Abstract: A containment vessel used to enclose an energy storage flywheel system during certification testing of the energy storage flywheel system includes a plurality of concentrically disposed vessels. One or more intermediate shields are freely disposed within an outer shield, and an inner shield is freely disposed within the intermediate shields. The inner shield includes a deflector rim disposed proximate one of its ends that is configured to absorb the energy of ejected material, in the highly unlikely event of a flywheel failure during testing.

Abstract: A thrust vector actuation control system and method is configured to allow self-testing of the entire actuation system and/or its individual system components. The control system also provides real-time, continuous monitoring of actuation system status, and allows system gain and compensation parameters to be changed during vehicle operation remote from its launch site.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly that is implemented in a fully-electric configuration includes two rails and an armature that is moveably disposed between, and electrically coupled to, each of the rails. The armature is configured to couple to a valve element and is moveable between at least a first position and a second position, to thereby move the valve element to at least the open and closed positions, respectively. Upon application of an electrical potential of a first or second polarity across the rails, a current flows through the armature in a first or a second direction, respectively, to thereby generate a Lorentz force. The Lorentz force acts on the armature to move it to the first or second position, and thus move the valve element to the open or closed position, respectively.

Abstract: A communication system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is disposed at least partially within a submerged docking station. The communication system receives communication requests from a remote station, and transmits requested data to and from the remote station. The data transmitted from the remote station may be further transmitted to a submerged UUV, either via a data port or wirelessly, depending on whether the UUV is docked in the docking station.

Abstract: A device for detecting strain levels imposed on a circuit board includes an apparatus mounted on the circuit board, an amplifier for detecting a change in the impedance of the apparatus and generating an output signal representing the change in the impedance of the apparatus, and a signal conditioner for receiving the output signal and setting the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system includes a shaft, one or more primary bearing assemblies, and one or more secondary bearing assemblies. A secondary bearing control circuit determines the operability of the primary bearing assemblies and, based on this determination, selectively engages the secondary bearing assemblies to rotationally support the flywheel shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring an aircraft accessory. The apparatus comprises a processor associated with said aircraft accessory, a transducer coupled to said processor and operable to produce parametric data relating to said aircraft accessory and a memory coupled to said processor having baseline parametric data residing therein, wherein said baseline parametric data comprises the parametric data obtained during an acceptance test procedure. The method comprises installing a transducer configured to produce parametric data relating to said aircraft accessory, coupling said transducer to a processor associated with said aircraft accessory, coupling said processor to a memory associated with said aircraft accessory, recording baseline parametric data relating to said aircraft accessory in said memory during an acceptance test procedure for said aircraft accessory.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system includes a flywheel assembly that is rotationally mounted in a housing assembly, and one or more actuator assemblies. The actuator assemblies are configured to selectively engage and disengage the flywheel assembly. When the actuator assemblies engage the flywheel assembly, the actuator assemblies provide support for, and inhibit rotation of, the flywheel assembly. When the actuator assemblies disengage the flywheel assembly, the actuator assemblies no longer support the flywheel assembly, and no longer inhibit its rotation.

Abstract: A system for regulating the voltage in an electrical distribution system includes a plurality of flywheels, motor/generators, and controllers. Each of the motor/generators is coupled to one of the energy storage flywheels and to the electrical supply system. The motor/generators each supply one or more signals representative of motor/generator operational parameters, and each motor/generator controllers receive one or more of the motor/generator operational parameter signals from each of the motor/generators. In response to the operational parameter signals, the motor/generator controllers each control the operation of one of the motor/generators in either a motor mode or a generate mode, to thereby regulate the electrical supply system voltage and equally share the electrical load between the motor/generators.