Abstract: A layup strategy analysis tool including a memory storing layup strategy analysis instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the layup strategy analysis instructions. During execution, the layup strategy analysis instructions obtain model data representing a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object to be formed using an automated fiber placement process. The layup strategy analysis instructions also obtain process data descriptive of the automated fiber placement process and one or more automated fiber placement machines. The layup strategy analysis instructions also generate output indicating a count of a number of tows that can be simultaneously applied during a single pass based on a geometry of the object and based on manufacturability constraints indicated by the process data.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a continuous flow process for preparing conducting polymers, for example polyaniline. The continuous flow process can provide a controlled synthesis of a conducting polymer from an emulsion comprising a polymerizable organic monomer and a free radical initiator in flow within a temperature controlled continuous flow reactor comprising at least one mixing element. The present disclosure also relates to the conducting polymers prepared by the continuous flow process.

Abstract: A system for managing operation of a plurality of vehicles includes a user interface including a display. A control unit is in communication with the user interface and the plurality of vehicles. The control unit is configured to receive data from the plurality of vehicles and generate a task plan including tasks to be performed by an operator of the plurality of vehicles. The control unit is further configured to show the task plan on the display.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indexing a layup mandrel for a composite part. The apparatus identifies a surface of a layup mandrel that travels in a process direction during fabrication of a composite part. A lamination head is in contact with the surface traversing the surface of the layup mandrel. A stream of 3D coordinates of the lamination head is acquired as the lamination head traverses the surface. The layup mandrel is characterized based on the stream of 3D coordinates. A Numerical Control (NC) program is alters such that a controller directs layup of fiber reinforced material at the layup mandrel based on a difference between the alignment of the layup mandrel and a nominal alignment of the layup mandrel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wrinkle coupon includes providing a thermoplastic laminate having a laminate outer surface and opposing laminate side edges, and comprised of multiple plies. Each ply is comprised of reinforcing fibers pre-impregnated with thermoplastic resin. The method additionally includes placing a wrinkle-forming element across the laminate outer surface such that the wrinkle-forming element extends between the laminate side edges. In addition, the method includes applying heat to the thermoplastic laminate, and applying compaction pressure on the wrinkle-forming element against the laminate outer surface in a manner urging the wrinkle-forming element into the thermoplastic laminate, and causing the wrinkle-forming element to form a wrinkle as an out-of-plane deformation in one or more of the plies. The method also includes allowing the thermoplastic laminate to cool, and cutting a wrinkle coupon out of a region of the thermoplastic laminate containing the wrinkle.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an upright photovoltaic cell comprises growing one or more epitaxial layers on a substrate, thereby forming a diffused active junction on the substrate and one more additional active junctions above the diffused active junction. The method further comprises selectively etching an areal region of the one or more epitaxial layers, thereby forming a mesa on the substrate and exposing a substrate-contact region parallel to the areal region at a base of the mesa. The method further comprises depositing contact material onto the substrate-contact region, to form the first contact, and concertedly onto a mesa-contact region of the mesa, to form the second contact.

Abstract: An anti-ice swirl system for an aircraft engine includes a nacelle including a first nacelle section exposed to ambient environment and facing an oncoming airstream when an aircraft powered by the engine is in flight. The first nacelle section defines a circumferential D-duct. The anti-ice swirl system also includes a nozzle configured to inject into and circulate through the D-duct a controlled unsteady flow of heated fluid. The controlled unsteady flow mixes newly injected heated fluid with air inside the D-duct and mitigates icing of the first nacelle section when the aircraft is in flight.

Abstract: An example method for detection of impurities in additive manufacturing material includes illuminating, by a light source, a sample of additive manufacturing material with light, while illuminating the sample of the additive manufacturing material with light, causing a camera to acquire image data of the sample, and processing the image data to determine an amount of impurities in the sample of the additive manufacturing material. An example system for detection of impurities in additive manufacturing material includes a light source for illuminating a sample of additive manufacturing material with light, a camera for acquiring image data of the sample while illuminating the sample of the additive manufacturing material with light, and a computing device having one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in memory for processing the image data to determine an amount of impurities in the sample of the additive manufacturing material.

Abstract: Technology provides for controlling a high-energy management system for an aircraft that includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of high-energy (HE) systems, wherein each of the plurality of HE systems is located in an aircraft, determining a present state of each of the plurality of HE systems based on the sensor data, determining a target state of each of the plurality of HE systems based on the present state of each of the plurality of HE systems and a set of HE system rules, and automatically generating one or more control actions to effect control of one or more of the plurality of HE systems based on the target state of each of the plurality of HE systems. Examples further include receiving a schedule of tasks to be performed on the aircraft, where determining the target state is further based on the schedule of tasks.

Abstract: A system and a method include a first communication system onboard an aircraft and a control unit having one or more processors that determine that one or more ambient conditions require a de-icing event of the aircraft, determine a location of the aircraft, and a status of one or more systems of the aircraft. The first communication system establishes a bi-directional communication link with a second communication system of a de-icing system. The first communication system receives one or more command messages from the second communication system indicating a status of the de-icing event.

Abstract: A system includes one or more control units configured to determine one or more fuel consumption models for an aircraft. A method includes determining, by one or more control units, one or more fuel consumption models for an aircraft. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause one or more control units comprising a processor, to perform operations including determining one or more fuel consumption models for an aircraft.

Abstract: A method for modeling joints with fasteners includes receiving multiple input parameters of multiple components connectable with one or more fasteners; calculating multiple second level parameters with a computer based on the input parameters; building multiple component models of the components absent the one or more fasteners based on the second level parameters; subtracting multiple bolt bores from the component models; and generating an assembly model by combining the component models with one or more fastener models of the one or more fasteners in the bolt bores. The method further includes applying multiple boundary conditions to the assembly model; applying multiple loads to the assembly model under the boundary conditions to generate multiple analysis key words; and generating an input file based on the analysis key words. The input file is suitable for a finite element analysis.

Abstract: A tool is provided for installing a fastener, having a sleeve and a pin threadably received into the sleeve, into an opening of a structure. The tool includes a frame, a clamp mounted to the frame such that the clamp is configured to move longitudinally relative to the frame, the clamp being configured to grab a pintail of the pin of the fastener, a linear actuator operatively connected to the clamp such that the linear actuator is configured to drive linear movement of the clamp relative to the frame, a wrench mounted to the frame such that the wrench is configured to rotate relative to the frame, the wrench being configured to grab the pintail of the pin, and a rotary actuator operatively connected to the wrench such that the rotary actuator is configured to drive rotation of the wrench relative to the frame.

Abstract: A system includes a power-circulating transmission having a plurality of transmission components arranged in series to circulate motion along a continuous loop and a test article coupled to the power-circulating transmission. The system includes a clutch, a brake, a starting-torque motor, a running motor, and a running-torque motor. The brake selectively couples or decouples the transmission components such that the power-circulating transmission is in an engaged or disengaged power-circulating state. The brake selectively inhibits motion of one of the transmission components when the power-circulating transmission is in the disengaged power-circulating state. The starting-torque motor applies a static torque load to the power-circulating transmission. The running motor applies power to the power-circulating transmission to drive the motion along the continuous loop. The running-torque motor applies a dynamic torque load to the power-circulating transmission.

Abstract: A spray gun assembly for applying a coating with plural components includes a nozzle, a main pneumatic inlet, an atomizing air flow path, a fan air flow path, a colloidal feed inlet, an internal atomizing outlet, a pressurized feed inlet, and a catalyst outlet. The nozzle includes a main atomizing outlet and a fan air outlet. The main pneumatic inlet receives compressed air from a compressed air source. The colloidal feed inlet receives a colloidal suspension component of the coating via gravity feed from a gravity feed container. The pressurized feed inlet receives a catalyst component of the coating from a pressurized feed container. The catalyst outlet expels the catalyst component in the fan air flow path proximate the nozzle. A method for applying a coating with plural components is also provided. A system includes the gravity feed container, the pressurized feed container and the spray gun assembly.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for determining wire contact insertion based on image analysis. Methods include: acquiring at least one image of a connector having a plurality of wire contact insertion holes; identifying a wire contact within a wire contact insertion hole of the plurality of wire contact insertion holes; determining that the wire contact insertion hole is a correct wire contact insertion hole; determining that the wire contact has been fully inserted into the correct wire contact insertion hole; and providing feedback indicating that the wire contact is fully inserted into the correct wire contact insertion hole. The feedback includes in some cases a first indicator indicating that the wire contact is in the correct wire contact insertion hole and a second indicator indicating that the wire contact is fully inserted into the correct wire contact insertion hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aircraft arrival management are disclosed. The system is configured to control a timing of landing between a leading and a trailing aircraft by calculating backward trajectories for each of the aircraft from a common touchdown point on a runway. The system is further configured to compute a delta distance, based on a separation threshold distance, corresponding to a travel distance for the trailing aircraft along an arc centered around a merge point, before turning towards a merge point.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the manufacture of assemblies of components, and in particular to methods, apparatus, and systems for performing manufacturing operations. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing an assembly of components includes positioning first and second components into a nominal configuration with respect to each other at a first factory location. The method further includes drilling a fastener joining hole through an interface of the first and second components at the first factory location. The method further includes positioning the first and second components for fastener joining at a second factory location. The method further includes inserting a fastener into the fastener joining hole to couple the first and second components together.

Abstract: A permeable pavement system including a permeable pavement composition and a related method are provided. The permeable pavement system includes a first layer of a permeable pavement composition including a quantity of a first permeable pavement material and a quantity of cured carbon fiber composite material (CCFCM) incorporated therewith, the first layer defining a first surface; and a second layer of a second permeable pavement material deposited over a substantial entirety of and covering the first surface of the first layer of the permeable pavement composition, wherein the first layer interfaces with the second layer to at least strengthen the permeable pavement system.