Abstract: A parking tail rotor for a rotary wing aircraft stops rotating at a high forward aircraft speed when aircraft control surfaces have adequate control authority to balance main rotor torque without the rotating tail rotor. When stopped, the blades of the parking tail rotor move due to the force of the relative wind to a parked position in which the span of the blades extend in the aft direction, reducing air resistance to the forward motion of the aircraft.

Abstract: A compound aircraft includes a convertible thruster that pivots between an anti-torque position, a forward thrust position, and intermediate positions. A pilot has two inceptors to control thruster rotor pitch in the anti-torque and forward thrust positions. A mixer mechanically blends the signals from the two inceptors during transition between the anti-torque and forward thrust positions. A transfer rod coaxial with the pivot axis of the convertible thruster conveys convertible thruster pitch commands from the pilot to a pitch control actuator. The pitch control actuator may be located partially within the rotor of an electric motor that rotates the convertible thruster rotor. The electric motor and pitch control actuator are unitary. Both the electric motor and pitch control actuator pivot with the convertible thruster. The pitch actuator output shaft is coaxial to and disposed within a hollow electric motor output shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid gear includes a first portion having a plurality of first engagement features formed from a first material and having a first stiffness and a second portion having a plurality of second engagement features in intermeshing arrangement with the plurality of first engagement features. The plurality of second engagement features is formed from a second material distinct from the first material and having a second stiffness. The first stiffness of the plurality of first engagement features is within 20% of the second stiffness of the plurality of second engagement features.

Abstract: A solid lubricant-carrying gear which is lubricated by a liquid lubricant communicated to the gear by a primary lubrication system includes a gear body and a solid lubricant body. The gear body is arranged along a rotation axis and has a first surface, an axially opposite second surface, and an outward radial face extending about the rotation axis having gear teeth and lubricant directing features. The solid lubricant body is coupled to the gear body and includes a lubricant which melts at a melting temperature above that of the liquid lubricant to provide secondary lubrication to the gear via the lubricant directing features. Gearboxes, aircraft having transmissions employing solid lubricant-carrying gears, and methods of lubricating gears are also described.

Abstract: A hybrid gear includes a first portion having a plurality of first engagement features formed from a first material and having a first stiffness and a second portion having a plurality of second engagement features in intermeshing arrangement with the plurality of first engagement features. The plurality of second engagement features is formed from a second material distinct from the first material and having a second stiffness. The first stiffness of the plurality of first engagement features is within 20% of the second stiffness of the plurality of second engagement features.

Abstract: A solid lubricant-carrying gear which is lubricated by a liquid lubricant communicated to the gear by a primary lubrication system includes a gear body and a solid lubricant body. The gear body is arranged along a rotation axis and has a first surface, an axially opposite second surface, and an outward radial face extending about the rotation axis having gear teeth and lubricant directing features. The solid lubricant body is coupled to the gear body and includes a lubricant which melts at a melting temperature above that of the liquid lubricant to provide secondary lubrication to the gear via the lubricant directing features. Gearboxes, aircraft having transmissions employing solid lubricant-carrying gears, and methods of lubricating gears are also described.

Abstract: Incident light filter or cap assembly adapted to be attached to a mobile device equipped with a camera and software to measure light levels.

Abstract: Incident light filter or cap assembly adapted to be attached to a mobile device equipped with a camera and software to measure light levels.

Abstract: A personal computer and methods of reconfiguration are described. An implementation of a personal computer may comprise a processor portion running a diagnostic application. A field programmable gate array in communication with the processor portion may be provided. A configurable non-volatile computer memory in communication with the field programmable gate array and wherein the field programmable gate array is programmed to reconfigure the non-volatile computer memory may be provided. Methods of reconfiguration of a personal computer are provided.

Abstract: Particular implementations are particularly useful in providing a system in which the hardware is more easily upgradable and new hardware functionality may be added without adding any new physical hardware. Through placement of an FPGA closely associated with the CPU of a personal computer, the FPGA may be reconfigured to act as new hardware. A system for installing new virtual hardware involves loading firmware into memory associated with the FPGA and reconfiguring the FPGA through a microcontroller. Particular implementations include universal ports associated with the FPGA into which adapter plugs can be placed to quickly adapt to any device that may be added through the virtual hardware use of the FPGA. Other implementations include high density connectors into which a plurality of ports of varying configurations may be plugged for connection of external electronic equipment through the FPGA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sense amplifier that incorporates a logic function. Specifically, that logic function is incorporated into the sense amplifier such that the propagation time of the logic function is avoided and the effective data set-up time of the sense amplifier is reduced. The sense amplifier includes a pair of discharge paths having a true or a complementary version of the logic function associated therewith. When the true or complementary version of the logic function is asserted, one of the discharge paths is turned-on. The output signal that is associated with that discharge path is discharged to a logic low level and the other output signal is pulled to a logic high level. Accordingly, the resulting logic level of the logic function is generated and latched using only the sense amplifier circuit.