Abstract: A hole cleaning apparatus includes a member, a brush, and a vacuum source. The brush rotates around a longitudinal axis of the member, or translates in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. The vacuum source provides vacuum suction within the member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing high-radiant-flux light, such as laser light or a nuclear flash, from causing harm to imaging devices, such as a camera or telescope. In response to detection of high-radiant-flux light, the proposed systems have the feature in common that a shutter is closed sufficiently fast that light from the source will be blocked from reaching the image sensor of the imaging device. Some of the proposed systems include a folded optical path to increase the allowable reaction time to close the shutter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously lifting and placing weights. The apparatus includes a support with a first arm and a second arm extending from the support. Weight supports are arranged at distal ends of the arms. The arms are movable to position weights supported by the weight supports. The apparatus also includes a lifting apparatus operable to selectively raise and lower the support. An operator can articulate the arms to storage locations of weights. The operator can then operate the lifting apparatus to raise the support and lift the weights. The operator can then articulate the arms to move the lifted weights to weight placement locations. The operator can then operate the lifting apparatus to lower the support and place the weights on the weight placement locations.

Abstract: Device structures, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for photovoltaic cells that may be a single junction or multijunction solar cells, with at least a first layer comprising a group-IV semiconductor in which part of the cell comprises a second layer comprising a III-V semiconductor or group-IV semiconductor having a different composition than the group-IV semiconductor of the first layer, such that a heterostructure is formed between the first and second layers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the flight of aircraft are disclosed. An example method includes in response to a first time of arrival at a first waypoint, determining first cruise speeds and corresponding first descent speeds for the first waypoint at the first time of arrival; in response to a second time of arrival at a second waypoint, determining second cruise speeds and corresponding second descent speeds for the second waypoint at the second time of arrival, at least one of the first waypoint or the second waypoint being in a descent phase of a flight; identifying a third cruise speed and a third descent speed based on the first cruise and descent speeds and the second cruise and descent speeds, the first cruise and descent speeds including the third cruise speed and the third descent speed, the second cruise and descent speeds including the third cruise speed and the third descent speed; and identifying a trajectory of an aircraft that satisfies the third cruise speed and the third descent speed.

Abstract: There is provided a system, a method, and a thermochromatic witness assembly to monitor a thermal environment of a composite structure. The thermochromatic witness assembly has a polymeric material and one or more thermochromatic probes mixed into the polymeric material to form a thermochromatic probe mixture. The thermochromatic probe mixture is applied to a transparent polymeric film, or is formed into the transparent polymeric film with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) applied thereto, thus forming the thermochromatic witness assembly in a form of a thermochromatic applique. The thermochromatic applique is configured to be applied directly and continuously to a surface of the composite structure. The thermochromatic applique is further configured to monitor the thermal environment of the composite structure by detecting one or more temperatures and one or more times the surface of the composite structure is exposed to the thermal environment.

Abstract: A method of providing security in a computer system includes dividing a block of data into initial left and right halves, and calculating updated left and right halves for each of a plurality of rounds. Calculating the updated left half includes applying a first function to an input left half to produce a first result, and mixing the first result with an input right half. Calculating the updated right half includes applying a second function to the input left half to produce a second result, and mixing the second result with a round key. The input left and right halves are the initial left and right halves for the first round, and thereafter the updated left and right halves for an immediately preceding round. And method may include producing a block of ciphertext with a key composed of the updated left and right halves for the last round.

Abstract: Predictive analysis of complex datasets and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The methods include analyzing airborne particle count data from a cleanroom environment to predict a particle count fault condition within the cleanroom environment. The methods further include generating an airborne particle count data repository that includes particle counts within the cleanroom environment, analyzing the airborne particle count data to calculate a difference between a first rate of change and a second rate of change, and predicting the particle count fault condition responsive to the difference between the first rate of change and the second rate of change being outside a predetermined threshold range difference. The systems include computer readable storage media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct a data analysis system to perform the methods.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a tool capable of holding a part during curing of the part, and a passive temperature control system. The passive temperature control system may have a phase change material selected as having a phase change temperature that may be capable of controlling heat generated by the part during curing of the part held by the tool.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to automate the assembly of a wing panel, such as utilized by commercial aircraft. In the context of a system, a tacking cell is provided that is configured to tack one or more stringers to a skin plank. The system also includes a riveting cell configured to receive a tacked plank from the tacking cell and to rivet the one or more stringers to the skin plank. The system also includes a splicing cell configured to receive a plurality of riveted planks from the riveting cell and to attach one or more splice stringers to the plurality of riveted planks. Further, the system includes a side of body cell configured to receive a spliced panel from the splicing cell and to attach a side of body chord thereto to produce a wing panel.

Abstract: A fastener removal aid device for removing a self-locking fastener having a pin with a head and a collar, such as a Hi-Lok® fastener, that includes at least one drill opening to receive and position a drill bit and a fastener opening for receiving at least part of the fastener. The fastener opening is designed to fit over either the collar or the pin, and the drill opening then may be centered in axial alignment with the pin, and the drill bit may then drill into either a threaded shaft end or head end of the fastener. Alternatively, the drill opening may be positioned on the sides of the fastener removal aid device to laterally break the fastener, or may also be positioned off-center to drill axially into the collar when the fastener removal aid device is positioned over the collar of the fastener and break the collar.

Abstract: A electromagnetic device may include a core in which a magnetic flux is generable and an opening through the core. A primary conductor winding may be received in the opening and extend through the core. A primary electrical current signal flowing through the primary conductor winding generates a magnetic field about the primary conductor winding and a first magnetic flux flow in the core. A secondary conductor winding may be received in the opening and extend through the core. A first modular conductor winding may extend through the opening and encircle a first outer core portion of the core. A first modulation signal flowing through the first modular conductor winding modulates the primary electrical current signal to provide a modulated output current signal at an output of the secondary conductor winding.

Abstract: A frequency selective electromagnetic apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include at least one nanowire comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, at least one 2-dimensional contact disposed adjacent to the first end or the second end and in thermal communication, electrical communication, or both thermal and electrical communication with the at least one nanowire, and at least one nanoscale-sized-diameter thermoelectric junction disposed between the at least one 2-dimensional contact and the at least one nanowire.

Abstract: A mechanism allowing the control of multiple orbiting bodies comprising: a bearing surface (306) which may or may not be integral to a handle (300); a rotatable section (308) free to move through 360 degrees upon the bearing; and, attached to the rotatable section, an array of two or more pendulums (314, 316) which are first whirled in coplanar orbits and subsequently, via changes made to the attitude of the axis of the rotatable section, in precessing, non-coplanar, non-chaotic orbits equaling the pendulums in number. The pendulums may be identical or have differing properties of length, weight, or aerodynamics affecting their relative tendencies to precess and may be decorated and incorporate elements which emit light and/or sound. In certain applications some or all of these characteristics of length, weight, and aerodynamics, as well as the visual and auditory components are customizable.

Abstract: A moisture control assembly for use with a support beam extending through an insulation layer is provided. The insulation layer is positioned between an outer wall and an inner wall. The assembly includes: a moisture path close-out structure coupled to the insulation layer at an aperture defined through the insulation layer, the moisture path close-out structure including an opening substantially aligned with the aperture and configured to receive the support beam therethrough; and a coupling mechanism configured to secure the moisture path close-out structure to the support beam such that the moisture path close-out structure is partially pulled away from the insulation layer, the coupling mechanism and the moisture path close-out structure configured to direct liquid flow down and away from the support beam and along the insulation layer.

Abstract: A stowable computer workstation (“SCW”) for a workplace within a vehicle is described, where the workplace has an inner sidewall of the vehicle. The SCW may include a video display mount assembly and a deployment support attached to the video display mount assembly. The deployment support is configured to deploy and stow the video display mount assembly against the inner sidewall and the deployment support is secured to the inner sidewall.

Abstract: A vehicle include an interior cabin including a plurality of structural components, a plurality of electrical devices within the interior cabin, a power supply, and an electrical signal distribution system mounted to at least one of the plurality of structural components and electrically coupled to the power supply and the plurality of electrical devices. The electrical signal distribution system includes a printed circuit board (PCB), and a plurality of outlets coupled to the PCB. The plurality of outlets electrically couple to the plurality of electrical devices. The electrical signal distribution system provides electrical signals to the plurality of electrical devices.

Abstract: An aircraft maintenance bridging system and method are configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule. The aircraft maintenance bridging method includes analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule with a maintenance bridging determination control unit, and determining the transition option(s), using the maintenance bridging determination control unit, for the aircraft based on analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for treating a contoured surface including an attachment frame configured to secure and position an applicator head. In some embodiments, the applicator head is configured to apply a surface treatment to the contoured surface. The applicator assembly further includes, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the attachment frame and configured to scan the contoured surface and produce a contoured data set. Additionally, the applicator assembly includes an applicator actuator operatively coupled to the attachment frame and configured to manipulate the attachment frame such that the applicator assembly maintains an orientation of the applicator assembly relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: A system may include a composite structure and a light source. The composite structure may include a matrix having a matrix refractive index, a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix, and a light-reactive material in the matrix. The light source may be capable of emitting light of an activation wavelength that induces a reaction in the light-reactive material causing a change in the matrix refractive index.