Abstract: An injection molded windshield is provided for a vehicle. The injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate windshield enables vehicle shape design flexibility while achieving lower aerodynamic drag. The injection molded windshields offer additional benefits for the crew by increasing visibility area with larger windshields while reducing aero noise. The vehicle includes a body and an injection molded window attached to the body. The injection molded windshield is shaped to conform to the fuselage. The injection molded windshield is formed of at least one of an injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate material. The injection molded windshield is impact and ballistic tolerant.

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: 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: An automated lapping system is provided for lapping a work product using a robot. Because the robot can apply continuous consistent pressure that far exceeds the capabilities of a human operator, lapping and polishing evolutions take a fraction of the time taken by a human operator. The system includes a robot having one or more lapping end effectors and a control component that controls the robot to lap the work product. The control component includes a processor, a user interface coupled to the processor, a communication component that receives final work product dimensions, and a positioning component that detects a lapping zone on the work product and sends the detected lapping zone to the control component. The control component controls the robot based on the sent lapping zone and received work product dimensions.

Abstract: A method and system for attaching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The system includes first and second sections. The first section attaches to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections. The canopy is molded to conform with the secured first and second sections. In one embodiment, the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes with or without bushings. In another embodiment, the first or second sections include one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder. The first or second sections are configured to be received by the vehicle.

Abstract: A latching system and method for a canopy are provided. Devices are partially embedded in the canopy and latches are slideably received within a canopy rail of the vehicle. The latches are controlled by a latch controller and lock the canopy to the vehicle. A canopy position sensor senses the position of the canopy, and a canopy controller controls the position of the canopy. The latch controllers control the position of the one or more latches based on the sensed position of the canopy or the status of the canopy controller. A latch position sensor senses the position of the latches and a vehicle position sensor senses the position of the vehicle. The canopy controller controls the position of the canopy based on the sensed position of the latches and the sensed position of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching an injection-molded canopy to a hinge assembly is provided. The apparatus includes attachment components that are at least partially embedded in the injection-molded canopy. A hinge assembly attaches to the attachment components for controlling the position of the canopy. The canopy is a polycarbonate or acrylic frameless canopy. The hinge assembly is hingedly attached to the vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a center support and port and starboard supports. The center support is located approximately along a centerline of the canopy, the port support is located on a port side of the vehicle, and the starboard support is located on a starboard side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An injection molded windshield is provided for a vehicle. The injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate windshield enables vehicle shape design flexibility while achieving lower aerodynamic drag. The injection molded windshields offer additional benefits for the crew by increasing visibility area with larger windshields while reducing aero noise. The vehicle includes a body and an injection molded window attached to the body. The injection molded windshield is shaped to conform to the fuselage. The injection molded windshield is formed of at least one of an injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate material. The injection molded windshield is impact and ballistic tolerant.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching an injection molded canopy to a vehicle is provided. The system includes a canopy rail attached to the vehicle and an injection-molded canopy that is molded to be securely received by the canopy rail. The canopy is a polycarbonate or acrylic frameless canopy. The system also includes a seal, a canopy position sensor, a sealing component, and a canopy handle for controlling position of the canopy. The sealing component inflates the one or more seals with one of a liquid or gas when the canopy is sensed in the closed position. The system also includes a ground sensor. The sealing component deflates the seal if the canopy handle is in an open position and the aircraft is on the ground.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching an injection molded canopy to a vehicle is provided. The system includes a canopy rail attached to the vehicle and an injection-molded canopy that is molded to be securely received by the canopy rail. The canopy is a polycarbonate or acrylic frameless canopy. The system also includes a seal, a canopy position sensor, a sealing component, and a canopy handle for controlling position of the canopy. The sealing component inflates the one or more seals with one of a liquid or gas when the canopy is sensed in the closed position. The system also includes a ground sensor. The sealing component deflates the seal if the canopy handle is in an open position and the aircraft is on the ground.

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: A latching system and method for a canopy are provided. Devices are partially embedded in the canopy and latches are slideably received within a canopy rail of the vehicle. The latches are controlled by a latch controller and lock the canopy to the vehicle. A canopy position sensor senses the position of the canopy, and a canopy controller controls the position of the canopy. The latch controllers control the position of the one or more latches based on the sensed position of the canopy or the status of the canopy controller. A latch position sensor senses the position of the latches and a vehicle position sensor senses the position of the vehicle. The canopy controller controls the position of the canopy based on the sensed position of the latches and the sensed position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for attaching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The system includes first and second sections. The first section attaches to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections. The canopy is molded to conform with the secured first and second sections. In one embodiment, the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes with or without bushings. In another embodiment, the first or second sections include one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder. The first or second sections are configured to be received by the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching an injection-molded canopy to a hinge assembly is provided. The apparatus includes attachment components that are at least partially embedded in the injection-molded canopy. A hinge assembly attaches to the attachment components for controlling the position of the canopy. The canopy is a polycarbonate or acrylic frameless canopy. The hinge assembly is hingedly attached to the vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a center support and port and starboard supports. The center support is located approximately along a centerline of the canopy, the port support is located on a port side of the vehicle, and the starboard support is located on a starboard side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for ejection operation in an aircraft are provided. The system allows selection of one of two modes of ejection: ejecting through the canopy; and jettisoning the canopy before ejection. The system includes an ejection mode selector for selecting one of a canopy shattering ejection mode and a canopy jettison ejection mode, canopy shattering components, canopy jettison components, and an ejection actuator. The ejection actuator activates one of the canopy shattering components or the canopy jettison components based on the selected ejection mode.

Abstract: End effectors are provided for performing surface lapping using a robot. The end effectors allow orthogonal surface contact in order to maintain optimum pressure applied by the robot. One or more end effectors include a base, a plate, a lapping pad attached to the plate, and a pivot joint. The pivot joint allows the plate to pivot about two substantially orthogonal axes. The base is attached to an arm of a robot. The end effector includes a component for absorbing applied pressure, such as a spring-loaded shaft or a pneumatic shaft. In an aspect of the invention, the two axes are substantially parallel to the planar surface.

Abstract: An automated lapping system is provided for lapping a work product using a robot. Because the robot can apply continuous consistent pressure that far exceeds the capabilities of a human operator, lapping and polishing evolutions take a fraction of the time taken by a human operator. The system includes a robot having one or more lapping end effectors and a control component that controls the robot to lap the work product. The control component includes a processor, a user interface coupled to the processor, a communication component that receives final work product dimensions, and a positioning component that detects a lapping zone on the work product and sends the detected lapping zone to the control component. The control component controls the robot based on the sent lapping zone and received work product dimensions.

Abstract: End effectors are provided for performing surface lapping using a robot. The end effectors allow orthogonal surface contact in order to maintain optimum pressure applied by the robot. The end effectors include a base, a plate having a planar surface, a lapping pad that attaches to the planar surface of the plate, and a pivot-joint. The pivot-joint allows the plate to pivot about two axes. The base is attached to an arm of the robot. The two axes are substantially parallel to the planar surface.