Abstract: A load sensor includes a compressible body positionable between two surfaces. The compressible body has a plurality of aligned layers including first and second outer shims with a middle shim positioned therebetween and with a resilient material interposed between each adjacent shim. The second outer shim has a gap that exposes an unsupported area of the middle shim. A strain gauge is coupled to the middle shim in the unsupported area. When the compressible body is uncompressed, the resilient material interposed between the first outer shim and the middle shim has a substantially uniform thickness. When the compressible body is compressed between the two surfaces, the resilient material aligned with the unsupported area and interposed between the first outer shim and the middle shim has a nonuniform thickness such that the middle shim deflects away from the first outer shim in the unsupported area, thereby deforming the strain gauge.

Abstract: A rotorcraft has a fuselage, an engine disposed substantially laterally centrally relative to the fuselage, and an air intake system (AIS). The AIS has a first duct configured to provide streamline air flow, a second duct configured to provide streamline air flow, and a combining section configured to receive streamline air flow from each of the first duct and the second duct. The combining section is further configured to output streamline air flow.

Abstract: A boundary layer utilization apparatus for intake of air to a high speed aircraft, comprises a first air inlet adjacent an exterior surface of a fuselage of the aircraft and offset from the fuselage enough to integrate a second air inlet in the offset space to ingest and divert the boundary layer air flowing next to the fuselage into the aircraft for a useful purpose such as cooling the engine compartment. The second air inlet is disposed aft of the first air inlet to minimize hot gas re-ingestion.

Abstract: A boundary layer utilization apparatus for intake of air to a high speed aircraft, comprises a first air inlet adjacent an exterior surface of a fuselage of the aircraft and offset from the fuselage enough to integrate a second air inlet in the offset space to ingest and divert the boundary layer air flowing next to the fuselage into the aircraft for a useful purpose such as cooling the engine compartment. The second air inlet is disposed aft of the first air inlet to minimize hot gas re-ingestion.