Abstract: In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator/repeater mode of operation. In the laser designator/repeater mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether a laser appointer energy is detected as being present on the target. The laser appointer energy signal is generated at a wavelength that is consistent with the wavelength of the laser rangefinder of the munition, and is generated based on the detected presence of a designator signal at a designator spot on the target. The laser appointer signal is directed to the designator spot and detected by the munition laser rangefinder receiver. In one embodiment, the repeater system for detecting the designator signal and for generating the appointer signal is provided on the delivery vehicle for the submunition.

Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for suppressing an external acoustic signature of an aircraft having at least one pair of non-intermeshing multiple-blade rotors. During operation of the aircraft, the at least one pair of rotors are rotated in an asymmetrically indexed manner that causes the blades of one of each pair of rotors to be consistently out of phase from the blades of the other of each pair of rotors. The selected amount in degrees of asymmetrical indexing is equal to the desired phasing in degrees divided by a number of blades of one of the rotors.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator has an armored section having concentric cylinders and an unarmored section having a cylinder with a frangible piston and a frangible upper gland nut. The hydraulic actuator may have leakage vents adapted to prevent leakage between hydraulic systems used to power the cylinders. The hydraulic actuator also may have a gland seal for sealing an end of the cylinder of the unarmored section and a sensing port adapted for allowing detection of fluid leaking due to damage of the gland seal.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument support and storage apparatus for a vehicle driven by a human driver who occupies a driver's seat of the vehicle provides a frame having a plate configured for attachment to a selected vehicle. The frame has a plurality of docking station positions. A rotary bearing is attachable to the vehicle. An instrument support includes a support panel and an arm having an inner and outer end portions, the arm inner end portion being connected to the rotary bearing. The instrument support panel is affixed to the outer end portion of the support arm. The instrument support has a locking portion that interlocks the instrument support to a selected one of the docking stations. An interlock of the instrument support with one docking station places the instrument support panel in front of the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-retaining anti-rotation clip for a spherical-bearing rod end has two opposing spacer plates, each spacer plate having a curved edge portion for surrounding at least a portion of a ball of the rod end. A connector plate connects the spacer plates, such that the spacer plates are spaced from each other and generally parallel to each other. A retainer is carried on the clip and adapted for retaining each spacer plate in a position generally adjacent one side of a body of the rod end, such that the spacer plates are free from interference with the ball of the rod end.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for suppressing vibration in an aircraft having at least one pair of multiple-blade rotors. The first step of the method is to install in the aircraft at least one pair of vibration suppression devices to form a system, the devices of each system being mounted on opposing sides of the aircraft. Then, during operation of the aircraft, the next step is to rotate the at least one pair of rotors in a manner that causes the blades one of each pair of rotors to be out of phase from the other of each pair of rotors. The final step is to use the system to suppress vibrations caused by the out-of-phase rotation of the rotors.

Abstract: A process for bonding a vented hollow component includes placing a preformed component with an aircraft skin on a tool surface, with bonding agent applied between the component and the skin. A vacuum bag is sealed about a vent in the preformed component. The vent may be formed through the vacuum bag and the component, or the vent may be preexisting (i.e., an open end of the preformed component or an aperture through the component). The vacuum bag is sealed to the tool surface with a temporary seal or adhesive, to enclose the preformed component and the skin. A vacuum is applied within the bagging material, to compress the preformed component with the aircraft skin, and the bagged assembly is autoclaved to cure the bonding agent. The vent in the preformed component facilitates pressure equalization within and outside of the component to enhance compression against the aircraft skin.

Abstract: An abrasive article is disclosed that is suitable for cleaning, sanding, scraping, or other such process of removing an outer layer or adherent matter. The abrasive article includes a plurality of abrasive particles at least partially embedded in a frozen liquid.

Abstract: An electronically controlled speed limiting system for a turf maintenance machine includes at least one traction motor rotating a wheel. At least one hydraulic pump in fluid communication with the traction motor provides hydraulic fluid to operate the traction motor. At least one actuator in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump varies an output of the hydraulic pump. A controller in communication with the actuator commands the actuator to control the output of the hydraulic pump and thereby an operating speed of the wheel. A brake is activated by the controller if a wheel speed sensor signals the wheel is slip-spinning, to mitigate turf damage. A steering position sensor signal is used by the controller to modify brake activation during machine turns. An inclinometer signal is used by the controller to automatically reduce machine speed on inclined surfaces.

Abstract: A panel-mounted control stick for aircraft providing for roll and pitch input that emulates the response of a traditional floor-mounted control stick. The panel-mounted control stick incorporates a pitch beam input assembly and a roll input assembly for translating the movements of the control stick into movements of aircraft control surfaces.

Abstract: An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected improvised explosive device (IED) emplacement activity within the area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The base station is operable to detect if the signals received from the sensors are indicative of IED emplacement activity or some other activity that is not typically associated with IED emplacement activity. In the event that the base station detects activity that is indicative of IED emplacement activity, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IEDs or apprehend the perpetrators in the act.

Abstract: A damper has a piston having an axis, an outer surface, and opposing ends. Elastomeric seals are in sealing contact with the outer surface of the piston, the seals being coaxial with the piston and limiting movement of the piston to a path along the axis of the piston. The seals also define fluid chambers adjacent the ends of the piston. A primary passage communicates the fluid chambers, and a selectively switchable valve for controls a flow of fluid from one of the chambers to another of the chambers through the primary passage. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals.

Abstract: Known tank flanges have a main filter which has a filter housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a first connecting duct for connecting the main filter to a feed unit. The filter housing is integrated in the tank flange, and filter fabric is inserted into the filter housing and the filter housing is closed off by a filter cover. The inlet of the filter housing is connected to the pressure side of a feed unit and the outlet leads to an internal combustion engine. A disadvantage is that, in order to exchange the filter fabric, the large-area filter cover must be opened, as a result of which a large amount of fuel vapor is dissipated to the atmosphere. In the case of the tank flange according to the invention, the exchangeability of the main filter is simplified by virtue of the main filter being embodied as a filter cartridge. It is provided according to the invention that the inlet of the main filter extends into the first connecting duct of the tank flange and therein forms a sealed connection.

Abstract: A process for bonding aircraft components with a surface, such as an aircraft skin, includes positioning the skin on a tool surface and placing a floorless component on the skin, with bonding agent therebetween. A vacuum bag is placed within the floorless component via a vent in the component, and sealed with opposing inner, lower walls of the component, creating a sealed surface over the skin within the component. Additional vacuum bags seal between lower, exterior legs of the floorless component and either (a) the tool surface (enclosing the skin) or (b) lower walls of adjacent aircraft components. Lower, opposing sides of the adjacent component are also bagged, and loose bag ends are sealed to the tool surface, such that the skin and all feet of the aircraft components are enclosed in vacuum bagging material. The bagged assembly is autoclave cured to bond the aircraft components with the skin.

Abstract: A system and method to control flight of an aircraft. The aircraft having an engine with a rotatably nozzle assembly configured to create forward propulsion and yaw control of the aircraft. The engine exhaust passing through the nozzle is redirected with a valve disposed within the nozzle. Lift is created with a lift system carried by the wing of the aircraft. Additional lift is created during flight with a retractable wing extension disposed within the wing of the aircraft.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic debulking a composite laminate includes the steps of defining a path across the laminate, the path having a starting location and an ending location and applying a force to and transmitting ultrasonic vibration into the laminate along the path, beginning at the starting location and ending at the ending location. The method further includes determining a temperature of a surface of the laminate proximate to the path and varying at least one of an amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration, the applied force, a feed rate at which the force and the ultrasonic vibration are applied along the path, an angle at which the ultrasonic vibration is applied to the laminate, and an interval at which plies of the laminate are processed, based upon the determined temperature of the surface of the laminate.

Abstract: An uncured, composite rope includes at least one inner tow of structural fibers of a first material and a plurality of outer tows of structural fibers disposed about the at least one inner tow, the structural fibers of at least one of the plurality of outer tows being made from a second material that is different from the first material. The uncured, composite rope further includes an uncured polymeric resin impregnated into the at least one inner tow and the plurality of outer tows.

Abstract: A flight control system is configured for controlling the flight of an aircraft through windshear conditions. The system has means for measuring values of selected flight performance states of the aircraft and a control system for operating flight control devices on the aircraft. A windshear detection system located on the aircraft uses at least some of the measured values of the selected flight performance states to calculate a gust average during flight for comparison to pre-determined values in a table for determining whether windshear conditions exist. The control system then operates at least some of the flight control devices in response to an output of the windshear detection system.