dots over the stud bumps, placing the integrated circuit on the substrate over the adhesive dots, and applying downward pressure on the integrated circuit until the integrated circuit is in mechanical contact with the stud bumps.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a housing, a diaphragm wafer, and an isolator configured to absorb lateral stress. The diaphragm wafer includes a fully exposed diaphragm, a fluid contact surface, a sensing element, and a support portion, where the support portion and the contact surface define a cavity. The isolator extends laterally from the support portion to the housing. The pressure sensor is easily drainable, eliminating the buildup of particulates, and the diaphragm can be directly wire-bonded to printed circuit boards, eliminating the need for extensive electrical feedthrough.

Abstract: A pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having an interior defining a flow passage and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes a disk, a tip cover and a high thermal conductive insert disposed between the disk and the tip cover and in thermal contact with both.

Abstract: An air data probe includes a stationary housing assembly, an air data measurement unit, and a fluid sensing unit disposed proximate to an interface between the housing assembly and the air data measurement unit. The air data measurement unit is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the air data probe, relative to the stationary housing assembly. The fluid sensing unit includes a second electrically conductive sensing surface physically and dielectrically spaced from a first sensing surface.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring total pressure of a fluid flow comprises a tubular member having an inlet chamber with an inlet opening at a first end of the tubular member. The tubular member also comprises an outlet chamber having an outlet opening at a second end of the tubular member. The inlet opening has a diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis and the outlet opening has a second diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis. The ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is from 3:1 to 10:1. The tubular member also includes a transitional chamber between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. Total pressure can be measured in the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a sensor body and a wedge extension. The sensor body extends from a sensor base to an opposed sensor tip along a longitudinal axis. The sensor body has a leading edge and opposed trailing edge. The sensor body also has an interior flow passage with an inlet for fluid communication of fluid into the interior flow passage and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from the interior flow passage. The wedge extension is on the sensor body between the sensor tip and the sensor base on the leading edge of the sensor body.

Abstract: A tuned sensor system is disclosed. The tuned sensor system may receive an unsteady pressure from an external environment via a pressure inlet port. The pressure may have a first component that is substantially static and a second component that varies at a relatively high frequency. The pressure inlet port may conduct the unsteady pressure to a tuned path. The tuned path may filter the unsteady pressure, blocking the second component and communicating the first component, such as for use by a pressure sensor. The tuned sensor system may be compact and may include one or more turn in the tuned path so that the distance between the pressure inlet port and the sensor is less than the length of the tuned path. The tuned path may be entirely within the supporting structure of the tuned sensor system, easing installation, removal, and maintenance of the compact and modular system.

Abstract: A high signal to noise ratio circuit and signal processing scheme described herein provides signal power above a noise floor such that high performance rate gyro operation can be achieved. The technology described herein exploits the combination of very low noise rate signal front end and a carrier frequency locked to a crystal filter's passband. A fixed single frequency and a sampled alternating current amplitude for conveyance of rate information is utilized.

Abstract: A total air temperature probe includes a probe head having an airflow inlet, a main airflow outlet, a main probe head wall extending from the airflow inlet to the main airflow outlet, and a flow separation bend wall positioned between the airflow inlet and the main airflow outlet. The flow separation bend wall is opposite the main probe head wall across a primary flow passage defined through the probe head from the airflow inlet to the main airflow outlet. A flow separation trip feature is defined on an interior surface of the main probe head wall for tripping a boundary layer flow separation in flow in the primary flow passage, e.g., for reduction of deicing heater error.