Abstract: A nanosatellite or drone, including an antenna; a dielectric waveguide coupled to the antenna, the waveguide comprising at least one of a slot or a taper and the waveguide (1) focusing electromagnetic radiation incident from free space into the waveguide and (2) waveguiding the electromagnetic radiation to the antenna. Also disclosed is a system for deploying a support structure, or device having electromagnetic functionality, including one or more bags each having a wall comprising a membrane; one or more conduits each having an outlet transferring fluid into the one or more of the bags in fluidic communication with the conduits, wherein the fluid pressurizes each of the one or more bags and expands the membrane so as to deploy and form each of the one or more bags into a support or the device having electromagnetic functionality.

Abstract: An air conditioning pack of a cooling system includes an air cycle machine assembly, a cabin air compressor assembly, and a mixing duct. The air cycle machine assembly includes a compressor configured to receive an air stream that includes bleed air to generate a compressed air stream. The air cycle machine assembly utilizes a first portion of the compressed air stream to power the compressor. The cabin air compressor assembly receives a second portion of the compressed air stream, and utilizes the second portion to generate compressed ram air. The mixing duct receives the compressed ram air and allows the compressed ram air to mix with one or more of the air stream upstream of the compressor or the compressed air stream downstream of the compressor to generate a hybrid air stream that is used for cooling at least a portion of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a composite structure is provided. A first vacuum bag is laid down on a surface of a tool. A composite material is positioned on top of the first vacuum bag on the tool. A second vacuum bag covers the composite material. Vacuum pressure is applied to the first vacuum bag and the second vacuum bag. The composite material is cured to form the composite structure. The first vacuum bag is inflated with compressed air to lift the composite structure from the tool.

Abstract: An automated wire insertion machine for inserting wires into grommet cavity locations of an electrical connector includes a controllable wire insertion robot and a processor to generate pre-generated plug maps based upon an original plug map of the grommet cavity locations and to control the wire insertion robot based upon one pre-generated plug map to insert the wires into the grommet cavity locations. The pre-generated plug maps are generated by defining a range of potential error of the grommet cavity locations that includes at least one of a potential rotational error and a potential translational error, defining an acceptable tolerance of the grommet cavity locations that includes at least one of an acceptable rotational tolerance and an acceptable translational tolerance, and calculating offset values of the grommet cavity locations based on the range of potential error and the acceptable tolerance, thereby generating the plurality of pre-generated plug maps.

Abstract: A lamination head for laying up a composite laminate includes a material supply drum supporting roll of layup material backed by a backing layer, a first and second separation device respectively having a first and second horn, and a first and second compaction device. When the first separation device is extended, the first horn is in close proximity to the first compaction device, causing a layup material to separate from the backing layer and move underneath the first compaction device as the lamination head moves along a first direction of travel. When the second separation device is extended, the second horn is in close proximity to the second compaction device, causing the layup material to separate from the backing layer and move underneath the second compaction device as the lamination head moves along a second direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel.

Abstract: A coaxial pressure lock assembly of an aircraft door, the coaxial pressure lock assembly comprises a pressure panel positioned adjacent an opening formed in the aircraft door such that the pressure panel is seated in the opening when the pressure panel is in a closed position, and a latch shaft extending through a clevis of the pressure panel. The latch shaft is configured to rotate about a latch shaft rotational axis extending through the latch shaft. The pressure panel is rotatable between the closed position and an open position about the latch shaft rotational axis. The latch shaft is a portion of a latch assembly configured to allow or prevent unlatching the aircraft door.

Abstract: Aircraft that incorporates a rounded-hat composite stringer connected to an inner side of the skin of the aircraft to form an elongate conduit that defines a conduit axis, where the conduit axis includes at least one curving portion. The rounded-hat composite stringer can be manufactured by constructing a lower forming die and an upper forming die, each forming die having a length and defining a curve along at least a portion of the length of the die, cutting a pre-cured flat composite charge dimensioned to form the rounded-hat composite stringer, pressing the flat composite charge between the lower and upper forming dies to shape the composite charge into a pre-formed stringer having an inner side between curved fillet portions, contacting a forming member against the inner side of the pre-formed stringer, applying radius fillers to the curved fillet portions of the pre-formed stringer, curing the pre-formed stringer, and removing the forming member from the cured stringer.

Abstract: An air revitalization system may include a humidity control device configured to remove water vapor from air within a pressurized enclosed volume. The system may further include an inlet duct configured to transport the air from the pressurized enclosed volume to the humidity control device. The system may also include an outlet duct configured to transport the air from the humidity control device to the pressurized enclosed volume. The system may include a sublimator configured to cool the air within the pressurized enclosed volume while generating additional water vapor. The system may further include a vacuum vent duct configured to transport the water vapor from the humidity control device and the additional water vapor from the sublimator to an exterior of the pressurized enclosed volume.

Abstract: Methods for performing maintenance operations using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The methods are enabled by equipping a UAV with a maintenance tool capable of performing a desired maintenance operation (e.g., nondestructive inspection) on a limited-access surface of a large structure or object (e.g., a wind turbine blade). The UAV uses re-orientation of lifting means (e.g., vertical rotors) to move the maintenance tool continuously or intermittently across the surface of the structure while maintaining contact with the surface of the structure undergoing maintenance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an indicating marker and method of use for removably attaching the indicating marker to a structure comprising an opening. The indicating marker comprises a cover device configured to removably seal the opening of the structure. At least one light is attached to the cover device. A power source is electrically connectable to the at least one light to emit a visible light from the at least light and illuminate the cover device. Alternatively, a wireless signal emitter is attached to the cover device and is configured to receive a signal from a wireless signal receiver separate from the structure and transmit a wireless response signal to the wireless signal receiver. In one example, both a light and a wireless signal emitter are attached to the cover device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a component history for a processor module, the component history including identities of host vehicles in a set of host vehicles in which the processor module was installed; receiving an operational history for the set of host vehicles for a time period the processor module was installed on the set of host vehicles; receiving indirect sensor measurements related to the set of host vehicles for the time period; receiving a part survival model that is based at least in part on a part status of a plurality of historical processor modules, the plurality of historical processor modules having a historical component history, a historical operational history, and historical indirect sensor measurements; and determining a survival probability of the processor module based at least in part on the component history, the operational history, the indirect sensor measurements, and the part survival model.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a coated steel substrate comprises a single or multiple-layer electroplated aluminum coating over a steel substrate. The multiple-layer electroplated aluminum coating comprises one or more porous layers and one or more compact layers. The one or more porous layers comprise a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys. The one or more compact layers comprise a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys. In certain aspects, a method of depositing a multiple-layer aluminum coating over a steel substrate includes electroplating one or more porous aluminum layers over the steel substrate. The one or more porous aluminum layers comprise a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys. One or more compact aluminum layers are electroplated over the steel substrate. The one or more compact aluminum layers comprise a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys.

Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrodeposition of zinc alloys and methods of electrodepositing zinc-iron alloys. An electrolyte solution for electroplating can include an alkali metal hydroxide, a zinc salt, a condensation polymer of epichlorohydrin, a quaternary amine, an aliphatic amine, a polyhydroxy alcohol, an aromatic organic acid and/or salts thereof, an amino alcohol, a bisphosphonic acid and/or salts thereof, an iron salt, an alkali metal gluconate, and an amine-based chelating agent. Electrodepositing zinc alloys on a substrate can include introducing a cathode and an anode into an electrolyte solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide, a zinc salt, a condensation polymer of epichlorohydrin, a quaternary amine, an aliphatic amine, a polyhydroxy alcohol, an aromatic organic acid and/or salts thereof, an amino alcohol, a bisphosphonic acid and/or salts thereof, an iron salt, an alkali metal gluconate, and an amine-based chelating agent.

Abstract: A jam detection system for a flap of a wing of an aircraft includes a linkage coupled to the flap and a support of the wing, and a sensor configured to detect a position of at least a portion of the linkage. The sensor is further configured to compare the position of the least a portion of the linkage to a jam threshold to determine if a jam condition exists. The linkage can also be coupled to a carriage moveably coupled to the support.

Abstract: A scrivet fastener for coupling a panel to a mating structure includes a head, a shaft extending from the head to a distal end of the shaft, and a compliant retention flange. The compliant retention flange extends radially outward from the shaft and is axially spaced apart from the head. The scrivet fastener is configured to at least temporarily couple the panel to the mating structure, such that the distal end of the shaft is secured to a hole of the mating structure and the compliant retention flange is secured to a deformable material of the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to agents, compositions, and methods for inhibiting corrosion in various substrates, for example in metal substrates. The present disclosure also relates to compositions for inhibiting corrosion comprising at least one organic heterocyclic compound and at least one metal salt or mixed metal salt selected from rare earth, alkali earth and transition metals.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes a thermoplastic polymer and electrically conductive particles dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes a thermoplastic polymer and a polyaryletherketone polymer in admixture with the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A multilayered material system includes at least one of a liner sheet and a cellular core, and a multilayered composite joined to the at least one of a liner sheet and a cellular core. The multilayered composite includes hollow microspheres dispersed within a metallic matrix material.