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 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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.

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: A locking assembly for a propeller rotor includes an electric machine having a first mode to energize the electric machine to produce torque and a second mode to deenergize the electric machine to stop production of the torque. A magnetic assembly includes a first component coupled to a first wall via a pivot point, and a second component attached to a second wall. The first component and the second component align proximal to each other when the first component is in a locked position such that the first and second components create a magnetic attraction therebetween to lock the first wall in a stationary position when the electric machine is in the second mode. The first component moves away from the second component to an unlocked position due to rotation of the first wall when the electric machine is in the first mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling phased transfer of multiple spacecraft from a separation orbit to a target orbit includes, while maintaining an in-phase relationship of the spacecraft relative to each other within the separation orbit, computing, via a control system, respective desired trajectories for a lead spacecraft and two or more follower spacecraft to reach the target orbit. The method includes establishing a constant phase offset between the spacecraft in mean anomaly of the separation orbit. During a series of transfer orbits of the spacecraft from the separation orbit to the target orbit, the method includes applying the desired trajectories via the control system such that the constant phase offset is maintained and the follower spacecraft are simultaneously transferred to the target orbit in-phase with the lead spacecraft. The control system includes a processor and computer-readable storage medium programmed with instructions for performing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a composite structure includes a mandrel that includes a tooling surface and vacuum bagging that includes an elastomeric membrane and a bagging surface. The apparatus also includes a surface interface formed between the mandrel and the elastomeric membrane. The surface interface includes a suction channel formed in at least one of the tooling surface of the mandrel and the bagging surface of the elastomeric membrane. The elastomeric membrane is configured to be sealed to the mandrel along the suction channel in response to a vacuum applied to the suction channel.

Abstract: Techniques for traversing in an environment that includes at least one obstacle, by a mobile autonomous system, to a destination in the environment, are presented. The techniques can include generating, prior to the mobile autonomous system commencing activity in the environment, a graph including a plurality of vertices representing positions in the environment and a plurality of edges between vertices representing feasible transitions by the mobile autonomous vehicle in the environment; annotating the graph with at least one edge connecting a representation of a present position of the mobile autonomous system to a vertex of the graph; determining, based on the graph, a path from the present position of the mobile autonomous system in the environment to the destination; and traversing the environment to the destination, by the mobile autonomous system, based on the path.

Abstract: A connector to connect a center wing box to a bulkhead of an aircraft. The connector includes a panel with a first edge positioned at the center wing box, an opposing second edge positioned at the bulkhead, and a central section. A first flexible seal extends across the panel and provides for relative movement between the first edge and the central section. A second flexible seal extends across the panel and provides for relative movement between the second edge and the central section.

Abstract: A composite forming apparatus includes an end effector, a forming feature, and a non-contact heater. The forming feature is coupled to the end effector. The end effector moves the forming feature relative to a composite ply to form the composite ply over a forming tool or a prior formed composite ply. The non-contact heater heats to a portion of the composite ply before the portion of the composite ply is formed over the forming tool or the prior formed composite ply.

Abstract: An adaptive sense and avoid system for use with an aerial vehicle in an environment, the adaptive sense and avoid system comprising a processor, a plurality of sensors, an obstacle detection circuit, and an avoidance trajectory circuit. The processor may be operatively coupled with a flight controller and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises one or more databases. The plurality of sensors generates sensor data reflecting a position of an obstacle in the environment. The obstacle detection circuit, which is operatively coupled to the processor and the plurality of sensors, may be configured to identify obstacles based at least in part on the sensor data and to generate obstacle information that reflects a best estimate of a position of the obstacle in the environment. The obstacle detection circuit is configured to weigh the sensor data as a function of the aerial vehicle's state and its environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for predictive part maintenance by generating a reliability curve for an aircraft based on historic removals; setting a removal threshold on the reliability curve; tracking an installation of a given instance of the aircraft part into a given aircraft; tracking a number of cycles of the given instance of the aircraft part based on operations of the given aircraft in which the given instance of the aircraft part is installed; and in response to the number of cycles of the given instance of the aircraft part satisfying the removal threshold, transmitting a service alert to an operator of the given aircraft.