Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: collecting usage and maintenance data for a rotorcraft at a computer of the rotorcraft; sending the usage and maintenance data to a fleet management server; generating individualized equipment data for the rotorcraft according to the usage and maintenance data at the fleet management server, the individualized equipment data including a lightweight digital representation of the rotorcraft and technical publications for the rotorcraft, the lightweight digital representation including mesh-based 3D visualizations of each component of the rotorcraft, the technical publications having views referencing the mesh-based 3D visualizations; sending the individualized equipment data to the computer of the rotorcraft; and persisting the individualized equipment data at the computer of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: adjusting a first flight control device of a rotorcraft to control flight around a first axis of the rotorcraft, the first flight control device exercising flight control authority around the first axis of the rotorcraft; detecting a failure of the first flight control device; transitioning at least a portion of the flight control authority around the first axis of the rotorcraft from the first flight control device to a second flight control device of the rotorcraft, the transitioning being performed automatically in response to detecting the failure of the first flight control device; and adjusting the second flight control device to control flight around the first axis of the rotorcraft, the second flight control device being adjusted by a first control process when the rotorcraft is in a first flight mode, the second flight control device being adjusted by a second control process when the rotorcraft is in a second flight mode.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for a sliding door in a pressurized aircraft. In one embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage having a door opening, and a door configured to slide into the door opening from within the fuselage, the door held in a closed position in the door opening by excess air pressure within the fuselage during operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for aligning displayed data in an augmented reality (AR) display includes determining a selected location context associated with a piece of equipment, determining a process element associated with the piece of equipment and according to a selected engineering process, determining, according to a digital representation of the equipment, a first location of the process element, receiving meta-sensor location data for one or more meta-sensors in the piece of equipment and indicating a second location for each of the meta-sensors with respect to the selected location context, determining a third location of the AR display with respect to the selected location context, determining overlay data for the process element, determining a display location according to the first location, the third location and the location data of each meta-sensor, and displaying the overlay data at the display location.

Abstract: Various systems and methods may be used to implement a software defined industrial system. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. The orchestrated system may include an orchestration server, a first node executing a first module, and a second node executing a second module. In response to the second node failing, the second module may be redeployed to a replacement node (e.g., the first node or a different node). The replacement mode may be determined by the first node or another node, for example based on connections to or from the second node.

Abstract: A pylon assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotor assembly rotatably coupled to a fixed pylon and operable to rotate between a vertical takeoff and landing orientation and a forward flight orientation. The rotor assembly includes a proprotor operable to produce a slipstream. A wing extension is rotatably disposed to the outboard end of the fixed pylon such that the rotor assembly and the wing extension are separated by at least a portion of the fixed pylon. The wing extension has a forward edge and an outboard end. A winglet is coupled to the outboard end of the wing extension and has a forward edge. The wing extension and the winglet are configured to rotate in synchrony with the rotor assembly such that the forward edges of the wing extension and the winglet remain in the slipstream of the proprotor.

Abstract: The present disclosure achieves technical advantages as an aircraft having an augmented reality flight control system integrated with and operable from the pilot seat and an associated pilot headgear unit, wherein the flight control system is supplemented by flight-assisting artificial intelligence and geo-location systems. The present disclosure includes an augmented reality flight control system incorporating real-world objects with virtual elements to provide relevant data to a pilot during aircraft flight. A translucent substrate is disposed in the pilot's field of view such that the pilot can see therethrough, and observe virtual elements displayed on the substrate. The system includes a headgear that is worn by the pilot. A flight assistance module is configured to receive data related to the aircraft and provide predictive assistance to the pilot during flight based on the received data based in part on a pilot profile having preferences related to the pilot.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an aircraft, such as a tiltrotor, having an internal payload storage area. A rotatable deployment system is mounted within the payload storage area. The rotatable deployment system comprises a frame that is configured to rotate between a stowed position and a deployment position. Two extendible arms are attached to the frame, wherein each extendible arm is configured to move in opposite directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. Each extendible arm has a fixed end and a moving end. A payload mounting point on each moving end. The payload mounting point allows a payload to pan and tilt in azimuth and elevation.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing a software defined industrial system are described herein. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. In response to a node failing, a module may be redeployed to a replacement node. In an example, self-descriptive control applications and software modules are provided in the context of orchestratable distributed systems. The self-descriptive control applications may be executed by an orchestrator or like control device and use a module manifest to generate a control system application. For example, an edge control node of the industrial system may include a system on a chip including a microcontroller (MCU) to convert IO data. The system on a chip includes a central processing unit (CPU) in an initial inactive state, which may be changed to an activated state in response an activation signal.

Abstract: A method for aligning displayed data in an augmented reality (AR) display includes determining a selected location context associated with a piece of equipment, determining a process element associated with the piece of equipment and according to a selected engineering process, determining, according to a digital representation of the equipment, a first location of the process element, receiving meta-sensor location data for one or more meta-sensors in the piece of equipment and indicating a second location for each of the meta-sensors with respect to the selected location context, determining a third location of the AR display with respect to the selected location context, determining overlay data for the process element, determining a display location according to the first location, the third location and the location data of each meta-sensor, and displaying the overlay data at the display location.

Abstract: A method for aligning displayed data in an augmented reality (AR) display includes determining a selected location context associated with a piece of equipment, determining a process element associated with the piece of equipment and according to a selected engineering process, determining, according to a digital representation of the equipment, a first location of the process element, receiving meta-sensor location data for one or more meta-sensors in the piece of equipment and indicating a second location for each of the meta-sensors with respect to the selected location context, determining a third location of the AR display with respect to the selected location context, determining overlay data for the process element, determining a display location according to the first location, the third location and the location data of each meta-sensor, and displaying the overlay data at the display location.

Abstract: Various systems and methods may be used to implement a software defined industrial system. For example, an edge control node of the industrial system may include a system on a chip including a microcontroller (MCU) to convert IO data. The system on a chip includes a central processing unit (CPU) in an initial inactive state to receive an activation signal from, for example, an orchestration server, and change to an activated state in response to receiving the activation signal.

Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as a pilot and passenger seating. An aircraft employs a pilot seat, comprising a contoured structure having ergonomically formed and padded surfaces, with left and right arm supports that include an articulated control knob, movable in three rectangular axes and rotatable about a vertical axis to provide one or more aircraft steering functions for an aircraft, and a touch-sensitive control surface for controlling one or more power system components. A passenger seat, having a contoured structure, having ergonomically formed and padded surfaces, a headrest, a seat, a left support member, and a right support member are adapted to cradle a portion of a passenger's body to support the passenger during travel.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: collecting usage and maintenance data for a rotorcraft at a computer of the rotorcraft; sending the usage and maintenance data to a fleet management server; generating individualized equipment data for the rotorcraft according to the usage and maintenance data at the fleet management server, the individualized equipment data including a lightweight digital representation of the rotorcraft and technical publications for the rotorcraft, the lightweight digital representation including mesh-based 3D visualizations of each component of the rotorcraft, the technical publications having views referencing the mesh-based 3D visualizations; sending the individualized equipment data to the computer of the rotorcraft; and persisting the individualized equipment data at the computer of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: A mounting system configured for coupling a device to a vehicle and providing for movement and remote operation of the device includes a first member for removably coupling the device to the mounting system, a second member rotatably coupled to the first member, a rotational actuator configured to rotate the first member relative to the second member about a first axis, a linear actuator configured to move the first and second members together, a device actuator configured to operate the device, and a deployment apparatus configured to move the device from a stored position to a deployed position.

Abstract: An aircraft has a wing and at least a portion of a hoist system disposed within the wing. A method of hoisting an item includes disposing at least a portion of a hoist system within a wing of an aircraft and extending a cable of the hoist system through an access hole of an exterior wall of the wing.

Abstract: A pylon assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a rotor assembly rotatably coupled to a fixed pylon and operable to rotate between a vertical takeoff and landing orientation and a forward flight orientation. The rotor assembly includes a proprotor operable to produce a slipstream. A wing extension is rotatably disposed to the outboard end of the fixed pylon such that the rotor assembly and the wing extension are separated by at least a portion of the fixed pylon. The wing extension has a forward edge and an outboard end. A winglet is coupled to the outboard end of the wing extension and has a forward edge. The wing extension and the winglet are configured to rotate in synchrony with the rotor assembly such that the forward edges of the wing extension and the winglet remain in the slipstream of the proprotor.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an aircraft, such as a tiltrotor, having an internal payload storage area. A rotatable deployment system is mounted within the payload storage area. The rotatable deployment system comprises a frame that is configured to rotate between a stowed position and a deployment position. Two extendible arms are attached to the frame, wherein each extendible arm is configured to move in opposite directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. Each extendible arm has a fixed end and a moving end. A payload mounting point on each moving end. The payload mounting point allows a payload to pan and tilt in azimuth and elevation.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for a sliding door in a pressurized aircraft. In one embodiment, an aircraft comprises a fuselage having a door opening, and a door configured to slide into the door opening from within the fuselage, the door held in a closed position in the door opening by excess air pressure within the fuselage during operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for interacting with a touch-sensitive display in a vehicle. The display shows one or more objects. Vehicle motion is detected. The position of at least one object on the touch-sensitive display based upon the vehicle motion. User touches on the touch-sensitive display may be detected, and tactile feedback may be provided to the user via a glove. In a further embodiment, an imminent input to the touch-sensitive display may be detected, and the target point for the imminent input may be determined. The display may be zoomed around the target point to expand at least a portion of a targeted object. The vehicle may be an aircraft, and the targeted object may be a virtual flight instrument. The target point may also be displayed on the touch-sensitive display.