Abstract: An integrated aerodynamic panel—e.g., for a trailing edge or leading edge of an aircraft aerodynamic surface—includes a first panel region defining inner and outer mold lines, and a second panel region contiguous with and extending from the first panel region in a tapering fashion. A splice plate region extends from the second panel region and includes an edge band region configured to accept a fastener. A filler region (e.g., a SYNCORE or fiberglass structure) adjacent the second panel region has an exposed surface substantially flush with the outer mold line.

Abstract: Techniques for providing fastener-free primary structural joint for sandwich panels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a technique includes positioning a first panel having a first edge portion proximate a second panel having a second edge portion such that the first and second edge portions cooperatively form an interior recess on an interior side of the first and second panels, applying adhesive to at least one of the recessed interior side of the panel assembly and a plug configured to occupy the interior recess, inserting the plug into the interior recess, the plug including a cap that extends beyond the interior recess and overlaps adjacent portions of the first and second panels, applying adhesive to at least one of a splice and an exterior side opposite from the interior side, and attaching the splice on the exterior side.

Abstract: A composite fairing with embedded heating architecture for ice protection includes heating elements arranged on various fairing plies for heating substantially all of the composite fairing. The heating elements are positioned to provide ice protection to substantial portions of the external surface of the composite fairing. Junctions, busbars, and plated through holes are used for delivering electric current to the heating elements on the various fairing plies.

Abstract: A solar powered air vehicle that can stay aloft for indefinite periods of time. The vehicle employs photovoltaic solar cells for primary power and high speed counter-rotating flywheels for energy storage and steering of the vehicle. The flywheels are placed in the wing to reduce airfoil drag. A control law provides three-axis stabilized control of the vehicle by controlling propeller pitch to vary the speeds of the flywheels.

Abstract: An airplane fairing panel adjustable fitting assembly allows for installation and removal of a fairing panel from outside the fairing. Blind retention features are provided and a pivoting link structure is facilitated to accommodate flexing of an aircraft structure in use. Kits and methods of attaching fairing panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressurized bulkhead or panel for an aircraft includes an energy absorbing skin that deforms in response to an object strike that imparts at least a threshold amount of impact energy to the skin. The skin may be configured as a dome or a lofted panel that is essentially free of rigid stiffeners and non-deformable reinforcement members that would otherwise hinder the flexible characteristics of the skin. The skin may be formed from a monolithic one-piece material, such as metal of composites, and may include various integrally formed reinforcing features.

Abstract: Runway length requirement for take-off and landing of an aircraft is reduced by taking advantage of dynamic lift overshoot, and in some cases, dynamic stall. In take-off and landing, the angle of attack is rapidly increased so that the lift coefficient exceeds the maximum predicted by the steady flow lift curve. By increasing the angle of attack at an appropriate rate, the increased lift coefficient can be maintained, without loss of control, until the aircraft touches down in the case of a landing, or until the aircraft can begin a normal climb, in the case of take-off. A low aspect ratio lifting body is preferred because of its more gradual stall behavior, and the potential to use dynamic stall for further deceleration before touchdown. Vortex fences can be oscillated to delay the onset of stall, and, in cruise, to energize the boundary-layer and reduce drag and/or control roll and/or yaw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an equipment for jump in an oversized parachute for carrying a pilot (1) and a passenger (2) comprising a main harness (3) and a secondary harness (4) connected to the main harness (3) and provided with at least a dorsal part and a frontal part which can be applied on the back and the belly of the passenger (2), respectively, characterized in that it comprises means to maintain the dorsal part and the frontal part of the secondary harness (4) spaced apart. The invention has the advantage of enabling a better positioning of the passenger (2) during the canopy descent in view of the landing operations. The invention will find its application during jumps in tandem parachute.

Abstract: An aircraft with a fluid-duct system for extraction of the laminar layer and/or blowing out of fluid at vulnerable places of the outer skin, wherein the fluid-duct system (26, 19, 18) by means of switchable valves (6, 4) is connectable to a pump facility (3), which is driven by the exhaust air from the cabin for generating a reduced pressure for the extraction of the laminar layer.

Abstract: A flow control system and method especially well adapted for use on a Coanda surface. In one embodiment a plurality of plasma actuators are disposed over a Coanda surface of a wing of an aircraft. The actuators are selectively energized to either delay the onset of boundary layer flow separation from the Coanda surface, or to promote flow separation. One embodiment discloses using dual mode plasma actuators on a Coanda surface. The system and method is applicable to a wide variety of aerodynamic surfaces where control over the separation of a boundary layer flow over a trailing edge surface is desired.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for manipulating high-speed flows without moving aerodynamic structures. More particularly, a flow control actuator device is provided that is capable of producing a pulsating synthetic jet with high exhaust velocities for manipulating high-speed flows without moving aerodynamic structures. The high exhaust velocities of the actuator device may reach sonic levels of Mach 1 or greater. In one embodiment, the device may be constructed as an array of devices. In such an embodiment, each individual device is preferably reduced to a very small size. In such an embodiment, each individual device can then be fired in temporal patterns to create high-speed synthetic jets of air extending above the surface of the each device.

Abstract: Auxiliary fuel tanks are provided with an inner barrier wall defining an interior volume for containing aircraft fuel, an outer barrier wall adjacent the inner barrier wall so as to define a space therebetween, and a drain part having a port in fluid communication with the space to allow leaked fuel within the space to be discharged therefrom. The drain part may be positioned at a corner junction between at least side and bottom walls of the outer barrier wall. In some advantageous embodiments, the drain part is positioned at a corner junction between the side wall, the bottom wall and an end wall of the outer barrier wall. One or more drain parts may be provided on each auxiliary aircraft fuel tank.

Abstract: A flexible cable connection for connecting the monuments to an on-board supply device, which cable connection ensures that displacement of the monument in longitudinal direction of the aircraft becomes possible without disconnecting the connection cable, and the required distance between the connection routes is maintained even during displacement. To this effect, the cable connection comprises a chain device for guiding the connection cable.

Abstract: A device for the transport and medical care of patients as well as for the provision of emergency medical care in an aircraft, which can be arranged and permanently installed inside the passenger cabin of an aircraft, and has a stretcher and medical care equipment, and screens the patient from the environment at least partially by means of lateral elements. The device is enveloped on all sides by lateral elements, and forms a separated compartment relative to the passenger cabin, the volume of which can be temporarily enlarged by shifting at least one lateral section between the first, emergency medical care mode, and a second, expanded mode for patient transport, wherein the stretcher can be horizontally arranged within the compartment in the first mode, and space is available for a medical assistant inside the compartment.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, systems and methods for in-flight fuel delivery include an aerial refueling device adapted to provide fuel to a receiver aircraft, an optical component adapted to capture images of the aerial refueling device and the receiver aircraft, an operator input component adapted to interface with an operator and capture control signals as input from the operator, and a display component adapted to display images. A controller is adapted to receive the captured images and the captured control signals, process the control signals by generating graphic display symbology, process the images by generating a combined image having the generated graphic display symbology superimposed on the images, and display the combined image on the display component for viewing by the operator. The controller is adapted to superimpose the graphic display symbology on a portion of the images obscured by the aerial refueling device.

Abstract: A transferable modified leading edge for a wing is detachably mountable to a parent wing. The parent wing may use a NACA 23000-series airfoil. A modified wing tip may be used in conjunction with the modified leading edge. The modified leading edge can be mounted to a parent wing in a way that does not damage the parent wing. The modified leading edge and wing tip can provide increased lift.

Abstract: The invention relates to a configuration of engines (3) for aircraft located in the rear part of the fuselage (2) of said aircraft, the engines (3) being attached in a fixed manner by pylons (5) to the structure of the aircraft, said structure comprising a torsion box (14) which traverses the fuselage (2) and is used to attach the pylons (5), the fuselage (2) comprising an opening (4) allowing the passage of the suspension pylons (5) for the engines (3), said configuration further comprising a pivoting area (8), an actuator (7) and a fitting (6) through which the actuator (7) is attached to the suspension pylons (5) and to the torsion box (14) of the aircraft, such that the assembly formed by the actuator (7) and the fitting (6) allow balancing the pylon (5) and engine (3) assembly of the aircraft through the pivoting area (8), thus achieving controllable and optimal thrust vectoring of the aircraft for each flight phase.

Abstract: A rib element for aircraft and a composite flange for use in aircraft. The rib element (24) and the composite flange (14), manufactured from a composite material, comprise at least two elongated flanges (15, 16, 26) interconnected with one another in a corner (17) provided with a rounded inner corner (18) and a rounded outer corner (19). The corner is reinforced by at least one reinforcing component (20) which covers at least a part of the inner corner.

Abstract: A method and a device for supporting the take-off rotation of an aircraft, which aircraft comprises on each side of the aircraft at least two main landing gear units, arranged one behind the other, which main landing gear units comprising wheels. For supporting the take-off rotation, in at least one rear pair of the main landing gear units the distance between the wheels of these rear main landing gear units, which wheels roll on the ground, and the fuselage, may actively be reduced.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a structure with structural elements (16) that are assembled to form a three-dimensional framework to which an aerodynamic envelope (14) is attached. At least some structural elements (16) are at least partly metallic and—at the connection with the aerodynamic envelope (14)—including an interface that is made of material that has a conductivity that is below a threshold on the order of 10,000 S/m so as to form at least one electrical path that ensures the functions of electric return and metallization of the electrical systems, whereby connections that ensure the electrical conduction are provided between the structural elements (16).