Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant, and a method for fabricating an aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant are provided. In one non-limiting example, the aircraft seat assembly includes a seat structure and a seat cushion that is supported by the seat structure. A vibration mitigating apparatus is operatively coupled to the seat structure to prevent or reduce vibrations from transferring to the seat occupant.

Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant, and a method for fabricating an aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant are provided. In one non-limiting example, the aircraft seat assembly includes a seat cushion supported by the seat structure. A vibration producing apparatus configured to produce vibrations conducive for inducing drowsiness. The vibration producing apparatus is disposed adjacent to or within the seat structure for transferring the vibrations to the seat occupant.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage, an engine, a pylon, a nacelle cowling, and a gearbox assembly. The engine is spaced apart from the fuselage and the pylon is disposed between the fuselage and the engine. The accessory gearbox is fixed to the engine and is at least partially disposed in the pylon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the orientation of an object relative to a moving or moveable platform. The object may for example be a helmet worn by a pilot of an aircraft in which orientation of the helmet relative the aircraft while in flight may usefully be known, in particular when determining the position of space-stabilised symbols being displayed in an associated helmet-mounted digital display system. The method and apparatus rely upon a combination or orientation rate data output by an inertial sensor arrangement associated with the object and orientation data output by a non-inertial tracker system associated with the object. Orientation data of the moveable platform is also used to reference the non-inertial tracker output to inertial space.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes (1) an engine configured to generate a mass flow, (2) a nozzle having a pathway having a throat and a trailing edge, one of the throat and the trailing edge configured to enlarge and contract, (3) a heat source disposed in the nozzle, (4) a first pressure sensor to sense the static pressure of the mass flow at the nozzle exit, (5) a second pressure sensor to sense the ambient pressure proximate the aircraft, and a (6) controller. The controller is coupled with the first and second pressure sensors, the heat source, and the throat or the trailing edge (whichever is configured to enlarge and contract). The controller receives the static and ambient pressures and when there is a disparity, the controller controls at least one of the heat source, the throat, and the trailing edge in a manner that reduces the disparity.

Abstract: Aircraft, vision sensor systems, and methods of operating deployable vision systems are provided. An aircraft includes a fuselage and a vision sensor system. The fuselage defines an outer mold line and the vision sensor system includes a housing and a vision sensor package. The housing is selectively deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position and is disposed within the outer mold line in the retracted position and outside of the outer mold line in the deployed position. The vision sensor package is associated with the housing and is positioned to collect imaging information when the housing is in the deployed position.

Abstract: An aircraft, a control surface arrangement, and a method of assembling an aircraft are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the aircraft includes, but is not limited to, an airframe, a control surface, and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotatably mounts the control surface to the airframe. The rotary actuator supports the control surface on the airframe and is configured to rotate the control surface with respect to the airframe when the rotary actuator is actuated. The rotary actuator is further configured to deliver torque to the control surface from a longitudinally intermediate portion of the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A system is provided having a normal operational mode and a modulated operational mode. The system includes an input device configured to generate a command signal. The system further includes a brake controller configured to generate a brake actuation signal in response to the command signal. The system further includes a fluid source configured to provide fluid in response to the brake actuation signal. The fluid has a first portion and a second portion. The system further includes a return valve in fluid communication with the fluid source, and configured to return the first portion of the fluid to the fluid source when the system is in the modulated operational mode. The system further includes a wheel brake in fluid communication with the fluid source and configured to engage a wheel of the aircraft in response to at least the second portion of the fluid.

Abstract: An aircraft, a control surface arrangement, and a method of assembling an aircraft are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the aircraft includes, but is not limited to, an airframe, a control surface, and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotatably mounts the control surface to the airframe. The rotary actuator supports the control surface on the airframe and is configured to rotate the control surface with respect to the airframe when the rotary actuator is actuated. The rotary actuator is further configured to deliver torque to the control surface from a longitudinally intermediate portion of the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the orientation of an object relative to a moving or moveable platform. The object may for example be a helmet worn by a pilot of an aircraft in which orientation of the helmet relative the aircraft while in flight may usefully be known, in particular when determining the position of space-stabilised symbols being displayed in an associated helmet-mounted digital display system. The method and apparatus rely upon a combination or orientation rate data output by an inertial sensor arrangement associated with the object and orientation data output by a non-inertial tracker system associated with the object. Orientation data of the moveable platform is also used to reference the non-inertial tracker output to inertial space.

Abstract: An electric supercharger comprises a motor, for example a switched reluctance motor. The motor includes a stator assembly (101) comprising a plurality of pairs of windings (103A-C), each pair of windings (103A-C) comprising a first winding for forming a first pole and a second winding for forming a second, opposite, pole, each winding having an input termination (105) and an output termination (107). The terminations (105, 107) of each pair of windings (103A-C) are arranged such that the input terminations (105) for the first and second windings are located adjacent one another and the output terminations (107) of the first and second windings are located adjacent one another.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining corrections to rate data output by inertial sensors of a type typically used in tracking changes in orientation of an object. The present invention also extends to a tracker system incorporating the correction functionality of the present invention. The method makes use of rate data output by inertial sensors associated with the object being tracked and rate data derived from measures of orientation supplied by a non-inertial tracker system also associated with the object being tracked and comprises determining from those rate data corrections for errors due to misalignment in rate data output by inertial sensors, by calculating a mapping between vectors linking points in inertial sensor rate space represented by a sample set of received rate data from the inertial sensors and vectors linking points in a derived object orientation rate space represented by a corresponding and synchronised sample set of derived rate data.

Abstract: An integrated power distribution, data network, and control architecture for a vehicle is provided that includes nodes distributed throughout the vehicle. Each node includes power distribution (PD) and data collection and distribution (DCD) components. The PD components receive electrical power from a source external to the node and distribute and control the electrical power supplied to active and passive electrical loads that are external to the node. The PD components include an electrical power input interface configured to receive an electrical power input from a source external to the node, and one or more power control modules. Each power control module can control the electrical power supplied to one or more electrical power output interfaces that supply power to the active and passive electrical loads. The DCD components receive data from data sources external to the node and transmit data to data consumers external to the node.

Abstract: A system is provided having a normal operational mode and a modulated operational mode. The system includes an input device configured to generate a command signal. The system further includes a brake controller configured to generate a brake actuation signal in response to the command signal. The system further includes a fluid source configured to provide fluid in response to the brake actuation signal. The fluid has a first portion and a second portion. The system further includes a return valve in fluid communication with the fluid source, and configured to return the first portion of the fluid to the fluid source when the system is in the modulated operational mode. The system further includes a wheel brake in fluid communication with the fluid source and configured to engage a wheel of the aircraft in response to at least the second portion of the fluid.

Abstract: This technology relates in part to biological methods for producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid and engineered microorganisms capable of such production.

Abstract: Aircraft, vision sensor systems, and methods of operating deployable vision systems are provided. An aircraft includes a fuselage and a vision sensor system. The fuselage defines an outer mold line and the vision sensor system includes a housing and a vision sensor package. The housing is selectively deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position and is disposed within the outer mold line in the retracted position and outside of the outer mold line in the deployed position. The vision sensor package is associated with the housing and is positioned to collect imaging information when the housing is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A self-switching dual voltage battery system includes a plurality of battery cell groups connected in series to provide a first voltage between a negative terminal and a first positive terminal. A switch matrix couples a selected one of the plurality of battery cell groups to a second positive terminal to provide a second voltage. A controller coupled to each of the plurality of battery cell groups monitors a charge level associated with each of the plurality of battery cell groups. When the controller determines that the charge level associated with the selected battery cell group falls below a threshold, the controller causes the switch matrix to select another battery cell group from the plurality of battery cell groups to provide the second voltage.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a combustion engine design with an optimized amount of materials used to generate the necessary components of the engine. The engine may be generated as a single piece, having no joints, fasteners, or any other areas that could present a risk for damage. The designs are described may also reduce weight of the engine, due to eliminating the need for fasteners and other extraneous hardware. In general, the weight of the engine may be optimized to also preclude the inclusion of extraneous material around needed structures. Also, the engine may be designed to be highly energy efficient, with optimal flows for fuel and other fluid with minimal head loss while maintaining higher pressures.

Abstract: A system for controlling a pressure field around an aircraft in flight is disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of pressure sensors that are arranged on the aircraft to measure the pressure field. The system further includes, but is not limited to, a controller that is communicatively coupled with the plurality of pressure sensors. The controller is configured to receive information that is indicative of the pressure field from the plurality of pressure sensors. The controller is also configured to determine when the pressure field deviates from a desired pressure field based on the information. The controller is also configured to transmit an instruction to a movable component onboard the aircraft that will cause the movable component to move in a manner that reduces the deviation.

Abstract: A system for facilitating instrument cross-checks between aircrew members using wearable displays includes, but is not limited to, first and second wearable displays configured to be worn by a first and second aircrew members, respectively, and first and second sensors configured to detect first and second orientations of the wearable displays, and a processor coupled with the first sensor, the second sensor, the first wearable display and the second wearable display. The processor is configured to obtain the first and second orientations from the first and second sensors, respectively, and to control the first wearable display to display a first image to the first crew member, and to control the second wearable display to display a second image to the second crew member, and to control the first wearable display to display the second image to the first crew member when the first orientation comprises a first predetermined orientation.