Abstract: There is provided an expandable strut assembly for a wing of an aircraft, having a strut with a strut cross section with an airfoil shape, and the strut having an outboard end coupled to the wing, an inboard end coupled to a fuselage, and an elongate body, and having at least one shape transition assembly connected to the strut. Each shape transition assembly is configured to transition the strut between a contracted position and an expanded position, and is configured to transition the strut cross section between a contracted airfoil shape and an expanded airfoil shape. Each shape transition assembly has a shape transition mechanism attached to an interior of the strut. The shape transition mechanism includes fixed length structural members, and a drive mechanism of variable length structural member(s), includes an actuation mechanism connected to the shape transition mechanism, and an activation mechanism coupled to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided an extendable compression chain system for extending a structure. The system includes a track assembly, a curved guide assembly, an extendable compression chain assembly, an actuation mechanism, and a mechanical power apparatus. The extendable compression chain assembly is configured to travel along the track assembly and to follow the curved portion of the track assembly, to move from a retracted position to an extended position, to extend the structure coupled to the extendable compression chain assembly. The extendable compression chain assembly includes a compression chain structure having a first end, a second end, and modules. The modules are movable between a rigid position and a collapsed position, as the compression chain structure follows the curved portion of the track assembly, and wraps around the curved guide assembly. The extendable compression chain assembly includes an actuation end fitting and a structure interface end fitting.

Abstract: There is provided a variable radius assembly having a spindle, at least one variable radius guide member coupled to, and driven by, the spindle, and a tension member attached to the variable radius guide member. The tension member is configured to attach to at least one variable length structural member. The variable radius assembly further has at least one gear coupled to, and driven by, the spindle, and has at least one rotational power source coupled to the spindle, and configured to rotate the spindle. The variable radius guide member enables a tension member length change at a non-linear rate for a constant rate of rotation of the spindle, allowing the at least one variable length structural member to be braced by the tension member at an inclination angle to the at least one variable length structural member throughout a range of motion.

Abstract: There is provided an extendable compression chain system for extending a structure. The system includes a track assembly, a curved guide assembly, an extendable compression chain assembly, an actuation mechanism, and a mechanical power apparatus. The extendable compression chain assembly is configured to travel along the track assembly and to follow the curved portion of the track assembly, to move from a retracted position to an extended position, to extend the structure coupled to the extendable compression chain assembly. The extendable compression chain assembly includes a compression chain structure having a first end, a second end, and modules. The modules are movable between a rigid position and a collapsed position, as the compression chain structure follows the curved portion of the track assembly, and wraps around the curved guide assembly. The extendable compression chain assembly includes an actuation end fitting and a structure interface end fitting.

Abstract: There is provided a variable radius assembly having a spindle, at least one variable radius guide member coupled to, and driven by, the spindle, and a tension member attached to the variable radius guide member. The tension member is configured to attach to at least one variable length structural member. The variable radius assembly further has at least one gear coupled to, and driven by, the spindle, and has at least one rotational power source coupled to the spindle, and configured to rotate the spindle. The variable radius guide member enables a tension member length change at a non-linear rate for a constant rate of rotation of the spindle, allowing the at least one variable length structural member to be braced by the tension member at an inclination angle to the at least one variable length structural member throughout a range of motion.

Abstract: There is provided an expandable strut assembly for a wing of an aircraft, having a strut with a strut cross section with an airfoil shape, and the strut having an outboard end coupled to the wing, an inboard end coupled to a fuselage, and an elongate body, and having at least one shape transition assembly connected to the strut. Each shape transition assembly is configured to transition the strut between a contracted position and an expanded position, and is configured to transition the strut cross section between a contracted airfoil shape and an expanded airfoil shape. Each shape transition assembly has a shape transition mechanism attached to an interior of the strut. The shape transition mechanism includes fixed length structural members, and a drive mechanism of variable length structural member(s), includes an actuation mechanism connected to the shape transition mechanism, and an activation mechanism coupled to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular container, including: six sides, wherein: each side of the six sides of the modular container comprises at least four surface connectors, each surface connector of the at least four surface connectors comprises at least two connector elements, at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a first type, and at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a second type; and an access door in at least one side of the six sides.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a modular container, including: six sides, wherein: each side of the six sides of the modular container comprises at least four surface connector arrangements, each surface connector arrangement of the at least four surface connector arrangements comprises at least two connector elements, wherein: at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a first type, and at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a second type; and an access door in at least one side of the six sides.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve when a pressure cap, coupled to the sleeve proximate the inlet, is in an open position. The method additionally comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge. The method also comprises selectively causing an automated coupler to automatically sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge when the cartridge is inside the sleeve and the pressure cap is in the closed position. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a first pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator.

Abstract: Tabbed sealing members with a robust tab structure having additional support under the tab and at a tab pivot or hinge joint.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular container, including: six sides, wherein: each side of the six sides of the modular container comprises at least four surface connectors, each surface connector of the at least four surface connectors comprises at least two connector elements, at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a first type, and at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a second type; and an access door in at least one side of the six sides.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a modular container, including: six sides, wherein: each side of the six sides of the modular container comprises at least four surface connector arrangements, each surface connector arrangement of the at least four surface connector arrangements comprises at least two connector elements, wherein: at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a first type, and at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a second type; and an access door in at least one side of the six sides.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector comprises using the end-effector to position an applicator relative to the workpiece. The method also comprises urging the glutinous substance from the end-effector through a first channel of a body of the applicator from an inlet of the first channel toward an outlet of the first channel. The method additionally comprises selectively operating an actuator of the applicator to regulate a rate, at which the glutinous substance flows through the first channel of the body of the applicator, responsive to, at least in part, output received from a sensor of the applicator.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator. Additionally, the method comprises moving the pressure cap into the open position to provide sufficient clearance sufficient for removal of the cartridge from the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple a valve with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge to the valve. The method additionally comprises rotating the brush and opening the valve to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the valve to the brush at least when the brush is rotating.

Abstract: Tabbed sealing members with a robust tab structure having additional support under the tab and at a tab pivot or hinge joint.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (254) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) also comprises an actuator (114), coupled to the pressure cap (110) and to the sleeve (106). The apparatus (102) further comprises an automated coupler (223), configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator (254) with the leading end (167) of the cartridge (166).

Abstract: Tabbed sealing members with a robust tab structure having additional support under the tab and at a tab pivot or hinge joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap, proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure-cap assembly also comprises an actuator, coupled to the pressure cap and to the sleeve. The apparatus further comprises an automated coupler, configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator with the leading end of the cartridge.

Abstract: An applicator (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) to a workpiece (170) from an end-effector (101) is disclosed. The applicator (102) comprises a body (110) and a plunger (186). The plunger (186) comprises a gate (118), movable within an outlet portion (182) of a first channel (115) of the body (110) between, inclusively, an open position, allowing the glutinous substance (168) to flow from an inlet (116) of the first channel (115) to an outlet (117) of the first channel (115) and a closed position, preventing the glutinous substance (168) from flowing from the inlet (116) of the first channel (115) to the outlet (117) of the first channel (115). The applicator (102) further comprises an actuator (131), selectively operable to move the plunger (186) such that the gate (118) moves between, inclusively, the open position and the closed position.