Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for avoiding a collision between an aircraft on the ground and an obstacle using a three-dimensional visual indication of the area or plane of winglets on the wingtips of the aircraft. The method includes receiving a video image from a camera positioned in one of the winglets, the video image representing a field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass along a present heading of the aircraft. Next a processor determines a three-dimensional area or plane within the field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass. An overlay is displayed within the field of view to assist the pilot in avoiding collisions with obstacles.

Abstract: A method of making an electronics enclosure that is light-weight, structurally sound and EMI resistant is provided. Preferably the electronics enclosure is made by covering the walls of a mold for the chassis and the lid with a metallic mesh. At least two plies of carbon prepreg are applied over the metallic mesh. The carbon prepreg and metallic mesh are then cured together at high temperature, typically in an autoclave. The wire mesh becomes integrated into the composite material during the curing process when the carbon material shrinks to the mold and the epoxy bonds with the wire mesh. The molds may then be removed leaving an electronics enclosure with superior properties.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for avoiding a collision between an aircraft on the ground and an obstacle using a three-dimensional visual indication of the area or plane of winglets on the wingtips of the aircraft. The method includes receiving a video image from a camera positioned in one of the winglets, the video image representing a field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass along a present heading of the aircraft. Next a processor determines a three-dimensional area or plane within the field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass.

Abstract: A power converter comprising: an input portion; a forward converter output portion with a ripple steering element; and a flyback converter output portion with a ripple steering element, wherein the input portion, forward converter output portion and flyback converter output portion are combined in an isolated magnetic configuration sharing a single transformer.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for avoiding a collision between an aircraft on the ground and an obstacle using a three-dimensional visual indication of the area or plane of winglets on the wingtips of the aircraft. The method includes receiving a video image from a camera positioned in one of the winglets, the video image representing a field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass along a present heading of the aircraft. Next a processor determines a three-dimensional area or plane within the field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass. An overlay is displayed within the field of view to assist the pilot in avoiding collisions with obstacles within the field of view.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the health of a rechargeable battery includes measuring initial condition parameters of a rechargeable battery prior to the battery being placed into service. A baseline normalization of the initial condition parameters is performed using a standardized relationship data set for a norm battery to generate baseline normalization coefficients to normalize the initial condition parameters to the norm battery. Run-time condition parameters of the battery are measured after the battery is in service as part of a continuous built in test system. The run-time condition parameters are normalized using the standardized relationship data set for the norm battery and the baseline normalization coefficients to generate normalized run-time condition parameters for the battery. The normalized run-time condition parameters are then compared to the standardized relationship data set for the norm battery to calculate a state-of-charge and state-of-health for the battery as the run-time condition.

Abstract: A power system is configured to provide a regulated voltage to an electrical load connected to a power source through at least one power line. The power system includes a first voltage control loop based on a remote sense signal indicative of voltage level at the load. The power system further includes a second voltage control loop based on a local sense signal indicative of a level of output voltage at the power source. The voltage level of the local sense signal is generally at a higher voltage level relative to the voltage level of the remote sense signal. Circuitry is configured to pass just the signal with the higher voltage level to ensure that the local sense control loop is a dominant control loop with respect to the remote sense control loop. This avoids effects on the power source from one or more failure modes that can occur in interconnections of the system.

Abstract: A battery including: a plurality of battery cells arranged side-by-side, each battery cell including a terminal tab for delivering power from the cell; a bus plate made of an electrically non-conductive material, the bus plate also having an array of holes formed therein, the array of holes defining a plurality of hole pairs, wherein the terminal tab from each cell of the plurality of cells extends through a corresponding different hole in the array of holes, wherein for each hole pair of the plurality of hole pairs, the terminal tabs extending through that hole pair are folded one over the other to produce overlapping tabs for that hole pair; and a plurality of clamps each of which clamps together the overlapping tabs of a corresponding different hole pair.

Abstract: A wireless system including an antenna, an electrical energy storage unit connected to the antenna, the energy storage unit receiving power via electromagnetic coupling of the antenna with an RF field generated by a master unit, and an electronics package. The electronics package is powered by the energy storage unit, and it includes a sensor, a processor that is capable of acquiring data from the sensor, and a transmitter connected to the processor and to the antenna, wherein the energy storage unit is capable of storing sufficient energy to supply power for the processor to format a message containing data acquired from the sensor and for the transmitter to transmit the message wirelessly via the antenna.