Abstract: A vehicle includes a propulsion unit configured to move the vehicle and to change a characteristic of the environment of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a proximity sensor configured to detect the characteristic of the environment of the vehicle. The characteristic of the environment is changed by operation of the propulsion unit. The vehicle further includes obstacle detection circuitry configured to determine a presence of an obstacle in the vicinity of the vehicle based on a comparison between the detected characteristic of the environment and a reference value.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle (18) comprising a propulsion unit (34) configured to move the vehicle (18) and to change a characteristic of the environment of the vehicle (18). The vehicle (18) further comprises a proximity sensor (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31) configured to detect the characteristic of the environment of the vehicle. The characteristic of the environment is changed by operation of the propulsion unit (34). The vehicle (18) further comprises obstacle detection circuitry (32) configured to determine a presence of an obstacle in the vicinity of the vehicle based on a comparison between the detected characteristic of the environment and a reference value.

Abstract: A laminated composite stringer having a termination at one end in its longitudinal direction, and including a laminated stack of composite structural plies, wherein internal plies in the stack are terminated consecutively towards the stringer termination to provide a taper of reducing stack thickness. Also, a composite structure comprising a panel and the stringer; and a method of manufacturing the stringer. The composite structure may be used in aircraft.

Abstract: Thermal management devices and methods include branching networks comprising flow channels of varying cross-sectional area. The branching networks can be fractal-like in nature with an increase in the total flow area following a flow channel bifurcation. In representative embodiments, the branching networks are defined in a channel pattern that is laminated between cover plates to form a thermal management device. The channel pattern includes bridging portions so that the branching network is defined with a single pattern piece. The branching networks can exhibit radial symmetry or be aligned with respect to one or more axes. Heat exchangers and diffusive mixers that include such networks are also provided.

Abstract: Thermal management devices and methods include branching networks comprising flow channels of varying cross-sectional area. The branching networks can be fractal-like in nature with an increase in the total flow area following a flow channel bifurcation. In representative embodiments, the branching networks are defined in a channel pattern that is laminated between cover plates to form a thermal management device. The channel pattern includes bridging portions so that the branching network is defined with a single pattern piece. The branching networks can exhibit radial symmetry or be aligned with respect to one or more axes. Heat exchangers and diffusive mixers that include such networks are also provided.