In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<0.25, where is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) S.sub.ow(a)<0, where S.sub.ow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as .sub.wa.sub.wo.sub.oa, where is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

A moisture control assembly for use with a support beam extending through an insulation layer is provided. The insulation layer is positioned between an outer wall and an inner wall. The assembly includes: a moisture path close-out structure coupled to the insulation layer at an aperture defined through the insulation layer, the moisture path close-out structure including an opening substantially aligned with the aperture and configured to receive the support beam therethrough; and a coupling mechanism configured to secure the moisture path close-out structure to the support beam such that the moisture path close-out structure is partially pulled away from the insulation layer, the coupling mechanism and the moisture path close-out structure configured to direct liquid flow down and away from the support beam and along the insulation layer.

A moisture control assembly for use with a support beam extending through an insulation layer is provided. The insulation layer is positioned between an outer wall and an inner wall. The assembly includes: a moisture path close-out structure coupled to the insulation layer at an aperture defined through the insulation layer, the moisture path close-out structure including an opening substantially aligned with the aperture and configured to receive the support beam therethrough; and a coupling mechanism configured to secure the moisture path close-out structure to the support beam such that the moisture path close-out structure is partially pulled away from the insulation layer, the coupling mechanism and the moisture path close-out structure configured to direct liquid flow down and away from the support beam and along the insulation layer.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to synchronization of a ground support vehicle with a taxiing aircraft, so as to provide ground support services during taxi operation. After landing, a taxiing aircraft obtains a parking destination from a ground traffic controller. A first navigational route from a first location of the taxiing aircraft to the parking destination is determined. The taxiing aircraft transmits a signal indicative of the first navigational route to the ground support vehicle. A second navigational route of the ground support vehicle is determined so as to intercept the taxiing aircraft. The ground support vehicle navigates according to the determined second navigational route, and couples to the taxiing aircraft at a coupling location common to both the first and the second navigational routes. The ground support vehicle provides ground support service during continued navigation according to a coupled portion of the first navigational route.

Methods for drone-assisted inspection of aircraft and other large, mobile structures are disclosed. The drone's camera identifies the mobile structure and an inspection routine is selected from available inspection routines. A flight plan is retrieved from a database corresponding to a portion of the identified mobile structure and comprising instructions to visit positions in three-dimensional space corresponding to the points of the structure identified for inspection in the inspection routine. The drone is operated according to the retrieved flight plan and at one or more of the positions visited, data indicative of the condition of corresponding point of the structure is captured. Points of the structure where the condition of the structure appears sub-optimal are identified and their coordinates saved. On completion of the inspection, one of more points identified as sub-optimal is revisited and a further, more detailed inspection is performed under the control of an operator.

Provided is a steam jet multifunctional aircraft deicing vehicle with steam jet, includes a vehicle body, where a steam generating assembly is arranged in the vehicle body, and the steam generating assembly is connected with a steam conveying assembly. A moving assembly is rotatably connected above the vehicle body, and the moving assembly is rotatably connected with an execution assembly. The execution assembly includes a first spray head assembly and a second spray head assembly. The steam conveying assembly includes a first supercharger and a second supercharger arranged side by side, where an air outlet end of the first supercharger is communicated with one end of a first air outlet pipe, and an other end of the first air outlet pipe is communicated with spray heads of the second spray head assembly through a first air pipeline.

A method and system for automating de-icing procedures for aircraft including the transmission of messages and illumination of guidance lights for pilots to direct their aircraft for de-icing. The system further includes apparatus for generating a safety zone to provide further protection of damage or injury to personnel or aircraft or de-icing machinery.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling operations for deicing aircraft at an airport facility includes a display device configured to display a visual data presentation of deicing operations data. The visual data presentation including at least one map depicting: a visual representation of at least one aircraft participating in a deicing process, wherein the visual representation of the aircraft includes attributes identifying the aircraft and indicating a stage of the deicing process the aircraft is undergoing; and a visual representation of a deicing facility with a plurality of deicing bays for deicing aircraft, wherein the visual representation of the deicing facility presents each of the deicing bays as a distinct geofenced area with display attributes indicating an operating status of each of the deicing bays.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling operations for deicing aircraft at an airport facility includes a display device configured to display a visual data presentation of deicing operations data. The visual data presentation including at least one map depicting: a visual representation of at least one aircraft participating in a deicing process, wherein the visual representation of the aircraft includes attributes identifying the aircraft and indicating a stage of the deicing process the aircraft is undergoing; and a visual representation of a deicing facility with a plurality of deicing bays for deicing aircraft, wherein the visual representation of the deicing facility presents each of the deicing bays as a distinct geofenced area with display attributes indicating an operating status of each of the deicing bays.

A system that can include a cavity extending below ground and having a support structure, and a robotic arm that rotates from a stowed position within the cavity to a deployed position, where at least a portion of the robotic arm extends from the cavity in the deployed position. A method that can include operations of forming a cavity that extends below ground, disposing a support structure in the cavity, coupling a robotic arm to the support structure, and rotating the robotic arm from a stowed position within the cavity to a deployed position, where at least a portion of the robotic arm extends from the cavity in the deployed position.