Abstract: A system and a method for communicating through a plasma sheath formed on a vehicle, include a matching layer disposed on at least a portion of a communication device of the vehicle. The matching layer is configured to generate a resonant frequency in relation to the plasma sheath. A modulator is configured to generate one or more electromagnetic waves that modulate the resonant frequency.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method and system for managing one or more missions of a vehicle. The apparatus includes one or more processors configured to control and manage flight missions and includes an active storage for executing a current mission, and a separate passive storage for subsequent missions. Subsequent missions are cued on the second storage to be validated and may be modified in view of additional information, prior to execution for maintaining positive control over the aircraft. The one or more processors are further configured to store a plurality of missions, including the current mission and a second mission, in a data store of a mission manager, each of the plurality of missions including a task graph having selected tasks to be completed for the mission, and a route map including a route for the vehicle to travel on the mission.

Abstract: A flexible grommet assembly includes a first grommet body and a second grommet body. The first grommet body includes first articulated segments that define a first hinge region. The second grommet body includes second articulated segments that define a second hinge region. The first and second grommet bodies are configured to cooperatively couple to an opening of a panel such that the first and second grommet bodies are flexed about their respective first and second hinge regions to conform to a curvature in the panel.

Abstract: Techniques for sending data over a computer network from an origination computer to a destination computer are presented. The techniques include: receiving a demand communication from the origination computer, where the demand communication specifies at least one network parameter; determining that a path through the network from the origination computer to the destination computer that complies with the at least one network parameter is not available; sending data from the origination computer to a node in the network over a path that complies with the at least one network parameter, where the node is not the destination computer; and storing the data at the node in persistent memory.

Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) tool includes a pin, a housing, and a shoulder. The pin is configured to extend through a joint line between edges of two work pieces. The pin rotates to perform a FSW process that welds the two work pieces together at the joint line. The housing is coupled to a distal end of the pin to enable rotation of the pin relative to the housing. The pin extends through a support surface of the housing. The support surface contacts respective inner surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process. The shoulder surrounds the pin and is configured to be rotated during the FSW process. The shoulder contacts respective outer surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process such that the work pieces are sandwiched between the shoulder and the support surface of the housing.

Abstract: A tool for forming a composite part and a method of making the tool and the composite part are disclosed. The tool includes a top surface that supports the composite part during forming, the top surface comprising a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion arranged on either side of a central part contacting surface; a first integrated heat sink arranged on an opposite surface of the top surface, wherein a shape of the first integrated heat sink is based on a thermal topology optimization process of the tool; a first vacuum port arranged at a first location on the first lateral portion; and a second vacuum port arranged at a second location on the first lateral portion, wherein the first vacuum port and the second vacuum port provide access to a vacuum pump to provide at least a partial vacuum to the top surface during composite part formation.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a flow of a fluid on an external surface of a structure in motion. The structure defines an external side comprising the external surface and an internal side opposed from the external side. The system comprises a fluid dispensing device located on the internal side of the structure. The fluid dispensing device comprises the fluid and a conduit that directs the fluid onto the external surface of the structure. An observation device is located on the external side of the structure. The observation device is positioned to observe the flow of fluid on the external surface of the structure.

Abstract: A method for preparing a bond assembly jig (BAJ) includes forming a cutter relief groove in the BAJ, filling the cutter relief groove of the BAJ with a material, and curing the material after said filling.

Abstract: A molding tool and method for making the molding tool by additive manufacturing is provided. The molding tool includes a tool body having a tooling surface for molding a part, the tool body comprising a eutectic alloy. The method for making the molding tool by additive manufacturing includes forming a first layer of eutectic alloy, the forming comprising depositing the eutectic alloy in liquid form and then cooling for form a solid eutectic alloy; forming an additional layer of the eutectic alloy on the first layer, the forming of the additional layer comprising depositing the eutectic alloy in liquid form and then cooling to form the solid eutectic alloy; and repeating forming an additional layer of the eutectic alloy on the first layer, the forming of the additional layer comprising depositing the eutectic alloy in liquid form and then cooling to form the solid eutectic alloy, and repeating one or more times to form a structure comprising a tool body having a tooling surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting material properties of a part to be additive-manufactured. The method comprises additive-manufacturing a plurality of standard parts, and obtaining thermal profiles at select predetermined locations of physical samples of the plurality of standard parts during additive-manufacturing of the plurality of standard parts. The method also comprises storing the thermal profiles and corresponding material properties of the physical samples of the plurality of standard parts in a database. The method further comprises running a machine-learning algorithm to predict material properties of the part to be additive-manufactured based upon the thermal profiles and corresponding material properties of the physical samples of the plurality of standard parts stored in the database.

Abstract: A method for digitally printing a decorative surface material is disclosed, including providing a substrate to a digital printer, printing a print material onto a top surface of the print substrate, and curing the print material. The method also includes applying an adhesive to a back surface of the decorative print and applying the decorative print to an interior panel. The print material includes a visible or variable image, or a textured surface. The decorative surface material may provide a decorative interior panel for an aerospace vehicle, such as a wall covering. The substrate may include a flame barrier material, aluminum, or fiberglass.

Abstract: A galley assembly is provided for an aircraft. The galley assembly includes a galley including a frame having modular compartments. The galley assembly includes a first module kit configured to be fit to at least one of the modular compartments. The first module kit configures the at least one modular compartment to receive a first component module of a first component type. The galley assembly includes a second module kit configured to be fit to the at least one modular compartment. The second module kit configures the at least one modular compartment to receive a second component module of a second component type that is different than the first component type.

Abstract: Methods and systems for supporting and/or positioning mechanical components or tools, the methods and system employing work stands that have a moveable base, a vertical support member disposed on the moveable base, a support platform attached to an upper end of the vertical support member via a support coupling that permits independent rotational movement of the support platform, a plurality of extendable arms that are each pivotally coupled at a lower end to the vertical support member and pivotally coupled at an upper end to the support platform, and each extendable arm can be independently and controllably extended and retracted. The work stands further include a controller for controllably extending and retracting the extendable arms to position the support platform in a desired orientation, and a user input coupled to the controller and configured so that a user employing the controller can position the support platform in the desired orientation.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by an equipment monitoring system (EMS), first training data and second training data from a plurality of sensors of an article over a first operating interval and over a second operating interval of the article, respectively, appending buffer data to the first training data, and the second training data to the buffer data to provide extended training data, and clustering the extended training data into a plurality of data clusters associated with operational states of the article. Subsequent to clustering, the EMS receives operational data associated with the plurality of sensors of the article over a third operating interval. The EMS determines a particular data cluster of the plurality of data clusters to which the operational data belongs, and communicates data indicative of an operational state of the article associated with the particular data cluster to a control system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Multi-Use Dust Mitigation System (“MDMS”). The MDMS includes a finger section, a hand section physically attached to the finger section, a fabric-material within both the finger section and hand section, a plurality of conductive-fibers within the fabric-material, and a plurality of input-nodes approximately adjacent to the fabric-material. The fabric-material includes a front-surface and a back-surface. The plurality of conductive-fibers are approximately parallel along the fabric-material and are approximately adjacent to the front-surface of the fabric-material. The plurality of input-nodes are in signal communication with the plurality of conductive-fibers and configured to receive an alternating-current (“AC”) voltage-signal from an input-signal-source and the plurality of conductive-fibers are configured to generate an electric-field on the front-surface of the fabric-material in response to the plurality of input-nodes receiving the AC voltage-signal from the input-signal-source.

Abstract: Environmental control systems, airflow interleavers, and methods. The environmental control systems include an airflow interleaver and mix manifold comprising a mixing chamber. The airflow interleaver comprises a first airflow guide structure configured to guide a second airflow towards a central axis of the mixing chamber and a second airflow guide structure configured to guide a first airflow away from the central axis. The methods include channeling first and second airflows to the mix manifold, mixing the first and second airflows, which includes guiding the first airflow away from the central axis and guiding the second airflow towards the central axis. The airflow interleavers include a tubular body, and a plurality of converging airflow guides and a plurality of diverging airflow guides extending from the tubular body and collectively being configured to interleave first airflow streams flowing from the tubular body with second airflow streams flowing external to the tubular body.

Abstract: A thermal transfer blanket includes a flexible container comprising a thermally insulating material. A thermal energy storage media is disposed within the flexible container.

Abstract: An end effector, for adhesively attaching a first part to a second part, comprises a support, a first nozzle, movable relative to the support, and a second nozzle, movable relative to the support. The first nozzle comprises a first-nozzle-body outlet port and a first-nozzle separator plate. The second nozzle comprises a second-nozzle-body outlet port and a second-nozzle separator plate. The end effector additionally comprises a first ultrasonic-sensor roller that is rotatable relative to the support, translationally fixed relative to support, and located between the first nozzle and the second nozzle. The end effector also comprises a second ultrasonic-sensor roller that is rotatable relative to the support, translationally fixed relative to support, and located between the first ultrasonic-sensor roller and the second nozzle.

Abstract: An electrical system for an aircraft includes an AC electric power source electrically connected to a rotary electric motor via a plurality of AC contactors. An AC/DC inverter is electrically connected to the rotary electric motor, a DC power bus is electrically connected to the AC/DC inverter, and a plurality of sensors are arranged to monitor electric currents between the AC electric power source and the rotary electric motor. A first controller is arranged to control the AC/DC inverter; and a second controller is arranged to monitor the sensors and are operatively connected to the AC contactors. The second controller is operable to monitor, via the sensors, the electric currents between the AC electric power source and the rotary electric motor, and detect a fault based upon the electric currents, and deactivate the AC contactors in response to the fault.

Abstract: An end effector, for adhesively attaching a first part to a second part, comprises a support, a first nozzle, movable relative to the support, and a second nozzle, movable relative to the support. The first nozzle comprises a first-nozzle-body outlet port and a first-nozzle separator plate. The second nozzle comprises a second-nozzle-body outlet port and a second-nozzle separator plate. The end effector additionally comprises a first ultrasonic-sensor roller that is rotatable relative to the support and located between the first nozzle and the second nozzle. The end effector also comprises a second ultrasonic-sensor roller that is rotatable relative to the support and located between the first ultrasonic-sensor roller and the second nozzle.