Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface (38) between a fire suppressant conduit (18) and a cargo panel (28) of a cargo compartment (12) of an aircraft (10). The apparatus comprises an adaptor (40) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit (18) access to the cargo compartment (12) through the cargo panel (28) and a sealing member (42) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor (40) and the fire suppressant conduit (18). The adaptor (40) comprises an aperture (56) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit (18) where the aperture (56) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) therethrough. Associated methods (600, 700) for removing the cargo panel (28) of the cargo compartment (12) of the aircraft (10) without disassembly of the nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described herein a harness (106) that remains neutral until configured by a configuration device (110). Wires that connect to specific pins responsible for the configuration of a system are taken out and connected to a configuration port (108) on the harness (106). The configuration port (108), when mated with the configuration device (110), sets a configuration setting of the system. The configuration device (110) may be used to set the power and/or signal parameters of the harness (106) for a system or to configure various options within the system itself or another system.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory system in communication with the processor. The memory system stores instructions that when executed by the processor result in the system being operable to identify a system hazard boundary of a monitored system and a system nuisance boundary of the monitored system. The system is also operable to determine a must-trip condition based on the system hazard boundary and a must-not-trip condition based on the system nuisance boundary. The system is further operable to output a protection margin for the monitored system based on the system hazard boundary and a difference between the must-trip condition and the must-not-trip condition.

Abstract: There is described herein a harness (106) that remains neutral until configured by a configuration device (110). Wires that connect to specific pins responsible for the configuration of a system are taken out and connected to a configuration port (108) on the harness (106). The configuration port (108), when mated with the configuration device (110), sets a configuration setting of the system. The configuration device (110) may be used to set the power and/or signal parameters of the harness (106) for a system or to configure various options within the system itself or another system.

Abstract: A tank wall connector system for use with a composite tank, the connector comprises a connector having a body extending from an interior of the tank to an exterior of the tank when installed through a hole in the composite tank. The connector has a first electrical conductivity property. An interface is positioned between the connector and a wall of the composite tank when installed to the tank thereby preventing physical contact between the connector and the tank wall in the interior of the tank, the interface having a second electrical conductivity property, different from the first electrical conductivity property.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists supporting a floor within the aircraft and a ground plane connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component within an aircraft includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists supporting a floor within the aircraft and a ground plane connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component (28) within an aircraft (10) includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists (38) supporting a floor (30) within the aircraft and a ground plane (44) connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket (52) electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: A sealed component assembly within an aircraft, comprising first 10 and second 12 components each facing surfaces, and a sealing member 20 extending between the facing surfaces. The sealing member includes a conductive portion 22 sandwiched between first 24 and second 26 sealing portions. The sealing portions extend between and in contact with the facing surfaces, and are made of a sealing material. The conductive portion is in contact with conductive regions of the facing surfaces and defines an electrical connection therebetween. The conductive portion is more conductive than the sealing portions. In a particular embodiment, the components are a floor panel and a floor beam. A sealing member 20 for a connection between two aircraft components is also discussed.

Abstract: A drain for expelling fluids from an interior of an aircraft to an exterior of the aircraft, the drain including a drain tube disposed at the interior of the aircraft having a first end disposed in fluid communication with an aircraft equipment to be drained and an opposite second end, wherein the drain tube terminates at the second end at a location within the interior of the aircraft, a seal which extends between the second end of the drain tube and an outer skin of the aircraft, delimiting a drainage cavity, and a drainage pathway extending from the cavity through the outer skin to the exterior of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory system in communication with the processor. The memory system stores instructions that when executed by the processor result in the system being operable to identify a system hazard boundary of a monitored system and a system nuisance boundary of the monitored system. The system is also operable to determine a must-trip condition based on the system hazard boundary and a must-not-trip condition based on the system nuisance boundary. The system is further operable to output a protection margin for the monitored system based on the system hazard boundary and a difference between the must-trip condition and the must-not-trip condition.

Abstract: A tank wall connector system for use with a composite tank, the connector comprises a connector having a body extending from an interior of the tank to an exterior of the tank when installed through a hole in the composite tank. The connector has a first electrical conductivity property. An interface is positioned between the connector and a wall of the composite tank when installed to the tank thereby preventing physical contact between the connector and the tank wall in the interior of the tank, the interface having a second electrical conductivity property, different from the first electrical conductivity property.

Abstract: A system for shielding of at least one component (28) within an aircraft (10) includes a floor panel disposed at least partially between joists (38) supporting a floor (30) within the aircraft and a ground plane (44) connected to a bottom surface of the floor panel. The ground plane extends at least partially between adjacent joists. At least one bracket (52) electrically connects the ground plane to at least one of the joists.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface (38) between a fire suppressant conduit (18) and a cargo panel (28) of a cargo compartment (12) of an aircraft (10). The apparatus comprises an adaptor (40) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit (18) access to the cargo compartment (12) through the cargo panel (28) and a sealing member (42) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor (40) and the fire suppressant conduit (18). The adaptor (40) comprises an aperture (56) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit (18) where the aperture (56) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) therethrough. Associated methods (600, 700) for removing the cargo panel (28) of the cargo compartment (12) of the aircraft (10) without disassembly of the nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drain for expelling fluids from an interior of an aircraft to an exterior of the aircraft, the drain including a drain tube disposed at the interior of the aircraft having a first end disposed in fluid communication with an aircraft equipment to be drained and an opposite second end, wherein the drain tube terminates at the second end at a location within the interior of the aircraft, a seal which extends between the second end of the drain tube and an outer skin of the aircraft, delimiting a drainage cavity, and a drainage pathway extending from the cavity through the outer skin to the exterior of the aircraft.