The analysis of the available technologies of exploiting and applying biohydrocarbons for fuel production Part II

The article described the possibilities of using biohydrocarbons as self-ignition fuels, aircraft or automotive fuel components on the basis of the biotechnology implemented in the industry.

Assessment of the technical condition of welds from Al alloy grade en an 5754 using the computed tomography method

The article presents selected results of tests conducted using the X-ray method with the application of a computed tomography device with a panel detector. The tests embraced samples of butt welds using aluminium alloy grade EN AN 5754, classified as an alloy for plastic processing with very good welding properties. The welds were executed using the TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) method – arc welding using a non-consumable electrode in shielding gas. As a result of modernising the current welding process, it was possible to obtain better results of the welds’ technical condition assessed according to the number of welding defects.

Rare earth elements and their importance for economy and safety

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of elements of fundamental importance for the industry, including especially high-tech solutions. Lack of alternatives for this group of materials in some applications used in the armaments industry results in rare earth elements having a substantial impact on safety of highly developed countries. A complicated situation on the market of rare earth elements, arising out of the Chinese monopoly on the extraction and sale of REE-bearing minerals as well as huge price fluctuations caused by political turmoils contribute to the fact that the technology of extraction, processing and usage of rare earth elements is addressed in many scientific works. The article describes basic information regarding the rare earth elements, including technological, industrial and political conditions.

Energy model of change in technical condition of aircraft power plants and space propulsion systems

The publication describes an example of the energy model of change in the technical condition of aircraft power plants and space propulsion systems, which enables to shape their dependability by simultaneously ensuring the safety of flight operations and more economical operation.The approach presented in this publication has a significant research value as regards widening knowledge on shaping dependability of power plants.Further research on developing the diagnostic energy model of aircraft power plants and space propulsion systems should involve implementing in their complex structural systems the elements of artificial intelligence based on expert systems or artificial neural networks.

Use of a composite repair patches to repair the upper air intake flap for the MiG-29 aircraft engine

The Composite Patch Bonded Repair (CPBR) is one of the most cost-efficient types of aircraft structure repair. In the CPBR, the damaged structure is reinforced by applying a composite patch. The boron-epoxy composite (BFRP) is a popular choice for these types of repair. The BFRP was utilized to repair the cracked resistance welding joints in the upper flap of the MiG-29’s RD-33 engine intake. In the present paper, the numerical results are shown, along with the comparative tests of the undamaged inlet flap, the damaged inlet flap and of the CPBR repaired inlet flap.

Auxetic polyurethane foams – method for determining a softening point

The article described selected methods for determining a softening point of plastics (polymers). The way of determining a softening point of polyurethane foams was suggested. Moreover, the influence of annealing temperature of an auxetic polyurethane foam on its volume was presented.

The Analysis of the Possibility of Using Viola-Jones Algorithm to Recognise Hand Gestures in Human-Machine Interaction

The article concerns the issue of applying computer-aided systems of the maintenance of technical objects in difficult conditions. Difficult conditions shall be understood as these in which the maintenance takes place in a specific location making it hard or even preventing from using a computer. In these cases computers integrated with workwear should be used, the so-called wearable computers, with which the communication is possible by using hand gestures. The results of the analysis of the usefulness of one of methods of image recognition based on Viola-Jones algorithm were described. This algorithm enables to obtain the model of recognised image which might be used as a pattern in the application programme detecting a certain image.

Approximation of Measurement Results of “Emergency” Signal Reception Probability

The intended aim of this article is to present approximation results of the exemplary measurements of EMERGENCY signal reception probability. The probability is under-stood as a distance function between the aircraft and a ground-based system under established conditions. The measurements were approximated using the properties of logistic functions. This probability, as a distance function, enables to determine the range of the EMERGENCY signal for a pre-set confidence level.

The Analysis of the Available Technology of Exploiting and Applying Biohydrocarbons for Fuel Production Part I

The article shows the current state of knowledge in the area of applying biohydrocarbons for fuel production, especially in aeronautical applications and to power compression-ignition engines. The technologies based on biochemical and thermal/chemical conversion of biomass are described. Technological potential of these technologies is evaluated. The article is based on the literature review.

The Research of Modern Radar Equipment Conducted in the Air Force Institute of Technology by the Application of Military Aircrafts

The publication described selected issues from the research area of modern radar equipment produced by the Polish industrial plants, using military aircrafts of various types. A technical development caused a substantial improvement of detection parameters of flying objects by radar sensors what forces changes in research methods used to verify tactical and technical parameters of these devices. The article covers research methods of radar equipment, pilots’ assistive devices as well as methods of logging and processing the measurement data applied in the Research Laboratory for Radar Equipment and Aeronautical Engineering of the AFIT (pol. Laboratorium Badań Urządzeń Radarowych i Techniki Lotniczej ITWL).