Abstract: The disclosed method for fiber stabilization of optical path differences involves splitting a laser produced optical beam into a first and second optical beam. Further, the method involves circulating the first optical beam to an adjustable optical telescope, and circulating the second optical beam to a reference optical telescope. Also, the method involves splitting the first circulated beam into the first optical beam and the adjustable optical telescope beam, and splitting the second circulated beam into the second optical beam and the reference optical telescope beam. Additionally, the method involves inputting, into an interferometer, the first and second optical beams; and outputting, from the interferometer, a sinusoidal signal. Also, the method comprises filtering the sinusoidal signal to form a high frequency and low frequency signal. Further, the method involves controlling a translation stage by using the low frequency signal, and controlling a fiber stretcher by using the high frequency signal.

Abstract: A fan air modulating valve (FAMV) employs a pair of doors rotatably attached at the fan bypass air exit of a precooler. An actuator engages the doors for simultaneous rotation through a range of motion from a first closed position to a second open position, wherein trailing edges of said doors sealingly engage an exit plenum extending from the precooler in the first closed position and fan bypass air flow is modulated by positioning the doors within the range of motion between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating an edge of a first object with a second object. An insert comprising a structure holding a fastener element may be positioned within a hollow portion at the edge of the first object. The structure may be configured to span an entire thickness of the first object at the edge of the first object. The structure may be adhesively bonded to the first object. The second object may be attached to the edge of the first object using the fastener element.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a fuselage having a compartment, and a fire suppression system for delivering fire suppressant to the compartment. The system includes at least one suppressant concentration sensor located in the compartment, a valve for regulating flow of the fire suppressant to the compartment, and a controller, responsive to the sensor, for controlling the valve to maintain fire suppressant concentration within the compartment at a target concentration.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a first channel with an inner wall with a first number of substantially planar surfaces. The inner sleeve has a second channel and an outer wall with a second number of substantially planar surfaces. The outer wall is configured to be received within the first channel. At least one of the second number of substantially planar surfaces on the outer wall of the inner sleeve is configured to slide against at least one of the first number of substantially planar surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing a force. An apparatus comprises a multi-directional joint assembly and a damper associated with the multi-directional joint assembly. The multi-directional joint assembly has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end move relative to each other. The damper is comprised of a number of elastomeric layers and a number of rigid layers interspersed with each other reducing at least one of a force and a moment.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir with a sump includes at least two outlet ports in fluid communication with a fluid conduit. An anti-vortex device includes a first plate extending across the at least two outlet ports and a second plate coupled to the first plate and extending substantially perpendicular to the first plate. The anti-vortex device is configured to disrupt formation of a vortex formed by liquid passing from the reservoir through said outlet ports.

Abstract: A no touch lavatory has a first sensor outside the lavatory that is operable to cause a motor assembly to open the door of the lavatory in response to a person making a motion in close proximity to the first sensor, a second sensor inside the lavatory that causes the motor assembly to close the door and causes a lock to lock the door in response to the second sensor detecting the person entering the lavatory, and a third sensor inside the lavatory that causes the lock to unlock the door and causes the motor assembly to open the door in response to the third sensor detecting a motion made by the person inside the lavatory.

Abstract: In one aspect, coated optical elements are described herein. In some implementations, a coated optical element comprises an optical element and a graphene coating layer disposed on a surface of the optical element. The graphene coating layer, in some implementations, has a thickness of about 100 nm or less.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communication system comprises a radiofrequency (RF) transmitter, an antenna communicatively coupled to the RF transmitter to direct an RF signal in a first direction, a laser ranger mounted to the antenna to direct a pulsed laser signal in the first direction and receive reflected laser signals from a rotorblade, and logic to determine a measure of interference resulting from a rotorblade, provide the measure of interference to a radiofrequency (RF) transmitter, and shutter an RF transmission signal from the RF transmitter in response to the measure of interference. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a structure having a cavity with an opening configured to receive a piece of baggage and a flange configured to retain the piece of baggage when the structure is in an open state, wherein the structure is configured to move between the open state and a closed state about an axis of rotation for the structure, and wherein the opening has a horizontal position when the structure is in the closed state and the opening has a vertical position when the structure is in the open state.

Abstract: A system for attaching an aircraft wall panel to an airframe member includes a top support bracket having a mating member, a lower support bracket having a mating pin, and an aircraft wall panel having a first stabilizing attachment and a first securing attachment. The first stabilizing and securing attachments are arranged on a rear surface of the aircraft wall panel. The first stabilizing attachment is configured to connect to the mating member of the top support bracket and retain the aircraft wall panel in proximity to the airframe member. The first securing attachment is configured to connect to the mating pin of the lower support bracket to (a) engage the lower support bracket and facilitate horizontal and vertical adjustments of the aircraft wall panel in relation to the airframe member, and (b) lock a position of the first securing attachment relative to the lower support bracket.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for dimensionally registering composite laminates are disclosed, wherein readable elements acting as alignment and identification features are incorporated integrally in laminates.

Abstract: A composite clamp including a continuous metallic spine having a first end bending back upon a second end forming a loop, a first arm, and a second arm approximately parallel to the first arm, and a polymer casing surrounding the metallic spine from proximate the first end to proximate the second end.

Abstract: A laser detection and warning system and associated methods of warning a pilot of an aircraft of incoming laser radiation and determining a location of a source of laser radiation including a detector configured to be mounted to an aircraft, the detector having an optical subsystem, a detector subsystem, and a processor subsystem to determine characteristics of incoming laser radiation and transmit a laser warning output signal, wherein the laser warning output signal may include wavelength characteristics of the laser radiation, corresponding protective eyewear type, and location of the source of the laser radiation.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus, and a method for an aerospace vehicle braking system for decelerating an aerospace vehicle on a landing surface. An arm is provided having a first portion connected to the aerospace vehicle and a second portion generally distal to the first portion. The second portion of the arm includes an engagement portion configured to engage the landing surface. The arm is movable between a first position, wherein the engagement portion is substantially disengaged from the landing surface, and a second position, wherein the engagement portion engages the landing surface with a force sufficient to significantly decelerate the aerospace vehicle. The engagement portion is configured to pivot with respect to the arm in response to the direction of travel of the aerospace vehicle upon the landing surface. An actuator is connected to the arm to selectively move the arm between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A heating system includes a structure to be heated, and a heating apparatus disposed to heat the structure. The heating apparatus includes a housing member, a plurality of resonant frequency power sources, and a plurality of associated controls. The plurality of resonant frequency power sources are attached to the housing member. The plurality of associated controllers is configured to separately operate the plurality of resonant frequency power sources at resonant frequencies matching heating requirements of the structure.

Abstract: A system includes a transformation module, alignment module and aligned localization module. The transformation module is configured to receive first and second pose estimates of a mobile platform movable within an environment. The first and second pose estimates are relative to different, respective first and second digital maps of the environment in different, respective first and second coordinate systems. The transformation module, then, may be configured to calculate a geometric transform between the first and second digital maps based on the first and second pose estimates. The alignment module may be configured to align the first and second digital maps based on the geometric transform, and thereby generate an aligned digital map. And the aligned localization module may be configured to localize the mobile platform relative to the aligned digital map, and thereby calculate an aligned pose estimate of the mobile platform.

Abstract: A relay and distribution apparatus is provided for a cellular communication system. The relay and distribution apparatus includes an antenna system configured to lay down beams in overlapping first and M second N-cell frequency reuse patterns. The first frequency reuse pattern may be for communication of control channels of a cellular communication system, and the second frequency reuse patterns may be for communication of traffic channels exclusive of control channels of the cellular communication system. The second frequency reuse patterns may be staggered with one another. And cells of the second frequency reuse patterns may have a size only a fraction of which is for transmission of traffic channels any of which may be assignable through a control channel of the first reuse frequency pattern.

Abstract: A method comprises characterizing a complex mechanical system in terms of functions, and using a computer system to display and fill in bowtie charts to identify problems and solutions with respect to the functions.