Abstract: Systems and methods for fluid flow control are provided. A coarse valve and a fine valve are connected in parallel in a conduit. A coarse valve controller controls the coarse valve in a feedback loop in which an error signal is feedback to the coarse valve controller and a coarse valve setting is an output of the coarse valve controller. The error signal is a difference between the property of the fluid flow and a set point. The coarse valve controller operates as a proportional-integral controller. A fine valve controller controls the fine valve in the same feedback loop as the coarse valve controller. The fine valve controller has a center-seeking control scheme and operates as a proportional controller or a proportional-integral controller depending on whether the coarse valve setting is in a saturation range.

Abstract: A stacked panel tube bundle for an air cooled steam condenser having two sets of condensing tubes, one set arranged above the other, the first (lower) set of tubes in direct fluid communication with a combined steam delivery/condensate collection manifold at a bottom end and in indirect fluid communication with a non-condensable collection manifold via an L-shaped extension member; the second (upper) set of tubes in direct fluid communication with the non-condensable collection manifold at the top, and in indirect fluid communication with the combined steam delivery/condensate collection manifold via an L-shaped extension member.

Abstract: An automated clamp for clamping a rib web to a rib post or rib foot of an aircraft wing box is disclosed including a clamp frame having a first arm and a second arm extending from the base of the clamp frame. The second arm is moveable towards and away from the first arm; a robot end effector connector coupled to the clamp frame; clamp jaws including a first jaw fixed at a distal end of the first arm, and a second jaw fixed at a distal end of the second arm, the clamp jaws configured to clamp a rib web to a rib post or clamp a rib web to a rib foot. The first jaw and/or second jaw includes a contact normalisation system, the contact normalisation system including: a jaw body fixed relative to the respective arm.

Abstract: An automated clamp for clamping a rib web to a rib post or rib foot of an aircraft wing box is disclosed including a clamp frame, a first arm and a second arm extending from the base of the clamp frame, the second arm is moveably mounted to the base of the clamp so as to be moveable towards and away from the first arm; a robot end effector connector coupled to the clamp frame. The clamp jaws include a first jaw fixed at a distal end of the first arm, and a second jaw fixed at a distal end of the second arm, the clamp jaws configured to clamp the rib web to the rib post or rib foot. One of the clamp jaws defines a tool module docking aperture configured to receive a tool module for providing access to the rib web and rib post or rib foot clamped between the clamp jaws.

Abstract: An automated clamp for clamping a rib web to a rib post or rib foot of an aircraft wing box is disclosed including a clamp frame having a first arm and a second arm extending from the base of the clamp frame. The second arm is moveable towards and away from the first arm; a robot end effector connector coupled to the clamp frame; clamp jaws including a first jaw fixed at a distal end of the first arm, and a second jaw fixed at a distal end of the second arm, the clamp jaws configured to clamp an aircraft assembly. One of the jaws includes a tool module docking aperture into which a tool module is insertable for accessing the aircraft assembly; and a swarf channel extending into the tool module docking aperture, the swarf channel fluidically connected to a vacuum source and configured to extract waste material adjacent the aircraft assembly.

Abstract: An automated self-aligning system is disclosed including a first robot arm attached to a clamping end effector including clamp jaws for clamping either side of a workpiece and with an aperture in one of the clamp jaws. A second robot arm is attached to a tooling end effector including a tool module carrying a tool. The tool module is insertable into the aperture and the tool is adapted to perform an operation on the workpiece. The second robot arm is arranged to move the tool module so as to move the tool module in a direction of insertion so as to insert the tool module into the aperture. A load sensor coupled to the tooling end effector and is arranged to determine a load in the direction of insertion of the tool module. The tooling end effector is further arranged to move the tool module with respect to the second robot arm in a plurality of degrees of freedom different than the insertion direction.

Abstract: A ground vehicle-based aircraft launching system automatically adjusts aircraft pitch and yaw during a ground vehicle-based launching operation, and automatically releases the aircraft upon attainment of a pre-designated lift angle with respect to the ground vehicle and the launching system. The launching system transfers primary thrust direction loads, allowing the aircraft to freely pitch and yaw based on prevailing wind and aerodynamics. A latch mechanism on the launching system moves within both the yaw and pitch directions with the aircraft, and maintains a positive lock on the aircraft prior to its release from the launching system. A yaw mechanism allows passive zeroing of sideslip winds, which in turn may avoid yawing, rolling, and/or yaw-roll coupled induced roll forces.

Abstract: The disclosed architecture provides a co-siting solution to the many different proprietary systems that are being sold today for cellular communications. The architecture is a universal multi-purpose signal distribution chassis for conditioning and distributing cellular communications signals by providing the interface to a wide variety of cellular communications equipment on the market. A receive interface receives signals, amplifies the signals, and splits (or distributes) the signals for communications to various pieces of equipment and technologies that can be employed in a base station tower system, for example. This is particularly useful in co-siting situations where many different types of technologies and equipment are hosted by one set of antennas.