Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flight control cable sensor for detecting actuation of a flight control cable of an aircraft. The flight control cable sensor comprises a draw wire encoder, comprising an extendable-retractable wire. The flight control cable sensor further comprises a first connector, co-movably fixed to the extendable-retractable wire, and a second connector, co-movably fixable to the flight control cable and configured to removably co-movably engage the first connector up to a predetermined pull-off force.

Abstract: Examples for logical to physical mapping of aircraft electronic components are presented. A system may include aircraft electronic components coupled sequentially to a power wire, corresponding controllers, and a master computing device. The computing device may receive a first identifier for a first component from a first controller in response to the first controller receiving power at a first time from the power wire and a second identifier for a second component from a second controller in response to the second controller receiving power at a second time from the power wire. The second time is subsequent to the first time. The computing device determines locations for the first and second component within the aircraft based on an order of reception of the identifiers.

Abstract: A lighting assembly is configured to selectively emit light at a first frequency and light at a second frequency. The lighting assembly includes a light source that is configured to emit the light at the first frequency over a light emission path, a light converter, and an actuator operatively coupled to the light source or the light converter. The actuator is configured to move the light converter or the light source relative to the other of the light converter or the light source between a first position and a second position. The light converter is within the light emission path in the first position, and outside of the light emission path in the second position. The light converter converts the light at the first frequency to the light at the second frequency in the first position, and wherein the light at the first frequency is emitted from the lighting assembly when the light converter is in the second position.

Abstract: A flight control surface position sensor assembly for an aircraft including a position indicator positioned on a pulley wherein the pulley is secured to the aircraft and the pulley engages a cable associated with a flight control surface of the aircraft.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to autonomous airport runway navigation. An example system includes a first sensor and a second sensor coupled to an aircraft at a first location and a second location, respectively, and a computing system configured to receive sensor data from one or both of the first sensor and the second sensor to detect airport markings positioned proximate a runway. The computing system is further configured to identify a centerline of the runway based on the airport markings and receive sensor data from both of the first sensor and the second sensor to determine a lateral displacement that represents a distance between a reference point of the aircraft and the centerline of the runway. The computing system is further configured to control instructions that indicate adjustments for aligning the reference point of the aircraft with the centerline of the runway during subsequent navigation of the aircraft.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises a chassis including a lower fixation plate, and a plurality of battery cells on the lower fixation plate. The lower fixation plate includes at least one flow channel positioned to collect condensate from the battery cells and move the collected condensate away from the battery cells.

Abstract: An actuator includes a piston and a housing. The piston includes a piston shaft that is configured to reciprocate within a chamber of the housing. The actuator includes a gland electrically coupled to the housing. The gland forms at least a portion of a first end of the chamber. The actuator also includes a first conductor positioned in the chamber. The first conductor is coupled to the gland and to a first side of the piston to electrically couple the piston to the housing.

Abstract: An actuator includes a piston and a housing. The piston includes a piston shaft that is configured to reciprocate within the housing. The actuator also includes a conductor coupled to the piston within the housing and configured to electrically couple the piston to the housing as the piston reciprocates within the housing.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light source, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is configured to emit UVC light, and a reflector system including a base having an internal central crest that is configured to direct emitted light away from the light source.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light source, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is configured to emit UVC light, and a reflector system including a base having an internal central crest that is configured to direct emitted light away from the light source.

Abstract: A computing device determines whether or not to authorize a network request. In particular, responsive to the computing device receiving the network request from a mobile device, the computing device controls a plurality of light fixtures to each optically transmit a respective challenge code. The computing device approves or rejects the network request based respectively on whether or not a group of the challenge codes is received from the mobile device, each challenge code in the group being optically receivable at a location authorized for approving the network request.

Abstract: In an example, a method of operating a UV light source for a vehicle includes measuring an amount of power on a commodity power feeder, determining when the measured amount of power is greater than a threshold amount of power and, responsively, actuating a switch to a first state in which the switch decouples the UV light source from the power on the commodity power feeder. The method also includes determining when the measured amount of power is less than the threshold amount of power and responsively actuating the switch to a second state in which the switch couples the UV light source to the power on the commodity power feeder. The method also includes, while the switch is in the second state, activating the UV light source, using the power from the commodity power feeder, to emit UV light in the vehicle.

Abstract: A media system for a vehicle having a chassis comprises an electroacoustic transducer, integrated into a face panel of a stowage bin inside the vehicle. The stowage bin comprises a mounting structure that is stationary relative to the chassis of the vehicle. An interior of the stowage bin is accessible via the face panel. The face panel is movably coupled to the mounting structure.

Abstract: In an example, a light-control system includes UV light sources for emitting UV light when activated, a power sensor for measuring an amount of power available, and an activation-control system. The activation-control system can: (a) determine a subset of the UV light sources that are ready to be activated, (b) indicate, in a queue, each UV light source of the subset, (c) arrange, in the queue and based on a hierarchy, the subset in a sequence, and (d) activate, in the sequence, each UV light source of the subset by: (i) determining an amount of power required to activate a next UV light source in the sequence, (ii) determining when the amount of power available is equal to or greater than the amount of power required, (iii) responsively activating the next UV light source in the sequence, and (iv) repeating acts (i)-(iii) until all of the subset has been activated.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises a plurality of individual sealed battery cells, and dielectric separators between the battery cells for creating thermal barriers between opposing surfaces of the battery cells. The dielectric separators are made of a fiber composite.

Abstract: A method for providing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft includes capturing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft, using a camera on the aircraft. The visual data is compared to previously captured visual data of the landscape. It is then determined which of the visual data and the previously captured visual data provides a clearer view of the landscape based upon the comparison. The one of the visual data and the previously captured visual data that is determined to provide the clearer view is then displayed to a user.

Abstract: A lighting assembly is configured to selectively emit light at a first frequency and light at a second frequency. The lighting assembly includes a light source that is configured to emit the light at the first frequency over a light emission path, a light converter, and an actuator operatively coupled to the light source or the light converter. The actuator is configured to move the light converter or the light source relative to the other of the light converter or the light source between a first position and a second position. The light converter is within the light emission path in the first position, and outside of the light emission path in the second position. The light converter converts the light at the first frequency to the light at the second frequency in the first position, and wherein the light at the first frequency is emitted from the lighting assembly when the light converter is in the second position.

Abstract: A media system for a vehicle having a chassis comprises an electroacoustic transducer, integrated into a face panel of a stowage bin inside the vehicle. The stowage bin comprises a mounting structure that is stationary relative to the chassis of the vehicle. An interior of the stowage bin is accessible via the face panel. The face panel is movably coupled to the mounting structure.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying the storage status of overhead luggage storage bins in an aircraft. A camera is provided that is mounted with a field of view directed at an inner portion of a group of open bins. The camera is communicatively coupled to a controller and selectively provides images of the inner portion of the bins immediately prior to when the bins are closed to the controller. A projector is also provided for each group of bins. The projector is communicatively coupled to the controller and is mounted such that an image received from the controller is projected onto an outer surface of the closed bins. The controller receives images from each of the cameras and selectively provides such images to the projector associated with each camera so that a storage status display is projected on an outer surface of the bins.

Abstract: A passenger control unit (PCU) network is provided for a passenger aircraft having passenger seats in a plurality of zones, each zone having at least one column of seats, and each column having at least one row of seats. The PCU network includes a direct current (DC) power distribution system, and a plurality of wired PCUs, one PCU associated with each passenger seat and coupled to the DC power distribution system. Each PCU has a processor and system memory and a standard data and power interface, the processor being programmed for differential peer-to-peer communication with adjacently interconnected PCUs throughout the PCU network and with an external system of the aircraft.