Abstract: An aircraft fuel system comprises an integrated sensor assembly incorporating a housing. The housing receives a circuit board, a temperature sensor, a point level sensor and a fuel density sensor. A first fuel height sensor is positioned outwardly of the housing.

Abstract: A method for accurately determining a density of a fuel includes obtaining dielectric constant versus density characteristics of the fuel at a first location and measuring a dielectric constant of the fuel at a second location. The environmental conditions at the second location differ from environmental conditions at the first location. Density of the fuel at the second location is inferred using the dielectric constant of the fuel at the second location and the dielectric constant versus density characteristics of the fuel at the first location.

Abstract: Generally, a system and method consistent with the present disclosure may provide a relatively low cost, relatively robust data acquisition and analysis system useful for condition-based maintenance. The system may be useful for condition-based maintenance in industrial applications, e.g., of equipment and/or machinery. The industrial monitoring system may be used, for example, to monitor a condition of rotating machinery, e.g., a wind turbine. The system and method may include data analysis that may be useful for anticipating a need for maintenance, repair and/or replacement of one or more components.

Abstract: A channel management method includes determining utilization of a primary wireless channel, determining utilization of one or more secondary wireless channels, and comparing utilization of the primary wireless channel with utilization of the each of the one or more secondary wireless channels. If utilization of a secondary wireless channel of the one or more secondary wireless channels is lower than the utilization of the primary channel, data communication between a data concentrator and a remote wireless node is routed from the primary channel to the secondary channel.

Abstract: A remote data concentrator includes a front end interface, a plurality of back end interfaces and a control circuit. The front end interface is configured to receive optical energy as input and provide optical data as output to an optical link. The plurality of back end interfaces are configured to connect to a plurality of sensors. Each of the plurality of back end interfaces are configured to provide sensor power to the plurality of sensors and receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors. The control circuit is configured to provide power from the front end interface to the plurality of back end interfaces and to provide the sensor data from the plurality of back end interfaces to the front end interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to compressing a sequence of binary data by encoding difference values between adjacent data in the sequence. For each datum in the sequence, the difference value may be determined by comparing the datum with an immediately preceding datum. For data, the determined difference may be expressible using few bits. The determined difference is encoded in subwords having subword lengths selected from a set of predetermined subword lengths. The selected subword lengths may be a minimum one of the set of predetermined subword sizes that is capable of representing the difference between the adjacent data. A size tag is generated for each subword encoded. The size tag identifies the size of the subword selected and used for encoding the determined difference. The difference may be encoded as a mathematical difference or as a bit pattern difference.

Abstract: An interface circuit for a bridge sensor has a switch that connects to a resistive bridge circuit. The resistive bridge circuit includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a pair of resistive branches that connect between the first and second input terminals. Both of the resistive branches include an output terminal. The switch is connected to the first input terminal and is in series with both resistive branches for connecting and disconnecting a voltage source from the resistive branch output terminals.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes an actuator body, a ram, and a cross pin. The actuator body has an internal axial cavity bounded by an actuator body wall and defines a pivot axis. A longitudinal slot extends along a portion of the length of the actuator body wall and is in communication with the internal axial cavity. The ram is slidably received within the axial cavity of the actuator body. The cross pin is mounted to the ram and extends laterally from the ram and into the longitudinal slot for converting linear motion of the ram into rotational motion about the pivot axis for displacing a control surface of an air vehicle.

Abstract: A method of visualizing track and balance performance includes receiving data indicating track and balance of a rotary blade and receiving a constraint. A first performance level based on the data is determined. A second performance level based on the data and the constraint is determined. The first and second performance levels are displayed on a display unit for visualizing differences between the first and second performance levels.

Abstract: A mount for holding a display device includes a main support, a plurality of arms, and a locking assembly. The main support includes a front surface and a rear surface. The plurality of arms extends from a periphery of the main support. The main support and the plurality of arms are configured to retain the display device. The locking assembly is connected to the rear surface of the main support, and is configured to secure the display device. The locking assembly includes a locking arm and a locking mechanism. The locking arm is translatable relative to the main support, and is configured to support the display device in a secured position. The locking mechanism is connected to the locking arm. The locking mechanism includes a lever connected to the locking arm for releasing the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a rotary blade includes receiving performance data for a rotary blade, receiving an adjustment constraint for the rotary blade, defining an adjustment space for alternative adjustment solutions for the rotary blade including a plurality of alternative adjustment solutions, and calculating expected performance for one of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions. Based on the expected performance of the one of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions, the method determines whether to calculate expected performance for another of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions.

Abstract: A system for filtering data according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a data module configured to access vehicle data in a database according to a query input, a display module configured to display the vehicle data in an environment, and a query module configured to generate the query input according to an interactive list of filter statements. Each filter statement in the interactive list of filter statements is selectable from a group of filter types. The group of filter types is configured to dynamically update in response to at least one selection from the group of filter types. A method of filtering data is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator includes a drum defining a longitudinal axis and having axially opposed first and second end portions that are rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis. A shape memory element is wrapped around the drum and extends from the first end portion of the drum to the second end portion of the drum to actuate relative rotation of the first and second end portions of the drum about the longitudinal axis by activation of the shape memory element.

Abstract: A multi-stage drive includes a linear actuator configured for linear movement along an actuation axis, and a control surface. The control surface is operatively connected to the linear actuator for rotation about a deployment axis in a deployment stage, and for rotation in a control stage about a control axis that is different from the deployment axis, so that movement of the linear actuator along the actuation axis drives rotation of the control surface in both the deployment stage and in the control stage.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes at least one processor and one or more storage devices encoded with instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute a software program comprising three or more segments. Each of the three or more segments includes one or more modules. Each respective module is a member of only one of the three or more segments and implements an interface that enables direct communication between the respective module and modules that are members of any other of the three or more segments. All modules that are members of a respective segment implement a common interface associated with the respective segment.

Abstract: A system and method to implement a scheduling algorithm in a communication network using time division multiple access (TDMA) are described. The system includes a plurality of devices, each device transmitting a packet of data in the communication network, and a memory device to store the scheduling algorithm. The system also includes a processor to execute the scheduling algorithm to form a deterministic packet scheduling scheme, the deterministic packet scheduling scheme being based on a base unit representing a minimum among maximum packet intervals corresponding to the plurality of devices in the communication network.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a baseline for detecting rotating stall using localized information already included within the frequency spectrum. Namely, ratiometric measures, i.e., quadratic coefficients obtained from weighted quadratic regression of sub-synchronous spectrum and/or information obtained through peak detections, are used to detect rotating stall. These ratiometric measures are configured to isolate changes caused by rotating stall from those caused by other operational conditions. As a result, new baseline information can be established to more reliably characterize a system, such as a system with associated turbines or compressors. Empirical or statistical approaches can be combined to automate the process of obtaining a new baseline and to detect rotating stall.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a new and useful line replaceable unit (LRU) including an LRU case defining an interior compartment for housing critical function circuit card assemblies and including a back plane wall and opposed interface wall. At least one critical function circuit card assembly (CCA) is housed within the LRU case. The critical function CCA includes an input output connector mounted in proximity to the interface wall, as well as a backplane connector. The LRU includes a backplane CCA operatively connected to each backplane connector of the at least one critical function CCA. The backplane CCA is configured and adapted to provide operative communication among multiple critical function CCA's. The critical function CCA's can be mounted to the LRU case proximate the interface wall and the backplane wall to be mechanically and electrically isolated from one another except for connections provided by the backplane CCA.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by an inventory management system (IMS) program executing on a computing device, a remaining useful life (RUL) formulation for a part of a machine that estimates an amount of time for which the part will continue to perform its intended function and a potential unscheduled maintenance event. The method also includes receiving, by the IMS program, replacement part order lead time data and anticipated replacement part inventory level data from a part inventory database. The method also includes determining, by the IMS program and based on the RUL formulation, the replacement part order lead time data, and the anticipated part replacement inventory level data, that an order for a replacement part should be initiated.

Abstract: A power system includes a first energy harvester, a second energy harvester, a power conditioning unit, and a load. The first energy harvester is configured to produce a first voltage. The second energy harvester is configured to produce a second voltage. The first voltage is greater than the second voltage. The power conditioning unit is configured to condition power produced by the second energy harvester. The power conditioning unit is powered by the first voltage. The load is configured to receive the conditioned power from the power conditioning unit.