Abstract: A cooperative system of vehicles is disclosed, each of a first vehicle and a second vehicle having a magnetometer, a filter, a database, a conductive loop, and an AC output generator. The magnetometer is attached to measure a surrounding magnetic field, and the filter to isolate a sensed signal. The AC output generator is connected to the conductive loop to generate a magnetic field.

Abstract: An example smoke detector includes (i) a chamber, wherein gas is disposed in an inner space of the chamber; (ii) an electrode disposed within the chamber; (iii) a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field in the inner space of the chamber; and (iv) a radioactive source generating alpha particles within the inner space of the chamber.

Abstract: In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow. The act of supplying the fuel causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes determining a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The electrostatic charge accumulated on the surface of the fuel dissipates at an increased rate when the determined level of ionization of the air medium is higher than the baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to increasing the use of protective eyewear in safety-critical environments. Systems and methods disclosed herein include lighting devices that emit ambient lighting and safety lighting for an environment. The safety lighting includes visible characteristics different from the ambient lighting. Additionally, the systems and methods include protective eyewear having a lens that filters out substantially the visible characteristics of the safety lighting striking the lens and pass components of the ambient light safety lighting striking the lens.

Abstract: In an example, a drop tank for an aerial vehicle includes a body having an internal fuel reservoir configured to store fuel. The drop tank also includes an outlet coupled to the internal fuel reservoir for supplying the fuel from the internal fuel reservoir to a propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the drop tank includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the drop tank. The drop tank further includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the drop tank to a target location when the drop tank is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: In an example, a power source for an electric propulsion system of an aerial vehicle includes a body having an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy. The power source also includes a plurality of terminals coupled to the electrical energy storage device for supplying the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to the electric propulsion system of the aerial vehicle. The power source further includes a plurality of flight control surfaces extending outwardly from the body. The flight control surfaces are actuatable to adjust a flight attitude of the power source. Additionally, the power source includes a flight control system including a processor and configured to actuate the plurality of flight control surfaces to fly the power source to a target location when the power source is jettisoned from the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An eye protection system may include a first lens, a second lens, and a lens support. The first lens may filter light of one or more first wavelengths. The second lens may filter light of one or more second wavelengths. At least one of the one or more first wavelengths may be different than at least one of the one or more second wavelengths. The lens support may position the first lens and the second lens in side-by-side arrangement respectively in front of a first eye and a second eye of a wearer in a manner respectively preventing the one or more first wavelengths and the one or more second wavelengths from being respectively received by the first eye and the second eye.

Abstract: In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow, which causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes exposing an air medium in the fuel tank to ionizing radiation to increase a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank and increase a rate of dissipation of the electrostatic charge. The method includes determining the level of ionization of the air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.

Abstract: In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow. The act of supplying the fuel causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes determining a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The electrostatic charge accumulated on the surface of the fuel dissipates at an increased rate when the determined level of ionization of the air medium is higher than the baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.

Abstract: A cooperative system of vehicles is disclosed, each of a first vehicle and a second vehicle having a magnetometer, a filter, a database, a conductive loop, and an AC output generator. The magnetometer is attached to measure a surrounding magnetic field, and the filter to isolate a sensed signal. The AC output generator is connected to the conductive loop to generate a magnetic field.

Abstract: A display adaptation system for a vehicle includes a display that is configured to show one or more features. A motion sensor is configured to detect motion of the vehicle. The motion sensor outputs a motion signal indicative of the motion of the vehicle. A motion-compensating control unit is in communication with the display and the motion sensor. The motion-compensating control unit is configured to analyze the motion signal to determine the motion of the vehicle. The motion-compensating control unit is configured to move the feature(s) shown on the display based on the motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: An example smoke detector includes (i) a chamber; (ii) a first electrode disposed within the chamber; (iii) a second electrode disposed within the chamber, wherein gas is disposed in an inner space of the chamber between the first electrode and the second electrode; (iv) a radioactive source generating alpha particles within inner space of the chamber; and (v) a magnet coupled to the chamber, where the magnet generates a magnetic field in the inner space of the chamber.

Abstract: An example smoke detector includes (i) a chamber; (ii) a first electrode disposed within the chamber; (iii) a second electrode disposed within the chamber, wherein gas is disposed in an inner space of the chamber between the first electrode and the second electrode; (iv) a radioactive source generating alpha particles within inner space of the chamber; and (v) a magnet coupled to the chamber, where the magnet generates a magnetic field in the inner space of the chamber.

Abstract: An eye protection system may include a first lens, a second lens, and a lens support. The first lens may filter light of one or more first wavelengths. The second lens may filter light of one or more second wavelengths. At least one of the one or more first wavelengths may be different than at least one of the one or more second wavelengths. The lens support may position the first lens and the second lens in side-by-side arrangement respectively in front of a first eye and a second eye of a wearer in a manner respectively preventing the one or more first wavelengths and the one or more second wavelengths from being respectively received by the first eye and the second eye.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to increasing the use of protective eyewear in safety-critical environments. Systems and methods disclosed herein include lighting devices that emit ambient lighting and safety lighting for an environment. The safety lighting includes visible characteristics different from the ambient lighting. Additionally, the systems and methods include protective eyewear having a lens that filters out substantially the visible characteristics of the safety lighting striking the lens and pass components of the ambient light safety lighting striking the lens.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided for analyzing the health of a structure by measuring the value of preload on each of a plurality of fasteners installed on the structure and correlating the measured values of preload with a set of specifications. A report is generated for each of the fasteners representing the results of the correlations. Groups of the fastener reports are used to infer the health of the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting turbulent air located between a light source and an observer based upon the scintillation of light produced by the light source. An optical sensor associated with the observer is configured to receive the light and to produce an indication of the light. A processor is configured to quantify scintillation in the light and to identify turbulent air between the light source and the optical sensor based upon the scintillation. A feedback device provides a notification when turbulent air is identified. Light sources and optical sensors may be located on airborne platforms or on the ground, and information may be transferred between multiple observers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting turbulent air located between a light source and an observer based upon the scintillation of light produced by the light source. An optical sensor associated with the observer is configured to receive the light and to produce an indication of the light. A processor is configured to quantify scintillation in the light and to identify turbulent air between the light source and the optical sensor based upon the scintillation. A feedback device provides a notification when turbulent air is identified. Light sources and optical sensors may be located on airborne platforms or on the ground, and information may be transferred between multiple observers.

Abstract: Characterizing atmospheric conditions is accomplished by measuring at least one varying spectral characteristic of sound at a plurality of intervals from a sound source with the point of measurement and the sound source in relative motion and separated by altitude. The spectral characteristic of the sound at each interval is attributed to a path traveled by the sound and a plurality of simultaneous equations is created for the plurality of paths using a second plurality of altitude segments for each path, each segment having a particular vector as a variable on the spectral characteristic, the initial coefficients in each vector assumed based on predetermined atmospheric models for each altitude segment. The resulting calculated vector and the predetermined atmospheric model are iterated for a minimized cost function in a variational analysis to determine the vector for each altitude segment, the vector providing atmospheric properties for the associated altitude segment.

Abstract: Communication systems and apparatus to allow a user to perceive the relative spatial location or present position of other elements of interest in a control space, such as the location of a speaker participating in a telephone conference or that of an aircraft carrier to a remotely piloted vehicle on final approach. The system inserts synthetic sound cues into the communication to the user that represent the relative postion(s). In one embodiment, the user will perceive the communication as though it were communicated through free space to the user from the relative position of the represented source, so that, for example, the squad leader will perceive his wingman to be at his immediate left. Methods of conveying relative position sound cues are also provided.