Abstract: An electric aircraft includes system for operating the aircraft. The electric aircraft includes a wing having a first control surface, a second control surface, a battery and a gearbox mechanically coupled to the first control surface. The first control surface is operated, and a voltage is induced from mechanical energy generated during a deceleration of the first control surface that occurs while operating the first control surface, wherein an airflow across the first control surface causes the deceleration. The induced voltage can be stored at the battery or used to operate the second control surface using the induced voltage.

Abstract: A hydraulic drag brake is provided for use with a driveline. The hydraulic drag brake includes a fluid circuit including first and second loops, a first valve disposed along the first loop to allow a flow of fluid through the first loop in a first direction and to prevent a flow of the fluid through the first loop in a second direction, a second valve disposed along the second loop and a pump coupled to the driveline and configured to pump the fluid through the fluid circuit in the first direction and across the first valve with the driveline occupying a retracted position or engaging in an extend motion and in the second direction and over the second valve with the driveline occupying an extended position.

Abstract: A hydraulic drag brake is provided for use with a driveline. The hydraulic drag brake includes a fluid circuit including first and second loops, a first valve disposed along the first loop to allow a flow of fluid through the first loop in a first direction and to prevent a flow of the fluid through the first loop in a second direction, a second valve disposed along the second loop and a pump coupled to the driveline and configured to pump the fluid through the fluid circuit in the first direction and across the first valve with the driveline occupying a retracted position or engaging in an extend motion and in the second direction and over the second valve with the driveline occupying an extended position.

Abstract: An electric aircraft includes system for operating the aircraft. The electric aircraft includes a wing having a first control surface, a second control surface, a battery and a gearbox mechanically coupled to the first control surface. The first control surface is operated, and a voltage is induced from mechanical energy generated during a deceleration of the first control surface that occurs while operating the first control surface, wherein an airflow across the first control surface causes the deceleration. The induced voltage can be stored at the battery or used to operate the second control surface using the induced voltage.

Abstract: A control system performs a method of controlling a wing of an airplane. The control system includes an optical fiber, a bending device and a processor. The optical fiber is configured to receive light having an input optical phase. The bending device applies an external force on the optical fiber. The external force causes the light exiting the optical fiber to have an output optical phase. a processor determines a phase shift between the input optical phase and the output optical phase and controls the wing based on the phase shift.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of determining a state of an actuator in an airplane. The apparatus includes a mirror coupled to the actuator, wherein a location of the mirror is dependent on the state of the actuator, a shaft for moving the mirror upon a change in the state of the actuator, and a processor. Incident light is reflected off of the mirror to create a reflected light. The processor receives the reflected light from the mirror, detects a change in a parameter of the reflected light generated by moving of the mirror, and determines the state of the actuator based on the change in the parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of determining a state of an actuator in an airplane. The apparatus includes a mirror coupled to the actuator, wherein a location of the mirror is dependent on the state of the actuator, a shaft for moving the mirror upon a change in the state of the actuator, and a processor. Incident light is reflected off of the mirror to create a reflected light. The processor receives the reflected light from the mirror, detects a change in a parameter of the reflected light generated by moving of the mirror, and determines the state of the actuator based on the change in the parameter.

Abstract: A control system performs a method of controlling a wing of an airplane. The control system includes an optical fiber, a bending device and a processor. The optical fiber is configured to receive light having an input optical phase. The bending device applies an external force on the optical fiber. The external force causes the light exiting the optical fiber to have an output optical phase. a processor determines a phase shift between the input optical phase and the output optical phase and controls the wing based on the phase shift.

Abstract: Aerostructure actuator systems include first and second shaft portions having respective first and second mandrels and a clutch assembly arranged within the first mandrel and connecting the shaft portions. The clutch assembly includes a post with a post extension fixedly connected to the second mandrel. A first bearing is installed on the post extension to frictionally engage with a portion of the post. A second bearing is installed on the post. A spacer is arranged between the bearings and is fixedly attach to the first mandrel. A load setting nut is configured to engage with the post extension and apply a compressive force to the bearings and spacer against the post. The compressive force defines a coupling limit between the shaft portions. The clutch assembly is configured to rotationally decouple the shaft portions from each other if a relative rotational speed between the shaft portions exceeds the coupling limit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.

Abstract: An electronic controller is provided and includes a printed wiring board (PWB) on which electronics are operably disposed, a power supply configured to supply power to the electronics, a heat sink and one or more thermal conductors anchored to the PWB to assume and move between first and second connection states in first and second thermal conditions, respectively. The first connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and thermally disconnected from the heat sink. The second connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and to the heat sink.

Abstract: An electronic controller is provided and includes a printed wiring board (PWB) on which electronics are operably disposed, a power supply configured to supply power to the electronics, a heat sink and one or more thermal conductors anchored to the PWB to assume and move between first and second connection states in first and second thermal conditions, respectively. The first connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and thermally disconnected from the heat sink. The second connection states are characterized in that the one or more thermal conductors are thermally attached to the PWB and the power supply and to the heat sink.

Abstract: A proportional braking system is provided for use with a movable surface which is movable relative to a housing. The proportional braking system includes a variable displacement brake which is configured for displacement toward or away from braking engagement with the movable surface in proportion to an input command and a brake driver which is receptive of data reflective of movements of the movable surface relative to the housing and which issues the input command to the variable displacement brake in accordance with the data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator level detection system of an aircraft. The system includes an actuator containing fluid that defines a resistivity and including a first contact point and a second contact point. The system includes a first contactor disposed about the actuator cooperating with the first contact point to define a first contact resistance that includes the resistivity. The system includes sensor circuitry includes a conductive path defining a conductive path resistance, between the first contact point and the second contact point. The sensor circuitry has a total resistance that includes the first contact resistance and the conductive path resistance.

Abstract: A control surface disconnect detection system includes a mechanical disconnect detection device that includes: a first contact element; a second contact element; and a mechanical fuse that includes a conduction path. In a normal operational state the conduction path creates an electrical pathway between the first contact element and second contact element and when in a control surface disconnected state the conduction path does not create an electrical pathway between the first contact element and the second contact element. The system also includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the control surface disconnected state the RFID tag does transmit information.

Abstract: An actuator system includes one or more mechanical elements and a temperature radio frequency identification (RFID) tag connected to at least one of the one or more mechanical elements. The temperature RFID tag includes an RFID tag connected to a temperature sensitive element that includes: a first contact; a second contact; and a conduction path between the first and second contacts. In a normal operational state the conduction path creates an electrical pathway between the first contact element and second contact element and when in an over-temperature state the conduction path does not create an electrical pathway between the first contact and the second contact. The RFID tag is connected to the first contact and the second contact such that when the temperature sensitive element is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information does when the temperature sensitive element is in the over-temperature state.

Abstract: A method for braking a motor in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power drive unit for moving high lift surfaces arranged at a wing through providing rotational power by means of a transmission shaft to a plurality of drive stations operably coupled with the high lift surfaces; which power drive unit is operatively coupled to a controller and comprises at least one electric motor coupled therewith. The method includes determining a braking requirement for the at least one electric motor, measuring at least one of a current command to the motor and a current speed and direction of the at least one electric motor, based on the braking requirement, applying a braking command to the at least one electric motor, and reducing the braking command as the at least one electric motor comes to rest.

Abstract: An over torque detection system includes a mechanical torque sensor and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The mechanical torque sensor includes first and second contact elements and a moveable element coupled to the first contact element. In a normal operational state the moveable element is in contact with the second contact element and creates an electrical pathway between the first and second contact elements and when in over torque operational state the movable element moves such that it does not contact the second contact element. The RFID tag is connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical torque sensor is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical torque sensor is in the over torque operation state the RFID tag does transmit information.

Abstract: A control surface disconnect detection system includes a mechanical disconnect detection device that includes: a first contact element; a second contact element; and a mechanical fuse that includes a conduction path. In a normal operational state the conduction path creates an electrical pathway between the first contact element and second contact element and when in a control surface disconnected state the conduction path does not create an electrical pathway between the first contact element and the second contact element. The system also includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical disconnect detection device is in the control surface disconnected state the RFID tag does transmit information.

Abstract: An over torque detection system includes a mechanical torque sensor and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The mechanical torque sensor includes first and second contact elements and a moveable element coupled to the first contact element. In a normal operational state the moveable element is in contact with the second contact element and creates an electrical pathway between the first and second contact elements and when in over torque operational state the movable element moves such that it does not contact the second contact element. The RFID tag is connected to the first contact element and the second contact element such that when the mechanical torque sensor is in the normal operation state the RFID tag does not transmit information, and when the mechanical torque sensor is in the over torque operation state the RFID tag does transmit information.