Abstract: An aircraft lift device comprises a strake capable of coupling to an aircraft fuselage and extending to a leading edge of a wing. The strake has a leading edge. The life device further comprises a leading-edge flap coupled to the strake leading edge.

Abstract: A non-jamming fail safe flight control system with non-symmetric load alleviation capability includes a dual cable control system one for each side of control surface, like an elevator or an aileron, controlled by a pilot but driven by a driving system which allows control surfaces to even out the load from one side to the other without affecting pilots control while—if one side becomes jammed—enabling the pilot, with no extra action, to continue flying the aircraft utilizing the other side. In another embodiment an automatic lock feature ensures that a pilot is able to continue to complete the flight in case of severance of a control cable due to a discrete damage without interruption attributable to the control system. Yet another embodiment utilizing either the same or a separate locking feature enables the pilot to lock the surfaces upon parking the aircraft.

Abstract: A totally integrated system for automatic formation flight control of multiple vehicles not limited to aircraft, helicopters, or space platforms. For instance, the system may be used to control any number of aircraft in a pre-determined flight formation and provide “positive” identification, control and discrete communications between any number of vehicles. Thus the invention prevents mid-air collisions between vehicles in formation flight. The system generally includes a processor located on the vehicles to enable communications, unique position computations and control messaging between any number of aircraft in formation flight, a communications transceiver located on the vehicle that provides discrete communication links to any number of aircraft in formation flight an autopilot and a display. The processor may take into consideration velocity, direction, winds aloft, wing tip clearance of any number of vehicles.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing vulnerability to hostile detection of and aggression towards an aircraft. The method includes adapting an aircraft fuselage to form an armored payload bay, wherein the armored payload bay includes a pair of sidewalls and a bottom. The method additionally includes adapting wings of the aircraft to allow the aircraft to be transported within a larger aircraft. For example, the wings could have a fixed wing span that allows the aircraft to transported within a larger aircraft or the wings could be adapted to fold so that the aircraft can transported within a larger aircraft. The method further includes disposing at least one pulse ejector thrust augmentor (PETA) bank within each sidewall. Each PETA bank is oriented such that a thrust exhaust produced is directed down and away from a centerline of the payload bay. Still further, the method includes adapting the bottom of payload bay to allow ingress and egress of cargo.

Abstract: An unmanned air vehicle (“UAV”) apparatus is configured to have a body and a body-conformal wing. The body-conformal wing is configured to variably sweep from a closed position to a fully deployed position. In the closed position, the body-conformal wing span is aligned with the body axis and in the fully deployed position the body-conformal wing span is perpendicular to the axial direction of the body. Delivery of the UAV comprises the steps of: positioning the span of a body conformal wing in alignment with the axis of the body of the UAV; initiating the flight of the UAV; and adjusting the sweep angle of the body-conformal wing as a function of the current speed, altitude, or attack angle of the UAV, with the adjustment starting at a 0 degree position and varying between a closed position and a fully deployed position. The UAV also has a control mechanism configured to variably adjust the sweep of the body-conformal wing to achieve a high lift over drag ratio through out the flight path of the UAV.

Abstract: The cockpit access protection system relies on a method whereby the locked cockpit doors of a plurality of aircraft may be unlocked only by authorized personnel within the cockpit (e.g., the pilot and copilot). In the event of a security breach in any one aircraft, the control of the cockpit doors of all aircraft shift to a ground control center which commands all cockpit doors to remain locked until the security breach is removed. In this way, neither flight attendant personnel within the aircraft cabin nor the pilot or copilot within the cockpit can be forced to unlock the cockpit door.

Abstract: A method of improving aircraft seating efficiency is provided, including positioning a first plurality of seating rows within a first region of an aircraft interior. The first region comprises a first aircraft width and each of the first plurality of seating rows comprises a uniform first quantity of standard aircraft seats. The standard aircraft seats have a standard aircraft seat width. The method further includes locating a tapered region of said aircraft interior having a second aircraft width. The second aircraft width is sufficiently less than the first aircraft width such that the first quantity of standard aircraft seats cannot fit within the tapered region. The method includes positioning a second plurality of seating rows within the tapered region. Each of the second plurality of seating rows includes a second quantity of standard aircraft seats having the standard aircraft seat width.

Abstract: A munition is presented which includes an integrity verification system that measures the integrity of the munition. When an integrity threshold is not met, engagement of the munition with a predetermined target is aborted. Also presented is a methodology for gating the engagement of the munition with the target. The methodology includes performing an integrity check of the munition after it is deployed. The method further includes aborting the engagement of the target when the integrity check of the munition fails.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-hijacking system. In one embodiment, the anti-hijacking system is used in an airplane to provide forceful contact to disarm, disable, immobilize or otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder who has entered the cockpit. The anti-hijacking system includes one or more inflation devices, such as deployable air bags.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises first and second wings positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis, a first forward opening control surface attached to an upper surface of the first wing, and a second forward opening control surface attached to an upper surface of the second wing, wherein each of the first and second hinges is canted with respect to a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. A method of providing yaw control of an aircraft is also provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a first forward opening, canted spoiler in a top surface of a first wing of the aircraft, providing a second forward opening, canted spoiler in a top surface of a second wing of the aircraft, and operating the first and second spoilers differentially to create a yaw moment. The creation of yaw moments without any down force has application in sweptback wings where the tips are behind the center of gravity of the aircraft.

Abstract: Auxiliary fuel tank systems for aircraft and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, an aircraft can include a fuselage, at least one engine, and a fuel system configured to distribute fuel to at least one of the engine and an aerial refueling manifold. The aircraft can further include an auxiliary fuel tank system operably coupled to the fuel system. The auxiliary fuel tank system can include a master tank assembly and at least one slave tank assembly. The master tank assembly can be removably installed in the fuselage, and can include a master tank body configured to hold fuel. The master tank body can be configured to pass through a door in the fuselage without disassembly. The slave tank assembly can be removably installed in the fuselage at least proximate to the master tank assembly, and can include a slave tank body configured to hold fuel.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing, load-limiting connection device includes a first connection structure, a second connection structure, a guiding mechanism, and at least one impact-absorbing, load-limiting sacrificial element disposed between the first and second connection structure. At least one of the first and second connection structures is moveable with respect to the other in a predetermined direction of movement corresponding to an anticipated main impact direction. The guiding mechanism is configured to guide at least one of the first and second connection structures along the direction of movement and includes at least one transverse force-absorbing guide element configured to absorb a force in a direction transverse to the direction of movement.

Abstract: A monument support system (90) for an aircraft (92) includes multiple aircraft frame elements (16?). An adapter bridge (93) is coupled to the aircraft frame elements (16?) and has multiple attachment points (20?). A coupling member (110) is coupled to the adapter bridge (93). A monument (96) is coupled to the frame elements (16?) via the adapter bridge (93) and the coupling member (110).

Abstract: A system for deploying an aircraft emergency evacuation slide or other inflatable device utilizes an inflation gas that is stored in a partially liquified state. The inflation gas includes a gaseous compound, preferably nitrous oxide, that is capable of undergoing an exothermic thermal decomposition, which gives off heat and produces a greater number moles of inflation gas than the number of moles of gas stored. The increase in moles of gas allows a greater inflation volume for a given weight of stored gas, while the exothermic decomposition produces additional heat that offsets, to some extent, the endothermic boiling and expansion of the liquified stored gas.

Abstract: A system for automatically correcting flight path of an aircraft onto a predetermined trajectory is provided. A sensor is configured to sense speed and direction of air relative to the aircraft at a predetermined distance in front of the aircraft. A navigation system is configured to determine displacement of a flight path of the aircraft from a predetermined trajectory. A processor is coupled to receive the sensed speed and direction of air from the sensor and the displacement of the flight path from the navigation system. The processor includes a first component that is configured to determine whether the speed of the air at the predetermined distance is indicative of turbulence, and a second component that is configured to automatically generate control signals to correct the flight path of the aircraft from the displacement onto the predetermined trajectory by a time when the aircraft enters the turbulence.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protection device (30) for an air intake structure (6) of a jet engine (1), said structure comprising an air intake cowl (8) and an air intake lip (10) that jointly delimit a fan case ducting (12), the cowl having a top portion provided with at least one ventilation scoop (20) and the lip defining a fan case ducting intake (14), the device comprising a protective tarpaulin (32) with a main portion (34) designed to close off the intake (14) when the device is assembled on the structure (6). According to the invention, the protective tarpaulin also comprises a secondary portion (40) fixed to the main portion, said secondary portion being provided with stiffening means (42) and designed to partially cover the cowl (8), to close off each ventilation scoop.

Abstract: The deformation characteristic of a profiled aerodynamic aircraft component is improved by forming ridges (6, 7) in the top and bottom skin (4, 5) of the component. Two ridges (6, 7) form a pair in which the bottom ridge (7) is at least partially nested in the top ridge (6) to the extent that the ridges are bonded to each other in a trailing edge area (9) of the component along a width (W) extending in the depth or y-direction of the component. The ridges taper from the trailing edge area (9) toward the leading edge (1) of the component and the forward ridge end (6A, 7A) merges into the respective skin at a point spaced form the leading edge. The ridges function as ribs and strengthen the component while making it flexible for minimizing the introduction of compulsion forces when the component is deflected.

Abstract: The invention is a variable displacement hydraulic motor-controlled hose reel drive system for aerial refueling of a receiver aircraft from a tanker aircraft. The system includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor, a tachometer/position sensor, a reaction torque sensor and a microprocessor which, depending upon data received from the system's position and reaction torque sensors, sends appropriate signals to the motor. The invention is also a method for deploying a hose and drogue so as to reduce the likelihood that the hose would go into oscillation after initial engagement of a receiver aircraft's probe with the drogue. In an embodiment of the invention, the hose is retracted prior to hook up of the probe and drogue, and the force required to retract the hose is recorded. After initial engagement of the probe with the drogue, the hose is retracted until the force required to retract the hose rises to about the same force previously recorded.

Abstract: Boeing achieves satellite diversity by having a large discrimination angle for a MEO constellation of communications satellites to limit interference in the Ku-band with GSO communications systems. Each satellite entering an exclusion zone over a GSO ground station terminates all transmissions to provide EPFD within acceptable limits. The Boeing MEO constellation preferably comprises 20 satellites, 5 in each orbit. The four orbits are inclined at about 57° with respect to the equator. Services include an Integrated Digital Service (IDS) and Backhaul Data Service (BDS) to accommodate the needs of different users.

Abstract: A system for controlling an aircraft control surface may include a control surface having at least two control surface elements mounted to rotate about an axis on a stabilizer element of the aircraft. An actuator with at least two actuating devices moves the control surface elements according to individual turn commands. Also, a first device determines a particular phase of flight of the aircraft. When the particular phase of flight is determined to exist by the first device, a second device generates differentiated individual turn commands for the actuating devices, according to an overall turn command received from a control unit, to provide prioritized control of the control surface element that generates the lowest force on the stabilizer element.