Abstract: An aircraft skin panel includes a laminated composite layer and a ground plane coupled to the composite layer, wherein the ground plane is an electrically conductive elastic thermoplastic.

Abstract: An aircraft skin panel includes a laminated composite layer and a ground plane coupled to the composite layer, wherein the ground plane is an electrically conductive elastic thermoplastic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a sealing member, an integral structure associated with the sealing member, and an engagement section extending from the sealing member. The sealing member is configured to be attached to a surface of an object. The sealing member is consolidated with the integral structure. The engagement section is deformable and configured to engage a receiving structure in the object.

Abstract: An optical defect detection system is provided for recording an image of a transparency for detecting optical defects therein. The transparency may be formed with a contour. The defect detection system may comprise a light source, a diffuser and an image recording device for recording images of the transparency. The light source is configured to emit light and may be positioned adjacent one of the sides of the transparency. The image recording device may be positioned on a side of the transparency opposite the diffuser. The diffuser may be contoured complementary to the contour of the transparency and may be positioned between the light source and the transparency.

Abstract: A locking tongue has a base part, a webbing slot in the base part and a locking cam. The locking cam is movable between a rest position and a clamping position. A biasing means biases the locking cam towards the rest position. The locking cam can assume the rest position in which the belt webbing can pass freely through the webbing slot, a clamping position in which the locking cam presses the belt webbing against the clamping edge of the webbing slot, the biasing means being able to return the locking cam from the clamping position into the rest position, and a locking position in which the locking cam locks the belt webbing in the webbing slot, the biasing means not being able to return the locking cam from the locking position towards the rest position.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to articles, such as aircraft windows and canopies, including a non-conductive substrate and a conductor pattern including one or more trace lines deposited onto the outside of the substrate such that the entire outside surface of the substrate is not coated with the conductor pattern. The present disclosure also provides methods of dissipating electrostatic charge from non-conductive substrates.

Abstract: A method of detecting optical defects in a transparency may comprise the steps of providing a digital image of the transparency having a plurality of image pixels and detecting at least one candidate defect. The candidate defect may be detected by determining a grayscale intensity of each one of the image pixels and calculating an intensity gradient across adjacent pairs of the image pixels. Each image pixel may be assigned a gradient value comprising a maximum of the absolute value of the intensity gradients associated with the image pixel. A gradient image may be constructed comprising the gradient values assigned to corresponding ones of the image pixels. Image pixels may be identified as candidate pixels if such image pixels have a gradient value exceeding a gradient threshold. The candidate pixels may comprise the optical defect.

Abstract: A method of detecting optical defects in a transparency may comprise the steps of providing a digital image of the transparency having a plurality of image pixels and detecting at least one candidate defect. The candidate defect may be detected by determining a grayscale intensity of each one of the image pixels and calculating an intensity gradient across adjacent pairs of the image pixels. Each image pixel may be assigned a gradient value comprising a maximum of the absolute value of the intensity gradients associated with the image pixel. A gradient image may be constructed comprising the gradient values assigned to corresponding ones of the image pixels. Image pixels may be identified as candidate pixels if such image pixels have a gradient value exceeding a gradient threshold. The candidate pixels may comprise the optical defect.

Abstract: A locking tongue has a base part, a webbing slot in the base part and a locking cam. The locking cam is movable between a rest position and a clamping position. A biasing means biases the locking cam towards the rest position. The locking cam can assume the rest position in which the belt webbing can pass freely through the webbing slot, a clamping position in which the locking cam presses the belt webbing against the clamping edge of the webbing slot, the biasing means being able to return the locking cam from the clamping position into the rest position, and a locking position in which the locking cam locks the belt webbing in the webbing slot, the biasing means not being able to return the locking cam from the locking position towards the rest position.

Abstract: A method of detecting optical defects in a transparency may comprise the steps of providing a digital image of the transparency having a plurality of image pixels and detecting at least one candidate defect. The candidate defect may be detected by determining a grayscale intensity of each one of the image pixels and calculating an intensity gradient across adjacent pairs of the image pixels. Each image pixel may be assigned a gradient value comprising a maximum of the absolute value of the intensity gradients associated with the image pixel. A gradient image may be constructed comprising the gradient values assigned to corresponding ones of the image pixels. Image pixels may be identified as candidate pixels if such image pixels have a gradient value exceeding a gradient threshold. The candidate pixels may comprise the optical defect.

Abstract: A system for evaluating optical distortion in an aircraft transparency, such as a windshield, is disclosed. The system utilizes high resolution digital images (a reference image and a test image) of a test grid structure having a pattern of visible index locations. In one embodiment, the test image is taken through the transparency under test, and the reference image is taken without the transparency. The two images are processed and analyzed by a computing device to determine displacement of each index location, relative to the reference image. The displacement data is further processed to obtain vector divergence field data that represents a quantitative measurement of the optical distortion. The optical distortion measurement data is then rendered in a suitable format that allows the transparency to be rated against certain quality criteria.

Abstract: A one-piece stamped metal guide (128) for seatbelt webbing (112) in a vehicle (108) includes a mounting portion (242) for mounting the guide in the vehicle. The mounting portion (242) defines a mounting plane (352). A guiding portion (244) includes a guiding surface (256) having at least one guide element (258) stamped in the metal forming the guiding portion. A portion of the guiding surface (256) including the at least one guide element (258) is positioned outside the mounting plane (352). Laterally spaced side portions (246) connect the guiding portion (244) with the mounting portion (242). The mounting portion (242), guiding portion (244), and side portions (246) define a webbing slot (248) for receiving the seatbelt webbing (112) for sliding movement over the guiding surface (256).

Abstract: A system for evaluating optical distortion in an aircraft transparency, such as a windshield, is disclosed. The system utilizes high resolution digital images (a reference image and a test image) of a test grid structure having a pattern of visible index locations. In one embodiment, the test image is taken through the transparency under test, and the reference image is taken without the transparency. The two images are processed and analyzed by a computing device to determine displacement of each index location, relative to the reference image. The displacement data is further processed to obtain vector divergence field data that represents a quantitative measurement of the optical distortion. The optical distortion measurement data is then rendered in a suitable format that allows the transparency to be rated against certain quality criteria.

Abstract: A one-piece stamped metal guide (128) for seatbelt webbing (112) in a vehicle (108) includes a mounting portion (242) for mounting the guide in the vehicle. The mounting portion (242) defines a mounting plane (352). A guiding portion (244) includes a guiding surface (256) having at least one guide element (258) stamped in the metal forming the guiding portion. A portion of the guiding surface (256) including the at least one guide element (258) is positioned outside the mounting plane (352). Laterally spaced side portions (246) connect the guiding portion (244) with the mounting portion (242). The mounting portion (242), guiding portion (244), and side portions (246) define a webbing slot (248) for receiving the seatbelt webbing (112) for sliding movement over the guiding surface (256).

Abstract: An apparatus (22) includes a webbing roller (32), a brake structure (80), and a support structure (62, 62). The roller (32) includes a spool (50) and a pair of axially opposite spindle structures (52) centered on an axis of rotation (53). A rotatable outer surface (54) of the spool (50) is configured to engage seat belt webbing (16). The support structure (62, 62) is configured to support the roller (32) in an ordinary operating position in which the outer surface (54) of the spool (50) is spaced radially from a braking surface (82) on the brake structure (80). The support structure (62, 62) is further configured to support the roller (32) for movement under the influence of tension in the seat belt webbing (16). Such movement of the roller (32) includes uniform movement radially from the ordinary operating position to a restrained position in which the outer surface (54) of the spool (50) engages the braking surface (82) on the brake structure (80).

Abstract: An energy management device (10) for connecting a length of belt webbing (16) with a vehicle portion (30) includes an elongate strap (50). The strap (50) has a fixed end portion (100) for connection with the vehicle portion (30), a free end portion (102), and an intermediate portion (110) extending between and interconnecting the fixed end portion and the free end portion. The device (10) has an unactuated condition in which force is transmitted from the belt webbing (16) to the vehicle portion (30) through the strap (50) between the fixed end portion (100) and a first point (116) on the strap which is on the intermediate portion (110) of the strap. Upon the application of a force greater than a predetermined force to the belt webbing (16), the device (10) moves an actuated condition in which force is transmitted between the fixed end portion (100) of the strap (50) and a second point (116a) on the strap which is farther from the fixed end portion than the first point (116).