Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling an aircraft. The systems and methods utilize a touch screen instrument panel to display information to pilots or other users, and to receive input from the user for controlling the aircraft and its components. The systems and methods include synoptic user interface panels that provide graphical or symbolic representations of the aircraft, its components, and subsystems, and display information regarding their configuration, condition, and status. The users may interact with the synoptic user interface panels through the touch screen instrument panel to control the various components of the aircraft.

Abstract: A present system of the present application provides for reticulating adhesive to the surface network of cellular core. As such, the present invention allows for substantial improvements over prior systems. The present invention may be implemented with any aircraft, wind turbine, rocket, space satellite, or land vehicle, but there is nothing within the spirit and scope of the present invention limiting it to any particular application. The teachings of the present invention are useful to any composite structure utilizing cellular core.

Abstract: A system includes an engine cover covering a side-facing rotorcraft engine and having an opening and an ice protection member mounted on the engine cover between the opening and the engine, an area of the ice protection member smaller than an area of the opening. The ice protection member is configured to partially cover the opening to prevent ice having a particular size from entering into the engine and to allow air flow downstream into the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating-fluid container (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a container body which is assembled from two mutually complementary injection-molded shells (2a, 2b) which consist of thermoplastic material and are welded together in an encircling manner to form a substantially closed hollow body, wherein at least one shell (2a, 2b) is at least in regions formed from thermoplastic materials having different strengths, wherein at least one part-region consists of a thermoplastic material having a fibrous filling, wherein the shell (2a, 2b) has been obtained by way of a co-injection process during injection molding.

Abstract: An air intake system (AIS) has a plenum and an inlet barrier filter associated with the plenum, through which air can selectively enter the plenum. The AIS also has an inlet duct associated with the plenum, through which air can selectively enter the plenum. The AIS also has a bypass door associated with the inlet duct, the bypass door being configured to selectively change an amount of air allowed to pass through the inlet duct. The AIS also has a filter airflow change device configured to change an amount of airflow allowed through the inlet barrier filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a flight control system, a hybrid electrical or hybrid hydraulic propulsion system, and three ducted fan configuration. Each of two ducted fore fans include a single rotor system having multiple rotor blades, and a single ducted aft fan includes dual, coaxial, counter-rotating rotor systems each having multiple rotor blades. The aircraft is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that is capable of operation in an airplane mode and a helicopter mode and designed to provide an urban air-taxi that would relieve ground traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and increase productivity, thereby providing a faster, more efficient means of transportation.

Abstract: A pedestal assembly for receiving a pylon assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter mode and an airplane mode, the tiltrotor aircraft having an airframe including a fuselage and a wing. The pedestal assembly includes an inboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The inboard pedestal includes an inboard bearing assembly disposed within an inboard pillow block housing. The pedestal assembly also includes an outboard pedestal supported by the airframe and positioned above the wing. The outboard pedestal includes an outboard bearing assembly disposed within an outboard pillow block housing. The inboard and outboard bearing assemblies are operable to receive the pylon assembly therein such that the pylon assembly is rotatably mounted between the inboard and outboard pedestals to selectively operate the tiltrotor aircraft between the helicopter mode and the airplane mode.

Abstract: A method of selectively preventing flapping of a rotor hub includes providing a flapping lock proximate to a rotor hub and shaft assembly and moving the flapping lock from an unlocked position to a locked position, the flapping lock operable in the locked position to prevent at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft, the flapping lock operable in the unlocked position to allow the at least some flapping movement of the rotor hub relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A drive shaft includes a plurality of external crowned spline teeth configured for transmitting torque in a drive system such that contact stress can remain substantially even as misalignments occur. The drive shaft can be manufactured by forming a groove in a drive shaft blank in a direction perpendicular to the side faces of the spline teeth being formed. The resulting spline teeth can have crowned side-wall surfaces that have equal crown drops along the height of the side walls of the spline teeth.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an actuation system includes a an actuator assembly, a yoke, and a control rod. The actuator assembly comprises a first actuator. The first actuator is configured to extend in a first direction and retract in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The yoke is coupled to the first actuator at a first actuator end proximate to the first direction. The control rod is coupled to the yoke at a first control rod end and extends in the second direction past the actuator assembly to a second end in mechanical communication with an output device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotorcraft front windshield comprises an optically-transparent material having a non-uniform thickness profile such that the front windshield is a first thickness at a first position and a second thickness at a second position, the first thickness being different from the second thickness.

Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a body and a retaining device. The retaining device is secured to the body for placement along a surface. The body is configured to flex between a relaxed state and a compressed state. The body is compressed between two external surfaces in a compressed state to maintain the alignment and position of the retaining device without the fastener. The flexure of the body causes the body to exert an outward spring force against the external surfaces sufficient to maintain the location of the retaining devices before insertion of a fastener. The fastening assembly includes the fastener for insertion into the retaining device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an empennage attachment system features an aft attachment mechanism and a forward attachment system. The aft attachment mechanism is configured to be coupled to a tail section of a body of an aircraft and to an empennage proximate to an aft spar of the empennage. The aft attachment mechanism defines a pitch axis such that the aft attachment mechanism allows the empennage to rotate about the pitch axis. The forward attachment system is configured to be coupled to the tail section of the body and to the empennage proximate to a forward spar of the empennage. The forward attachment system is configured to restrict rotation of the empennage about the pitch axis to an allowable range of motion.

Abstract: The present invention includes an air flow bypass for a tiltrotor engine comprising: a ram air inlet comprising bypass door(s) capable of at least partially or fully blocking a ram air flow through the ram air inlet; a barrier filter inlet positioned in a side, a bottom, and/or a top of a tiltrotor engine nacelle; a filter plenum; a selector duct comprising one or more openings; and one or more selector duct doors or covers over the one or more openings; wherein the barrier filter inlet, the filter plenum, the one or more openings in the selector duct, the selector duct, and an engine are in fluid communication and the bypass door(s) in the ram inlet are closed and the barrier filter inlet provides filtered air flow to the engine when the aircraft is in hover operations.

Abstract: A modular latch system has an activation module comprising an activation rod, a latch module comprising a biased latch, and a control cable connecting the activation module to the latch module so that rotation of the activation rod can retract the latch.

Abstract: A latch system has a pin movable along a pin axis, a control rod connected to the pin, a control wall comprising a control aperture comprising a lock hole joined to an unlock hole by a rod channel, and a control knob biased toward the pin, wherein the control knob comprises a lock tip sized to fit within each of the lock hole and the unlock hole.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter apparatus (10) for a liquid vessel (30), in particular for aqueous urea solution. The filter apparatus (10) comprises a filter housing (11) having a through opening (12), and a liquid-permeable and air-impermeable filter element (16) which is connected to the filter housing (11) in such a way that the filter element (16) closes the through opening (12) of said filter housing (11) at least partially, with the result that the through opening (12) is liquid-permeable and air-impermeable. The filter apparatus (10) comprises, furthermore, at least one liquid outlet connection (17) which is fluidically connected to the through opening (12) of the filter housing (11). The filter apparatus (10) according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that it comprises a heating device (20; 21, 22) which is connected directly to the filter housing (11) and/or is integrated into the filter housing (11).

Abstract: An aircraft rotor mast assembly that includes a composite rotor mast and a rotor housing surrounding the rotor mast. The rotor mast includes a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween. The rotor mast includes a plurality of circular openings proximate the first end to accommodate bolts for the fixation of a rotor hub to the rotor mast. The second end of the rotor mast includes a flange, wherein the flange defines a plurality of openings therethrough to accommodate the attachment of the rotor mast to a transmission.