Abstract: A target material removal (TMR) element is provided and includes a body region; thermal elements within the body region; and vibration elements within the body region. The TMR element is controlled to perform TMR operations that include one or more of the thermal elements generating heat that is transmitted through the body region to a target material in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target material. The TMR operations further include, subsequent to the one or more of the thermal elements beginning generating the heat that is transmitted through the body region to the target material, the one or more of the vibration elements generating vibrations that are transmitted through the body region to the one or more zones of the target material.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater apparatus is provided. The PTC heater apparatus includes a PTC heater, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensor mounted to the PTC heater and a controller logic unit electrically connected to the RTD sensor to receive readings of the RTD sensor, which, when the PTC heater is powered on, indicate whether the PTC heater is faulty.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater apparatus is provided and includes a PTC heater and a health monitoring unit. The PTC heater includes resistive elements arranged in balanced groups of a bridge formation. Each of the balanced groups is arranged in a corresponding one of the arms of the bridge formation. The health monitoring unit is electrically connected to the resistive elements. The health monitoring unit is configured to determine a fault condition of the PTC heater based on a fractional change of resistance of the bridge formation caused by a failure of any one or more of the resistive elements in any of the balanced groups of the arms of the bridge formation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric deicing system is disclosed herein. The piezoelectric deicing system includes a flexible piezoelectric patch array including a plurality of piezoelectric devices, the plurality of piezoelectric devices configured to vibrate in response to a voltage applied at a frequency, an protective material surrounding the flexible piezoelectric patch array, wherein the protective material and the flexible piezoelectric patch array are configured to conform to a surface, and a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices, wherein the controller is configured to operate the plurality of piezoelectric devices over a frequency range for a period of time, the frequency applied to each of the plurality of piezoelectric devices changing by a sweep rate.

Abstract: A target material removal (TMR) element is provided and includes a body region; thermal elements within the body region; and vibration elements within the body region. The TMR element is controlled to perform TMR operations that include one or more of the thermal elements generating heat that is transmitted through the body region to a target material in a manner that defines one or more zones of the target material. The TMR operations further include, subsequent to the one or more of the thermal elements beginning generating the heat that is transmitted through the body region to the target material, the one or more of the vibration elements generating vibrations that are transmitted through the body region to the one or more zones of the target material.

Abstract: A leak and/or overflow detection system for an aircraft may comprise a first sensor configured to be disposed in a toilet bowl, a second sensor configured to be disposed in a waste tank, a first acoustic emission sensor and a second acoustic emission sensor configured to be disposed upstream and downstream of a valve, or any combination of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the acoustic emission sensors. A controller may receive various data from the sensors and determine whether a leak and/or an overflow condition is occurring or about to occur.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater apparatus is provided. The PTC heater apparatus includes a PTC heater, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensor mounted to the PTC heater and a controller logic unit electrically connected to the RTD sensor to receive readings of the RTD sensor, which, when the PTC heater is powered on, indicate whether the PTC heater is faulty.

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater apparatus is provided and includes a PTC heater and a health monitoring unit. The PTC heater includes resistive elements arranged in balanced groups of a bridge formation. Each of the balanced groups is arranged in a corresponding one of the arms of the bridge formation. The health monitoring unit is electrically connected to the resistive elements. The health monitoring unit is configured to determine a fault condition of the PTC heater based on a fractional change of resistance of the bridge formation caused by a failure of any one or more of the resistive elements in any of the balanced groups of the arms of the bridge formation.

Abstract: A leak and/or overflow detection system for an aircraft may comprise a first sensor configured to be disposed in a toilet bowl, a second sensor configured to be disposed in a waste tank, a first acoustic emission sensor and a second acoustic emission sensor configured to be disposed upstream and downstream of a valve, or any combination of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the acoustic emission sensors. A controller may receive various data from the sensors and determine whether a leak and/or an overflow condition is occurring or about to occur.

Abstract: A self-regulating heater may comprise a first substrate including a first silicone layer and a first polyimide layer. A positive temperature coefficient heating element may be formed over the first polyimide layer. A second substrate may be located over the positive temperature coefficient heating element. The second substrate may include a second silicone layer and a second polyimide layer.