Abstract: A shield trim is performed by tearing bunched shield strands circumferentially along a circular edge. The apparatus includes a pair of aligned metal plates that have been drilled through multiple times such that holes of varying diameters pass through both plates. A cable gripper on the entry side of the device clamps the cable in place. A shield gripper on the rear side of the device closes over the exposed shielding of the cable, and the two plates are pushed together. The shield gripper travels with the rear plate, pushing the shield over the wires and causing the shield to bunch between the two plates. With the two plates pushed together, both grippers open and the cable is pulled free from the device. This pull forces a stress concentration which tears the shield strands across the sharp edge of the hole, producing a uniformly trimmed shield.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting infiltration of cabin air into the flight deck of an aircraft, where the systems include at least one upper nozzle disposed adjacent to and above an outer upper edge of a flight deck doorway and directed downwardly, and at least one lower nozzle disposed adjacent to and below an outer lower edge of the flight deck doorway and directed upwardly; a conduit system to deliver air from a flight deck air supply to the upper and lower nozzles; and an airflow controller configured to provide sufficient air flow from the flight deck air supply to the upper and lower nozzles to create directional airstreams across the gaps between the closed flight deck door and the upper and lower edges of the flight deck doorway, so that the airstreams limit infiltration of cabin air into the flight deck via the gaps.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic inspection probe for inspecting parts. The ultrasonic inspection probe comprises a probe body that comprises an ultrasonic array and a plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic array comprises a plurality of ultrasound elements, each selectively operable to generate an ultrasonic beam and each fixed relative to the plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic inspection probe also comprises an interface plate, comprising a body attachment surface, removably attachable to the plate attachment surface of the probe body, and a part inspection surface, shaped to complement a shape of one of the parts.

Abstract: An actuator system for controlling a control surface of an aircraft, which includes a control structure which defines the control surface and the control structure has an axis of rotation about which the control structure can rotate relative to the aircraft. A first actuator assembly has a first actuator arm and a second actuator assembly has a second actuator arm. The first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly are spaced apart from one another along the axis of rotation. The first actuator arm is connected to a first band member and the first band member is connected to the control structure on a first side of the axis of rotation and the second actuator arm is connected to a second band member and the second band member is connected to the control structure on a second opposing side of the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a rack including mount positions to accept electronic equipment modules that are rack mountable and equipped with respective RFID tags, and a RFID reader array including RFID readers each of which is associated with a respective mount position, and has a read field that among the mount positions extends into only the respective mount position. Processing circuitry causes an RFID reader to radiate an interrogation signal within its read field, and in response, receive module identifiable information from an RFID tag of an electronic equipment module mounted at the mount position. A signal including the module identifiable information and mount position identifiable information is transmitted to the processing circuitry, and a second signal to a computer configured to identify the electronic equipment module from the module identifiable information, and locate the electronic equipment module at the mount position from the mount position identifiable information.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for installing at least one electrical contact (152) into a connector housing (150) comprises a base (110) configured to fixedly support the connector housing (150), an alignment guide (122), extending from the base (110) and having a central axis (164), and a carrier (124), translatably and pivotally coupled with the alignment guide (122). With the connector housing (150) fixedly supported by the base (110), the alignment guide (122) is configured to be parallel to an insertion axis (160) of a socket (154) of the connector housing (150), and the carrier (124) is movable parallel to the insertion axis (160). The apparatus (100) additionally comprises a tool holder (132), coupled to the carrier (124). The tool holder (132) has a working axis (162), only one degree of freedom relative to the carrier (124), and only three degrees of freedom relative to the base (110).

Abstract: A specular variable angle absolute reflectometer includes a light source and a mirror system in a light path of the light source. The mirror system is configured to reflect a light beam from the light source towards a sample that is optically reflective. The device also includes an elliptical roof mirror disposed in the light path after the sample having an ellipsoidal reflector surface configured to reflect the light beam back towards the sample. The device also includes a mechanism connected to the elliptical roof mirror. The mechanism is configured to rotate the elliptical roof mirror about an axis of the sample. The device also includes a detector in the light path after the elliptical roof mirror such that the detector receives light that has been reflected from the elliptical roof mirror, thence back to the sample, thence back to the mirror system, and thence to the detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for parallel sample stress rupture test in a controlled environment by loading predefined amounts of weight on stack lines; positioning the stack lines on a tensioning platform in alignment with respective upper clamps when the tensioning platform is a first distance away from the upper clamps; clamping samples to a corresponding lower clamp and upper clamp pair; and moving the tensioning platform to a second distance away from the upper clamps that is greater than the first distance such that the stack lines are suspended above the tensioning platform to apply individual tensions to the individual samples based on the predefined amount of weight loaded onto the individual stack lines.

Abstract: In an example, a composite stringer assembly includes a composite stringer, a radius filler, and an overwrap layer. The composite stringer includes: (i) a skin flange configured to be coupled to a support structure, (ii) a web, (iii) a lower corner portion of the composite stringer extending from the skin flange to the web, and (iv) an inner surface of the composite stringer extending along the skin flange, the lower corner portion, and the web. The radius filler includes a first surface coupled to the inner surface at the lower corner portion, a second surface configured to couple to the support structure, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The overwrap layer is coupled to the inner surface at the web, the third surface of the radius filler, and the support structure.

Abstract: In an example, a composite structure having a variable gage is described. The composite structure includes a first end having a first gage, a second end having a second gage, which is less than the first gage, a plurality of continuous plies, and a plurality of drop-off plies. Each continuous ply extends from the first end to the second end. Each drop-off ply includes a tip having a tapered shape. Each drop-off ply extends from the first end to a respective position of the tip of the drop-off ply between the first end and the second end. The tips of the plurality of drop-off plies are arranged in a monotonically-inward pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and assembling form boards with attached wire routing devices for use in wire bundle assembly. The assembly method comprises: (a) establishing a coordinate system of a form board having a multiplicity of holes; (b) using a computer system to determine locations of form board devices of different types with reference to the coordinate system of the form board based on engineering data specifying a wire bundle configuration; and (c) fastening the form board devices of different types to respective holes of the form board having centers closest to respective locations determined in step (b). The form board devices may be inserted robotically or manually.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for a rivet measurement system for non-destructive testing measurements comprising a first measurement apparatus, a second measurement apparatus and a rivet analyzer. The first measurement apparatus acquires non-destructive testing measurements for sample production grade rivets of a particular class installed in a production vehicle structure. The second measurement apparatus acquires destructive testing measurements for the sample production grade rivets of the particular class.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus receives a video feed and processes the video feed in real-time as the video feed is received. The apparatus performs object detection and recognition on the video feed to detect and classify objects therein, performs activity recognition to detect and classify activities of at least some of the objects, and outputs classified objects and classified activities in the video feed. The apparatus generates natural language text that describes the video feed, produces a semantic network, and stores the video feed, classified objects and classified activities, natural language text, and semantic network in a knowledge base. The apparatus generates a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to enable queries of the knowledge base, and presentation of selections of the video feed, classified objects and classified activities, natural language text, and semantic network.

Abstract: An assembly that comprises a first part and a second part. The second part comprises a non-faying surface facing the base surface, a plurality of faying surfaces manifested at bosses that are shimmed if and as required, and a plurality of second through-holes. A width of each one of the plurality of bosses is equal to or greater than 2(r+T tan ?), where r is a maximum radial dimension of an outermost peripheral portion of a fastener in contact with the first part or the second part, T is the distance from the point of contact, between a fastener and the first part or the second part, and a faying surface of a corresponding boss, and ? is an angle between a central axis of the corresponding second through-hole and an outermost load vector initiating at the point of contact between the fastener and the first part or the second part.

Abstract: Trays for tray tables that prevent liquid spilled on a top surface of the trays from spreading over edges of the trays. A casing having a top surface with at least one aperture through the top surface, a receptacle within the casing positioned below the aperture in the top surface configured to receive an absorbent pad that can be removably positioned in the receptacle below the aperture to be in communication with the top surface of the tray. Spilled liquids can be guided toward the aperture in the top surface and absorbed in the absorbent pad within the casing. The absorbent pad may be a superabsorbent material. The top surface can have a superhydrophobic coating.

Abstract: A method of operating a facility includes identifying, by a controller, a ground vehicle approaching a restricted access area, and determining, by the controller, if the identified ground vehicle is authorized to enter the restricted access area. The controller permits the identified ground vehicle to enter the restricted access area when the controller determines that the identified ground vehicle is authorized to enter the restricted access area. The controller determines if an object other than the identified ground vehicle is approaching the restricted access area with the identified ground vehicle, and activates protective action when the controller determines that the identified ground vehicle is not authorized to enter the restricted access area or that an object other than the permitted ground vehicle is approaching to enter the restricted access area with the permitted ground vehicle.

Abstract: In an example, a composite stringer is described. The composite stringer includes a skin flange having a first gage, a top flange having a second gage, and a web having a third gage and extending between the skin flange and the top flange. The skin flange is configured to be coupled to a support structure. The support structure includes at least one of a skin of a vehicle or a base charge. The second gage of the top flange is greater than the first gage of the skin flange and the third gage of the web. The skin flange, the top flange, and the web include a plurality of plies of composite material.

Abstract: A fastener locating tool equipped with a sensor head having one or more probes and a method for operating such a tool for precisely locating a fastener that is hidden or buried under a thick coating applied on a surface of a structure. The fastener locating tool may be manually or automatically operated. The fastener locating tool includes a platform having a central opening, means for temporarily attaching the platform to a coated surface, and a sensor head that may be easily mechanically coupled to and then later decoupled from the platform. Optionally, the fastener locating tool also includes a multi-stage positioning system with X and Y stages which may be used to adjust the position of the sensor head. The sensor head includes at least one probe which generates electrical signals indicating the presence of a fastener beneath a coating when the probe is within a detection range.

Abstract: Described herein are static dissipating coatings and thermally-stable static-controlled (TSSC) electronic circuits, comprising such coatings. Also described herein are methods of forming such coatings and circuits. In some examples, a static dissipating coating comprises a conductive polymer and a thermally-stable base polymer. The conductive polymer comprises polyaniline and, in some examples, a conductive agent, such as dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (DNNSA), dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), and/or camphor sulfonic acid (CSA). The thermally-stable base polymer comprises one or more copolymers of butyl-methacrylate, such as poly-butylmethacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate (PBM). The amount of the conductive polymer is specifically controlled to ensure the coating's overall conductivity and thermal stability. In some examples, the conductive polymer concentration is at or less than 25% by weight. The conductivity of the coating is between 10?9 S/cm and 10?6 S/cm even after being exposed to 150° C.

Abstract: A system and method include a seat assembly including a seat duct fluidly coupled to one or more air outlets. An air delivery manifold is underneath the seat assembly. The air delivery manifold includes a first outlet port. The seat duct is fluidly coupled to the first outlet port. Air is delivered to the one or more air outlets via the air delivery manifold.