Abstract: Systems and methods are configured for power distribution in a hybrid fixed-wing VTOL drone aircraft. A drone aircraft includes two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the internal combustion engine is shut off while an electric motor-based VTOL system provides lift and thrust. In a second mode of operation, an internal combustion engine provides thrust while a set of fixed wings provide lift. In the second mode of operation, mechanical power from the internal combustion engine provides for power generation to charge an electrical battery to power the electric motor-based VTOL system.

Abstract: A composite core assembly includes a composite core structure having internal material interfaces and an attachment rail coupled to the composite core structure. The attachment rail includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface adjoined with the first planar surface. The first planar surface is arranged parallel to an internal material interface plane of the composite core structure, and the first planar portion is at least partially integrated into the composite core structure in an internal material interface plane. At least a portion of the first planar surface extends beyond a perimeter surface of the composite core structure, and the second planar surface is configured to attach to the surrounding support member. The core material does not have net edge facets or flat edges positioned next to surrounding structure, and/or may not have a structure arranged parallel to the adjacent support structure to attach to the support structure.

Abstract: A steerable beam antenna includes a plurality of semiconductor chips arranged along a longitudinal axis. Each of the chips has a ground plane on its upper surface, and is doped to form an array of semiconductor switches arranged along the longitudinal axis. A corresponding array of scattering elements, each having a first leg and a second leg, is mounted on each chip along the longitudinal axis. A first electrode of each switch is configured for connection to a control circuit, a second electrode is connected to the ground plane, and a third electrode is connected to the first leg of one of the array of scattering elements, the second leg of which is connected to the ground plane. A dielectric element is mounted on the antenna chips along the longitudinal axis above the arrays of switches and scattering elements and is separated from the scattering elements by an air gap.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage having a first side and a second side, a first arm disposed on a first side of the fuselage, wherein the first arm is coupled to one or more first propellers, wherein the first arm is adapted to move between a first folded position in which the first arm is in a folded state inside the fuselage and a first extended position in which a first section of the first arm and the one or more first propellers are outside the fuselage, and a second arm disposed on the second side of the fuselage, wherein the second arm is coupled to one or more second propellers, wherein the second arm is adapted to move between a second folded position in which the second arm is in a folded state inside the fuselage and a second extended position in which a second section of the second arm and the one or more second propellers are outside the fuselage.

Abstract: A VTOL drone aircraft can include a rechargeable battery, a primary processor, lift propellers, an internal combustion engine with a thrust propeller, a generator, and a power regulation controller. The generator can receive power from the internal combustion engine and deliver electrical power to the rechargeable battery, the lift propellers, or both. The power regulation controller can regulate dynamically power delivery from the internal combustion engine to the thrust propeller and the generator, and from the generator to the rechargeable battery based upon changing conditions during flight. The power regulation controller can prevent operation of the generator when peak power is needed from the internal combustion engine for the thrust propeller. The power regulation controller can also control a clutch coupled to the thrust propeller to regulate the delivery of power to the thrust propeller when the internal combustion engine is active.

Abstract: A communication system utilizing unified gateways bridges communication gaps between data transmitters having differing transmission, security, data format, overhead restrictions and performance metrics by dynamically determining optimal data paths for the data being routed. The unified gateways can also dynamically alter data packages to upgrade/downgrade security standards, alter transmission networks, translate data to match recipient requirements and split/combine data to optimize data throughput using disparate systems.

Abstract: An imaging system for a moving vehicle aggregates pre-existing data with sensor data to provide an image of the surrounding environment in real-time. The pre-existing data are combined with data from one or more 3-D sensors, and 2-D information from a camera, to create a scene model that is rendered for display. The system accepts data from a 3-D sensor, transforms the data into a 3-D data structure, fuses the pre-existing scene data with the 3-D data structure and 2-D image data from a 2-D sensor to create a combined scene model, and renders the combined scene model for display. The system may also weight aspects of data from first and second sensors to select at least one aspect from the first sensor and another aspect from the second sensor; wherein fusing the pre-existing scene data with the sensor data uses the selected aspect from the first sensor and the selected aspect from the second sensor.

Abstract: A live virtual constructive (LVC) gateway system is configured to transparently separate, merge, and route data traffic between operator systems, live tactical Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) systems, and simulated tactical LRU systems. The LVC gateway is configured to receive LRU commands from an operator system, parse, the commands, and reconstruct the commands suitable for transmission to live or simulated tactical LRU systems. The LVC gateway is also configured to receive live and simulated status and target data from live tactical LRU and simulated tactical LRU systems, respectively, and merge the data for transmission to an operator system.

Abstract: Mobile systems and methods are adapted to control and document prehospital patient care reports and communication of patient status to a receiving medical treatment facility. The systems and methods relate to systems and methods for managing, recording, and administering drugs such as narcotics in an ambulatory and/or emergency environment.

Abstract: A steerable beam antenna includes a plurality of semiconductor chips arranged along a longitudinal axis. Each of the chips has a ground plane on its upper surface, and is doped to form an array of semiconductor switches arranged along the longitudinal axis. A corresponding array of scattering elements, each having a first leg and a second leg, is mounted on each chip along the longitudinal axis. A first electrode of each switch is configured for connection to a control circuit, a second electrode is connected to the ground plane, and a third electrode is connected to the first leg of one of the array of scattering elements, the second leg of which is connected to the ground plane. A dielectric element is mounted on the antenna chips along the longitudinal axis above the arrays of switches and scattering elements and is separated from the scattering elements by an air gap.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods to separate liquid from a liquid/gas mixture, particularly in a low gravity environment. The apparatus includes a chamber having a capillary channel around a perimeter of the chamber, a liquid/gas inlet to the chamber, a liquid outlet from the chamber, the liquid outlet being positioned at the perimeter of the chamber to remove liquid from the capillary channel, and a gas outlet from the chamber. The gas outlet is positioned in the chamber, away from the capillary channel, to remove gas from the chamber. The chamber is structured to be readily fabricated using traditional machining techniques or additive manufacturing techniques. The chamber may be fabricated from various materials, including, for example, polymers, metals, composites, and ceramics. The chamber may function as a heat exchanger so that the apparatus can remove condensable vapors from the gas in the mixture in addition to what is already liquid.

Abstract: A full band waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) includes first, second, and third waveguide sections coupled to one another, the first, second, and third waveguide sections respectively having a first port, a second port, and a third port. A first wire grid polarizer in the first waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having a first polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. A second wire grid polarizer in the second waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having the second polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having the first polarization. The third waveguide section is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having the first polarization and/or the second polarization.

Abstract: A full band waveguide orthomode transducer (OMT) includes first, second, and third waveguide sections coupled to one another, the first, second, and third waveguide sections respectively having a first port, a second port, and a third port. A first wire grid polarizer in the first waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having a first polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. A second wire grid polarizer in the second waveguide section is transparent to electromagnetic signals having the second polarization and reflective of electromagnetic signals having the first polarization. The third waveguide section is configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals having the first polarization and/or the second polarization.

Abstract: A composite core assembly includes a composite core structure having internal material interfaces and an attachment rail coupled to the composite core structure. The attachment rail includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface adjoined with the first planar surface. The first planar surface is arranged parallel to an internal material interface plane of the composite core structure, and the first planar portion is at least partially integrated into the composite core structure in an internal material interface plane. At least a portion of the first planar surface extends beyond a perimeter surface of the composite core structure, and the second planar surface is configured to attach to the surrounding support member. The core material does not have net edge facets or flat edges positioned next to surrounding structure, and/or may not have a structure arranged parallel to the adjacent support structure to attach to the support structure.

Abstract: An imaging system for a moving vehicle aggregates pre-existing data with sensor data to provide an image of the surrounding environment in real-time. The pre-existing data are combined with data from one or more 3-D sensors, and 2-D information from a camera, to create a scene model that is rendered for display. The system accepts data from a 3-D sensor, transforms the data into a 3-D data structure, fuses the pre-existing scene data with the 3-D data structure and 2-D image data from a 2-D sensor to create a combined scene model, and renders the combined scene model for display. The system may also weight aspects of data from first and second sensors to select at least one aspect from the first sensor and another aspect from the second sensor; wherein fusing the pre-existing scene data with the sensor data uses the selected aspect from the first sensor and the selected aspect from the second sensor.