Abstract:
An air vehicle having a bilaterally asymmetric configuration may include a body having a longitudinal axis. The air vehicle may further include longitudinally offset engine nacelles, asymmetrically lengthened engine nacelles, and/or longitudinally offset protruding aerodynamic surfaces.
Abstract:
Methods and systems according to one or more examples are provided for avoiding foreign object strikes on rotorcraft vehicles. In one example, a vehicle comprises a rotor comprising a rotor blade, a first sensor configured to provide first sensor information associated with an object proximate the vehicle, and a second sensor configured to provide second sensor information associated with the rotor. The vehicle further comprises a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor configured to selectively control the rotor to minimize damage to the vehicle by the object based on the first and second sensor information.
Abstract:
A transmitter for providing energy to a beam-powered aircraft includes an energy source that outputs an energy beam having an elongated cross-section, and a mount. The mount is operable to vary an azimuth and an elevation of the energy beam, and operable to rotate the energy beam about a central axis of the energy beam.
Abstract:
A methane transportation system is provided. The system may include a methane source configured to dispense methane at a first location, and an underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle may include a propulsion system configured to transport the underwater vehicle underwater from the first location to a second location and a vessel defining a storage chamber configured to receive water and the methane from the methane source. The storage chamber of the vessel may have a pressure exceeding one atmosphere and a temperature during transport from the first location to the second location sufficient to form methane clathrate in the storage chamber. The system may further include a methane receiver configured to receive the methane released from the storage chamber at the second location. Related methods are also provided.
Abstract:
An ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizing system is configured to sanitize a surface of a component. The UV light sanitizing system includes a UV light assembly including a UV light source that is configured to emit UV light onto the surface of the component. An airflow generator is configured to generate airflow within a region of UV light emission between the UV light source and the surface of the component. The airflow generated by the airflow generator disrupts formation of ozone.
Abstract:
A circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes an electric load, at least one electrical component in communication with the electric load, and at least one semiconductor. The at least one semiconductor is configured to emit light in response to a voltage drop across the at least one semiconductor, wherein the semiconductor is operatively connected to the electrical component and emits the light in response to the electric load generating a voltage spike during operation that causes the voltage drop across the at least one semiconductor.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for operating an electric motor is presented. A transmit magnetic field is received at a group of receive coils having a group of axes oriented substantially parallel to magnetic field lines from a transmit coil and having a group of resonant frequencies. A resonant frequency in the group of resonant frequencies is different from other receive coils in the group of receive coils. A receive magnetic field is generated at a receive coil in the group of receive coils having the resonant frequency when the transmit magnetic field has a selected frequency matching the resonant frequency. The receive magnetic field attracts a rotor in the electric motor.
Abstract:
A fluid removal system includes an operative sub-system, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizing system, that is configured to operate according to an operative cycle, such as a sanitizing cycle, and is configured to output an activation signal during the operative cycle. An actuator is operatively coupled to the operative sub-system and moveably connected to a fluid removal conduit. The fluid removal conduit is closed when the actuator is in a closed position, and opened when the actuator is in an open position. The actuator moves into the open position in response to the operative sub-system outputting the activation signal. Fluid, such as ozone, within a confined space is drawn into the fluid removal conduit when the actuator is in the open position and exhausted through an exhaust port.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for detection of clear air turbulence are provided. One system includes an image capture device suitable to capture one or more images of an optical phenomenon caused by non-horizontally oriented ice crystals. The system also includes a computer processor configured to receive the one or more images from the image capture device, analyze the one or more images by comparing one or more characteristics of the one or more images to one or more threshold values, and determine based on the comparing, an occurrence of clear air turbulence.
Abstract:
A method for capturing hyperspectral images using a regular color camera. In the method, the camera takes multiple images of a scene, with the camera oriented differently for each image. For a camera carried by an aircraft or spacecraft, this allows hyperspectral imaging without the cost or weight of a hyperspectral camera.