A computer-implemented method for space frame design involves constructing a load stress map in a geometrical boundary representation of a design space, defining attachment points and load application points in the design space, creating a starting network of interconnecting lines between each two of the attachment points and load application points in the design space, assigning load application factors to each line of the starting network of interconnecting lines based on values of the load stress map, generating potential space frame designs by culling different subsets of lines of the starting network of interconnecting lines for each potential space frame design according to variable culling parameters, evaluating the potential space frame designs with respect to optimization parameters, combining the culling parameters for the potential space frame designs the performance score of which is above a predefined performance threshold, and iterating the steps of generating potential space frame designs and evaluating the potential space frame designs on the basis of the combined culling parameters.

A computer-implemented method for space frame design involves constructing a load stress map in a geometrical boundary representation of a design space, defining attachment points and load application points in the design space, creating a starting network of interconnecting lines between each two of the attachment points and load application points in the design space, assigning load application factors to each line of the starting network of interconnecting lines based on values of the load stress map, generating potential space frame designs by culling different subsets of lines of the starting network of interconnecting lines for each potential space frame design according to variable culling parameters, evaluating the potential space frame designs with respect to optimization parameters, combining the culling parameters for the potential space frame designs the performance score of which is above a predefined performance threshold, and iterating the steps of generating potential space frame designs and evaluating the potential space frame designs on the basis of the combined culling parameters.

An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib in which respective stiffeners are represented by a collection of geometry within a solid model of the rib, and perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Identifying the properties may include, extracting a section cut of the geometry that corresponds to and has one or more properties of the respective stiffener, and identifying the properties of the cross-section and thereby the respective stiffener based on a correlation of the cross-section to a generic profile of a plurality of different cross-sections.

An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib in which respective stiffeners are represented by a collection of geometry within a solid model of the rib, and perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Identifying the properties may include, extracting a section cut of the geometry that corresponds to and has one or more properties of the respective stiffener, and identifying the properties of the cross-section and thereby the respective stiffener based on a correlation of the cross-section to a generic profile of a plurality of different cross-sections.

A sealant is provided for use on an aircraft or other vehicle. The sealant may be used with a gasket. The sealant is a perimeter seal that comprises a polyurea member. The polyurea member is a self-curing, two-component mix. It may cure to a hardness in the range of about 40 to 100 (Shore A). It may maintain an adequate peel strength to withstand multiple thermal and pressure cycling, and may have a working life, wherein it may be shaped, of less than about eleven minutes.

An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib, and based thereon perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Performing the analysis may include importing a plurality of section cuts into a finite element model of the rib and thereby identifying nodes proximate the section cuts. Under an external load, internal load distributions may be extracted from elements proximate the nodes and elements, and the failure rate of the leading edge rib under the external load may be predicted based on the internal load distributions of the elements.

A number of landings of an aircraft tire is counted according to a method that includes: measuring a physical quantity of air contained inside the tire, the measuring taking place in a discontinuous mode; determining at least one indicator relating to the physical quantity; comparing the at least one indicator with a predetermined threshold associated with the tire; and, if the at least one indicator is greater than the predetermined threshold associated with the tire, incrementing the number of landings of the tire.

A propeller health monitoring system for an aircraft includes an aircraft having one or more propellers that includes light in or on them. The system includes one or more receptors mounted to a fuselage or a nacelle of the aircraft, each receptor having a sensor surface which is able to detect a position for each light beam crossing over the sensor surface as the propeller rotates, such that the receptor generates a signal that is indicative of the position as a measure of blade tip trajectory for each passing propeller blade The system also includes a processing unit which analyses the signals from the receptor to determine health of the propeller blades of the one or more propellers based on where the beams of light from the propeller blades have crossed over the sensor surface.

A propeller health monitoring system for an aircraft includes an aircraft having one or more propellers that includes light in or on them. The system includes one or more receptors mounted to a fuselage or a nacelle of the aircraft, each receptor having a sensor surface which is able to detect a position for each light beam crossing over the sensor surface as the propeller rotates, such that the receptor generates a signal that is indicative of the position as a measure of blade tip trajectory for each passing propeller blade The system also includes a processing unit which analyses the signals from the receptor to determine health of the propeller blades of the one or more propellers based on where the beams of light from the propeller blades have crossed over the sensor surface.

Systems and methods for assessing and quantifying the environmental impact on a mechanical component are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include receiving one or more first set(s) of data from one or more first data acquisition system(s) configured to communicate with an onboard system of an aircraft. The method can further include receiving one or more second sets of data from one or more second data acquisition systems that are remote from the aircraft. The method can include determining an aggregate amount of the environmental condition experienced by a mechanical component of the aircraft based at least in part on the first sets of data and the second sets of data. The method can include predicting a level of distress associated with the mechanical component based at least in part on the aggregate amount of the environmental condition experienced by the mechanical component.