Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft directs a primary surface that is pivotable with respect to the aircraft with a moveable tab located at the end of the primary surface. A primary surface actuator maintains a position of the primary surface. A tab actuator moves the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface. A controller configured to coordinate the movement of the primary flight control surface with the movement of the tab by deflecting the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface, thereby allowing aerodynamic forces acting upon the deflected tab to position the primary flight control surface at a desired position. The primary flight control surface can then be maintained at the desired position by the primary surface actuator.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: An actuator control system includes a controller and a buck-boost circuit. The controller is configured to direct power from a power source to an actuator. The actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. The buck-boost circuit is configured to direct excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.

Abstract: A battery system including a housing that defines an internal volume and a venting system that fluidly couples the internal volume with an atmosphere surrounding the housing and a support structure within the internal volume, the support structure being configured to support a number of battery cell modules in the internal volume.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for actuating a control surface about a pivot point using variable moments. A bracket having a moment arm is coupled to the pivot point such that the bracket is rotatable about the pivot point to actuate the surface. A power actuator has a shaft coupled to the bracket at a coupling point on the moment arm such that actuation force applied to the shaft results in a moment produced about the pivot point. A linear actuator is configured to adjust the location of the coupling point with respect to the pivot point to thereby changing the moment arm and the moment produced about the pivot point as the bracket rotates. By adjusting the distance between the pivot point and the coupling point, the moments produced about the pivot point can be increased while conserving actuator power.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator incorporates a drive housing connected to a motor for rotational motion. A screw is employed with an actuating nut having protruding engagement bosses and a drive coupling is concentrically received within the drive housing having segments equal to the number of engagement bosses. Each segment has a cavity to receive a respective one of the engagement bosses and the segments are cooperatively positionable from an active position radially compressed to engage the bosses within the cavities to a released position radially expanded to disengage the bosses from the cavities.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: An actuator control system includes a controller and a buck-boost circuit. The controller is configured to direct power from a power source to an actuator. The actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. The buck-boost circuit is configured to direct excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for the use of a lift-producing body with a landing gear assembly in order to provide a lifting force during landing gear operations that reduces the load on the landing gear actuator. According to embodiments, the lift-producing body may be configured for attachment to the landing gear assembly. The lift-producing body may be reconfigured while the landing gear assembly is being retracted or deployed in order to maximize the aerodynamic lift created by the lift-producing body or to minimize the drag induced by the lift-producing body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing and using power generated by the application of an external force or by an inertial force on a vehicle control device that back-drive or forward-drive an actuator coupled to the control device. An actuator is coupled to a control device configured to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. A bus is configured to conduct power to the actuator. An actuator control system is configured to receive power from a power source via an electrical bus and direct the power to the actuator. The actuator control system is also configured to monitor an actuator power level to determine when the actuator power level does not meet an anticipated power level. When the actuator power level exceeds the anticipated power level, the excess power generated is directed to an energy storage device. When the actuator power level is less than the anticipated power level, supplemental power is distributed from the energy storage device to the bus.

Abstract: A battery system including a housing that defines an internal volume and a venting system that fluidly couples the internal volume with an atmosphere surrounding the housing and a support structure within the internal volume, the support structure being configured to support a number of battery cell modules in the internal volume.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying system for decontamination of a vehicle is described. The system includes a wheeled platform sized to fit inside the vehicle, at least one tank operable to contain one or more decontaminant agents, the tanks supported by said wheeled platform, a plurality of nozzles affixed to the wheeled platform, wherein each nozzle is positioned for distribution of the decontaminant agents in at least one pre-determined direction, an electrostatic charging system connected to each of the nozzles for applying an electrostatic charge to the decontaminant agents as the agents are dispersed, and at least one compressor in communication with the tanks for pressurizing the decontaminant agents. The one or more compressors are capable of providing a pressure sufficient to provide a constant distribution of the decontaminant agents through the electrostatic nozzles.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing and using power generated by the application of an external force or by an inertial force on a vehicle control device that back-drive or forward-drive an actuator coupled to the control device. An actuator is coupled to a control device configured to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. A bus is configured to conduct power to the actuator. An actuator control system is configured to receive power from a power source via an electrical bus and direct the power to the actuator. The actuator control system is also configured to monitor an actuator power level to determine when the actuator power level does not meet an anticipated power level. When the actuator power level exceeds the anticipated power level, the excess power generated is directed to an energy storage device. When the actuator power level is less than the anticipated power level, supplemental power is distributed from the energy storage device to the bus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for the use of a lift-producing body with a landing gear assembly in order to provide a lifting force during landing gear operations that reduces the load on the landing gear actuator. According to embodiments, the lift-producing body may be configured for attachment to the landing gear assembly. The lift-producing body may be reconfigured while the landing gear assembly is being retracted or deployed in order to maximize the aerodynamic lift created by the lift-producing body or to minimize the drag induced by the lift-producing body.

Abstract: A structural mechanism for an aircraft includes a support, a hinged surface, and a hinge assembly joining the hinged surface to the support. An actuation system includes an actuator shaft engaged to the hinges and lying coincident with a hinged-surface hinge axis and extending through the aligned center passageways of the hinges of the hinge assembly. A lock is selectively operable to lock the hinged surface to the support when the actuator shaft engages the lock. An actuator structure is controllably operable to move the actuator shaft longitudinally along the hinge-surface hinge axis between a first shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft engages the lock and the hinges, and a second shaft axial position wherein the actuator shaft does not engage the lock but does engage the hinges, and is controllably operable to rotate the actuator shaft about the hinged-surface hinge axis.

Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft directs a primary surface that is pivotable with respect to the aircraft with a moveable tab located at the end of the primary surface. A primary surface actuator maintains a position of the primary surface. A tab actuator moves the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface. A controller configured to coordinate the movement of the primary flight control surface with the movement of the tab by deflecting the tab with respect to the primary flight control surface, thereby allowing aerodynamic forces acting upon the deflected tab to position the primary flight control surface at a desired position. The primary flight control surface can then be maintained at the desired position by the primary surface actuator.