Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in monitoring a physical interface between a structural opening and a medium. A system is provided comprising a medium operable to pass through a plurality of structural openings and a sensing system associated with the medium. The sensing system includes at least one physical interface positioned at locations where the medium passes through one of the plurality of structural openings. The at least one physical interface includes at least one waveguide for monitoring changes to the at least one physical interface.

Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft directs a primary surface that is pivotable with respect to the aircraft with a moveable tab located at the end of the primary surface. A primary surface actuator maintains a position of the primary surface. A tab actuator moves the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface. A controller configured to coordinate the movement of the primary flight control surface with the movement of the tab by deflecting the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface, thereby allowing aerodynamic forces acting upon the deflected tab to position the primary flight control surface at a desired position. The primary flight control surface can then be maintained at the desired position by the primary surface actuator.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for actuating a control surface about a pivot point using variable moments. A bracket having a moment arm is coupled to the pivot point such that the bracket is rotatable about the pivot point to actuate the surface. A power actuator has a shaft coupled to the bracket at a coupling point on the moment arm such that actuation force applied to the shaft results in a moment produced about the pivot point. A linear actuator is configured to adjust the location of the coupling point with respect to the pivot point to thereby changing the moment arm and the moment produced about the pivot point as the bracket rotates. By adjusting the distance between the pivot point and the coupling point, the moments produced about the pivot point can be increased while conserving actuator power.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator incorporates a drive housing connected to a motor for rotational motion. A screw is employed with an actuating nut having protruding engagement bosses and a drive coupling is concentrically received within the drive housing having segments equal to the number of engagement bosses. Each segment has a cavity to receive a respective one of the engagement bosses and the segments are cooperatively positionable from an active position radially compressed to engage the bosses within the cavities to a released position radially expanded to disengage the bosses from the cavities.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: An EMI-resistant control device for providing a control signal may include an optical glass fiber connector housing adapted to be connectable to an apparatus for providing the control signal to the apparatus for controlling operation thereof. The EMI-resistant control device may also include a carbon nanotube optical switch mounted in the optical glass fiber connector housing. The carbon nanotube optical switch may include a plurality of light sensitive carbon nanotubes adapted to connect a voltage source to an output of the EMI-resistant control device in response to an optical signal being received by the optical glass fiber connector housing. The optical glass fiber connector housing directs the optical signal onto the plurality of light sensitive carbon nanotubes. The voltage source provides the control signal to the apparatus.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing health management data for a vehicle. A plurality of modulated signals is received on a bus system in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals contains health management data from a plurality of data acquisition units. Each modulated signal has a different frequency from another modulated signal in the plurality of modulated signals to form a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of frequencies is selected to avoid interference with other data transmitted over the bus system by a plurality of data processing systems in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals is processed based on the plurality of frequencies used to transmit the plurality of modulated signals.

Abstract: An EMI-resistant control device for providing a control signal may include an optical glass fiber connector housing adapted to be connectable to an apparatus for providing the control signal to the apparatus for controlling operation thereof. The EMI-resistant control device may also include a carbon nanotube optical switch mounted in the optical glass fiber connector housing. The carbon nanotube optical switch may include a plurality of light sensitive carbon nanotubes adapted to connect a voltage source to an output of the EMI-resistant control device in response to an optical signal being received by the optical glass fiber connector housing. The optical glass fiber connector housing directs the optical signal onto the plurality of light sensitive carbon nanotubes. The voltage source provides the control signal to the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing health management data for a vehicle. A plurality of modulated signals is received on a bus system in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals contains health management data from a plurality of data acquisition units. Each modulated signal has a different frequency from another modulated signal in the plurality of modulated signals to form a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of frequencies is selected to avoid interference with other data transmitted over the bus system by a plurality of data processing systems in the vehicle. The plurality of modulated signals is processed based on the plurality of frequencies used to transmit the plurality of modulated signals.

Abstract: A structural mechanism for an aircraft includes a support, a hinged surface, and a hinge assembly joining the hinged surface to the support. An actuation system includes an actuator shaft engaged to the hinges and lying coincident with a hinged-surface hinge axis and extending through the aligned center passageways of the hinges of the hinge assembly. A lock is selectively operable to lock the hinged surface to the support when the actuator shaft engages the lock. An actuator structure is controllably operable to move the actuator shaft longitudinally along the hinge-surface hinge axis between a first shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft engages the lock and the hinges, and a second shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft does not engage the lock but does engage the hinges, and is controllably operable to rotate the actuator shaft about the hinged-surface hinge axis.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for actuating a control surface about a pivot point using variable moments. A bracket having a moment arm is coupled to the pivot point such that the bracket is rotatable about the pivot point to actuate the surface. A power actuator has a shaft coupled to the bracket at a coupling point on the moment arm such that actuation force applied to the shaft results in a moment produced about the pivot point. A linear actuator is configured to adjust the location of the coupling point with respect to the pivot point to thereby changing the moment arm and the moment produced about the pivot point as the bracket rotates. By adjusting the distance between the pivot point and the coupling point, the moments produced about the pivot point can be increased while conserving actuator power.

Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft directs a primary surface that is pivotable with respect to the aircraft with a moveable tab located at the end of the primary surface. A primary surface actuator maintains a position of the primary surface. A tab actuator moves the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface. A controller configured to coordinate the movement of the primary flight control surface with the movement of the tab by deflecting the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface, thereby allowing aerodynamic forces acting upon the deflected tab to position the primary flight control surface at a desired position. The primary flight control surface can then be maintained at the desired position by the primary surface actuator.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: A structural mechanism for an aircraft includes a support, a hinged surface, and a hinge assembly joining the hinged surface to the support. An actuation system includes an actuator shaft engaged to the hinges and lying coincident with a hinged-surface hinge axis and extending through the aligned center passagways of the hinges of the hinge assembly. A lock is selectively operable to lock the hinged surface to the support when the actuator shaft engages the lock. An actuator structure is controllably operable to move the actuator shaft longitudinally along the hinge-surface hinge axis between a first shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft engages the lock and the hinges, and a second shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft does not engage the lock but does engage the hinges, and is controllably operable to rotate the actuator shaft about the hinged-surface hinge axis.