Abstract: A probe system includes a heater and a control circuit. The heater includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe. An operational current is provided to the resistive heating element to provide heating for the probe. The control circuit is configured to monitor the operational current over time and determine a half-life estimate of the resistive heating element based upon an exponential function of the operational current over time.

Abstract: A probe system includes a heater and a control circuit. The heater includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe system. An operational voltage is provided to the resistive heating element to provide heating for the probe system. The control circuit is configured to provide the operational voltage and monitor a capacitance between the resistive heating element and a metallic sheath of the heater over time. The control circuit is further configured to determine a remaining useful life of the probe system based on the capacitance.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to detecting cloud conditions from a distance by generating a polarized microwave-frequency electromagnetic pulse and evaluating various reflected wave parameters pertaining to a corresponding cloud-reflected microwave-frequency electromagnetic reflection. Various cloud metrics can be calculated using these collected wave parameters. The microwave-frequency pulses can be scanned over multiple dimensions, using a steered beam arrangement which will lead to the ability to scanning a conical sector of the space in front of the aircraft. These collected multi-dimensional wave parameters can then be used to generate multi-dimensional maps of cloud metrics. Such cloud metrics can include relative velocities of moving cloud conditions in the flight direction, particle density distributions, ice/water ratios, estimates of particle side distributions, etc.

Abstract: A sensor package for sensing rotational positional data includes a stack of separated printed circuit boards that includes a first position target printed board, a second printed circuit board having a rotary sensor and a third printed circuit board having power supply components. The sensor package is included in a skew detection system for an aircraft control system, which includes a control surface having opposed first and second ends. A first drive mechanism is operatively connected to the first end of the control surface by a first rack and pinion assembly and a second drive mechanism is operatively connected to the second end of the control surface by a second rack and pinion assembly. Each rack and pinion assembly includes a respective sensor package operatively connected to the pinion thereof. A processing component is operatively connected to both sensor packages to determine presence of skew in the control surface.

Abstract: A contactless sensor includes a magnet coupled to a piston that is located within a housing. A sensor capable of detecting the position of the magnet is coupled to the housing. The sensor may send linear position data to a sensor interface for processing.

Abstract: An inductive rotational speed sensor assembly includes a first PCB with a transmitter coil configured to convert an alternating electrical input into an alternating magnetic field. A second PCB is operatively connected to the first PCB for relative rotation and includes a resonance coil configured to couple to the alternating magnetic field of the first PCB to output a modulating position signal. The first PCB includes a receiver coil configured to receive the first and the modulating position signal and to output a signal indicative of rotational speed of the second PCB relative to the first PCB.

Abstract: An inductive rotational speed sensor assembly includes a first PCB with a transmitter coil configured to convert an alternating electrical input into an alternating magnetic field. A second PCB is operatively connected to the first PCB for relative rotation and includes a resonance coil configured to couple to the alternating magnetic field of the first PCB to output a modulating position signal. The first PCB includes a receiver coil configured to receive the first and the modulating position signal and to output a signal indicative of rotational speed of the second PCB relative to the first PCB.

Abstract: A sensor package for sensing rotational positional data includes a stack of separated printed circuit boards that includes a first position target printed board, a second printed circuit board having a rotary sensor and a third printed circuit board having power supply components. The sensor package is included in a skew detection system for an aircraft control system, which includes a control surface having opposed first and second ends. A first drive mechanism is operatively connected to the first end of the control surface by a first rack and pinion assembly and a second drive mechanism is operatively connected to the second end of the control surface by a second rack and pinion assembly. Each rack and pinion assembly includes a respective sensor package operatively connected to the pinion thereof. A processing component is operatively connected to both sensor packages to determine presence of skew in the control surface.