Abstract: A system for calibrating the light sensitivity of a camera includes a light emitter for emitting a light pulse, a fiber splitter for receiving the light pulse via an input port and providing first and second portions of the light pulse to respective first and second output ports, and a light collector for receiving the first portion from the first output port and converting the first portion to a first signal representative of a light characteristic of the first portion. A first fiber optic cable connects the light emitter and the input port, a second fiber optic cable connects the first output port and the light collector, and a third fiber optic cable has a first cable end connected with the second output port and a second cable end for emitting the second portion of the light pulse for capture by the camera. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for modeling a new design for electromagnetic effects includes identifying, with a model based system engineering tool, an area of interest in the new design where a lightning strike may occur. The new design includes structural features and electromagnetic features. The method further includes generating, with an electromagnetic effects solver tool and a structural solver tool, a design model for the area of interest in the new design, extracting design parameters from the design model, and generating a reduced order model by processing the design parameters, test results, and simulation results with a modeling tool. The reduced order model couples the structural features with the electromagnetic features. The test results are determined by tests of known designs. The simulation results are determined by simulations of known models. The method further includes storing the reduced order model in a storage medium that is readable by a statistical modeling tool.

Abstract: An assembly for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding to prevent incident radiation from penetrating through a gap to an interior of an aircraft includes an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure. The EBG structure has a patch-and-via array connected to a ground layer. The EMI shielding includes a conductive adhesive and is flexible for conforming attachment to curved aircraft surfaces. The shielding may be located on a deflector plate that is parallel to an adjacent aircraft surface, on the airframe surface opposite to the deflector plate, or in both locations. The assembly filters out penetrating electromagnetic energy and prevents highly resonant cavity mode build-ups of electromagnetic energy inside a nacelle or other enclosure effectively protecting electrical equipment in the interior.

Abstract: A method for modeling a new design for electromagnetic effects includes identifying, with a model based system engineering tool, an area of interest in the new design where a lightning strike may occur. The new design includes structural features and electromagnetic features. The method further includes generating, with an electromagnetic effects solver tool and a structural solver tool, a design model for the area of interest in the new design, extracting design parameters from the design model, and generating a reduced order model by processing the design parameters, test results, and simulation results with a modeling tool. The reduced order model couples the structural features with the electromagnetic features. The test results are determined by tests of known designs. The simulation results are determined by simulations of known models. The method further includes storing the reduced order model in a storage medium that is readable by a statistical modeling tool.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: Methods of incendivity testing include applying a flexible sheet over a test article to form a sealed space between the flexible sheet and a surface region of the test article. Methods further include filling the sealed space with an indicator gas mixture, applying an energy discharge to the test article, and determining whether the indicator gas mixture in the sealed space reacted in response to the energy discharge. The indicator gas mixture may be flammable and may be formed while filling the sealed space. Incendivity test systems include the test article, the flexible sheet sealed to the test article to form the sealed space, a gas control module configured to fill, flush, purge, and/or sample gas in the sealed space, and an energy source configured to apply the energy discharge to the test article.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: Methods of incendivity testing include applying a flexible sheet over a test article to form a sealed space between the flexible sheet and a surface region of the test article. Methods further include filling the sealed space with an indicator gas mixture, applying an energy discharge to the test article, and determining whether the indicator gas mixture in the sealed space reacted in response to the energy discharge. The indicator gas mixture may be flammable and may be formed while filling the sealed space. Incendivity test systems include the test article, the flexible sheet sealed to the test article to form the sealed space, a gas control module configured to fill, flush, purge, and/or sample gas in the sealed space, and an energy source configured to apply the energy discharge to the test article.