A compact load cell that simultaneously measures normal and shear forces in a load plane offset from a sensor plane by a distance h. The compact load cell comprises at least three force sensing elements (preferably four) arranged in the sensor plane about a point and spaced a distance d from the point. All force sensing elements may be spaced by the same distance or the distance may be different for one or more force sensing elements. Each force sensing element comprises a pressure sensor encased in a force transmission medium. A load plate is in contact with the force transmission medium and a load beam is connected at one end to the load plate above the point of the sensor plane and extends to the load plane. Forces acting in the load plane are transmitted to the sensor plane by the load beam and load plate. The forces are resolved to determine the normal and shear forces acting at the load plane. The compact load cell may be applied to determine forces acting on, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle.

A method and system includes predicting energy consumption of a vehicle using a statistical model. The method includes obtaining a plurality of input vectors for plurality of points in time, wherein each input vector includes a plurality of variables with a weight vector. Thereafter, the energy level for each input vector is captured for each point in time. Subsequent to capturing the energy level, the method includes predicting a change in energy level of the vehicle using the statistical model.

A method and system includes predicting energy consumption of a vehicle using a statistical model. The method includes obtaining a plurality of input vectors for plurality of points in time, wherein each input vector includes a plurality of variables with a weight vector. Thereafter, the energy level for each input vector is captured for each point in time. Subsequent to capturing the energy level, the method includes predicting a change in energy level of the vehicle using the statistical model.

An improved system, apparatus and method for estimating thrust from an engine, and more specifically, a system for estimating thrust from strain gauge and accelerometer measurements. At least one strain gauge is mounted on an engine mount to measure strain to estimate a constant velocity or steady-state portion of thrust. At least one accelerometer is mounted on the vehicle to measure acceleration to estimate a transient portion of thrust. Steady-state thrust estimation and transient thrust estimation are combined to estimate thrust from the engine. An algorithm provides steps for estimating thrust from strain gauge and accelerometer measurements.

Systems and methods for operating a rotorcraft engine are described herein. Measurements indicative of at least one of current temperature and current pressure at an inlet of the engine are obtained from at least one sensor while the rotorcraft is in flight. At least one current inlet loss is determined from the measurements. Current available engine power of the rotorcraft engine is determined based on the at least one current inlet losses. A visual indication of the current available engine power is produced via a flight display.

A composite climb structure includes a climber, a horizontal planar structure, and a ramp coupled on to a base plate. The horizontal planar structure and the ramp are collinearly situated on opposite sides of the climber. The climber is pressed by a robotic vehicle moving on to it from the horizontal planar structure, the climber being pressed to a final position, wherein the angle of elevation (BOC) of the climber is same as the angle of elevation of the ramp, thereby facilitating traversal of the robotic vehicle from the horizontal planar structure on to the ramp.

A deflection measurement assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nacelle arranged about an axis to define a flow path, a cable assembly arranged at least partially about the axis, and a transducer coupled to the cable assembly.

A method of calibrating a gas turbine engine having a propulsive fan, and an engine core, the method including: measuring a total thrust generated by the engine; measuring the thrust generated by the engine core; measuring first and second engine performance parameters; based on the total thrust and engine core thrust, determining a thrust generated by the propulsive fan; providing a first power setting parameter associating the fan thrust with the first engine performance parameter; and providing a second power setting parameter associating the engine core thrust with the second engine performance parameter.

A system for analysing an energy efficiency of a vehicle having at least one drive device which is configured to generate mechanical drive force by converting energy, wherein the system has a first device, in particular a sensor, configured for detecting a first data record of at least one first parameter which is suitable for characterizing energy which is consumed by the vehicle, a second device, in particular a sensor, configured for detecting a second data record of at least one second parameter which is suitable for characterizing a driving resistance which the vehicle overcomes, a third device, in particular a sensor, configured for detecting a third data record of at least one third parameter which is suitable for characterizing at least one driving state of the vehicle, a first comparison device, which is in particular part of a data processing device, configured for comparing the values of the third data record with predefined parameter ranges which correspond to at least one driving state, an assignment device (8), which is in particular part of a data processing device, configured for assigning the values of the first data record and the values of the second data record to the respectively present at least one driving state, and a processing device, which is in particular part of a data processing device, configured for determining at least one characteristic value which characterizes the energy efficiency of the vehicle, on the basis of the first data record and of the second data record as a function of the at least one driving state.

A system for analysing an energy efficiency of a vehicle having at least one drive device which is configured to generate mechanical drive force by converting energy, wherein the system has a first device, in particular a sensor, configured for detecting a first data record of at least one first parameter which is suitable for characterizing energy which is consumed by the vehicle, a second device, in particular a sensor, configured for detecting a second data record of at least one second parameter which is suitable for characterizing a driving resistance which the vehicle overcomes, a third device, in particular a sensor, configured for detecting a third data record of at least one third parameter which is suitable for characterizing at least one driving state of the vehicle, a first comparison device, which is in particular part of a data processing device, configured for comparing the values of the third data record with predefined parameter ranges which correspond to at least one driving state, an assignment device (8), which is in particular part of a data processing device, configured for assigning the values of the first data record and the values of the second data record to the respectively present at least one driving state, and a processing device, which is in particular part of a data processing device, configured for determining at least one characteristic value which characterizes the energy efficiency of the vehicle, on the basis of the first data record and of the second data record as a function of the at least one driving state.