Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and associated method for a thrust-vector controlled unmanned aerial and ground vehicle are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A compound rotorcraft comprises a fuselage, a rotor coupled to the fuselage and a wing mounted to the fuselage. The rotorcraft further comprising a first outboard propeller, a first inboard propeller, a second outboard propeller, and a second inboard propeller. The first outboard propeller having a propeller body and propeller blades, the body mounted to a first wing-half at a first incidence angle. The first inboard propeller having a propeller body and propeller blades, the body mounted to the first wing-half between the first outboard propeller and the fuselage at a second incidence angle. The second outboard propeller having a propeller body and propeller blades, the body mounted to a second wing-half at a third incidence angle. The second inboard propeller comprising a propeller body and propeller blades, the body mounted to a second wing-half between the second outboard propeller in the fuselage at a fourth incidence angle.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the ground roll assist system is based on the electric in-wheel motors integrated with the main landing gear of an aircraft and linked to the aircraft control system. It is well known that modern electric motors possess superior torque density characteristics, potentially exceeding best in class internal combustion engines by more than an order of magnitude. Furthermore, electric motors performance is generally thermally limited, which makes it possible to achieve even higher performance for a short period of time.

Abstract: Insecticide dispensing devices and methods of the present technology provide for the prolonged release of insecticide for the eradication of insect populations. Insecticide dispensing devices include an attractive toxic sugar bait, and have a housing configured with at least one aperture to allow a gaseous compound to exit the internal cavity and sized to allow entry of a target insect into the internal cavity. Methods of insecticide dispensing include activating the attractive toxic sugar bait in the device, and placing the activated device in an area where insects are present.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a wing that is coupled to a body of a vehicle and configured to rotate forward from a deployed configuration, in which the wing extends from the body to a retracted configuration in which a tip portion of the wing is closer to a nose portion of the body than a root portion of the wing is to the nose portion. A hinged beam having a first portion pivotably coupled to a second portion is configured to transmit loads associated with flight from the wing to the body.

Abstract: Rodent bait station assemblies and methods for assembly and bundling.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft having an aft end is provided herein. The propulsion system can include an electric propulsion engine defining a central axis. The electric propulsion engine can include an electric motor, a fan rotatable about the central axis of the electric propulsion engine by the electric motor, a bearing supporting rotation of the fan, and a thermal management system. The thermal management system can include a lubrication oil circulation assembly for providing the bearing with lubrication oil. The lubrication oil circulation assembly can be driven independently of a shaft of the electric propulsion engine.

Abstract: A wing deployment mechanism and a design method using a pneumatic cylinder with transmission spring system (assembly) are provided. The deployment mechanism comprises frame, wing, deployment cylinder, gas canister, rotation shaft, bolts, groove, locking pin, dowel pin, flange, first spring, second spring, dowel pin hole, looking pin hole, slider, third spring. The design method includes step 1: determining the problem's specifications; step 2: constructing the equations of motion; step 3: designing a primary scheme for a system of pneumatic cylinder with transmission spring. Step 4: determining the parameters for the system; and step 5: validating the design.

Abstract: A base assembly has an upward plate, a downward plate, a side wall, a front, a back, and laterally spaced sides. A drive assembly has drive wheels extending downwardly from the downward plate, a caster wheel, and proximity sensors. A vacuum assembly has a vacuum slit in the downward plate between the lateral sides and a vacuum-generating source capable of pulling a vacuum through the vacuum slit. A tower assembly is adapted to attract and kill insects while the base assembly and the tower assembly are being optionally driven by the drive assembly and the vacuum assembly is vacuuming up insects.

Abstract: A multi-modal vehicle includes a frame, a rotor pivotally mounted to the frame, the rotor including a first position and a second position circumferentially spaced from the first position, and a motor coupled to the rotor and configured to rotate the rotor, wherein, when the rotor is disposed in the first position, the rotor is configured to generate lift when actuated by the motor, wherein, when the rotor is disposed in the second position, the rotor is configured to engage a surface to transport the vehicle when actuated by the motor.

Abstract: A wingtip device may be attached to a baseline wing of an aircraft. The wingtip device may comprise a vertical portion coupled to the baseline wing. The vertical portion may comprise a leading edge and trailing edge. The leading edge and trailing edge may be nonlinear shapes. For example, compound curves, smooth continuous higher order polynomials, or combinations thereof. The leading edge and trailing edge may be shaped as to locate the wingtip device further aft than a conventional winglet design.

Abstract: Embodiments of a payload delivery and drop device for an unmanned aerial vehicle, and method of its use are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a moveable collar defining a lumen having a centerline, and a rigid bar that has a first portion and a second portion different from the first portion. The first portion of the rigid bar has a centerline and the second portion of the rigid bar has a centerline different from the centerline of the first portion. The second portion of the rigid bar is disposed within the lumen of the collar when the rigid bar is in a first position. The centerline of the first portion of the rigid bar is substantially non-parallel to the centerline of the lumen of the moveable collar when the rigid bar is in the first position. The centerline of the second portion of the rigid bar is substantially non-parallel to the centerline of the lumen when the rigid bar is in the second position.

Abstract: A net for fishing or other purposes. The net includes a hoop frame connected to a pole by a yoke. The yoke defines sockets in which respective arms of the hoop frame and a distal end of the pole are received. Plugs in the arms of the hoop frame desirably prevent water from passing the plugs into the hoop frame. A plug in the distal end of the pole desirably prevents water from passing the plug into the pole. The yoke and plugs provide a robust connection of the hoop frame to the pole and help retain air in the hoop frame and pole for buoyancy of the net.

Abstract: The current technique provides an unmanned vehicle that is capable of travelling in the air, on the ground and/or in the water. The driving force of the unmanned vehicle is provided by at least one propelling module that includes a motor, a shaft and a propeller. The propelling module is coupled to a chassis. The chassis includes one or more support elements that each couples to one or more aileron member. An aileron member is configured to tilt with or about the support element to change fluid flux about the aileron member and thus change a position of the propelling force.

Abstract: Drones with propulsions systems supported in a housing are provided where the orientation of the housing is independent from the orientation of the propulsion system. Drones are provided where a propulsion system is rotatable about a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, permitting the propulsion system to assume substantially any position with a sphere. Drones are provided where a bladeless inner tube is rotatable about a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, permitting the inner tube to assume substantially any position within a sphere. Drone systems are provided with connectable unit drones. An unmanned land vehicle is provided having a wheel assembly that is rotatable about a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, permitting the wheel assembly to assume substantially any position with a sphere.

Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe, ducted fans, and ducts for carrying pressurized air for lift and thrust supplied by the fans. The ducts form part of the airframe and carry static and dynamic loads applied to the airframe. Ducting members supply lift and thrust and transmit them to other airframe components. The ducts also carry the ducted air to exits set distant from the fans to permit flight control of the aircraft. Ducting members also form airfoils creating lift for the aircraft.

Abstract: A blade body of a fishing lure comprises a first protruding side and a second protruding side, creating a gap, and a jig body connected to the blade body such that when the blade body and jig body are connected and pulled through water, the blade body moves in a side to side motion limited by contact between the jig body and the first and second protruding sides.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for gas transport is disclosed. The UAV includes a fuselage enclosing a volume, and a gas reservoir enclosed within the fuselage, filling at least a majority of the volume. The gas reservoir is configured to receive and store a gas at a pressure no greater than 100 bar. The UAV also includes a propulsion system having at least one engine, each of the at least one engine coupled to a prop that is driven by the at least one engine using energy derived from the gas stored in the gas reservoir. The UAV also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the propulsion system and configured to operate the unmanned aerial vehicle to autonomously transport the gas. The UAV may have a footprint while on the ground, and the footprint of the UAV may be no larger than three standard parking spaces.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that transitions in-flight between vertical flight configuration and horizontal flight configuration by changing an orientation of the UAV by approximately ninety degrees. The UAV may include propulsion units that are coupled to a wing. The wing may include wing segments rotatably coupled together by pivots that rotate to position the propulsion units around a center of mass of the UAV when the fuselage is oriented perpendicular with the horizon. In this vertical flight configuration, the UAV may perform vertical flight or hover. During the vertical flight, the UAV may cause the wing to extend outward via the pivots such that the wing segments become positioned substantially parallel to one another and the wing resembles a conventional fixed wing. With the wing extended, the UAV assumes a horizontal flight configuration that provides upward lift generated from the wing.

Abstract: A buoyant aerial vehicle includes: a balloon configured to store a gas; a payload coupled to the balloon; and a propulsion unit coupled to the payload by a tether. The propulsion unit includes: a fuselage having a substantially longitudinal shape, a first end, and a second end; a primary airfoil coupled to the fuselage; a secondary airfoil coupled to the fuselage at one of the first end or the second end; and a thrust generating device disposed at one of the first end or the second end and configured to move the propulsion unit relative to the payload along a propulsion flight path. The movement of the propulsion unit imparts movement of the buoyant aerial vehicle along a vehicle flight path.