Abstract: A gas separation method includes flowing a gas feed along a feed flow path within a housing directionally from a product end to a feed end of a gas separation membrane. After the feed flow path, the gas feed flows along a membrane flow path defined by the membrane from the feed end to the product end. The feed flow path is counter to the membrane flow path. Heat may be exchanged between the feed flow path and the membrane flow path and increase separation efficiency. Also, heat exchanged may compensate for some temperature drop in the membrane due to enthalpy of gas separation. A gas separation module includes a feed flow path within a housing extending directionally from a product end to a feed end of a membrane. The feed flow path is counter to a membrane flow path defined by the membrane.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus for forming a bladder system. A bladder with an open end is formed. The open end of the bladder is placed into an interior of a fitting. The open end of the bladder is connected to the interior of the fitting.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and an off-board network are provided. The method includes pre-loading data for the aircraft onto a secure power unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the secure power unit, validating the aircraft at the secure power unit based on air traffic management information, absolute (GMT) time, and aircraft location data, and transferring data between the aircraft and the secure power unit based on the validation.

Abstract: An access door structure for a wing skin is received in an access hole opening which incorporates a protective glove having a set of mistake resisting features and engaging the periphery of the access hole opening. An inner door seals an interior of the access hole opening and has multiple fastener attachment elements and a set of mating mistake resisting features. An outer door engaged over an exterior of the access hole opening has fastener holes for mating alignment with the fastener attachment elements and receives a plurality of fasteners for engagement of the inner and outer doors.

Abstract: A system is provided for overlapping cells for wireless coverage in a cellular communication system. The system includes a beam-weight generator and beamformer coupled to the beam-weight generator. The beam-weight generator is configured to generate a plurality of beam weights including at least first and second sets of beam weights. And the beamformer is configured to apply the first and second sets of beam weights to signals in a cellular communication system. The cellular communication system provides coverage over a geographic region divided into cells arranged in overlapping first and second layers of cells having criteria optimized for communication by respective, distinct first and second types of user terminals. In this regard, the criteria are reflected in the first and second sets of beam weights.

Abstract: A structural substrate for an aircraft structure and methods are presented. A multi-layer hybrid composite material comprises an outermost layer, an intermediate layer, and an innermost layer. The outermost layer comprises an electrically conductive metal matrix composite that conducts electricity to provide electric heating. The intermediate layer comprises an electrical insulator coupled to the outermost layer. The innermost layer comprises a composite coupled to the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer electrically insulates the outermost layer from the innermost layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a test object. A stress wave is generated in a fluid within a cavity in a structure. The stress wave is directed through the fluid within the cavity into the test object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a group of parameters. An optical signal is sent into an optical sensor unit comprising a first reflective structure, a second reflective structure, and a cavity system located between the first reflective structure and the second reflective structure. The first reflective structure is configured to be associated with an optical fiber. A response generated by the optical sensor unit is detected. The group of parameters is identified from the response.

Abstract: Systems and methods to mitigate instrument landing system (ILS) overflight interference are disclosed. An example method performing a first measurement of a position of an aircraft relative to a first location based on an instrument landing system, performing a second measurement of the position of the aircraft based on inertial measurements performed over a first time period occurring prior to the first measurement, performing a third measurement of the position of the aircraft based on inertial measurements performed over a second time period greater than the first time period and occurring prior to the first measurement, and generating guidance information based on a selected one of the first, second, or third measurements of the position of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method includes receiving signals processed according to a control law and generating an error signal based on the signals. The method includes determining at least one characteristic of the error signal, and determining whether to disable the control law based on the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for the protection of personnel within vehicles and structures from rocket-propelled grenades and other incoming threats. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a countermeasure system includes an interceptor vehicle configured to stow and launch an expandable countermeasure. The countermeasure may have a flexible body with attached deployment mechanisms that expand the flexible body into the path of an incoming threat to capture the threat.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes receiving process-related information describing a process for production of a product, including a logical sequence of tasks to produce respective internal products of the process. The method also includes constructing a schedule for the process based on the process-related information, with the process schedule being for execution of at least some of the tasks each of which utilizes or requires inputs including temporally a last input. Construction of the process schedule includes separating each of at least some of the respective tasks into a closure portion that requires availability of the last input of its task before being initiated, and a distinct precursor portion capable of being initiated before the respective last input is available. The closure portions of the respective tasks may be temporally sequenced without intervening precursor portions, and the precursor portions may be prepended to respective, temporally-sequenced closure portions.

Abstract: A method for consolidating a pre-form made of powder, comprising: (a) placing the pre-form between smart susceptors; (b) heating the smart susceptors to a leveling temperature by applying a varying low-strength magnetic field having a magnetic flux that passes through surfaces of the smart susceptors; (c) applying consolidation pressure to the pre-form at least during a time period subsequent to the temperature of the smart susceptors reaching the leveling temperature; and (d) while consolidation pressure is being applied, applying a pulsed high-strength magnetic field having a magnetic flux that passes through a surface of the pre-form. The strength and pulse rate of the high-strength magnetic field are selected so that the crystallographic phase of the pre-form will rapidly oscillate at a substantially constant temperature. The pulsed high-strength magnetic field is applied sufficiently long that superplasticity of the pre-form is attained during phase oscillation.

Abstract: A device uses magnetic force generated by a magnet to intensify compaction pressure applied to a composite laminate.

Abstract: There is provided in an embodiment a method of making a composite structure. The method includes the step of applying chopped fiber material in varying thicknesses onto a first ply surface of a first composite charge to form a layered composite charge. The method further includes the step of folding the layered composite charge. The method further includes the step of assembling a second composite charge and the folded layered composite charge to form a composite structure. The chopped fiber material forms a gap filler in the composite structure. The gap filler conforms to a shape of the composite structure surrounding the gap filler. The method further includes processing the composite structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing routes is disclosed. An area of interest associated with a number of routes for a number of aircraft and an identification of a number of weightings for a number of characteristics for the number of routes are identified. The number of characteristics includes at least one of a number of environmental characteristics or a number of economic characteristics. A number of new routes are generated based on information about the number of routes associated with the area of interest. Values are identified for characteristics in the number of characteristics for each new route in the number of new routes and for each route in the number of routes based on the information. A performance value is identified for the each new route and for the each route based on the values and the number of weightings for the number of characteristics.

Abstract: A blanket for cryogenically cooling at least a portion of a workpiece is provided. The blanket includes a body having an interior surface configured to face the workpiece. The blanket also includes a plurality of nozzles located on the interior surface of the body. The blanket further includes one or more tubes configured to deliver cryogenic liquid to the plurality of nozzles for spraying upon at least a portion of the workpiece. A method and system for cryogenically cooling at least a portion of a workpiece utilizing a blanket are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes coupling a printed circuit board (PCB) and a first conductive sheet to a pressure plate to form an antenna sub-assembly. The first conductive sheet defines a first plurality of openings and includes a first plurality of bumps. At least one opening of the first plurality of openings is surrounded by a set of bumps of the first plurality of bumps. The method includes coupling the antenna sub-assembly to a cover to form an antenna assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a nut having a counterbore formed therein. The counterbore is formed to maintain a sufficient gap between the nut and the protruding end of a fastener sleeve. The nut with the counterbore improves the conductive fastener system such that the need for a solid copper grid and a cap seal is reduced or eliminated.