Abstract: An aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has two pairs of wings: an aft pair and a fore pair. Each wing has a thrust-angle motor. An assembly is coupled to each thrust-angle motor. Assemblies coupled to the fore wings have a propeller motor with a propeller and a landing element which is a wheel or a landing foot. When in forward flight, the propeller rotational axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and the landing element is pointing toward the aft of the aeronautical apparatus to limit the drag presented by the landing element. When in vertical flight or hovering, the propeller rotational axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the fuselage and the landing element is deployed downward to facilitate landing.

Abstract: An electric VTOL aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has folding wings each having an inboard wing portion coupled to an outboard portion via a hinge. Folding wings are known to be used during flight, although using a motor to fold and unfold the wings. In the present disclosure, the motor with its concomitant weight and complication is obviated or reduced by making the rotational axis of the hinge such that end of the hinge on the leading edge of the wing is displaced more outboard and lower than the end of the hinge on the trailing edge to allow the wing to fold and unfold passively. When in forward flight, a folded wing has more of the underside of the wing facing the flow, which pushes the wing upward, i.e., unfolding the wing. When the aeronautical apparatus transitions to vertical flight, gravity pulls the wings downward into the folded position.

Abstract: An aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has two pairs of wings: an aft pair and a fore pair. Each wing has a thrust-angle motor. An assembly is coupled to each thrust-angle motor. Assemblies coupled to the wings have a propeller motor with a propeller and a control surface. The control surface provides lift when in forward flight. In vertical flight or hovering, the control surface, if it remains fixed with respect to the fuselage, i.e., in the position which provides lift in forward flight, produces significant drag. However, by rotating the control surfaces with the propeller motor, the drag from the control surfaces is significantly reduced. The control surfaces are outboard the propellers in some embodiments and inboard in others. In the latter case, the control surface is part of the trailing edge of the wing.

Abstract: An aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has two pairs of wings: an aft pair and a fore pair. Each wing has a thrust-angle motor. An assembly is coupled to each thrust-angle motor. Assemblies coupled to the fore wings have a propeller motor with a propeller and a landing element which is a wheel or a landing foot. When in forward flight, the propeller rotational axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and the landing element is pointing toward the aft of the aeronautical apparatus to limit the drag presented by the landing element. When in vertical flight or hovering, the propeller rotational axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the fuselage and the landing element is deployed downward to facilitate landing.

Abstract: An aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has two pairs of wings. Each wing has a thrust-angle motor. A propeller and propeller motor are coupled to each thrust-angle motor. Propeller pitch is controlled by a propeller-pitch motor. The thrust-angle motor allows the propeller axis of rotation to be parallel to the fuselage's longitudinal axis; vertical (perpendicular to longitudinal axis, as in well-known fixed-position, four-propeller drones); and any position between as well as a given range exceeding these bounds which is used for control. An electronic control unit is electronically coupled to the thrust-angle motors, propeller motors, and propeller-pitch motors, which can be independently controlled, to provide the desired thrust and trajectory. Such an apparatus can provide efficient operation in vertical take-off/landing (hovering) and forward (translational) flight modes.

Abstract: An aeronautical apparatus is disclosed that has two pairs of wings. Each wing has a thrust-angle motor. A propeller and propeller motor are coupled to each thrust-angle motor. Propeller pitch is controlled by a propeller-pitch motor. The thrust-angle motor allows the propeller axis of rotation to be parallel to the fuselage's longitudinal axis; vertical (perpendicular to longitudinal axis, as in well-known fixed-position, four-propeller drones); and any position between as well as a given range exceeding these bounds which is used for control. An electronic control unit is electronically coupled to the thrust-angle motors, propeller motors, and propeller-pitch motors, which can be independently controlled, to provide the desired thrust and trajectory. Such an apparatus can provide efficient operation in vertical take-off/landing (hovering) and forward (translational) flight modes.