Abstract: A system and method for a vending machine is provided. One embodiment has a user interface configured to receive a plurality of user selections of a plurality of food products of interest from the user; a robotic system configured to transport a container to a plurality of food tanks to receive food products dispensed from selected ones of the plurality of food tanks, wherein a unique machine readable code is printed on an outside surface of at least one of the container and a container seal; and a scanner configured to scan the machine readable code. Wherein prior to delivery of the container with the machine readable code, the controller system controls the robotic system so that the scanner acquires the machine readable code, and wherein the controller system associates at least food product information with the received machine readable code information.

Abstract: There is provided an inflatable cascade assembly for a cascade thrust reverser system of an engine of an air vehicle. The inflatable cascade assembly has inflatable cascade members for inflation with a pressurized fluid. The inflatable cascade members are movable between a stowed deflated state and a deployed inflated state. Each inflatable cascade member has a forward end, an aft end, and a body. The body has circumferential vanes each having a first non-inflatable rigid side attached adjacent to a second inflatable flexible side. The body further has inflatable support members that are spaced apart and longitudinally extending, and coupled in a perpendicular arrangement to the circumferential vanes. The body further has a plurality of flow openings defined between the circumferential vanes and the inflatable support members. Each inflatable cascade member further has first and second extendable side supports coupled to respective first and second side ends of the body.

Abstract: A cascade assembly for a jet engine thrust reverser comprising an inflow cascade, an outflow cascade, and fasteners. The inflow cascade has a plurality of inflow vanes, a plurality of inflow strongbacks, and a front inflow flange. The outflow cascade has a plurality of outflow vanes, a plurality of outflow strongbacks, and a front outflow flange, wherein each of the plurality of outflow strongbacks are parallel to each other. The fasteners extend through the front inflow flange and the front outflow flange.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a formed thrust reverser cascade. The formed thrust reverser cascade may be coupled to an aircraft propulsor and may include a first portion disposed at a first angle to a portion of the aircraft propulsor and a second portion disposed at a second angle to the first portion. The formed thrust reverser cascade may be circumferentially disposed around a core engine of the aircraft propulsor. The formed thrust reverser cascades may be retrofitted to aircraft propulsors using linear thrust reverser cascade and may increase airflow through the formed thrust reverser cascade due to a greater throat area as compared to the linear thrust reverser cascade. Alternatively, the formed thrust reverser cascades may allow for shorter cascades while retaining the same performance, thus resulting in shorter nacelles.

Abstract: There is provided an inflatable cascade assembly for a cascade thrust reverser system of an engine of an air vehicle. The inflatable cascade assembly has inflatable cascade members for inflation with a pressurized fluid. The inflatable cascade members are movable between a stowed deflated state and a deployed inflated state. Each inflatable cascade member has a forward end, an aft end, and a body. The body has circumferential vanes each having a first non-inflatable rigid side attached adjacent to a second inflatable flexible side. The body further has inflatable support members that are spaced apart and longitudinally extending, and coupled in a perpendicular arrangement to the circumferential vanes. The body further has a plurality of flow openings defined between the circumferential vanes and the inflatable support members. Each inflatable cascade member further has first and second extendable side supports coupled to respective first and second side ends of the body.

Abstract: In one example, a strut for mounting a jet engine to a wing of an aircraft includes a plurality of engine mounts and a space frame truss supported from the wing and including front and aft portions, the front portion being coupled to and supporting the engine mounts, the aft portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from an aft end of the front portion. By removing the aft end of the strut from the core exhaust zone of the engine, substantial reductions in the weight and drag of the strut, and a corresponding increase in the specific fuel consumption of the associated aircraft may be achieved.

Abstract: In one example, a strut for mounting a jet engine to a wing of an aircraft includes a plurality of engine mounts and a space frame truss supported from the wing and including front and aft portions, the front portion being coupled to and supporting the engine mounts, the aft portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from an aft end of the front portion. By removing the aft end of the strut from the core exhaust zone of the engine, substantial reductions in the weight and drag of the strut, and a corresponding increase in the specific fuel consumption of the associated aircraft may be achieved.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a strut for mounting a jet engine to a wing of an aircraft includes a plurality of engine mounts and a space frame truss supported from the wing and comprising front and aft portions, the front portion being coupled to and supporting the engine mounts, the aft portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from an aft end of the front portion. By removing the aft end of the strut from the core exhaust zone of the engine, substantial reductions in the weight and drag of the strut, and a corresponding increase in the specific fuel consumption of the associated aircraft may be achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a formed thrust reverser cascade. The formed thrust reverser cascade may be coupled to an aircraft propulsor and may include a first portion disposed at a first angle to a portion of the aircraft propulsor and a second portion disposed at a second angle to the first portion. The formed thrust reverser cascade may be circumferentially disposed around a core engine of the aircraft propulsor. The formed thrust reverser cascades may be retrofitted to aircraft propulsors using linear thrust reverser cascade and may increase airflow through the formed thrust reverser cascade due to a greater throat area as compared to the linear thrust reverser cascade. Alternatively, the formed thrust reverser cascades may allow for shorter cascades while retaining the same performance, thus resulting in shorter nacelles.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a strut for mounting a jet engine to a wing of an aircraft includes a plurality of engine mounts and a space frame truss supported from the wing and comprising front and aft portions, the front portion being coupled to and supporting the engine mounts, the aft portion extending upwardly and rearwardly from an aft end of the front portion. By removing the aft end of the strut from the core exhaust zone of the engine, substantial reductions in the weight and drag of the strut, and a corresponding increase in the specific fuel consumption of the associated aircraft may be achieved.