Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell assembly for an aircraft is provided. The method includes: receiving flight load predictor data for a scheduled flight of the aircraft prior to initiation of the scheduled flight of the aircraft; and reconfiguring the fuel cell assembly in response to the received flight load predictor data prior to the initiation of the scheduled flight of the aircraft, wherein reconfiguring the fuel cell assembly comprises adding or removing a fuel cell module to or from the fuel cell assembly to increase or decrease a power capacity of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A satellite with deployable optics is provided. The satellite has a frame, an optical axis, and a deployable optical system. The optical system has a mechanical aperture perpendicular to the optical axis, where light collected travels substantially parallel to the optical axis. The optical system has a stored configuration in which it remains within the frame and a deployed configuration in which it extends outside the frame. In some configurations, the light-collecting area of the deployed configuration is larger than the possible light-collecting area of the stored configuration. In a partially deployed configuration, all of the primary mirror segments remain substantially within the frame, and the light-collecting area is smaller than that in the deployed configuration. A method of using the satellite includes setting the satellite to the deployed configuration, detecting whether there is a deployment malfunction, and, if so, setting the satellite to a partially deployed configuration.

Abstract: An aircraft water supply system supplies water to a water discharge port in an aircraft. A cold water flow path supplies cold water to the water discharge port. A hot water flow path supplies hot water to the water discharge port. A first control valve adjusts the flow rate of cold water flowing through the cold water flow path. A second control valve adjusts the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water flow path. A temperature sensor detects the water temperature at any point up to the water discharge port. A flow control unit controls the opening/closing state of the first control valve and the second control valve based on the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear actuation system which uses two separate actuation forces to retract aircraft landing gear is disclosed. One of the actuation forces may be provided by an actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator. Another of these actuation forces may be provided by a pressurized fluid that is directed into the actuator through a conduit that extends into a hollow interior of an actuator rod of the actuator. The pressurized fluid may be provided from a pressurized fluid source that contains a fixed volume of pressurized fluid. This pressurized fluid may exert a force on an actuator piston of the actuator or the actuator rod. The pressurized fluid may also be used to dampen the deployment of the landing gear.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flight control surface includes a first electromagnetic actuator “EMA” and a second EMA, each of which are connected to said flight control surface. Each EMA is configured to be arranged in, and switched between, three modes; said three modes comprising: an active mode, a stand-by mode and a blocked, or anti-extension, mode.

Abstract: A hydrogen tank assembly is provided for use in vehicles, such as aircraft. The hydrogen tank assembly has an inner tank wall, an outer tank wall, and an inert gas source. The inner tank wall defines a hydrogen tank volume that is surrounded by a shroud volume which is defined by the outer tank wall. The hydrogen tank volume is filled with cryogenic hydrogen and has a higher pressure than the shroud volume that is filled with an inert gas, such as helium. The counter-pressure of the inert gas prevents micro-cracks in the inner tank wall and increases the in-service life.

Abstract: An opening system for a cowling access door, to a cowling access door with such an opening system for a cowling of an aircraft, to an aircraft comprising such a cowling access door, and to a method of operating such an opening system. The opening system may include an overcentering latch that automatically latches in the over-centered state to prevent the cowling access door from returning to the closed position, and a release system that is coupled to the overcentering latch and adapted for transitioning the overcentering latch from the over-centered state to an unclamped state. The opening system further includes a remote actuator that is located spaced apart from the release system and adapted for remotely actuating the release system.

Abstract: A method for capturing and deorbiting space debris includes: deploying a space debris capturing device in planetary orbit; receiving an initial target set including a first database of space debris targets that are within range of the space debris capturing device; performing a first algorithm to convert the initial target set to an accessible target set including a second database of space debris targets that are within range of the space debris capturing device; performing a second algorithm to convert the accessible target set to a final target set including a third database of space debris targets to be captured by the space debris capturing device capturing the first space debris target via a capture mechanism of the space debris capturing device; jettisoning the capture mechanism and the first captured space debris target into a decaying orbit; one of the remaining space debris targets of the third database; and positioning the space debris capturing device and the final captured space debris target int

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a bank angle, a heading angle and an altitude of an aircraft during flight are provided. The methods and systems disclosed herein make use of sliding mode control and feedback linearization control (nonlinear dynamic control) techniques. The methods and systems can provide autopilot-type functions that can autonomously execute aggressive maneuvers as well as more gentle maneuvers for aircraft.

Abstract: Wing assemblies comprise a three-position Krueger flap and an actuation assembly that comprises a drive linkage assembly, a primary linkage assembly coupled between the drive linkage assembly and the three-position Krueger flap, and a secondary linkage assembly. The primary linkage assembly comprises a dual linkage that is pivotally and translationally coupled relative to a wing support structure. The secondary linkage assembly comprises a cam, a follower, and a dual-linkage axle that is coupled to the follower and to the dual linkage and that defines a dual-linkage pivot axis of the dual linkage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for redundant flight control configured for use in an aircraft. More specifically, a system is provided that includes a plurality of actuators that are configured to move a flight component of an aircraft such that one actuator is configured to move the flight component if the other actuator fails to move the flight component upon receipt of an attitude command from a pilot control.

Abstract: An aerospace surface heating apparatus includes opposing layers formed from a thermoplastic containing in excess of 20% by volume of an inorganic filler material, and at least one electrically powered heating element located between the opposing layers. A method for making a heater for an aerospace component includes forming an electrical heating element on a layer of glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic film substrate, applying two opposing thermoplastic layers on opposing sides of the intermediate layer, and applying heat and pressure to the layers to join the layers together, in which the thermoplastic material contains an inorganic filler material.

Abstract: A flow deflector for an aerial vehicle system has a flow deflector body, a clip arranged in an interior of the flow deflector body, and a spring within the clip. The flow deflector body includes a first portion at a forward end shaped to engage a surface of an aerial vehicle body and a second portion at an aft end shaped to engage a surface of a booster engine. The flow deflector body can include a plurality of body segments arranged to form the flow deflector body. The clip may be configured to fit around and engage a portion of an aft flange of the aerial vehicle body. The spring can be preloaded and arranged to press on the aft flange when the clip engages the portion of the aft flange.

Abstract: An electromechanical rudder system control using electromagnetic actuators provides dual redundancy to comply with safety demands. Diversity of possible interconnection distribution allows the manufacturer to choose the proper configuration to satisfy aircraft safety design, hardware savings and overall system quality improvements. A dual channel rudder system architecture includes reconfigurable electronic controllers used to control plural electromechanical primary actuators for rudder control, and a distribution of aircraft and cockpit sensors through the electronic controllers to guarantee minimum required safety standards in case of loss of input data. The plural electromechanical actuators driving a rudder surface are arranged in independent and redundant load paths.

Abstract: A mobility vehicle transfer platform includes an elevation passage provided in a structure provided with a take-off and landing site for an air mobility vehicle and having an internal space extending in the vertical direction to be connected to the take-off and landing site and to allow a ground mobility vehicle to be elevated or lowered through the internal space to be connected to or separated from the air mobility vehicle, and an elevation unit provided in the internal space of the elevation passage, having an elevation portion selectively connected to the ground mobility vehicle and configured for elevating or lowering the ground mobility vehicle in the elevation passage when the ground mobility vehicle is connected to the elevation portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly of individual seats intended to be installed in an aircraft cabin, the assembly comprising: —a first seat and a second seat, a central console arranged between the first seat and the second seat, the central console comprising a first foot area and a second foot area extending in two opposite directions, —a seat surface width of the first seat being smaller in a portion of the seat opposite the second foot area in relation to a width of a portion of the seat surface opposite the first foot area so as to increase a space between the seat surface of the first seat and the second foot area.

Abstract: An airfoil of an aerodynamic surface including: a control surface having an upper surface and a lower surface, and an actuator configured to elevate or lower the control surface, wherein at least a portion of one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the control surface is auxetic with a negative Poisson ratio, and the other of the upper surface and the lower surface of the control surface includes a material with a higher Poisson ratio.

Abstract: An aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has two pairs of wings: an aft pair and a fore pair. Each wing has a thrust-angle motor. An assembly is coupled to each thrust-angle motor. Assemblies coupled to the fore wings have a propeller motor with a propeller and a landing element which is a wheel or a landing foot. When in forward flight, the propeller rotational axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and the landing element is pointing toward the aft of the aeronautical apparatus to limit the drag presented by the landing element. When in vertical flight or hovering, the propeller rotational axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the fuselage and the landing element is deployed downward to facilitate landing.

Abstract: A supporting frame for aerospace applications comprises a plurality of rods, which are arranged along two bases substantially parallel and opposite each other, and along two sides, which are substantially parallel and opposite to each other and are coupled to each other via the two bases; the rods are coupled to each other in a mutually rotating manner by nodes so as to be able to configure the supporting frame between a deployed operating condition and a compacted operating condition; the nodes are spaced apart from one another in the deployed operating condition and are each hinged to at least two of the rods; in the compacted operating condition, each of the nodes is placed side by side with two adjacent nodes so as to form, together, two supporting members arranged at opposite longitudinal ends of the supporting frame and each being ring-shaped.

Abstract: A method includes controlling an electric motor of a hybrid-electric powerplant for an aircraft using an EPC (electric powertrain controller) and controlling a heat engine of the hybrid-electric powerplant using an ECU (engine control unit). The method includes performing at least one of the following to protect the hybrid-electric powerplant: using the ECU to power down the electric motor, and/or using the EPC to power down the heat engine.