The Boeing Company

Greg L Sheffield

Matthew Kyle Fay

Rongsheng Li

Tim A Murphy

A navigation, take-off, and landing support system (NTLS) that facilitates vertical landing at a landing area by an aerial vehicle comprises a plurality of pseudolites distributed proximate the landing area. Each pseudolite is configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal that facilitates determining, by the aerial vehicle, its position and velocity relative to the pseudolite and whether the pseudolite is operating within a nominal operating range. A monitoring receiver is positioned proximate the landing area and is configured to receive RF signals from the pseudolites. A control system is in communication with the pseudolites and the monitoring receiver. The control system is configured to determine, based on the RF signals received from the monitoring receiver, whether the pseudolites are operating within a nominal operating range and to indicate to each of the pseudolites whether the pseudolite is operating within a nominal operating range.

System and method that facilitates precision landing of an aerial vehicle

A sensor for monitoring and testing for both possible fractures and corrosion in structural elements is disclosed. A frangible material layer including a thin breakable conductor sense loop and a resilient material layer including a conductive corrosion sense loop bonded on top of the frangible layer form an assembly which is bonded to a structural element to be tested. Portions of the conductive corrosion sense loop are exposed through weep holes in the resilient material layer. A fracture in the bonded structural element induces a disruption in both the frangible membrane and the thin breakable conductor sense loop and corrosion of the conductive corrosion sense loop changes its electrical properties. Measured electrical property changes of the disrupted conductor sense loop and/or the conductive corrosion sense loop reveal possible damage. Both sensor layers may utilize a single shared wireless communications tag to couple to an electrical measuring device.

Hybrid resilient and frangible layered structural health sensor

A sensor device for monitoring and testing for potential corrosion of structural elements is disclosed. A membrane including a thin conductor sense loop within it may be disposed near a structural element to be monitored. Measured changes in the electrical properties of the conductor sense loop reveal corrosion of the conductor and can indicate potential corrosion in the structural element. The sensor may also be implemented as a gasket. Connection to the sensor device may be through a connector or using a wireless reader which remotely energizes the sensor device.

Growing community of inventors

O'Fallon, MO, United States of America

Greg L Sheffield