B64D2045/0085

SENSORS INCORPORATED INTO AIRBORNE VEHICLE COMPONENTS TO DETECT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES
20230017082 · 2023-01-19 · ·

A disclosed airborne vehicle includes split-ring resonators (split ring resonators), which may be embedded within a material. Each split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. Each split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, each may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PRIORITIZATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS IN AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
20230219682 · 2023-07-13 · ·

A system for the prioritization of flight controls in an electric aircraft is illustrated. The system includes a plurality of flight components, a sensor, and a computing device. The plurality of flight components are coupled to the electric aircraft. The sensor is coupled to each flight component of the plurality of flight components. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect a failure event of a flight component of the plurality of flight components and generate a failure datum associated to the flight component of the plurality of flight components. The computing device is communicatively connected to the sensor and is configured to receive the failure datum associated to the flight component of the plurality of flight component from the sensor, determine a prioritization element as a function of the failure datum, and restrict at least a flight element as a function of the prioritization element.

WEAR ESTIMATION FOR WEAR LINER BEARINGS
20230008322 · 2023-01-12 · ·

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for estimating wear in aircraft rotor systems. Data associated with loads and motions of a swashplate actuator is collected. The swashplate actuator drives a swashplate and at least one control link is coupled to the swashplate. The loads and motions of the at least one control link is estimated based upon the loads and motions of the swashplate actuator. Using a wear model, the current wear of control link components is estimated due to the loads and motions of the at least one control link. Wear estimates for the components are aggregated across multiple flights and used to determine when maintenance actions should occur.

Aircraft monitoring system and method for electric or hybrid aircrafts

This disclosure describes at least embodiments of an aircraft monitoring system for an electric or hybrid airplane. The aircraft monitoring system can be constructed to enable the electric or hybrid aircraft to pass certification requirements relating to a safety risk analysis. The aircraft monitoring system can have different subsystems for monitoring and alerting of failures of a component, such as a battery pack, a motor controller, and/or a motors. The failures that pose a greater safety risk may be monitored and indicated by one or more subsystems without use of programmable components.

Monitoring health of safety brakes in auxiliary lift devices
11697510 · 2023-07-11 · ·

An aircraft system monitors health of passive safety brakes on a plurality of auxiliary lift wing devices of an aircraft wing. The wing includes an actuator driveline, and a plurality of actuators are secured to the driveline for extending and retracting the auxiliary lift wing devices. Each actuator incorporates a passive safety brake, and a flight computer enables the actuators to synchronously extend and retract the auxiliary lift wing devices. Torque sensors are fixed to the actuator driveline, each torque sensor being positioned adjacent an actuator for sensing static torque values at that actuator location. When an aerodynamic load acting on any one extended auxiliary lift wing device creates a higher static torque value at one actuator location relative to others, the aircraft system generates a warning signal and/or message to indicate occurrence of a potential safety brake failure within the one actuator.

System and method for data recording and transmission for propeller balancing

A data recording and transmission method and system for use in balancing a propeller of an aircraft. The method comprises operating the propeller in-flight, receiving, during operation of the propeller in-flight, vibration data associated with the propeller, retrieving, from a non-volatile memory on-board the aircraft, configuration data associated with the propeller, and transmitting the vibration data and the configuration data to a data processing device configured to determine a balancing solution for the propeller based one the vibration data and the configuration data.

Metamaterial-based substrate for piezoelectric energy harvesters

A metamaterial-based substrate (meta-substrate) for piezoelectric energy harvesters. The design of the meta-substrate combines kirigami and auxetic topologies to create a high-performance platform including preferable mechanical properties of both metamaterial morphable structures. The creative design of the meta-substrate can improve strain-induced vibration applications in structural health monitoring, internet-of-things systems, micro-electromechanical systems, wireless sensor networks, vibration energy harvesters, and other applications whose efficiency is dependent on their deformation performance. The meta-substrate energy harvesting device includes a meta-material substrate comprising an auxetic frame having two kirigami cuts and a piezoelectric element adhered to the auxetic frame by means of a thin layer of elastic glue.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISCONNECTING A BATTERY ASSEMBLY FROM AN ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

A system for disconnecting a battery from an electric aircraft upon impact. The system includes an electric aircraft and a battery assembly electrically coupled to the electric aircraft. The battery assembly is configured to include at least a sensor. The at least a sensor is configured to detect impacts to the electric aircraft. The battery assembly is configured to include a connector. The connector attaches the battery assembly to the electric aircraft. The connector includes an electrically actuating disconnection mechanism. The battery assembly is configured to include a control circuit. The control circuit is electrically connected to the electrically actuating disconnection mechanism. The control circuit is configured to detect, using the at least a sensor, an impact to the aircraft. The control sensor disconnects the connector from the electric aircraft using the electrically actuating disconnection mechanism as a function of the detection of impacts to the electric aircraft.

MISSION-ADAPTABLE PROCEDURES FOR AIRCRAFT

Systems and methods for mission-based path modifications are presented herein. One or more processors may be coupled with memory and housed in a vehicle. The one or more processors may receive data indicative of an issue with at least one function of the vehicle during a mission defined by a type of cargo and a flight path comprising a plurality of segments. The one or more processors may determine, responsive to the issue with the at least one function, an action to perform for the vehicle based on the issue, a current segment of the plurality of segments, and the mission. The one or more processors may execute, during the current segment or a subsequent segment of the plurality of segments, the action on the vehicle.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING A QUALITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR AN AIRCRAFT TO PERFORM A FLIGHT PROCEDURE

Systems and methods for presenting a qualitative risk assessment for an aircraft to perform a flight procedure. Methods include determining: a pilot support value that is representative of a human-machine interface (HMI) onboard the aircraft; a crew factors value representative of a number of pilots and respective experience; an equipment state value of the aircraft, representing available and functioning avionic systems; a type of procedure for the flight procedure; a remaining trip length; an airport facilities state value; an Airport facilities state value; a physical environment value; and, an environmental state value. The method calculates the qualitative risk assessment, as a function of the determined values/factors and presents the qualitative risk assessment in a predefined area on an avionic display in the aircraft.