Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to form a data structure modeling a production system. The data structure includes a plurality of process node data elements corresponding to production tasks of a manufacturing process described by the production system. Responsive to input, the computing device stores linking data to link process node data elements to objects that describe characteristics associated with process specifications, manufacturing devices, and other process characteristics. The computing device is also configured to update a set of production system estimates associated with the manufacturing process based on objects, and to compare the set of production system estimates to an acceptance criterion for the production system. The computer device also generates a notification indicating whether the manufacturing process described by the production system is expected to satisfy requirements indicated by the acceptance criterion.

Abstract: Composite structure fabrication systems and methods. The systems include a plurality of ply carriers, each of which is configured to support at least one ply segment, and an elongate forming mandrel, which defines an elongate ply forming surface that is shaped to define a surface contour of the composite structure. The systems further include a carrier transfer device, which is configured to selectively convey a selected ply carrier from a ply kitting area to an intermediate location, and a forming machine, which is configured to deform the selected ply carrier and a respective ply segment over a selected portion of the elongate ply forming surface. The forming machine further is configured to separate the selected ply carrier from the respective ply segment and return the selected ply carrier to the carrier transfer device. The methods include methods of operating the systems.

Abstract: Digital circuits determine multiplicative inverses using look-up tables which, in response to an address signal, provide a signal indicating a multiplicative inverse. The look-up tables store values indicating inverses for numbers between 1 and 2. The circuit factors a value to be inverted as product a power of two and a factor between 1 and 2. An address signal indicating the factor is applied to the look-up table, and the look-up table provides a signal which indicates the inverse of the factor. The signal provided by the look-up table is then converted to the proper scale for the exponent N. Factoring and conversion may be accomplished with logical shifts so that no multiplier is required. The look-up table may be compressed by not storing bits of inverses, which are constant or only change once within the range of the look-up table and by only storing look-up values for every other number within the range of the look-up table.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system includes a mechanism for releasing a brake and a digital circuit for determining a wheel velocity and controlling the mechanism to prevent the brake from locking. The digital circuit uses a look-up table which, in response to an address signal, provides a signal indicating a multiplicative inverse of a number between 1 and 2. The circuit receives a measured time for a wheel to move a fixed distance and factors the time as product a power of two and a factor between 1 and 2. An address signal indicating the factor is applied to the look-up table, and the look-up table provides a signal which indicates the inverse of the factor. The signal from the look-up table is then converted to the proper scale for the time. Factoring and conversion may be accomplished with logical shifts so that no multiplier is required.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system includes three integrated circuits (an integrated voltage regulator and two different microcontrollers) which perform different functions but share the tasks of detecting malfunctions and shutting down the system when malfunctions are detected. The two different microcontrollers perform different functions, have different circuitry, and execute different software. Typically, a first microcontroller receives wheel sensor signals, calculates wheel velocities and accelerations, and operates mechanical devices which control braking. A second microcontroller executes the main anti-lock braking software and determines from the velocities and accelerations when brakes should be released. All of the integrated circuits monitor each other and the other elements of the anti-lock braking system to detect malfunctions. Multiple shut down methods are provided so that a single chip failure can be safely handled.