Abstract: A damage-detection apparatus for an aircraft may include a composite structure comprising embedded conductive traces. The embedded conductive traces may be for transmitting a damage-detection signal to indicate if the composite structure has been damaged.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle is provided. The unmanned vehicle includes a navigation system configured to navigate the unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source, a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, and an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: The method and system quantify the impact of various design and operational solutions for equipment modules of a structure and the overall structure based upon economic factors. In particular, the method and system provide cost evaluation of various maintenance approaches for at least one equipment module that is part of an overall structure. In addition, a baseline and alternate equipment module may be specified for each equipment module. The costs associated with each of the maintenance approaches for each baseline and alternate equipment module then may be compared and the costs associated with the overall structure having a chosen maintenance approach for each baseline and alternate equipment module may be evaluated. The sensitivity of the costs associated with the overall structure to changes in one or more of the parameter values also may be calculated.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A transponder module for vehicles. The module has a substantially universal vehicle sensor input interface capable of receiving sensor input from different types of vehicle sensors and from different types of vehicles. One or more processors and memory, in real time, receive vehicle sensor input data via the input interface. Based on a vehicle type stored in the memory, the processor(s) use the sensor input data to determine conditions of subsystems the vehicle. Based on the determined conditions, the processor(s) determine performance capabilities of the vehicle. The transponder module outputs information as to the stored vehicle type, determined conditions, and vehicle performance capabilities.

Abstract: Representing vehicles in a customizable virtual environment is disclosed. One embodiment includes a controlled environment including prototype vehicles and a virtual environment including virtual representations of the prototype vehicles. The virtual environment is a display that includes an environment scenario, a number of virtual objects, and the various represented vehicles. The represented vehicles are linked to the prototype vehicles by communicating kinematic data from the prototype vehicles to the virtual vehicles real-time. The positions of the represented vehicles are updated based on the communicated kinematic data such that the virtual environment is a realistic visualization of the prototype vehicles. In addition, the virtual environment is highly customizable.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A system and methods for life optimal power management of a distributed or centralized battery network system for use in aircraft functions and subsystems are disclosed. The method determines power priority of the subsystems, and selectively distributes power from the battery network system to the subsystems based on the power priority. Concurrently with distributing power, the method manages the energy in the battery network system. To determine whether the battery power is sufficient for aircraft functions, the method also computes and indicates the actual available energy left in the battery network systems. With this approach, the system and methods can provide a persistent power supply in the event an unexpected battery failure occurs, thereby enabling the aircraft to safely maintain flight operability despite a battery failure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.

Abstract: A method of testing a component of a mobile platform without using an aircraft control system of the mobile platform, where the component forms a part of the aircraft control system. The method may involve using a test controller independent of the aircraft control system to initiate a test operation. The test operation is used to generate a test signal. The test signal is applied to a test subsystem carried on the mobile platform but operable independent of the aircraft control system. The test subsystem is used to act on the component of the aircraft control system. A response of the component may then be evaluated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for health management of rechargeable batteries are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery system includes a rechargeable battery, and a battery health management unit operatively coupled to the rechargeable battery and including a state of health module configured to estimate a battery health by receiving battery-related data and predicting one or more failure modes. The state of health module may further include a prognostic failure mode component configured to combine at least one flight data variable with at least one model-based prognostic. In alternate embodiments, the battery health management unit may further include a state of life module and a state of charge module.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an aircraft. A plurality of heterogeneous unmanned vehicles are used to perform an inspection of the aircraft, each unmanned vehicle having one or more sensors. A plurality of portions of the aircraft are assigned to the vehicles for inspection based on functional capability of each vehicle. The unmanned vehicles are configured to cooperatively use the sensors to perform the inspection.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing a fleet of vehicles. On each of the vehicles are a plurality of vehicle subsystems, each subsystem capable of monitoring conditions and assessing capabilities of the subsystem. For each vehicle, a vehicle management system has one or more processors and memory configured to: monitor conditions and assess capabilities of the vehicle based on subsystem condition and capability information provided by the subsystems, and based on the monitored vehicle conditions and assessed vehicle capabilities, initiate performance of one or more fleet management functions.

Abstract: A transponder module for vehicles. The module has a substantially universal vehicle sensor input interface capable of receiving sensor input from different types of vehicle sensors and from different types of vehicles. One or more processors and memory, in real time, receive vehicle sensor input data via the input interface. Based on a vehicle type stored in the memory, the processor(s) use the sensor input data to determine conditions of subsystems the vehicle. Based on the determined conditions, the processor(s) determine performance capabilities of the vehicle. The transponder module outputs information as to the stored vehicle type, determined conditions, and vehicle performance capabilities.

Abstract: A system for identifying events includes a memory capable of storing a compressed event table including a number of events, the event table having been compressed by reducing the number of events in the event table without reducing the number of events represented by the event table. Each event of the event table includes a set of state parameters, and may also be associated with an output. The system also includes a processor capable of operating a fast state recognition (FSR) application. The FSR application, in turn, can receive a plurality of inputs, and identify an event of the compressed event table based upon the plurality of inputs and the state parameters of the compressed event table, event being identified in accordance with a state recognition technique.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods, computer-readable media, and systems for controlling one or more uninhabited heterogeneous autonomous transport devices. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously reduce costs and improve efficiencies by providing capabilities for a computing device to be able to control and to monitor one or more heterogeneous autonomous transport devices. This occurs by generating a command signal from a computing device and transmitting the command signal to control on-board computing devices of one or more heterogeneous transport devices to execute requirements of a mission. Also, embodiments of the present invention provide ways to start-up, to send commands, and to shut down real or simulated heterogeneous autonomous transport devices.

Abstract: Representing vehicles in a customizable virtual environment is disclosed. One embodiment includes a controlled environment including prototype vehicles and a virtual environment including virtual representations of the prototype vehicles. The virtual environment is a display that includes an environment scenario, a number of virtual objects, and the various represented vehicles. The represented vehicles are linked to the prototype vehicles by communicating kinematic data from the prototype vehicles to the virtual vehicles real-time. The positions of the represented vehicles are updated based on the communicated kinematic data such that the virtual environment is a realistic visualization of the prototype vehicles. In addition, the virtual environment is highly customizable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for health monitoring of complex systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of observation states of plurality of operating variables, performing a combined probability analysis of the plurality of signals using a diagnostic model of a monitored system to provide a health prognosis of the monitored system, and providing an indication of the health prognosis of the monitored system. In some embodiments, the monitored system may be an onboard system of an aircraft.