Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.

Abstract: A damage-detection apparatus for an aircraft may include a composite structure comprising embedded conductive traces. The embedded conductive traces may be for transmitting a damage-detection signal to indicate if the composite structure has been damaged.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a composite structure and a plurality of small lightweight pollable communication devices for providing lightning strike detection coverage of a region of the structure. Each device is rendered inoperative if at least proximate to lightning current.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may comprise a number of mobile robotic machines, a wireless communications system and a computer system. The number of mobile robotic machines may be capable of moving to a number of locations in a maintenance area and may be capable of performing a number of maintenance operations on a structure in the maintenance area. The wireless communications system may be capable of providing communication with the number of mobile robotic machines within the maintenance area. The computer system may be capable of exchanging information with the number of mobile robotic machines using the wireless communications system.

Abstract: A damage-detection apparatus for an aircraft may include a composite structure comprising embedded conductive traces. The embedded conductive traces may be for transmitting a damage-detection signal to indicate if the composite structure has been damaged.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A transponder module for vehicles. The module has a substantially universal vehicle sensor input interface capable of receiving sensor input from different types of vehicle sensors and from different types of vehicles. One or more processors and memory, in real time, receive vehicle sensor input data via the input interface. Based on a vehicle type stored in the memory, the processor(s) use the sensor input data to determine conditions of subsystems the vehicle. Based on the determined conditions, the processor(s) determine performance capabilities of the vehicle. The transponder module outputs information as to the stored vehicle type, determined conditions, and vehicle performance capabilities.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may comprise a number of mobile robotic machines, a wireless communications system and a computer system. The number of mobile robotic machines may be capable of moving to a number of locations in a maintenance area and may be capable of performing a number of maintenance operations on a structure in the maintenance area. The wireless communications system may be capable of providing communication with the number of mobile robotic machines within the maintenance area. The computer system may be capable of exchanging information with the number of mobile robotic machines using the wireless communications system.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A transponder module for vehicles. The module has a substantially universal vehicle sensor input interface capable of receiving sensor input from different types of vehicle sensors and from different types of vehicles. One or more processors and memory, in real time, receive vehicle sensor input data via the input interface. Based on a vehicle type stored in the memory, the processor(s) use the sensor input data to determine conditions of subsystems the vehicle. Based on the determined conditions, the processor(s) determine performance capabilities of the vehicle. The transponder module outputs information as to the stored vehicle type, determined conditions, and vehicle performance capabilities.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling one or more uninhabited heterogeneous autonomous transport devices. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously reduce costs and improve efficiencies by providing capabilities for a computing device to be able to control and to monitor one or more heterogeneous autonomous transport devices. This occurs by generating a command signal from a computing device and transmitting the command signal to control on-board computing devices of one or more heterogeneous transport devices to execute requirements of a mission. Also, embodiments of the present invention provide ways to start-up, to send commands, and to shut down real or simulated heterogeneous autonomous transport devices.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a composite structure and a plurality of small lightweight pollable communication devices for providing lightning strike detection coverage of a region of the structure. Each device is rendered inoperative if at least proximate to lightning current.

Abstract: Nondestructive examination is performed on a composite aircraft component including a composite body and a conductive medium. The conductive medium is substantially more conductive than the composite body. The nondestructive examination includes applying an electromagnetic field that penetrates the composite body and heats the conductive medium, and creating a thermal image of the conductive medium to reveal conductivity information about the conductive medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for health data management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring health information for a multi-platform system includes receiving health information from one or more subsystems of a plurality of platforms, and analyzing the health information using one or more reasoner algorithms configured to predict a potential failure of the one or more subsystems. Upon prediction of a potential failure, the method includes providing a prognostic characteristic of the one or more subsystems. In alternate embodiments, the method may further include translating at least some of the health information for each of the one or more subsystems into a common format, and storing the translated health information into a database for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.

Abstract: A superconducting device operable at temperatures in excess of 30.degree. K. and a method for making the device are described. A representative device is an essentially coplanar SQUID device formed in a single layer of high T.sub.c superconducting material, the SQUID device being operable at temperatures in excess of 60.degree. K. High energy beams, for example ion beams, are used to convert selected portions of the high T.sub.c superconductor to nonsuperconductor properties so that the material now has both superconductive regions and nonsuperconductive regions. In this manner a superconducting loop having superconducting weak links can be formed to comprise the SQUID device.