Abstract: Thermally configurable structural elements (e.g., aircraft components such as an aircraft winglet spar) capable of assuming at least first and second structural configurations are provided whereby the structural element includes an integral actuation mechanism may be formed of sintered shape memory alloy (SMA) particles and sintered non-SMA particles formed by an additive layer manufacturing (ALM) process, such as 3D printing. The ALM process thereby provides by at least one thermally configurable region, and at least one non-thermally configurable region which is unitarily contiguous with the at least one thermally configurable region. The at least one thermally configurable region is capable of assuming at least first and second positional orientations in response to the presence or absence of a thermal input to thereby cause the structural element to assume the at least first and second structural configurations, respectively.

Abstract: Thermally configurable structural elements (e.g., aircraft components such as an aircraft winglet spar) capable of assuming at least first and second structural configurations are provided whereby the structural element includes an integral actuation mechanism may be formed of sintered shape memory alloy (SMA) particles and sintered non-SMA particles formed by an additive layer manufacturing (ALM) process, such as 3D printing. The ALM process thereby provides by at least one thermally configurable region, and at least one non-thermally configurable region which is unitarily contiguous with the at least one thermally configurable region. The at least one thermally configurable region is capable of assuming at least first and second positional orientations in response to the presence or absence of a thermal input to thereby cause the structural element to assume the at least first and second structural configurations, respectively.

Abstract: Noise-abatement for a leading edge wing slat is provided by a noise-abatement airflow shield integral with the lower trailing edge of the slat, wherein the shield is reciprocally autonomously curveable from a substantially planar configuration when the slat is in a retracted position thereof and into a convexly curved configuration when the slat is in a deployed position thereof.

Abstract: A system and method provides noninvasive mental state diagnostics and brain stimulation via consensual transcranial stimulation. The method utilizes face recognition associated with known physiologic measures to identify an emotional state-of-mind of a human subject and then provides or at least suggests a transcranial stimulation treatment for enhancing mental focus or for alleviating discomfort or anxiety by inducing a feeling of well-being. An example system arrangement utilizes a camera to scan a subject's facial expressions and, if the subject desires, provides a transcranial stimulation to the subject based upon an analysis of the facial expression. In one example environment, the system is used in the office or other workplace. In another example environment, the system is used in conjunction with a vehicle seat, such as for example a seat in a car, train, aircraft or other vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and system for locating an event on an aircraft using augmented-reality content, an array of ultrasonic devices configured in mesh topology, and deep learning.

Abstract: Methods and system for locating an event on an aircraft using augmented-reality content, an array of ultrasonic devices configured in mesh topology, and deep learning.

Abstract: Noise-abatement for a leading edge wing slat is provided by a noise-abatement airflow shield integral with the lower trailing edge of the slat, wherein the shield is reciprocally autonomously curvable from a substantially planar configuration when the slat is in a retracted position thereof and into a convexly curved configuration when the slat is in a deployed position thereof.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to thermally driven actuator systems including a thermally driven element and one or more heating elements coupled to and in thermal contact with the thermally driven element. The thermally driven element can be capable of being selectively reconfigured in shape based on a thermal strain or temperature driven phase change. The one or more heating elements can be configured to selectively and independently apply heat to one or more of a plurality of different regions of the thermally driven element to selectively raise a temperature or temperatures of the selected region or regions of the thermally driven element to selectively reconfigure the shape of the thermally driven element.

Abstract: Thermally configurable structural elements (e.g., aircraft components such as an aircraft winglet spar) capable of assuming at least first and second structural configurations are provided whereby the structural element includes an integral actuation mechanism provided by at least one thermally configurable region, and at least one non-thermally configurable region which is unitarily contiguous with the at least one thermally configurable region. The at least one thermally configurable region is capable of assuming at least first and second positional orientations in response to the presence or absence of a thermal input to thereby cause the structural element to assume the at least first and second structural configurations, respectively. The thermally and non-thermally configurable regions may be formed of sintered shape memory alloy (SMA) particles and sintered non-SMA particles formed by an additive layer manufacturing (ALM) process, such as 3D printing.

Abstract: A system and method provides noninvasive mental state diagnostics and brain stimulation via consensual transcranial stimulation. The method utilizes face recognition associated with known physiologic measures to identify an emotional state- of-mind of a human subject and then provides or at least suggests a transcranial stimulation treatment for enhancing mental focus or for alleviating discomfort or anxiety by inducing a feeling of well-being. An example system arrangement utilizes a camera to scan a subject's facial expressions and, if the subject desires, provides a transcranial stimulation to the subject based upon an analysis of the facial expression. In one example environment, the system is used in the office or other workplace. In another example environment, the system is used in conjunction with a vehicle seat, such as for example a seat in a car, train, aircraft or other vehicle.

Abstract: An inspection system for assessing and visualizing structural damage to a structural platform comprises sensors operatively coupled to the structural platform that assess structural damage to or failure of the structural platform. A structural health monitoring processor operatively coupled to the sensors determines structural damage in response to the sensors. At least one RF transponder and associated reader determines the position of the structural platform relative to a user augmented reality viewing device. The user augmented reality viewing device includes a camera that captures images of the structural platform. The user augmented reality viewing device displays real world images of the structural platform and virtual indications of determined structural damage that are dependent on the position and orientation of the user augmented reality viewing device relative to the structural platform.

Abstract: A system and method for damage detection and for evaluating the real operation conditions for structural platforms using structural health monitoring is integrated to a system and method that permits for the platform to provide a flexible geometric control considering a self-adapting morphing which is capable of providing better operating structural platform performance.

Abstract: An integrated system for assessing the condition and management of a structural platform or a plurality of platforms includes a Structural Health Monitoring System (SHM), an Operational loads Monitoring System (OLM), a static, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis (FDTA) subsystem, a databank storing a maintenance plan, and a subsystem configured for damage and repair management (iSRM). The SHM may include a plurality of transducers, including a plurality of pairs of actuators and sensors; a generator device configured to excite at least one of said sensors to produce ultrasonic guided waves; and a signal processor device configured to receive the signals reflected from damage identification. The Operational loads Monitoring System (OLM) may comprise parametric models using flight parameter data. The static, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis (FDTA) subsystem may be configured to use parametric models using Finite element Models results and abacus.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to thermally driven actuator systems including a thermally driven element and one or more heating elements coupled to and in thermal contact with the thermally driven element. The thermally driven element can be capable of being selectively reconfigured in shape based on a thermal strain or temperature driven phase change. The one or more heating elements can be configured to selectively and independently apply heat to one or more of a plurality of different regions of the thermally driven element to selectively raise a temperature or temperatures of the selected region or regions of the thermally driven element to selectively reconfigure the shape of the thermally driven element.

Abstract: An online real-time method of measuring the thickness of a moving belt uses infrared thermography technology to continuously and noninvasively measure the thickness of rubber cover regions and detect damage. This technique solves technical problems and realizes potential gains such as increased efficiency in planning maintenance/replacements of conveyor belts; provides rationalizations and advanced planning for stocking spare conveyor belts; provides a lookahead of acute wear at points to avoid premature wear or belt loss; generates a history of generating wear after each belt replacement with life projections and early planning acquisitions and operational stoppages for exchange; and provides early warning system integration.

Abstract: Structural health monitoring (“SHM”) methods, apparatus and techniques involve building deformation fields maps (amplitude and phase related to excitation) on the surface of the structural component under monitoring based on a network of strain measurements by fiber Bragg grating sensors.

Abstract: An online real-time method of measuring the thickness of a moving belt uses infrared thermography technology to continuously and noninvasively measure the thickness of rubber cover regions and detect damage. This technique solves technical problems and realizes potential gains such as increased efficiency in planning maintenance/replacements of conveyor belts; provides rationalizations and advanced planning for stocking spare conveyor belts; provides a lookahead of acute wear at points to avoid premature wear or belt loss; generates a history of generating wear after each belt replacement with life projections and early planning acquisitions and operational stoppages for exchange; and provides early warning system integration.

Abstract: An integrated system and method to acquire the health state of a structure identifying the presence of damage, and to self-repair the damage in the considered structure. A sensor network installed in the structure is interrogated by a dedicated hardware for damage detection. In case of damage is detected by the sensor network in the structure, the sensor network is triggered and generates harmonic excitation in the structure. Due to the excitation, the natural frequency of vascular microtubes and/or capsules presented in the structure is reached, promoting their disruption. The vascular microtubes and/or capsules disruption along the damage releases the healing compound, repairing the damaged portion of the structure.

Abstract: An inspection system for assessing and visualizing structural damage to a structural platform comprises sensors operatively coupled to the structural platform that assess structural damage to or failure of the structural platform. A structural health monitoring processor operatively coupled to the sensors determines structural damage in response to the sensors. At least one RF transponder and associated reader determines the position of the structural platform relative to a user augmented reality viewing device. The user augmented reality viewing device includes a camera that captures images of the structural platform. The user augmented reality viewing device displays real world images of the structural platform and virtual indications of determined structural damage that are dependent on the position and orientation of the user augmented reality viewing device relative to the structural platform.

Abstract: A method to acquire the structural health state of an aircraft mechanical component performs measurements at each frequency point of interest by using a network of transducers and working each one simultaneously as actuator and sensor. Each transducer is individually excited by a sinusoidal, constant frequency and arbitrary amplitude, voltage waveform for each arbitrary frequency point used to interrogate the structure. A dedicated hardware executes an analogical (analog) quantization to measure electrical current and average electrical power consumed by each transducer. With these two variables, the electromechanical signature of the structure is obtained at different areas of the monitored structure.