Abstract: The present invention relates to a bending-sustaining joint and an aircraft including the same. The bending-sustaining joint includes a body for attaching to a support structure, the body having a first end with a first bore including an internal thread portion and a non-threaded portion; a sleeve including a fitting portion which can be fit into the non-threaded portion of the first bore, a bearing portion for bearing a born member and a through hole; and a bolt member including a thread section and a bolt head which can abut an end face of the sleeve, the thread section of the bolt member being capable of passing through the through hole of the sleeve and being screwed into the internal thread portion of the first bore so as to secure the sleeve to the body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for a adjustable flap adjustably mounted on a main wing surface of an aeroplane wing, in particular, a landing flap, with at least one adjustment unit for purposes of adjustment of the adjustable flap, which has an actuator arranged, or that can be arranged, on the main wing surface, and has a kinematic adjustment mechanism running between the actuator and the adjustable flap, wherein the adjustable flap is mechanically coupled with the actuator via the kinematic adjustment mechanism. At least one damping unit for purposes of damping a dynamic loading effected by the adjustable flap on the adjustment unit, which can occur as a result of a critical malfunction event occurring in the region of the adjustable flap, is arranged, or can be arranged, between the main wing surface and the adjustable flap.

Abstract: An example can include a pod detachably coupled to a hull. At least one thrust generator can be fixed to the pod. A power source can be mounted to the pod and slideable fore and aft. A power source actuator can be coupled between the pod and the power source to translate the location of the power source with respect to the pod. A sensor can be coupled to the pod to detect a pitch of the hull and provide a pitch signal. A controller can be coupled to one or more of the power source, the power source actuator, the first and second thrust generators and the sensor. The controller can maintain a pitch of the hull by translating the power source within the pod in association with the pitch signal.

Abstract: An aircraft ice protection system (10) comprises an ice protection device (21), an onboard power source (30), a supply line (31) from the power source (30) to the device (21), a controller (41) which controls the line (31), and an optimizer (50) which conveys operation-optimizing instructions (51) to the controller (41). An ice detector (60) provides an input (70) to the optimizer (50) and this ice-condition input (70) is used to generate the operation-optimizing instructions (51).

Abstract: A method to load stores on an aircraft, the method may be controlled by one or more controller and may include one or more acts of loading stores onto corresponding lift portions; determining a relative position of the aircraft; positioning the stores relative to the determined position of the aircraft; and securing the stores to corresponding hardpoints (HPs) of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aeroplane includes an escape opening passing through an external skin and an internal bulkhead. The escape opening is closed off by an external escape hatch having an external opening controller. The aeroplane further includes an internal escape hatch that closes off said escape opening flush with the internal bulkhead, and kept closed by at least one catch movable between a locked state and unlocked state, a first opening controller that controls the passage from the locked state to the unlocked state of the catch being accessible from inside the aeroplane, and a second opening controller that controls the passage from the locked state to the unlocked state of the catch being positioned such that the actuation of the external opening controller of the external escape hatch or the passage of the external escape hatch from the closed position to the open position causes the second opening controller to be actuated.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of an optimal altitude controller for super pressure aerostatic balloon in connection with a balloon network. The aerostatic balloon includes a bladder containing a gas that is lighter than the air present in the environment of the balloon. Additionally, the aerostatic balloon includes an envelope filled with air. A mass-changing unit configured to selectively add or remove air may control the amount of air in the envelope. Further, the balloon has a communication module configured to transmit data relating to a current balloon state, and receives data relating to a desired balloon state. Additionally, the balloon includes a processor configured to control the mass-changing unit based on the desired balloon state. The mass-changing unit of the aerostatic balloon may be powered by a renewable energy source, such as solar power. The mass-changing unit adds or removes air with an impeller.

Abstract: This description relates to a strapped windshield assembly for a rotorcraft. In some implementations, the rotorcraft includes an airframe, a windshield, and a plurality of independent straps connected to the airframe and the windshield, the straps operative to move independently with respect to one another. The independent movement of the straps allow relative movement of portions of the windshield in response to a strike. In some implementations, the straps are spaced every 4-6 inches along an edge of the windshield. In some implementations, the straps are over an edge of the windshield. The straps can have a modulus of elasticity of 8-12 millions of pounds per square inch (MSI). The windshield can include polycarbonate material.

Abstract: An electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may include an electric motor positioned on a landing gear assembly of the aircraft; and one or more selectively operable engaging members for selectively coupling the ETS with a wheel of the aircraft. The engaging members may be drivably coupled to the electric motor. The engaging members may each have a base member and a leading end. An axis of the base member and an axis of the leading end may be in straight-line alignment upon initial engagement of the engaging member with the wheel. The axes of the leading end and the base member may displaced from a straight-line alignment responsively to lateral forces exerted on the leading end resulting from deflections of the wheel during taxiing of the aircraft.

Abstract: A rotorcraft vibration isolation system includes a plurality of liquid inertia vibration elimination (LIVE) units mounted on a first rotorcraft surface, an accumulator mounted on a second rotorcraft surface at a location that is remote from locations of the plurality of LIVE units, and a fluid passage to connect the accumulator to the plurality of LIVE units in parallel. The fluid passage has sufficient length to traverse between the location of the accumulator and each location of each LIVE unit. During rotorcraft operation, the second rotorcraft surface experiences lesser periodic vibration than the first rotorcraft surface.

Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a core engine section including a compressor section feeding air to a combustor to generate high speed exhaust gases that drive a turbine section all disposed about an engine axis, a geartrain driven by the core engine section, a fan section driven by the geartrain about a fan axis spaced apart from the engine axis, and an accessory gearbox driven by the geartrain and mounted apart from the core engine section and the fan section.

Abstract: An aeroplane includes an external skin and an internal bulkhead delimiting a cabin, and an escape opening passing through the external skin and the internal bulkhead. The escape opening is closed off by an external escape hatch disposed flush with the external skin. The aeroplane also includes an internal escape hatch that closes off the escape opening disposed flush with the internal bulkhead, and pressure regulating means capable of automatically triggering an opening of the internal escape hatch or a part of the internal escape hatch when a pressure differential on both sides of the internal escape hatch exceeds a determined value.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a fuselage, an empennage having an all-moving horizontal stabilizer located at a tail end of the fuselage, a wing having the fuselage positioned approximately halfway between the distal ends of the wing, wherein the wing is configured to transform between a substantially straight wing configuration and a canted wing configuration using a canted hinge located on each side of the fuselage. The VTOL aircraft may further includes one or more retractable pogo supports, wherein a retractable pogo support is configured to deploy from each of the wing's distal ends.

Abstract: A multifunction device for an undercarriage. The device comprises at least a first shaft rotatably mounted on the aircraft to rotate about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to a hinge axis hinging the undercarriage to the aircraft, and a telescopic second shaft rotatably mounted in the undercarriage and extending down along the undercarriage to the proximity of wheels carried thereby. A motor is adapted to cause the first shaft to rotate. The telescopic second shaft is a single shaft that extends inside the undercarriage to the proximity of an axle carrying the wheels of the undercarriage. The second shaft is connected to a differential connected to the wheels via drive shafts extending inside the axle.

Abstract: Deployment and control actuation mechanisms are incorporated in unmanned aerial vehicles having folding wings and/or folding canards and/or a folding vertical stabilizer. The folding canards and folding vertical stabilizer can be deployed using respective four-bar over-center mechanisms. Elevators pivotably mounted to the folding canards and a rudder pivotably mounted to the folding vertical stabilizer can be controlled by means of respective twist link mechanisms. The folding wings have respective wing roots that are driven by respective gas springs to pivot on bearings about a wing root hub having control servo wire paths.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a hydrogen-containing envelope, a water-collection system for collecting water from the envelope, an electrolyzer to convert the water collected using the water-collection system into hydrogen, and a hydrogen-replenishment system for replenishing the envelope with hydrogen generated using the electrolyzer. In one embodiment, generated hydrogen is also supplied to a hydrogen-fuelled propulsion system for propulsion of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage structure is disclosed having an outer skin, a support structure arrangement with frame elements, and a floor structure arrangement with floor support struts, the floor structure arrangement connected to the support structure arrangement via connection parts. A connection exists between the floor structure arrangement and the support structure arrangement, with a clamping element on the connection part and a locking element on the connection part. The clamping element includes a longitudinal section having a first and a second end. The first end is pivotally attached to the connection part. The second end includes a transverse section, the locking element including at least one locking groove, and the clamping element pivotable between an engagement position in which the transverse section engages the locking groove, and a released position, in which the transverse section is disengaged therefrom.

Abstract: An airplane flight deck which includes an escape opening closed off by an emergency door and an emergency hatch. The emergency hatch comprises a sheeting and a locking/unlocking mechanism configured to take up a locked state in which the sheeting closes off the escape opening and an unlocked state in which the sheeting frees the escape opening.

Abstract: Aircraft fuselages are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fuselage of an aircraft having a first section and a second section to which a tail assembly is to be coupled. The second section is aft of the first section and is to extend to at least a trailing edge of a horizontal stabilizer of the tail assembly. A first width of the first section decreases from a front to a rear of the first section, and a second width of the second section is substantially constant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amphibious flying car, comprising: a casing, a chassis, a ship bottom body, a vehicle wheel, a drive system and an operating system; an upper airfoil and a rotor wing which are arranged on the top of the casing, are fixed on a bearing carrier located at the orthocenter of the fuselage; a strake wing is provided at the position where the casing, the chassis and the ship bottom body are combined; the horizontal wing comprises a stabilizing plane and an elevator, which are respectively located at the front end and the rear end of the fuselage; the vertical twin fins are arranged at both sides of the rear end of the fuselage, and its root segments are fixedly connected to the strake wing.