Abstract: A ventilation louver (10) includes a first plate (52) defining a first opening (74) therein for permitting fluid flow along a first direction (128), a second plate (54) defining a vane (82) therein, the vane at least partially covering the first opening and directing the fluid flow along a second direction (130), non-parallel to the first direction, and a third plate (56) defining a louvered opening (108) therein wherein the louvered opening directs fluid flow along a third direction (138), non-parallel to both the first direction and the second direction. In a non-limiting example, the ventilation louver may be disposed in a belly fairing of an aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface (38) between a fire suppressant conduit (18) and a cargo panel (28) of a cargo compartment (12) of an aircraft (10). The apparatus comprises an adaptor (40) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit (18) access to the cargo compartment (12) through the cargo panel (28) and a sealing member (42) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor (40) and the fire suppressant conduit (18). The adaptor (40) comprises an aperture (56) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit (18) where the aperture (56) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) therethrough. Associated methods (600, 700) for removing the cargo panel (28) of the cargo compartment (12) of the aircraft (10) without disassembly of the nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a first component to a second component, including an attachment bracket having two openings defined therethrough, each of the openings having a closed perimeter, and a tie element extending through the openings, the tie element including two abutment portions each sized relative to the openings to prevent the abutment portions from passing through the openings, the abutment portions being positioned on opposite sides of one of the openings with at least one of the abutment portions being positioned between the openings. The components may be a harness and a fuel probe, for example in a fuel tank of an aircraft.

Abstract: There is described herein a harness (106) that remains neutral until configured by a configuration device (110). Wires that connect to specific pins responsible for the configuration of a system are taken out and connected to a configuration port (108) on the harness (106). The configuration port (108), when mated with the configuration device (110), sets a configuration setting of the system. The configuration device (110) may be used to set the power and/or signal parameters of the harness (106) for a system or to configure various options within the system itself or another system.

Abstract: A ventilation louver (10) includes a first plate (52) defining a first opening (74) therein for permitting fluid flow along a first direction (128), a second plate (54) defining a vane (82) therein, the vane at least partially covering the first opening and directing the fluid flow along a second direction (130), non-parallel to the first direction, and a third plate (56) defining a louvered opening (108) therein wherein the louvered opening directs fluid flow along a third direction (138), non-parallel to both the first direction and the second direction. In a non-limiting example, the ventilation louver may be disposed in a belly fairing of an aircraft.

Abstract: There is described herein a harness (106) that remains neutral until configured by a configuration device (110). Wires that connect to specific pins responsible for the configuration of a system are taken out and connected to a configuration port (108) on the harness (106). The configuration port (108), when mated with the configuration device (110), sets a configuration setting of the system. The configuration device (110) may be used to set the power and/or signal parameters of the harness (106) for a system or to configure various options within the system itself or another system.

Abstract: A tank wall connector system for use with a composite tank, the connector comprises a connector having a body extending from an interior of the tank to an exterior of the tank when installed through a hole in the composite tank. The connector has a first electrical conductivity property. An interface is positioned between the connector and a wall of the composite tank when installed to the tank thereby preventing physical contact between the connector and the tank wall in the interior of the tank, the interface having a second electrical conductivity property, different from the first electrical conductivity property.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists supporting a floor within the aircraft and a ground plane connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists supporting a floor within the aircraft and a ground plane connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component (28) within an aircraft (10) includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists (38) supporting a floor (30) within the aircraft and a ground plane (44) connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket (52) electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A drain for expelling fluids from an interior of an aircraft to an exterior of the aircraft, the drain including a drain tube disposed at the interior of the aircraft having a first end disposed in fluid communication with an aircraft equipment to be drained and an opposite second end, wherein the drain tube terminates at the second end at a location within the interior of the aircraft, a seal which extends between the second end of the drain tube and an outer skin of the aircraft, delimiting a drainage cavity, and a drainage pathway extending from the cavity through the outer skin to the exterior of the aircraft.

Abstract: A tank wall connector system for use with a composite tank, the connector comprises a connector having a body extending from an interior of the tank to an exterior of the tank when installed through a hole in the composite tank. The connector has a first electrical conductivity property. An interface is positioned between the connector and a wall of the composite tank when installed to the tank thereby preventing physical contact between the connector and the tank wall in the interior of the tank, the interface having a second electrical conductivity property, different from the first electrical conductivity property.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component (28) within an aircraft (10) includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists (38) supporting a floor (30) within the aircraft and a ground plane (44) connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket (52) electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A drain for expelling fluids from an interior of an aircraft to an exterior of the aircraft, the drain including a drain tube disposed at the interior of the aircraft having a first end disposed in fluid communication with an aircraft equipment to be drained and an opposite second end, wherein the drain tube terminates at the second end at a location within the interior of the aircraft, a seal which extends between the second end of the drain tube and an outer skin of the aircraft, delimiting a drainage cavity, and a drainage pathway extending from the cavity through the outer skin to the exterior of the aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface (38) between a fire suppressant conduit (18) and a cargo panel (28) of a cargo compartment (12) of an aircraft (10). The apparatus comprises an adaptor (40) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit (18) access to the cargo compartment (12) through the cargo panel (28) and a sealing member (42) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor (40) and the fire suppressant conduit (18). The adaptor (40) comprises an aperture (56) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit (18) where the aperture (56) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) therethrough. Associated methods (600, 700) for removing the cargo panel (28) of the cargo compartment (12) of the aircraft (10) without disassembly of the nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) are also disclosed.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle is mounted from a kit which includes a vehicle body that has a chassis, a first actuator assembly carried by the chassis and a motor carried by the chassis; a wheel kit including a second actuator assembly and a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit that has track guide wheels, track driving wheels and a pair of ground-engaging tracks. The vehicle body can be interchangeably coupled to either one of the wheel kit thus defining a wheel mode hybrid vehicle and the track kit thus defining a track mode hybrid vehicle. In the wheel mode, the second actuator assembly is removably carried by the chassis, the ground-engaging wheels are operatively and removably coupled to the first and second actuator assemblies and the motor powers the first and second actuator assemblies.

Abstract: The powered hybrid vehicle is capable of being operative in either one of first and second distinct driving modes each including corresponding first and second directional systems. The hybrid vehicle has a control shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, a first steering member operatively coupled to the first directional system, a second steering member operatively coupled to the second directional system and a shaft coupler capable of selectively coupling the control shaft to either one of the first and second steering members. The hybrid vehicle may be steered by controlling the steering device notwithstanding which one of the first and second driving mode it is in.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle kit comprises a vehicle body capable of being interchangeably coupled to either one of a wheel kit thus forming a hybrid vehicle in a wheel mode, the wheel kit having a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit, thus forming the hybrid vehicle in a track mode, the track kit having a pair of ground-engaging tracks carried by track wheels. The vehicle has a pair of powered driving hydraulic pumps and a number of wheel drives powered by a corresponding one of the driving hydraulic pumps. In the wheel mode the ground-engaging wheels are operatively mounted to corresponding wheel drives and an electronic circuit calculates hydraulic rate data on the basis of speed data to control the first and second driving hydraulic pumps so that they will administer a hydraulic rate to the wheel drives which is representative of the hydraulic rate data to control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging wheels which will propel the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: The powered hybrid vehicle is capable of being operative in either one of first and second distinct driving modes each comprising corresponding first and second directional systems. The hybrid vehicle has a control shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, a first steering member operatively coupled to the first directional system, a second steering member operatively coupled to the second directional system and a shaft coupler capable of selectively coupling the control shaft to either one of the first and second steering members. The hybrid vehicle may be steered by controlling the steering device notwithstanding which one of the first and second driving mode it is in.

Abstract: The hybrid vehicle kit comprises a vehicle body capable of being interchangeably coupled to either one of a wheel kit thus forming a hybrid vehicle in a wheel mode, the wheel kit having a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit, thus forming the hybrid vehicle in a track mode, the track kit having a pair of ground-engaging tracks carried by track wheels. The vehicle has a pair of powered driving hydraulic pumps and a number of wheel drives powered by a corresponding one of the driving hydraulic pumps. In the wheel mode the ground-engaging wheels are operatively mounted to corresponding wheel drives and an electronic circuit calculates hydraulic rate data on the basis of speed data to control the first and second driving hydraulic pumps so that they will administer a hydraulic rate to the wheel drives which is representative of the hydraulic rate data to control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging wheels which will propel the hybrid vehicle.