Abstract: A lightning current controlling method includes adjusting surface roughness of a surface of an aircraft body of an aircraft, a charged amount of the surface of the aircraft body of the aircraft, or both, to cause a passing path of a lightning current to be controlled when the aircraft is struck by lightning.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) airborne vehicle includes a fuselage, a front vertical thrust fan positioned forward of the fuselage and rotating in a first plane, and a rear vertical thrust fan positioned rearward of the fuselage and rotating in a second plane above the first plane. The relative positioning of the front and rear vertical thrust fans changes the distribution of aerodynamic forces on an upper profile of the fuselage to reduce drag.

Abstract: An aircraft flight control system includes a first actuator attached to a wing main body, a horn arm configured to transmit an output of the first actuator to a control surface, and a second actuator that is a rotary actuator and attached to the control surface. At least one of the first actuator and the second actuator is an electromechanical actuator (EMA). A first end of the horn arm is coupled to an output terminal of the first actuator, and a second end of the horn arm is fixed to an output terminal of the second actuator. The second actuator is attached to the control surface such that a turning axis of the output terminal is parallel to or coincides with a fulcrum axis (hinge line) of the control surface.

Abstract: To enable a local connection with separation on command, a connection device (20) comprises a first base plate (24), a first connection wall (22) forming a protuberance from the first base plate (24) and having an internal surface (22A) delimiting an internal volume (V) located on the side of the first base plate, on a first side, and a first connection surface (22B), a second base plate (28), a second connection wall (26) fixed to the second base plate on a second side and with a second connection surface (26A) covering the first connection wall (22) so as to form a space (S) between the first and second connection surfaces, a bonding layer (30) arranged in the space and extending along at least two distinct directions, and a heat generating material (32) arranged in an internal volume so as to enable heating of the bonding layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a cutting a payload strap includes a cutting assembly with an aperture to enclose a payload strap and a cutting element to sever the payload strap, a non-explosive energy source to store cutting energy, a control component coupled to the energy source to release the cutting energy, and a controller coupled to the control component to time and control the delivery of the cutting energy to the cutting element.

Abstract: An apparatus directed to unmanned aerial vehicles including (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm that allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement, of the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload.

Abstract: An advancing blade concept rotorcraft includes an airframe and a pylon assembly subject to vibration. The pylon assembly includes a dual rotor system having coaxially disposed top and bottom rotor assemblies that counter rotate relative to one another. The advancing blade concept rotorcraft includes a vibration isolation system including at least one pylon link coupled to the airframe and the pylon assembly. The pylon link includes a Liquid Inertia Vibration Eliminator unit operable to reduce transmission of the pylon assembly vibration to the airframe. The advancing blade concept rotorcraft includes active force generators adjacent to the pylon assembly. The active force generators include a first active force generator producing a force in a first direction and a second active force generator producing a force in a second direction to counteract multidirectional oscillations of the pylon assembly, thereby reducing vibration of the advancing blade concept rotorcraft.

Abstract: A high altitude or stratospheric balloon system may include a balloon envelope including envelope film, at least one tendon, and a suspender. The suspender may have a first end attached to the envelope film. The suspender is arranged to stretch such that the first end moves towards an equator of the balloon envelope as the balloon envelope pressurizes in order to control movement of the envelope film relative to the tendon and towards the equator as the balloon pressurizes.

Abstract: An electric propulsion module coupled to a spacecraft capable of providing thrust at a level required for multi-burn orbit transfer is disclosed herein. The electric propulsion system includes an electric propulsion thruster, a propellant tank and an energy storage device. In one form the energy storage device is a battery operable to provide sufficient power to maneuver the spacecraft quickly to avoid space debris and/or move to a different orbit through a multi-burn thrust procedure.

Abstract: An impingement cooling system is disclosed, including an airfoil having an aerodynamically sharp leading edge, a fluid source, and a fluid dispersal device connected to the fluid source. The leading edge has a concave internal surface and the fluid dispersal device is configured to project a fluctuating stream of fluid toward the internal surface.

Abstract: An aerodynamic body for use on an aircraft including at least a first perforated surface portion (25) and an ice-protection system (31). The first perforated surface portion (25) has perforations. The ice-protection system (31) includes an actuatable element (33) and the actuatable element (33) is movable or deformable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the actuatable element (33) is thermally coupled to the first perforated surface portion (25) and configured to prevent an inflow or outflow between a boundary layer of an outer aerodynamic airflow and the aerodynamic body through at least one of the perforations. In the second position, the actuatable element (33) is distanced from the first perforated surface portion (25) and configured to allow an inflow from a boundary layer of an outer aerodynamic airflow through at least one of the perforations into the aerodynamic body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanically rotating an aircraft about its center-of-gravity (CG) are disclosed. The system can enable the rear, or main, landing gear to squat, while the nose landing gear raises to generate a positive angle of attack for the aircraft for takeoff or landing. The system can also enable the nose gear and main gear to return to a relatively level fuselage attitude for ground operations. The system can include one or more hydraulically linked hydraulic cylinders to control the overall height of the nose gear and the main gear. Because the hydraulic cylinders are linked, a change on the length of the nose cylinder generates a proportional, and opposite, change in the length of the main cylinder, and vice-versa. A method and control system for monitoring and controlling the relative positions of the nose gear and main gear is also disclosed.

Abstract: Transitioning multicopters use front tiltwings to provide improved failsafe methods of landing in event of propulsor failure. A dicopter version provides for efficient use of two propulsors with multiple modes of failsafe landing.

Abstract: A plurality of port-side tilt rotors and a plurality of starboard-side tilt rotors are configured to rotate between a first rotor position and a second rotor position. The port-side tilt rotors are coupled to a trailing edge of the fixed and forward-swept wing on the port side and the starboard-side tilt rotors are coupled to the trailing edge of the fixed and forward-swept wing on the starboard side. The aircraft also includes a fuselage. When the port-side and starboard-side tilt rotors are in the first rotor position, at least some of a lift to keep the aircraft airborne comes from thrust output by the rotors at least some of the time. When in the second rotor position, at least some of the lift to keep the aircraft airborne comes from aerodynamic lift on the fixed and forward-swept wing at least some of the time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft with a super high aspect ratio based on self-unfolding folding wing technology, the aircraft including: an aircraft body; a fixed wing; and a movable wing assembly including a first movable wing and a second movable wing. When the aircraft takes off, the first movable wing and the second movable wing are in a folded position. The first movable wing and the second movable wing are deflected and moved to an unfolded position or a folded position by the aerodynamic force and moment generated by the deflection of aerodynamic control surfaces and the differential thrust and moment generated by a distributed propulsion system.

Abstract: The aircraft (10) comprises a fuselage (11) and a rhombohedral wing structure (12) comprising front wings (13, 14) mounted on a front wing-root support (17) and rear wings (15, 16) mounted on a rear wing-root support (18). One end of each front wing is articulated to one end of a rear wing and at least one of the wing-root supports is able to move along the fuselage. The wing-root supports (17, 18) are positioned respectively underneath and on top of the fuselage (11). The length (41) of the rear wings (15, 16) is strictly less than the length (48) of the front wings (13, 14). The aircraft (10) comprises an adaptor for adapting the position of each wing root (17, 18) to suit the flight conditions.

Abstract: A satellite has thrusters that are integral parts of its frame. The frame defines cavities therein where thrusters are located. The thrusters may include an electrically-operated propellant and electrodes to activate combustion in the electrically-operated propellant. The frame may be additively manufactured, and the propellant and/or the electrodes may also be additively manufactured, with the frame and the propellant and/or the electrodes also being manufactured in a single process. In addition the thrusters may have nozzle portions through which combustion gases exit the thrusters. The thrusters may be located at corners and/or along edges of the frame, and may be used to accomplish any of a variety of maneuvers for the satellite. The satellite may be a small satellite, such as a CubeSat satellite, for instance having a volume of about 1 liter, and a mass of no more than about 1.33 kg.

Abstract: A method of increasing fuel capacity of a fuel tank. The method includes creating a new filling port in the fuel tank, wherein the new filling port is vertically higher than the original filling port, sealing the original filling port, and installing an expansion tank above a top of the fuel tank, wherein the expansion tank is configured to permit expansion of fuel in the fuel tank beyond a maximum fill level of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A rotor for an aircraft capable of hovering includes a stationary support structure and a rotative element, which is rotatable about a first axis with respect to said stationary support structure with a first rotational speed. The rotor includes at least one blade, which is operatively connected with said rotative element; and a transmission group, which includes an output element rotatable about first axis with a second rotational speed different from first rotational speed.

Abstract: A flap support mounting assembly employs a flap support having at least one laterally-oriented upper coupling and a pair of laterally-oriented lower couplings. A fail-safe pin engages the at least one laterally-oriented upper coupling to an upper rear-spar fitting. A pair of frangible pins engages the lower couplings to a pair of lower rear-spar fittings. The frangible pins are configured to shear and enable the flap support to rotate upwards about the fail-safe pin in response to a load induced on the flap support that creates a moment inducing a sufficient shear force to shear the frangible pins. The fail-safe pin is configured to shear allowing separation of the flap support and associated flap from the wing in a manner that inhibits damage to a rear spar and integral fuel tank in a wing structure.