Abstract: A method initializes a spatial web of trust for a sensor platform array by positioning multiple sensor groups within a restricted workspace, such that adjacent sensor platform pairs are formed from corresponding platforms of the groups within a close-field range. Sensor-specific identification keys are exchanged between respective adjacent sensor platforms, with the groups progressively repositioned to form unique adjacent sensor platform pairs within the close-field range. The method includes progressively exchanging the keys until each platform has exchanged a respective key with every other platform in the array, thereby initializing the spatial web of trust. A system for initializing the spatial web of trust for a UAV swarm includes the UAV swarm in communication with a base station over an encrypted communications link. Each UAV includes a CPU, a sensor suite, and memory on which is recorded instructions for the method.

Abstract: An indexing apparatus includes a fixture tool, movable relative to an operation cell, and an indexing feature, fixed relative to the fixture tool. The indexing apparatus also includes a sensor, configured to detect the indexing feature. The indexing apparatus further includes a controller, in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to locate the fixture tool relative to the operation cell from an indexing-feature location of the indexing feature, identified by the sensor.

Abstract: Multilayer riblet appliques are disclosed. An example riblet applique includes a fluorosilicone riblet structure including riblet ridges and a base from which the riblet ridges extend, and a support layer proximate the fluorosilicone riblet structure. The support layer includes a vacuum-plasma-treated polymer film having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a polymer sub-layer proximate the second surface of the polymer film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a composite structure. An inner tooling, a stackup, and an outer tooling are held in place together using a load constraint. A bladder and a plurality of stringer bladders in the stackup are pressurized to cause expansion of the bladder and the plurality of stringer bladders, thereby pushing together an overbraided thermoplastic skin and a plurality of overbraided thermoplastic members in the stackup. The overbraided thermoplastic skin and the plurality of overbraided thermoplastic members are co-consolidated while the bladder and the plurality of stringer bladders are pressurized to form the composite structure.

Abstract: A passenger service unit is provided. The passenger service unit includes at least one projector configured to project an image onto one or more display surfaces, at least one sensor configured to indicate a current position of the one or more display surfaces, and a projector controller in communication with the at least one projector and the at least one sensor. The projector controller is programmed to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicating a current position of a display surface and instruct the at least one projector to project at least one image onto the tray table based on the current position of the display surface.

Abstract: In an example, a method is described. The method comprises forming a single hole into a bond gap repair area. The method also comprises evacuating, via an adhesive injection apparatus attached to the single hole, the bond gap repair area and an injection channel of the adhesive injection apparatus. The method also comprises forcing adhesive through the evacuated injection channel and into the evacuated bond gap repair area.

Abstract: A health monitoring system including an array of microphones, a data collection system, and analytic software used to detect health status, pending malfunctions, or faults of several disparate, engine subsystems. The system can be used to monitor health of the main engines, the engine nacelles, and auxiliary power units (APU) on the aircraft.

Abstract: There is provided a portable wand system including a wand applicator containing a surface treatment application element. The portable wand system further includes a wand controller subsystem coupled to the wand applicator. The wand controller subsystem includes a computer program, and a depiction of one or more surfaces to be surface treated with the surface treatment application element. The portable wand system further includes a user input button coupled to the wand applicator, an indicator element, a power assembly coupled to the wand controller subsystem, and one or more registration features to register the wand applicator against known location(s) at the one or more surfaces in the depiction. The portable wand system measures positional data of the wand applicator in real-time, and compares the positional data against the depiction, to indicate to a user when a predetermined surface treatment application is achieved for the one or more surfaces.

Abstract: A method including executing a logical computing element (LCE) on a server. Worker LCEs are executed on the server. A first electronic file comprising geometry data in a first data structure is received at the controller LCE. An available worker LCE is identified, by the controller LCE, as an in-use worker LCE from among the worker LCEs. The geometry data is imported by the in-use worker LCE. A job instance is established by the in-use worker LCE. A rendering engine is launched by the in-use worker LCE. The rendering engine generates, for the job instance and using the geometry data, a dataset file in a second data structure different than the first data structure. The dataset file is returned by the in-use worker LCE to the controller LCE. The dataset file is returned by the controller LCE to a remote computer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for high-traffic density personalized transportation. An example system includes a transit carrier having a first movement system, first stacking couplers, first and second magnetic couplers, and a first location, a transit pod having a second movement system, second stacking couplers, and a second location, the second stacking couplers configured to couple to the first stacking couplers, and a controller to in response to obtaining a request to direct the transit carrier to move from the first location to the second location, invoke the transit pod to couple to the transit carrier by directing the transit pod to move on top of the transit carrier using the second movement system, and when the transit carrier is coupled to the transit pod, invoke the transit carrier to move the transit pod to a third location using the first movement system.

Abstract: Stiffened skin panels comprise alternating truss core portions and solid laminate portions sandwiched between inner and outer facesheets, all formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The components of the panels are co-consolidated using induction heating. The panels are stiffened with spars fastened to the solid laminate portions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides sol-gels, sol-gel films and substrates, such as vehicle components, having a sol-gel film disposed thereon. At least one sol-gel is the reaction product of an organosilane, a metal alkoxide, an acid stabilizer, and an organic solvent, the sol-gel having about 10 wt % or less water content based on the total weight of the sol-gel. At least one vehicle component comprises a sol-gel coating system, comprising a metal substrate and a sol-gel disposed on the metal substrate, and the sol-gel is the reaction product of an organosilane, a metal alkoxide, an acid stabilizer, and an organic solvent, the sol-gel having about 10 wt % or less water content based on the total weight of the sol-gel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, articles thereof, and methods of forming compositions. In at least one aspect, a composition includes (1) an epoxy, (2) an amino or amido hardener, (3) a polyaniline, (4) a dopant selected from a triazolyl, a thiazolyl, a quinolinyl, a salicylate, a benzoate, a glycolate, a phosphate, a sulfonate, an oxalate, or combination(s) thereof; and (5) a pigment selected from titanium dioxide, silica, talc, mica, aluminium stearate, or combination(s) thereof. The polyaniline+dopant comprises greater than 6 wt %, by weight of the composition. In at least one aspect, a method includes introducing an acid form of a polyaniline to a hydroxide to form a polyaniline hydroxide. The method includes introducing a dopant to the polyaniline hydroxide to form a doped polyaniline.

Abstract: A system and a method for driving a fan of an engine of an aircraft, including an electric motor operatively coupled to a drive axle of the fan, and a control unit in communication with the electric motor. The control unit is configured to operate the electric motor to rotate the fan.

Abstract: A system and a method for securing and stabilizing one or more galley carts within a stowage compartment within an internal cabin of a vehicle include one or more dampers configured to be secured to one or more surfaces of the stowage compartment. The one or more dampers are configured to exert a spring force into the one or more galley carts to stabilize the one or more galley carts between the one or more dampers and one or more other surfaces of the stowage compartment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for variable stiffness supports in aircraft testing are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a variable stiffness support including a pad to contact and support the aircraft, and a spring operatively coupled to the pad. The apparatus also includes an actuator operatively coupled to the support, a sensor, at least one memory, machine executable instructions and at least one processor. The at least one processor is to execute the instructions to determine at least one of a movement or a displacement of the pad based on information from the sensor, and control movement of the actuator based on the determined at least one movement or distance of the pad to statically support the aircraft while enabling movement of the pad above a threshold frequency.

Abstract: Delivery systems for aerial vehicles may provide a passive automatic delivery system that is automatically triggered during landing of the aerial vehicle. One or more arm assemblies of the delivery system may include a respective landing arm, resilient member, and package guide. The landing arm is configured to rotate in response to an applied external force, with the resilient member being operatively coupled to the landing arm and configured to bias the landing arm towards a resting position. The package delivery system automatically releases the package when a delivery condition is met, such as the landing arms of the delivery system being rotated past a threshold position. Delivery systems can thus passively and automatically ensure that all landing arms are on a landing surface before the package is released. Related methods include approaching and contacting a landing surface, and releasing the package at the landing surface of the delivery location.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure provide localization systems and methods that detect a plurality of landmarks in scan data acquired by a scanning sensor disposed onboard a mobile inspection platform. The localization systems and methods determine, via one or more processors, centers of the landmarks based on scan points in the scan data that impinge perimeter surfaces of the landmarks, and determine a location of the mobile inspection platform in relation to the centers of the landmarks.

Abstract: A method for detecting and reporting an aircraft diversion event includes receiving a continuous real-time surveillance stream via a server from a real-time surveillance system. The surveillance stream describes respective flight trajectories a population of aircraft in a defined three-dimensional (3D) airspace. The method also includes accessing historical flight information, via a processor, regarding past flight trajectories in the 3D airspace, and accessing navigation data. Additionally, the method includes calculating, via the server using the surveillance stream, historical flight information, and navigation data, at least one probability of diversion (POD) metric indicative of a probability that a subject aircraft in the population of aircraft is experiencing the aircraft diversion event.

Abstract: A system for joining a first thermoplastic component of a workpiece with a second thermoplastic component of the workpiece includes a first joining plate assembly comprising a housing, a heat plate, and a thermal insulator disposed between the housing and the heat plate, wherein the heat plate defines a heating surface; a second joining plate assembly opposed from the first joining plate assembly; and a clamping assembly engaged with both the first joining plate assembly and the second joining plate assembly.