Abstract: A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary aircraft transport jack includes a vertical structure having a vertical axis, a bottom end, and a top end, a connector above the bottom end operable to detachably secure the vertical structure to an aircraft member, a wheel assembly with wheels positioned on opposing sides of the vertical structure, and an actuator coupled to the vertical structure and the wheel assembly and operable to move the wheel assembly axially relative to the vertical structure between a lowered position with the wheels on a ground and a raised position with the bottom end on the ground and the wheels above the ground.

Abstract: A drive system has a gearbox, comprising a passage therethrough, a coupling shaft disposed at least partially within the passage and a first coupling carried by a first end of the coupling shaft. The first coupling is configured to accommodate misalignment. The drive system also has a second coupling carried by a second end of the coupling shaft. The second coupling is also configured to accommodate misalignment.

Abstract: A flip guard safety system for preventing inadvertent actuation of an aircraft switch. The flip guard safety system includes a flip guard having a cover that pivots between a guarded positions in which the cover protects the aircraft switch against inadvertent actuation and an unguarded position in which the cover provides access to the aircraft switch. A flip guard safety has a gate that pivots between a closed position in which the gate retains the cover in the guarded position and an open position in which the gate does not retain the cover in the guarded position, such that the cover is pivotable from the guarded position to the unguarded position. The gate pivots from the closed position to the open position in a first direction and the cover pivots from the guarded position to the unguarded position a second direction that is opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.

Abstract: A nonintegral cold plate is described for providing cooling of battery charging. The nonintegrated cold plate can receive and circulate coolant against a surface of a battery or of a vehicle. After charging the nonintegrated cold plate can be removed to save weight on the vehicle's payload.

Abstract: A system can include a flight controller for an aircraft that includes an electric motor that drives blades with a variable pitch, where the flight controller receives a command to change a flight characteristic of the aircraft and creates a torque command and a revolutions per minute (RPM) command. The system can also include a propulsion assembly, where the propulsion assembly creates a current command based at least in part on the torque command and the RPM command, creates a blade pitch command based at least in part on the torque command and the RPM command, communicates the current command to the electric motor to change a mechanical output of the electric motor, and communicates the blade pitch command to blade actuators to control the pitch of the blades. The current command and the blade pitch command cause the blades of the aircraft to rotate at a predetermined RPM.

Abstract: A rotorcraft has a drive system including a main rotor coupled to a main rotor gearbox to rotate the main rotor at a rotor speed, a main engine coupled to the drive system to provide a first power, a supplemental engine coupled, when a first clutch is engaged, to the drive system to provide a second power additive to the first power, and a control system operable to control the main engine and the supplemental engine to provide a total power demand, where the main engine is controlled based on variations in rotor speed and a power compensation command to produce the first power, and the supplemental engine is controlled to produce the second power in response to a supplemental power demand.

Abstract: A battery casing for accommodating at least one battery component in a battery casing volume, said battery casing having at least one plastic battery casing shell, which at least partly defines the battery casing volume, and at least one fastening device for attaching the battery component to the battery housing shell, the battery casing being characterized in that the battery casing shell includes at least one reinforcing structure which extends into the battery casing volume, and the fastening device is supported on the reinforcing structure. The present invention further discloses a traction battery for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle having a traction battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated placement of composite material on a surface of a component, the composite material including unidirectional fibers, is provided. A set of fiber paths along the surface is established, the set of fiber paths comprising at least one ply, each ply comprising a respective plurality of fiber paths being substantially aligned with a respective direction. An isotropy factor for the component is determined based on the set of fiber paths, the isotropy factor being indicative of a distribution of the plurality of fiber paths on the surface. When the isotropy factor exceeds a predetermined threshold, a respective layer of composite material is applied to the surface of the component using an automated fiber placement machine and for each of the at least one ply, wherein the unidirectional fibers of the composite material are applied along the set of fiber paths.

Abstract: A rotorcraft has a rotor blade having a spar comprising an internal space. A weight system is disposed within the spar and the weight system includes a weight tray having an open top, a weight guide rod connected to the weight tray. The weight guide rod extends in a spanwise direction through an interior of the weight tray and a weight is disposed on the weight guide rod and vertically captured by at least one side wall of the weight tray. The weight guide rod is insertable into the weight tray from a location above the weight tray to restrict longitudinal movement of the weight guide rod relative to the weight tray.

Abstract: A landing wheel assembly for a rotorcraft having a light on gear phase during takeoff and landing includes a tire and an anti-roll oscillation rim. The tire has first and second side walls and forms a center aperture. The anti-roll oscillation rim includes a center disc disposed in the aperture of the tire, a first side wall support plate protruding from the center disc and extending at least 25 percent of the vertical length of the first side wall of the tire and a second side wall support plate protruding from the center disc and extending at least 25 percent of the vertical length of the second side wall of the tire. The first and second side wall support plates support the first and second side walls, respectively, to stiffen the tire in the light on gear phase of takeoff and landing, thereby reducing roll oscillations of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe having at least one wing. A distributed propulsion system is attached to the airframe and includes first and second pluralities of propulsion assemblies. In a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies generates vertical thrust with rotor assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a horizontal plane and rotor assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a parallel horizontal plane. In a forward flight mode, each of the propulsion assemblies generates forward thrust with the rotor assemblies of the first plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a vertical plane and the rotor assemblies of the second plurality of propulsion assemblies rotating in a parallel vertical plane. In both the vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and the forward flight mode, a pod assembly coupled to the airframe remains in a generally horizontal attitude.

Abstract: One embodiment is an aircraft comprising a fuselage; a rotor system connected to the fuselage and comprising at least one rotor blade; a pilot input device; a single hydraulic servo actuator in mechanical communication with the pilot input device and the rotor system for providing force assistance in connection with the pilot input device; and a magnetorheological (MR) actuator in mechanical communication with the pilot input device and the rotor system for providing auto pilot assistance in connection with the pilot input device; wherein subsequent to detection of a failure of the single hydraulic servo actuator, the MR actuator is caused to provide force assistance to the pilot input device.

Abstract: A tailsitter aircraft includes an airframe having first and second wings with first and second pylons extending therebetween, a thrust array attached to the airframe, payloads and payload saddle assemblies coupled to the pylons each configured to secure a respective payload. The thrust array includes propulsion assemblies configured to transition the airframe between a forward flight orientation for wing-borne lift and a VTOL orientation for thrust-borne lift. Each payload saddle assembly includes a latch assembly and a retainer configured to secure the respective payload against a respective pylon. A latch assembly is movable between various positions including an open position and a closed position and is configured to secure the respective payload in the closed position and release the respective payload in the open position. Each latch assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position to release the respective payload in the VTOL orientation.

Abstract: A track door system for an aircraft includes a door having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A first roller track and a second roller track are aligned adjacent one another on the first side of the door. A third roller track and a fourth roller track are aligned adjacent one another on the second side of the door. A first motion driver is configured to move the door along the first roller track and the second roller track. A second motion driver is configured to move the door along the third roller track and the fourth roller track. A drive unit is operatively coupled to the first motion driver and the second motion driver to provide electromechanical power for cooperatively moving the door forward to an open position or aft to a closed position.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage, a pylon, a wing positioned between the fuselage and the pylon, and a plurality of drive shafts located inside the wing and adapted to drive a rotor associated with the pylon.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a break-in assembly to break-in a gear box. The break-in assembly includes a gear box support to support the gear box. The break-in assembly further includes a drive apparatus coupled with the gear box support, the drive apparatus being constructed and arranged to drive the gear box while the gear box is supported by the gear box support. The break-in assembly further includes a loading apparatus disposed in a fixed position relative to the gear box support, the loading apparatus being constructed and arranged to apply loading to the gear box while the drive apparatus drives the gear box. Accordingly, the gear box may be installed on the break-in assembly, broken in during a gear box break-in period while the gear box is installed on the break-in assembly, removed from the break-in assembly, and installed on a water vessel.