Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for processing fuselage sections. Measurements of a first fuselage section are generated using a scanning system. The scanning system includes a first scanner and a second scanner. The first scanner generates measurements of a first portion of the first fuselage section and the second scanner generates measurements of a second portion of the first fuselage section. The first fuselage section is held in a cradle system. The measurements of the first portion of the first fuselage section are combined with the measurements of the second portion of the first fuselage section to generate an ensemble of measurements of the first fuselage section. Using the cradle system, one or more of the first fuselage section or a second fuselage section are shaped based on the ensemble of measurements. Using the cradle system, the first fuselage section is joined with the second fuselage section.

Abstract: A method for installing a fastener by positioning a cap around the fastener, spraying a cooling agent from a sprayer of a cooling system. The fastener may have a top portion including a dielectric material. The cooling system may be configured to cool the top portion of the fastener to stiffen the top portion. A tool may be configured to install the fastener in a structure after cooling, while retaining the cooling agent within the cap.

Abstract: An optical scanning assembly for use in inspecting a channel is provided. The assembly includes a housing and an inspection probe that selectively advances from the housing along an axis. The probe includes a light source that directs light towards at least one side wall of the channel and a light detector that receives the light reflected from the side wall. The assembly further includes a controller in communication with the inspection probe. The controller obtains a first optical length measurement for the light reflected from the side wall when the inspection probe is in a first position along the axis within the channel, obtain a second optical length measurement for the light reflected from the side wall when the inspection probe is in a second position along the axis within the channel, and compare the first and second optical length measurements to determine variations in a geometry of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.

Abstract: A shared data communications system includes a network file server and two routers, each with its own address. A first router provides wireless access to a first part of the system. A second router provides wireless access to a second part of the same, shared system via the technique known as broadband-over-power line (BPL). In the second part, a first BPL unit is carried by the proximal end of an electrical conductor for receiving and sending signals between it and distal, second BPL unit on the same electrical conductor. The use of separate routers with different addresses and a power line to transmit and receive data to confine the wireless portion of the second part of the system to a smaller area increase the physical security of wireless communications with the second part, making it less likely data communications taking place in the second part will be accessed by others.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating constraints associated with wireless power transmission in applications where the position and orientation of the desired magnetic field changes over time, for example, because the position and orientation of the receiver being powered changes over time or because different receivers having different positions and orientations are being powered at different times. In accordance with some embodiments, the system employs a plurality of wireless power transmitters in a defined space, each transmitter consisting of individual coils oriented orthogonally relative to each other. Using field interference amongst these individual coils as well as amongst the transmitters they form, one can actively control the wireless power field intensity and orientation at any given point in the defined space. This allows for methods to steer the power transmission towards a specific target at a specific angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring at least one performance characteristic of a component of a vehicle may include a tripod connected to an exterior surface of the vehicle, the tripod includes a plurality of airfoils defining an aerodynamic surface of the tripod, a camera positioned on the tripod at a predetermined viewing angle directed toward the component of the vehicle and a camera fairing connected to the tripod and surrounding the camera, the camera fairing includes a sidewall defining an aerodynamic surface of the camera fairing, an aperture disposed through the sidewall and aligned with the camera and a plurality of protrusions positioned proximate the aperture.

Abstract: Method and system to deliver anti-ice fluid to an ice prone surface using a pressurized tank pressurized with engine bleed air. The method and system further uses an eductor to evacuate anti-ice fluid such that the anti-ice fluid's unwanted leakage is eliminated or reduced. The method and system further measures a flow rate of anti-ice fluid using a positive displacement fluid meter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying objects in low-volume enclosed spaces is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a hand dryer that comprises a dryer cavity including an input port, an exhaust port, and an opening for insertion of a hand having moisture thereon, an air channel, pneumatically coupling the exhaust port of the dryer cavity to the input port of the dryer cavity, the air channel substantially isolated from an interior volume of the lavatory, and a blower, communicatively coupled to the air channel, for moving air through the air channel and the dryer cavity.

Abstract: Method and system to sense ice protection fluid and verify a Fluid Ice Protection System (FIPS) is distributing the ice protection fluid correctly.

Abstract: A method for placing electrical conductors interior to a composite structure prior to curing. A laminate stack is formed by assembling one or more composite layers, wherein the composite layers are pre-impregnated with a resin. One or more electrical conductors are placed on at least one of the composite layers prior to curing the laminate stack. One or more electrical insulators is optionally placed in proximity to one or more of the electrical conductors in at least one of the composite layers prior to curing the laminate stack. The laminate stack, including the composite layers, the electrical conductors, and the electrical insulators, is then cured to create the composite structure.

Abstract: LADAR systems and methods are disclosed. LADAR systems include a LADAR transmitter configured to emit a laser signal from a platform and a LADAR receiver configured to detect the laser signal returning from a target moving relative to the platform. The LADAR receiver includes a dynamic receiver filter with a receiver bandwidth (which may be about equal to the linewidth of the laser signal) and a tunable receiver center wavelength. The LADAR receiver is configured to adjust the receiver center wavelength to a wavelength that is Doppler-shifted due to the target velocity. Methods include transmitting a laser signal from a platform, returning the laser signal from a moving target, adjusting a dynamic receiver filter to a receiver center wavelength that is based upon the center wavelength of the returned laser signal (that includes a Doppler offset due to the relative velocity of the target), and receiving the returned laser signal.

Abstract: A method for promoting electrical conduction between metallic components and composite materials. A composite body is coated with an adhering layer comprising a conductive material, and a metallic component is electrically connected to the conductive material of the adhering layer, when the metallic component is coupled to the composite body. The adhering layer is deposited inside a hole in the composite body, and/or along an edge of the hole, and/or on at least a portion of a surface of the composite body. The composite body is a structure of an aircraft or other vehicle comprised of composite materials formed from carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs), the metallic component is a fastener or is positioned at an interface between the fastener and the composite body, and the electrical connection is made as part of a lightning protection system, an electromagnetic effects (EME) management system, or grounding system.

Abstract: Method and system to detect ice accumulation on ice prone surfaces of an aircraft. The method and system sweeps a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) beam across ice prone surfaces to measure the shape of the ice prone surfaces. The change in shape of the ice prone surfaces indicates the presence of ice on the ice prone surface.

Abstract: A blind source separation (BSS) system comprises means for gathering wideband signal power spectral information without using special Fourier transform hardware/software systems and without using extremely large signal memories. The method involves taking the combined energy output of a large set of BSS filters that are operating under a blind source separation algorithm that looks for signals of interest, along with instantaneous filter characteristics such as center frequency, bandwidth and spectral response, and records a weighted spread energy into a frequency- and time-based histogram. This information can then be used to compare against the BSS signal output and signal energy which does not correspond to existing signal output is added to additional BSS signal output. This system can operate in real time, but uses long-term averaging to enhance signal detection.

Abstract: In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a mandrel is disclosed. The mandrel having a shape memory alloy (SMA) shell having a longitudinal axis, an interior extending along the longitudinal axis and an exterior contour, the SMA shell being configured to interface with a structure to be cured, and at least one SMA actuation member disposed within the interior and connected to the SMA shell, where the at least one SMA actuation member is configured to exert pressure against the SMA shell effecting an interface pressure between the exterior contour of the SMA shell and the structure to be cured where the exterior contour has a predetermined actuated shape that corresponds to a predetermined cured shape of the structure to be cured.

Abstract: An integrated cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system is disclosed. The integrated cargo-fire-suppression agent distribution system comprises a shut-off valve operable to close such that an airflow is blocked, and vehicle ventilation means operable to distribute a fire-suppression agent if the airflow is blocked.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises stacked sets of laminated fiber reinforced resin plies and metal sheets. Edges of the resin plies and metal sheets are interleaved to form a composite-to-metal joint connecting the resin plies with the metal sheets.

Abstract: Fabricating a component is accomplished by operating a metrology system to obtain physical characteristics for an environment in which the component is to be installed. The physical characteristics for the environment are then transferred to a computer numerical control (CNC) machine and the component is fabricated to be compatible with the physical characteristics of the environment using the CNC machine.

Abstract: A system includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The system further includes a LIDAR target. The LIDAR device is configured to direct a light beam at the LIDAR target. The system also includes a retro-reflective material in contact with the LIDAR target.