Abstract: A military vehicle includes an engine, an energy storage system, an accessory drive coupled to the engine and including an air compressor and a first motor, a second motor coupled to an axle, and a clutch positioned between the engine and the second motor. The clutch is spring-biased into engagement with the engine and pneumatically disengaged by an air supply selectively provided thereto based on operation of the air compressor. In an engine mode, (i) the clutch does not receive the air supply such that the engine is coupled to the second motor and (ii) the engine drives (a) the accessory drive and (b) the axle through the second motor. In the electric mode, (i) the first motor drives the air compressor to compress air to facilitate supplying the air supply to the clutch to disengage the clutch and decouple the engine from the second motor and (ii) the second motor drives the axle.

Abstract: In an example, a method for accelerated conditioning of a composite core sandwich coupon is described. The method includes setting a first temperature and a first relative humidity level of the conditioning apparatus, wherein a combination of the first temperature and the first relative humidity level correspond to a desired relative humidity level of the plurality of cells of the core layer at room temperature. The method includes maintaining the first temperature and the first relative humidity for a first period, wherein during the first period a core humidity of the plurality of cells in the core layer approaches the first relative humidity level. The method includes determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level. The method includes, based on determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level, adjusting the first temperature to a second temperature.

Abstract: Examples provide a seat assembly, a system including the seat assembly and a method for reducing electromagnetic interference in an aircraft. A seat assembly for an aircraft includes a frame having a base and a support member operatively coupled to the base. A seat is coupled to the base and a first side of the support member. The seat includes a conductive substrate layer configured to absorb electrical charges.

Abstract: An example method for curing a composite part includes placing the composite part onto a topside of a cure tool, and a bottom surface of the composite part contacts the topside of the cure tool and a top surface of the composite part is opposite the bottom surface of the composite part. The method also includes placing the cure tool and the composite part into an autoclave, using the autoclave to apply external heat to the cure tool and the composite part so that air flows over the top surface of the composite part to heat the top surface, and applying additional heat to a backside of the cure tool via radiation provided by at least one heating source of the cure tool, so as to reduce a temperature difference between the backside of the cure tool and the top surface of the composite part being cured.

Abstract: An electrically conductive patch for a sheet that is part of a skin of an aircraft is disclosed. The sheet includes an outermost surface constructed of an electrically conductive material and one or more electrical discharge points that are conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is disposed along the outermost surface of the sheet and is conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is constructed of a voltage responsive film configured to change from a first coloration and into a second coloration in response to experiencing a threshold voltage difference, where the first coloration substantially matches a coloration of the skin of the aircraft.

Abstract: In an example, a method for accelerated conditioning of a composite core sandwich coupon is described. The method includes setting a first temperature and a first relative humidity level of the conditioning apparatus, wherein a combination of the first temperature and the first relative humidity level correspond to a desired relative humidity level of the plurality of cells of the core layer at room temperature. The method includes maintaining the first temperature and the first relative humidity for a first period, wherein during the first period a core humidity of the plurality of cells in the core layer approaches the first relative humidity level. The method includes determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level. The method includes, based on determining that the core humidity has reached the first relative humidity level, adjusting the first temperature to a second temperature.

Abstract: An electrically conductive patch for a sheet that is part of a skin of an aircraft is disclosed. The sheet includes an outermost surface constructed of an electrically conductive material and one or more electrical discharge points that are conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is disposed along the outermost surface of the sheet and is conductively coupled to the outermost surface of the sheet. The electrically conductive patch is constructed of a voltage responsive film configured to change from a first coloration and into a second coloration in response to experiencing a threshold voltage difference, where the first coloration substantially matches a coloration of the skin of the aircraft.

Abstract: An example method for curing a composite part includes placing the composite part onto a topside of a cure tool, and a bottom surface of the composite part contacts the topside of the cure tool and a top surface of the composite part is opposite the bottom surface of the composite part. The method also includes placing the cure tool and the composite part into an autoclave, using the autoclave to apply external heat to the cure tool and the composite part so that air flows over the top surface of the composite part to heat the top surface, and applying additional heat to a backside of the cure tool via radiation provided by at least one heating source of the cure tool, so as to reduce a temperature difference between the backside of the cure tool and the top surface of the composite part being cured.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The hydraulic system has a hydraulic rotary actuator assembly rotationally coupled to a road wheel of the vehicle. The hydraulic rotary actuator assembly has a first operating mode, wherein a rotation of the road wheel causes the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly to pump a fluid from a fluid supply system. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor assembly coupled to the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly in the vehicle. The variable restrictor assembly controls a flow of the fluid flowing from the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly, to brake the rotation of the road wheel on a ground surface. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor controller coupled to the variable restrictor assembly. The variable restrictor controller controls the variable restrictor assembly, so as to enable a variation of a rate of braking of the road wheel on the ground surface.

Abstract: A method of making a part comprising stacking a plurality of uncured composite sheets to form an uncured composite stack. The method also comprises interposing a resistor wire between an adjacent two of the uncured composite sheets of the uncured composite stack. The method further comprises applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally of the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. The method additionally comprises transmitting an electric current through the resistor wire to generate heat, from the resistor wire, internally within the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. Applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally and generating heat internally converts the plurality of uncured composite sheets into a plurality of cured composite sheets and converts the uncured composite stack into a cured composite stack.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for permanent magnet damping and generated light are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for damping and generating light comprises damping, by a permanent magnet (PM) damper connected to a panel (e.g., a door of an aircraft luggage bin), the speed of opening of the panel, while the panel is opened. The method further comprises generating, by the PM damper, electrical power, during the opening of the panel. Also, the method comprises storing the electrical power in an electrical power storage unit, such as a capacitor or a battery. In addition, the method comprises powering, by using the stored electrical power, lighting, such as a lighting emitting diode (LED). Further, the method comprises dissipating any remaining electrical power of the electrical power, which is stored in the electrical power storage unit, when the panel is closed.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a tank having internal capacity no greater than 1 gallon, a water inlet, and a water outlet. A flow of water into the tank through the water inlet and out of the tank through the water outlet is a downstream water flow. An absence of downstream water flow is a standby condition of the water heater. The water heater includes a heating element for heating water in the tank, a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the water flowing into the tank, and a second temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the water flowing out of the tank. The water heater further includes a damper upstream of the second temperature sensor to reduce fluctuations in the temperature readings of the second temperature sensor to reduce false detection of downstream water flow.

Abstract: In an example, a method of determining bonding efficacy of a composite laminate is described.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a tank having internal capacity no greater than 1 gallon, a water inlet, and a water outlet. A flow of water into the tank through the water inlet and out of the tank through the water outlet is a downstream water flow. An absence of downstream water flow is a standby condition of the water heater. The water heater includes a heating element for heating water in the tank, a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the water flowing into the tank, and a second temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the water flowing out of the tank. The water heater further includes a damper upstream of the second temperature sensor to reduce fluctuations in the temperature readings of the second temperature sensor to reduce false detection of downstream water flow.

Abstract: A method of making a part comprising stacking a plurality of uncured composite sheets to form an uncured composite stack. The method also comprises interposing a resistor wire between an adjacent two of the uncured composite sheets of the uncured composite stack. The method further comprises applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally of the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. The method additionally comprises transmitting an electric current through the resistor wire to generate heat, from the resistor wire, internally within the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. Applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally and generating heat internally converts the plurality of uncured composite sheets into a plurality of cured composite sheets and converts the uncured composite stack into a cured composite stack.

Abstract: In an example, a method of determining bonding efficacy of a composite laminate is described.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The hydraulic system has a hydraulic rotary actuator assembly rotationally coupled to a road wheel of the vehicle. The hydraulic rotary actuator assembly has a first operating mode, wherein a rotation of the road wheel causes the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly to pump a fluid from a fluid supply system. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor assembly coupled to the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly in the vehicle. The variable restrictor assembly controls a flow of the fluid flowing from the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly, to brake the rotation of the road wheel on a ground surface. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor controller coupled to the variable restrictor assembly. The variable restrictor controller controls the variable restrictor assembly, so as to enable a variation of a rate of braking of the road wheel on the ground surface.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a tank having internal capacity no greater than 1 gallon, a water inlet, and a water outlet. A flow of water into the tank through the water inlet and out of the tank through the water outlet is a downstream water flow. An absence of downstream water flow is a standby condition of the water heater. The water heater includes a heating element for heating water in the tank, a first temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the water flowing into the tank, and a second temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature of the water flowing out of the tank. The water heater further includes a damper upstream of the second temperature sensor to reduce fluctuations in the temperature readings of the second temperature sensor to reduce false detection of downstream water flow.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and removing moisture in a vehicle such as a commercial aircraft is disclosed. Moisture detection sensors are mounted in areas of the vehicle which are inaccessible during use. The sensors output a signal when moisture is present in an adjacent area. Conduits are installed in the vehicle with a first end adjacent to an associated moisture detection sensors. A dry gas supply unit that is separate from the vehicle is coupled to a second end of each conduits to selectively supply dry gas thereto. The dry gas supply unit selectively supplies dry gas to the second end of each conduit when an associated moisture detection sensor outputs a signal indicating that moisture is present in the adjacent area. The moisture detection sensors are preferably passive and only output a signal upon receipt of an external interrogation signal from the dry gas supply unit controller.

Abstract: A taxi or other vehicle summoned by someone who needs a ride can be remotely controlled to announce its presence by the person who summoned the taxi or other vehicle. Using a cell phone, a user establishes a wireless communications link between his or her cell phone and a cell phone in the taxi or other vehicle. A second wireless link between the taxi-located cell phone and the vehicle's control bus enables commands to be sent to the vehicle's horn, lights and other annunciators from the user's cell phone. Images of the requesting user can also be sent to the taxi-located cell phone.