Abstract: A drive unit for an aircraft ground wheel associated with a brake unit for braking the ground wheel includes: a driving motor drivingly coupleable to the ground wheel; and a cooling system including at least a drive cooling unit configured to generate a drive cooling air stream for cooling the drive unit and a brake cooling unit configured to generate a brake cooling air stream by sucking in air from the brake unit. A method of controlling such drive unit in which the cooling system is driven by the driving motor of the drive unit includes: decoupling the driving motor from the ground wheel and increasing the rotational speed of the driving motor to increase the amount of generated drive cooling air, when an operating condition of the ground wheel and/or of the drive unit is switched from a propulsion mode to a non-propulsion mode.

Abstract: An impeller retention apparatus is provided. The impeller retention apparatus includes a bearing element, a rotatable gear shaft rotatably supported within an outer body by the bearing element, an impeller disposed about and coupled to the rotatable gear shaft to rotate with the rotatable gear shaft, a preload spacer and a flexible coupling. The preload spacer is disposed along the rotatable gear shaft between the impeller and the bearing element and includes a forward preload spacer end abutting an aft end of the bearing element, an aft preload spacer end abutting a forward face of the impeller and an elastic element that biases the impeller away from the bearing element in an axial direction along the rotatable gear shaft. The flexible coupling is coupled to the rotatable gear shaft such that the outer body and the flexible coupling cooperatively define an annulus from which the impeller receives an airflow.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel inflatable and rigidizable support elements, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, the present invention provides inflatable and rigidizable support elements rapidly inflated and rigidized using an acrylic adhesive and UV light generated by combustion, which find use, for example, in rapidly deploying and supporting the wing of an aerial vehicle and wind turbine towers.

Abstract: An oleo-pneumatic shock absorber having a casing, a rod slidably mounted in the casing, first and second fluids in the casing, and a gauge. The gauge has a substrate positioned on the shock absorber. The substrate has a first region with a slot sized to fit an ultrasonic transducer arranged to encompass a range of possible oil levels within the shock absorber, a second region corresponding to a range of possible extension states of the shock absorber and a third region comprising one or more traces. Each trace corresponds to a temperature value and is indicative of an optimum relationship between the oil levels and the range of extension states at the respective temperature value associated with the trace.

Abstract: Described are a parafoil for operation at high altitudes, in low density air, or at low airspeeds, and methods for opening same. The parafoil comprises flexible members connected to the parafoil canopy. When the parafoil canopy is in a stowed configuration, the members are deformed, storing elastic energy. When the canopy is released from its stowed configuration, the members spring back to their undeformed shapes, thereby opening or assisting with opening the canopy. The flexible members may also be attached to a base structure, which is attached to the payload. The members may comprise rods or hollow tubes that can be flexed using a fulcrum near the base structure, or a spacer plate, so that the ends connected to the canopy are restrained by a parachute bag containing the stowed or packed canopy. The parachute bag can be opened prior to or during detachment of the parafoil from the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A shape morphing fuselage and method of transitioning an aerocar from a land mode to a flight mode are disclosed. The fuselage includes a plurality of flexible frame members and tensile skin extending between the plurality of flexible frame members as well as an actuation system configured to bend the plurality of flexible frame members between a contracted configuration associated with a flight mode and an expanded configuration associated with a land mode. The fuselage can also include a hatch pivotable about an axis of one of the flexible frame members in the expanded configuration and configured to open for deployment and retraction of wings for the aerocar.

Abstract: Miniature release mechanisms constrain objects, such as deployables during the launch of space vehicles, such as small satellites and nanosatellites, and enable the release of the objects once a desired destination is reached by the space vehicle. Constraint and release of the objects are achieved by providing a secure threaded interface that may be released by the release mechanisms. The release mechanisms include a housing structure; a release block can include a threaded interface; one or more retracting pins; one or more release springs; a breakable link, such as a plastic link; a cable harness clamp; and a circuit board. The release mechanism can be 0.1875 inches (approximately 4.8 mm) thick.

Abstract: An adaptive electronically steerable array (AESA) system comprises a plurality of arrays, each comprising a plurality of radiating elements, each array configured for placement on a forward-facing surface of a different one of a plurality of aerodynamic control surfaces on an interceptor. A plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmissive radome elements, each having an aerodynamic shape complementary to the aerodynamic control surface, are placed over one of the arrays. Control circuitry configures the arrays, independently or in concert, for RF target engagement and communication. Additional arrays may be positioned on side or aft-facing surfaces of the aerodynamic control surfaces for RF communication. The AESA system may be paired with an IR system for dual-mode operation.

Abstract: A high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system can include a zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) attached in tandem with one or more variable ballast air super-pressure balloons (SPB). The ZPB provides lift for the system while the SPB uses a centrifugal compressor to provide a variable amount of ballast air by pumping in or expelling out ambient air. A solar array coupled with an elongated ladder assembly can be coupled to a payload support for a payload carried by the LTA system. Various advanced performance targets relating to ascent rate, descent rate, range and maximum altitude are achievable with various scaled versions of the basic design of the LTA system. Advanced navigation and control techniques, such as efficient high altitude station-keeping approaches, are made possible with the LTA system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an actuation system includes a plurality of threaded member portions, a plurality of roller nuts, a driving member configured to receive mechanical energy from a power source, a plurality of driven members, and a magnetorheological (MR) fluid disposed between the plurality of driven members and at least one braking surface. An output member may be coupled between the rotor system and either the plurality of threaded member portions or the plurality of roller nuts and configured to translate linearly in response to the threaded member portions advancing or receding within the roller nuts.

Abstract: An aircraft engine anti-icing barrier assembly having a slip joint subassembly, a barrier subassembly, and a vapor barrier subassembly. The slip joint subassembly has a forward end for fixed attachment at a forward bulkhead of an aircraft engine, and has an aft end having a sliding joint. The barrier subassembly is attached to an aft side of an aft bulkhead and inserted through the aft bulkhead. The barrier subassembly has two mount pads with an upper mount pad and a lower mount pad configured for joined sealed attachment around the slip joint subassembly to form a barrier between an engine fan case compartment and an aft compartment in an engine inlet. The vapor barrier subassembly is attached to the aft side of the aft bulkhead and adjacent the barrier subassembly, has a boot element and a boot element retainer, and forms a vapor barrier to the slip joint subassembly.

Abstract: A method of installing fuel system components in an aircraft wing in which the fuel system components are attached to ribs before the ribs are assembled into the wing. The ribs are structural ribs for the wing and may be assembled to form a combined rib and fuel system component assembly before the assembly is added to the wing.

Abstract: A pressurized aircraft fuselage includes a pressure bulkhead installed on a fuselage structure, which forms a barrier between an internal pressurized cabin area and an outside area. The edge of the pressure bulkhead is circumferentially attached to the fuselage structure. In particular, at least one clamping element is arranged inside a mounting bracket having an open trapezoidal-shaped channel formed by a base section of the mounting bracket and non-parallel sides of the mounting bracket. An edge of the pressure bulkhead is inserted in the trapezoidal shaped mounting bracket, in order to form a clamping connection for the pressure bulkhead towards the fuselage structure.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear including a wheel rotatable about an axle, a motor, and a bi-directional overrunning clutch, such as a roller or sprag clutch, operable to either connect the wheel with the motor or disconnect the wheel from the motor. The bi-directional clutch includes a ring-shaped overrunning track connected to the wheel, a ring-shaped drive track connected to the motor and concentrically aligned with the overrunning track, and a plurality of movable elements retained between the overrunning track and the drive track. The movable elements are movable between: a driven configuration in which they prevent relative rotation between the drive track and the overrunning track to thereby permit the wheel to be driven by the motor; and an overrunning configuration in which they permit relative rotation between the drive track and the overrunning track to thereby disconnect the wheel from the motor.

Abstract: An aircraft frame includes a first partial aircraft frame configured to be attached to a first aircraft fuselage segment, and a second partial aircraft frame configured to be attached to a second aircraft fuselage segment. The first and second partial aircraft frames include corresponding first and second stringer coupling sections. The first partial aircraft frame and the second partial aircraft frame are configured to be attached to each other via a first web and a second web. The first stringer coupling section is located between the first inner flange and the first outer flange and the second stringer coupling section is located between the second inner flange and the second outer flange. The first stringer coupling section includes a first wall which extends from the first web into the first section of the first partial aircraft frame, and the second stringer coupling section comprises a second wall, which extends from the second web into the second section of the second partial aircraft frame.

Abstract: A device for concomitant opening or closing of two flaps of a door of an aircraft retractable landing gear. The device comprises a single actuating means for the opening or the closing of the two flaps under the effect of its extension or of its retraction. The actuating means comprises a first end linked to the structure of the aircraft, and a movable part. The device comprises a swinging arm comprising a first end linked by a pivot to the structure, and a second end linked to the movable part of the actuating means by a link having a degree of rotational freedom about an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot. The second end of the swinging arm is furthermore respectively linked to a first tie rod linked to a first of the two flaps, and to a second tie rod linked to a second of the two flaps.

Abstract: A multi-rotor aircraft having a center boom from which extends three or more leg booms disposed generally perpendicular to the center boom and on which is mounted rotor bases that have a rotor rotation mechanism and The center boom has a rotating drive shaft, and at least one drive pulley is mounted on an end of the center boom aft of the three or more leg booms. In another aspect the invention is a flight control module programmed for control of a multi-rotor aircraft craft and methods of control of a multi-rotor aircraft in flight.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for changing the shape of a wing using a trailing edge morphing beam. One example method includes coupling a trailing edge portion comprising a morphing beam to an elastic central portion of the wing. The morphing beam comprises a first portion formed of smart material and a second portion formed of elastic material. The method further includes actuating the smart material in the first portion of the morphing beam to change the shape of the elastic central portion of the wing and the elastic material of the morphing beam. The morphing beam can be configured to hold a first position corresponding to a minimum chord-length of the wing and a second position corresponding to a maximum chord length of the wing.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes landing gear components, such as an outer cylinder of a shock strut assembly. The outer cylinder includes one or more structural attachment pins configured to engage with other components of the landing gear including pintle frames, drag braces, and torque links. The pins include a cobalt alloy mated to a receptacle having a cobalt-containing coating on an inner surface, which eliminates the need for a bushing between the pin and the receptacle of the corresponding landing gear component.

Abstract: An air vehicle comprises a vehicle body and a propulsion assembly. The vehicle body has the shape of a wing airfoil to generate lift when air flows over the vehicle body. The vehicle body has a body longitudinal axis and substantially planar port and starboard sides of composite material, and includes first and second hulls that are secured together side-by-side, the hulls having longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel to the body longitudinal axis and two substantially planar side walls at least one of which is of composite material. Each hull defines a separate fluid chamber that is filled with a fluid that is at least partially buoyant. The propulsion assembly is secured to the vehicle body port and starboard sides. The propulsion assembly includes port front and rear engines and starboard front and rear engines, wherein at least two of the engines have independently controlled thrust vectors.