Abstract: A method of installing a window panel in an aircraft. The method includes connecting upper and lower ends of the window panel with upper and lower longerons of the aircraft, and connecting a side end of the window panel with a hoop frame of the aircraft. This method makes it possible to eliminate heavy window support structures and to provide continuous hoop frame support members in an aircraft fuselage.

Abstract: A structural panel includes a frame having one or more attachment members. A material injection-molded onto at least a portion of the frame fills one or more openings at least partly defined by the frame and defines at least a portion of a shape of the panel. The attachment member(s) are at least partially embedded in the injection-molded material for attaching the panel relative to the structure. Because attachment members can be embedded in this panel, little if any post-processing is needed to install the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for latching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, that avoids plastic creep and crazing due to concentrated loads is provided. The apparatus includes first attachment components that are at least partially embedded within an injection-molded canopy and second attachment components that are connected to the canopy rail for attaching to the one or more first attachment components and thereby attaching the canopy to the canopy rail.

Abstract: Door systems and methods of making a door that provide added security in a vehicle, such as a commercial aircraft. An example door system includes a door, a source of pressurized fluid, and a frame. The door includes an injection-molded polycarbonate base, a plurality of hinge inserts embedded within the injection-molded polycarbonate base, and an inflatable seal. The source inflates the inflatable seal. The frame includes hinges that attach to the plurality of hinge inserts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for end effectors for performing surface lapping using a robotic system are provided. In one embodiment, a lapping system includes a robotic arm and a pneumatic end effector unit. The pneumatic end effector unit includes a first base attached to the robotic arm, a second base, a lapping pad attachable to the second base, and a pneumatic piston system coupled between the first and second bases. An abrasive pad is attached to the lapping pad with a layer of pitch. The pneumatic piston system includes a piston chamber, a piston being slideably received within the piston chamber, and a component for controlling air pressure within the piston chamber. A slurry system introduces a slurry compound into one of the second base or the lapping pad.

Abstract: A drill nozzle includes a housing having a bristle brush ring attached. The housing of the drill nozzle may include an air intake, multiple coolant inlets, multiple coolant jets, a vacuum tube, and mounting flanges. The air intake may provide a thrust-vectored down draft into the vacuum tube. The coolant inlets may receive coolant fluid that may be expelled from the coolant jets towards a drill bit. Drilling debris and coolant fluid may be contained inside the bristle brush ring preventing damage and soiling of surrounding structures and areas and may be extracted with the vacuum tube. The drill nozzle may be attached to a drill motor unit of a numerically controlled drill jig, enabling the use of such numerically controlled drill jig for drilling high quality holes effectively into non-flat surfaces, for example, the leading edge extension spar of the F-18 aircraft.

Abstract: A utility bracket for attaching wires or wire bundles to a structure is provided. The utility bracket includes a first portion that supports a product and a second portion for adhering to a support structure. The second portion includes a separation component that separates the second portion from the support structure by a predefined amount. The separation component includes a plurality of ridges or dimples for allowing even application of an adhesive. A nut plate or wire ties secure the product to the first portion. The second portion can include a base plate that is rotatably coupled to the first portion. The bracket can be formed by a molding or extruding process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible traffic barricade and safety marker device. In particular, the present invention provides an improved marker device formed by two pivotally attached members locked into operable position by one or more pivotally attached support beams at the base of the marker device.

Abstract: A sluice-gate wall thimble has a support stem (1, 12) which covers an embedment side of a sluice-gate nut (2) and is fixable to a wall anchor (5, 11). The sluice-gate nut is inside threaded and fixable to an embedment side (16) of a predetermined sluice-gate wall (7) with an axis of the sluice-gate nut being in line concentrically with an axis of a wall-bolt aperture (8) on the predetermined sluice-gate wall. A plurality of the support stems on a plurality of the sluice-gate nuts in line with a plurality of the wall-bolt apertures and fixed to at least one wall anchor are employed first to prevent encroachment of fluid concrete (3) or other foundation material onto inside-diameter threading (4) of the plurality of sluice-gate nuts during construction of a predetermined sluice gate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible traffic barricade and safety marker device. In particular, the present invention provides an improved marker device formed by two pivotally attached members locked into operable position by one or more pivotally attached support beams at the base of the marker device.

Abstract: A fixable-seal sluice gate has a valve vise (18, 19, 25, 26, 31, 32) that forces a sluice-gate valve uniformly and tightly in sealing-surface contact with a domed seal ring (4) that is fixable conveniently and removably intermediate a sluice-gate plate (3) and a sluice-gate wall (1) of a sluice-gate flange that encompasses a valve side of a sluice-gate aperture (2). A plate locator on the valve vice sets the sluice-gate plate in predetermined sealing-contact position for select structure of the fixable-seal sluice gate. The domed seal ring is a plastic material such as Hypalon® having predetermined toughness to resist particle embedment in combination with having predetermined softness for select uses and objectives. A dome flange (5, 6) on one or both sides of a base of the domed seal ring is bracketed removably to optionally the sluice-gate wall or the sluice-gate plate for rigid, reliable, long-enduring and yet quick and convenient attachment and detachment of the domed seal ring.

Abstract: An integrated system of user interfaces for communicating with remote services. A backplane architecture controls and manages the user interfaces by instantiating, launching, overseeing and closing the user interfaces associated with a plurality of applications residing in a remote server. Each application communicates with one another and with the backplane via messaging interfaces. The backplane provides a single uniform user authentication procedure during logon for the user interfaces and also provides session management for a duration of a user session. Session information is maintained by exchanging a session key or keys for identifying the session with remote servers.

Abstract: A clean air system a fan and a filter assembly for producing a flow of clean air and for discharging the clean air from an outlet towards a clean area. A Coanda effect device is located adjacent to the filter assembly about the whole or part of its periphery, and induces movement of air away from the flow of clean air. Any potentially contaminated air must thus overcome the outward flow of air in order to reach the clean area, thereby reducing the likelihood of contamination of the clean area.