Abstract: A method for traffic management of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations is disclosed. Upon receipt of an emergency signal including information on an anomalous traffic condition by an autonomous vehicle, the method includes broadcasting the emergency signal using a wireless communication device. The method further includes establishing an ad hoc wireless network among a plurality of autonomous vehicles and exchanging data among the vehicles of the network. The method further includes collaboratively computing intent instructions for the vehicles of the network to avoid or mitigate the anomalous traffic condition, distributing the instructions among the vehicles of the network, and executing the instructions by each corresponding vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes an interface configured to receive sensor data corresponding to a potential hazard associated with a travel path of a vehicle. The system also includes an obstacle database including probability distributions of potential obstacles. The system further includes one or more processors coupled to the interface and configured to generate a probability index associated with the potential hazard and to determine whether to modify the travel path based on the probability index and the probability distributions.

Abstract: A system for altitude control of an autogyro includes an unpowered rotor for generating lift and a forward propulsion system for generating a horizontal thrust component of a thrust vector for propelling the autogyro forward during flight. The system for altitude control also includes at least one thrust steering control devices configured to steer thrust generated by the forward propulsion system such that the forward propulsion system generates a vertical thrust component of the thrust vector.

Abstract: An autogyro includes a frame and a rotor hub coupled to the frame. The autogyro also includes a connector coupled to the rotor hub and configured to couple the rotor hub to a ground-based pre-rotator device to rotate the rotor hub during a vertical take-off operation. The autogyro further includes a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor hub, each rotor blade configured such that rotation of the rotor hub, during the vertical take-off operation, results in twisting the rotor blade from a first blade pitch distribution to a second blade pitch distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-weight radar system (“LWRS”) for sense and avoid applications in a vehicle. The LWRS includes a plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmitters, an obstacle database, and a processing device. The processing device is in signal communication with the plurality of receivers, plurality of transmitters, and the obstacle database. The processing device includes at least one processor and a computer computer-readable medium (“CRM”) having encoded thereon computer-executable instructions.

Abstract: A system for altitude control of an autogyro includes an unpowered rotor for generating lift and a forward propulsion system for generating a horizontal thrust component of a thrust vector for propelling the autogyro forward during flight. The system for altitude control also includes at least one thrust steering control devices configured to steer thrust generated by the forward propulsion system such that the forward propulsion system generates a vertical thrust component of the thrust vector.

Abstract: A method for traffic management of autonomous vehicles in emergency situations is disclosed. Upon receipt of an emergency signal including information on an anomalous traffic condition by an autonomous vehicle, the method includes broadcasting the emergency signal using a wireless communication device. The method further includes establishing an ad hoc wireless network among a plurality of autonomous vehicles and exchanging data among the vehicles of the network. The method further includes collaboratively computing intent instructions for the vehicles of the network to avoid or mitigate the anomalous traffic condition, distributing the instructions among the vehicles of the network, and executing the instructions by each corresponding vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light-weight radar system (“LWRS”) for sense and avoid applications in a vehicle. The LWRS includes a plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmitters, an obstacle database, and a processing device. The processing device is in signal communication with the plurality of receivers, plurality of transmitters, and the obstacle database. The processing device includes at least one processor and a computer computer-readable medium (“CRM”) having encoded thereon computer-executable instructions.

Abstract: An autogyro includes a frame and a rotor hub coupled to the frame. The autogyro also includes a connector coupled to the rotor hub and configured to couple the rotor hub to a ground-based pre-rotator device to rotate the rotor hub during a vertical take-off operation. The autogyro further includes a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor hub, each rotor blade configured such that rotation of the rotor hub, during the vertical take-off operation, results in twisting the rotor blade from a first blade pitch distribution to a second blade pitch distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural health monitoring system, for example a system used in the non-destructive evaluation of an aircraft structure. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for evaluating one or more anomalies within a structure using a structural health monitoring system that includes at least three transducers arranged in operative contact with the structure such that no two transducers are aligned to be parallel. A transducer excites an elastic wave that propagates through the structure, and reflections from any anomalies within the structure are collected by the three transducers. These collected signals are analyzed to identify an anomaly within the structure. Time of flight techniques are used to determine the location of the anomaly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural health monitoring system, for example a system used in the non-destructive evaluation of an aircraft structure. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for evaluating one or more anomalies within a structure using a structural health monitoring system that includes at least three transducers arranged in operative contact with the structure such that no two transducers are aligned to be parallel. A transducer excites an elastic wave that propagates through the structure, and reflections from any anomalies within the structure are collected by the three transducers. These collected signals are analysed to identify an anomaly within the structure. Time of flight techniques are used to determine the location of the anomaly.