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.

An aircraft ground support unit (1) (GSU) for supplying a specific service according to a specific set of service parameters to an aircraft (2) on the ground and consuming a specific service energy is provided that includes: a rechargeable energy storage unit (3) (RESU) for autonomously delivering the specific service energy required for supplying the specific service in the given available service duration; an energy sensor (4) for measuring an instantaneous state of energy parameters of the RESU; and a control unit. The RESU, identifying the aircraft (2), identifying in a database the specific set of service parameters for identified aircraft, establishing a specific service energy budget estimate, determining an instantaneous charge level of the RESU, comparing the specific service energy budget estimate with the instantaneous charge level of the RESU, and generating an output signal representative of a capacity of the RESU to deliver the specific service energy budget estimate as a function of the instantancous charge level.

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.

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.

Devices, systems, and methods for remote deicing/anti-icing of an aircraft are described herein. One remote operator deicing/anti-icing station located in a remote location from a deicing/anti-icing rig includes a number of remote rig control components for actuation by a remote operator, wherein the remote rig control components include a remote operator user interface, located outside of a rig being at least partially controlled by the remote operator deicing/anti-icing station, the rig including a truck and a deicing/anti-icing control cabin that controls disbursement of substances to deice/anti-ice an aircraft, and a communication device that communicates instructions from the remote operator user interface and the number of remote rig control components to the rig to control at least one of the truck and the deicing/anti-icing control cabin.

Devices, systems, and methods for remote deicing/anti-icing of an aircraft are described herein. One remote operator deicing/anti-icing station located in a remote location from a deicing/anti-icing rig includes a number of remote rig control components for actuation by a remote operator, wherein the remote rig control components include a remote operator user interface, located outside of a rig being at least partially controlled by the remote operator deicing/anti-icing station, the rig including a truck and a deicing/anti-icing control cabin that controls disbursement of substances to deice/anti-ice an aircraft, and a communication device that communicates instructions from the remote operator user interface and the number of remote rig control components to the rig to control at least one of the truck and the deicing/anti-icing control cabin.

An aircraft ground support unit (1) for supplying a service to an aircraft (3) on the ground according to a specific servicing program is provided that includes reception means (5) suitable for identifying an aircraft (3) in motion or parked on the ground by receiving information emitted by a transponder (7) of said aircraft including an instantaneous GPS coordinates of the position of the aircraft, the identity of the aircraft, the type of aircraft, and the company of the aircraft, aircraft status data. A microprocessor is provided that is suitable for selecting and implementing a predefined servicing program stored in a database corresponding to the type and company of the thus identified aircraft (3) on the basis of the information received by the reception means. A data record device is also provided that is to store the events, aircraft status data, ground unit data for airlines operation optimization.

An aircraft ground support unit (1) for supplying a service to an aircraft (3) on the ground according to a specific servicing program is provided that includes reception means (5) suitable for identifying an aircraft (3) in motion or parked on the ground by receiving information emitted by a transponder (7) of said aircraft including an instantaneous GPS coordinates of the position of the aircraft, the identity of the aircraft, the type of aircraft, and the company of the aircraft, aircraft status data. A microprocessor is provided that is suitable for selecting and implementing a predefined servicing program stored in a database corresponding to the type and company of the thus identified aircraft (3) on the basis of the information received by the reception means. A data record device is also provided that is to store the events, aircraft status data, ground unit data for airlines operation optimization.

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.