Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion includes a first magnet, an electrical pin, and a first fiber optic connector. The second connector portion is configured to form a non-rigid connection to the first connector portion. The second connector portion includes a second magnet configured to mate with the first magnet of the first connector portion, an electrical contact configured to mate with the electrical pin of the first connector portion, and a second fiber optic connector configured to mate with the first fiber optic connector of the first connector portion.

Abstract: A system includes a first tube of a plurality of tubes, the first tube having a first end and a second end. The system further includes a light detector positioned at the second end of the first tube. The light detector is configured to detect an incoming light and determine light intensity information of the incoming light. The system further includes a material coupled to the first end of the first tube. The material is configured to change in transparency. The system further comprises a processor coupled to the light detector and the material. The processor is configured to receive the light intensity information from the light detector. The processor is further configured to determine that an intensity of the incoming light is above a threshold, and, in response to determining that the intensity is above the threshold, cause a change in transparency of the material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion. The first connector portion includes a first magnet, an electrical pin, and a first fiber optic connector. The second connector portion is configured to form a non-rigid connection to the first connector portion. The second connector portion includes a second magnet configured to mate with the first magnet of the first connector portion, an electrical contact configured to mate with the electrical pin of the first connector portion, and a second fiber optic connector configured to mate with the first fiber optic connector of the first connector portion.

Abstract: A system includes a first tube of a plurality of tubes, the first tube having a first end and a second end. The system further includes a light detector positioned at the second end of the first tube. The light detector is configured to detect an incoming light and determine light intensity information of the incoming light. The system further includes a material coupled to the first end of the first tube. The material is configured to change in transparency. The system further comprises a processor coupled to the light detector and the material. The processor is configured to receive the light intensity information from the light detector. The processor is further configured to determine that an intensity of the incoming light is above a threshold, and, in response to determining that the intensity is above the threshold, cause a change in transparency of the material.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus comprises a laser detector, a lens, a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) receiver, a digital ground map, a tilt measurement device, and one or more processors. The laser detector is operable to detect a laser light emitted from a laser source, the lens is operable to pass the laser light to the laser detector, the GPS receiver is operable to determine a GPS location of an aircraft, and the tilt measurement device is operable to determine a tilt angle of the aircraft. The one or more processors of the apparatus are operable to determine a line of sight based on the detected laser light, the GPS location, and the tilt angle. The one or more processors are further operable to determine a location of the laser source from an intersection of the line of sight and the digital ground map.

Abstract: A system includes a first optical fiber having a first fiber face at a first end. The system further includes a second optical fiber having a second fiber face at a second end. The first end and the second end are separated by a distance. The system also includes a first lens coupled to the first fiber face at the first end, and a second lens coupled to the second fiber face at the second end.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a generator or an alternating current (AC) motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate at least partially within the stator or around the stator and is separated from the stator by a gap having a partial vacuum. The rotor includes a shaft configured to permit a flow of coolant and a plurality of microchannels formed within the rotor. The microchannels are fluidly coupled to the shaft and are configured to permit the coolant to pass from the shaft through at least a portion of the rotor in order to provide cooling for the rotor.

Abstract: An aerodynamic force sensing apparatus for providing an air data computer with information to calculate air data. The apparatus includes a plurality of vanes supportable in a vane array extending from a distal end of an airfoil of an aircraft, and one or more sensors configured to sense the response of one or more vanes of the vane array to aerodynamic forces and to transmit corresponding signals to an air data computer (ADC) for use by the ADC in calculating air data.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus comprises a laser detector, a lens, a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) receiver, a digital ground map, a tilt measurement device, and one or more processors. The laser detector is operable to detect a laser light emitted from a laser source, the lens is operable to pass the laser light to the laser detector, the GPS receiver is operable to determine a GPS location of an aircraft, and the tilt measurement device is operable to determine a tilt angle of the aircraft. The one or more processors of the apparatus are operable to determine a line of sight based on the detected laser light, the GPS location, and the tilt angle. The one or more processors are further operable to determine a location of the laser source from an intersection of the line of sight and the digital ground map.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a generator or an alternating current (AC) motor includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate at least partially within the stator or around the stator and is separated from the stator by a gap having a partial vacuum. The rotor includes a shaft configured to permit a flow of coolant and a plurality of microchannels formed within the rotor. The microchannels are fluidly coupled to the shaft and are configured to permit the coolant to pass from the shaft through at least a portion of the rotor in order to provide cooling for the rotor.

Abstract: An aerodynamic force sensing apparatus for providing an air data computer with information to calculate air data. The apparatus includes a plurality of vanes supportable in a vane array extending from a distal end of an airfoil of an aircraft, and one or more sensors configured to sense the response of one or more vanes of the vane array to aerodynamic forces and to transmit corresponding signals to an air data computer (ADC) for use by the ADC in calculating air data.

Abstract: An object moving through a fluid uses plasma to keep turbulent mixing vortices associated with turbulent air away from the majority of the surface of the object. The plasma may be used to enhance physical riblets, or the plasma may create a virtual riblet.

Abstract: An object moving through a fluid uses plasma to keep turbulent mixing vortices associated with turbulent air away from the majority of the surface of the object. The plasma may be used to enhance physical riblets, or the plasma may create a virtual riblet.