Abstract: A dynamic conformal aerodynamic seal that bridges the gap between an aircraft control surface and an aircraft wing, stabilizer or tail. The seal has a first edge and a second edge, where the first edge of the seal is rigidly coupled to the aircraft wing, stabilizer or tail and the second edge of the seal is slidably coupled to the control surface by magnetic coupling so that when the control surface pivots relative to the aircraft wing, stabilizer or tail, the second edge of the seal slides along the control surface.

Abstract: A Z-pin including a first bi-metal structure having a first metal strip and a second metal strip bonded together, where the first and second metal strips have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and a second bi-metal structure having a third metal strip and fourth metal strip bonded together, where the third metal strip and the fourth metal strip have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first and third metal strips are selectively secured together at at least one discrete location so that heating of the Z-pin causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other. The Z-pin is inserted into a composite laminate structure while it is in its uncured state, where curing of the composite structure causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other to lock the laminate layers together.

Abstract: A method of noninvasively determining desired positioning of a component beneath a substrate is described. The component has a concealing surface longitudinally separated by a substrate body from an accessible surface of the substrate. A component having longitudinally differing activated and deactivated positions is provided. The component is located longitudinally beneath the concealing surface of the substrate. The accessible surface of the substrate is inspected with an inspection device while the component is beneath the concealing surface. With the inspection device, at least one of an activated and a deactivated position of the component is detected. The detected activated and/or deactivated position of the component is indicated, in a user-perceptible format. An apparatus for noninvasively determining desired positioning of a component beneath a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A fastener for highly curved access panels on aircraft or other structures, featuring a bottom-grasping design allowing for an unblemished outer panel surface, simple and rapid pneumatic fastener actuation, built-in clamping pre-load, and full retractability of the fastener inside the supporting structure. The fastener includes a Belleville spring with a piston centrally disposed therein, where the piston and spring deflect outward upon application of pneumatic pressure. A pressure chamber within the piston has inlet and outlet orifices designed so that the pressure in the piston chamber gradually increases, requiring several seconds to reach a pressure which causes locking dogs in the piston to deploy radially into a cavity in the access panel. When pressure is removed, the Belleville spring relaxes, the locking dogs grasp a lip of the cavity, and the access panel is latched onto the structure with a clamping pre-load. A pneumatic sequence for unlatching is also provided.

Abstract: A ball-lock type fastening device for connecting a work piece to a structure is disclosed. The fastening device includes a number of features designed to improve the reliability, repeatability and strength of the locking mechanism compared to traditional ball-lock fasteners. The features include the shape of the locking balls, the shape of the retention housing which engages the locking balls, and mechanisms for controlling deployment and retraction of the locking balls.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a bolt having a shaft and a head. The shaft has proximal and distal shaft ends and a shaft body, with the head at the proximal shaft end. At least a bondable portion of the shaft body is at least partially made of a bondable material. At least one collar has proximal and distal collar ends longitudinally separated by a collar body which includes a longitudinally oriented collar aperture extending through a thickness thereof between proximal and distal collar surfaces. The collar aperture defines an inner collar wall having a bondable portion which is at least partially made of a bondable material. At least the bondable portion of the shaft body is located inside the collar aperture. The bondable material of both of the inner collar wall and the shaft body is activated to bond the shaft and the collar into an integral fastener assembly structure.

Abstract: A method of noninvasively determining desired positioning of a component beneath a substrate is described. The component has a concealing surface longitudinally separated by a substrate body from an accessible surface of the substrate. A component having longitudinally differing activated and deactivated positions is provided. The component is located longitudinally beneath the concealing surface of the substrate. The accessible surface of the substrate is inspected with an inspection device while the component is beneath the concealing surface. With the inspection device, at least one of an activated and a deactivated position of the component is detected. The detected activated and/or deactivated position of the component is indicated, in a user-perceptible format. An apparatus for noninvasively determining desired positioning of a component beneath a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A permanent faster is disclosed that utilizes an amorphous metal alloy for a retaining collar that is thermoplastically formed on install. The fastener includes a headed pin with locking grooves disposed thereon and a collar having a cylindrical inner wall. Head geometry may be any suitable shape; countersunk, counter bore, flat, etc., and may also be non-rotationally symmetric. The pin is disposed into aligned holes through the work pieces to be secured, and the collar is disposed about the pin over the locking grooves. The collar is heated into a thermoplastic region, something only allowed because of the amorphous metal material properties. The cylindrical wall of the collar is then radically compressed into the locking grooves to affix the collar on the pin. The amorphous metal properties allow use of a smaller fastener, and the thermoplastic region is reached at a temperature which does not damage composite work pieces.

Abstract: A fastener for highly curved access panels on aircraft or other structures is disclosed. The fastener features a bottom-grasping design which allows for an unblemished outer panel surface, simple and rapid pneumatic fastener actuation for both latching and unlatching, high reliability, built-in clamping pre-load of the access panel onto the structure, and full retractability of the fastener inside the supporting structure. The fastener includes a Belleville spring with a piston centrally disposed therein, where the piston and spring deflect outward upon application of pneumatic pressure. A pneumatic valve opens upon application of a higher pressure, allowing locking dogs in the piston to deploy radially into a cavity in the access panel. When pressure is removed, the Belleville spring relaxes, the locking dogs grasp a lip of the cavity, and the access panel is latched onto the structure with a clamping pre-load. A pneumatic sequence for unlatching is also provided.

Abstract: A Z-pin including a first bi-metal structure having a first metal strip and a second metal strip bonded together, where the first and second metal strips have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and a second bi-metal structure having a third metal strip and fourth metal strip bonded together, where the third metal strip and the fourth metal strip have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first and third metal strips are selectively secured together at at least one discrete location so that heating of the Z-pin causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other. The Z-pin is inserted into a composite laminate structure while it is in its uncured state, where curing of the composite structure causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other to lock the laminate layers together.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for a respiratory mask includes a housing comprised of an inner receptacle having an open end and an outer cover mounted over said open end of said inner receptacle. The outer cover includes, in a covering surface thereof, an air intake aperture in fluid communication with said inner receptacle. The outer cover is pivotally mounted to the inner receptacle and configured for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first configuration in which there is a gap between said open end of said inner receptacle and said outer cover such that a respiratory airway is defined between said intake aperture and said inner receptacle, and a second configuration in which said outer cover substantially seals said open end of said inner receptacle and said respiratory airway is thereby blocked.

Abstract: The device of this invention includes a frame assembly, a support bracket with an opening connected to the frame assembly, a first spring pivotably connected to the frame assembly, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be positioned into a first condition where an end of the spring is engaged to the opening in the support bracket and a second condition where the end of the spring is disengaged from the opening.