Abstract: A door roller includes a carriage member comprising a plurality of bores, and a plurality of roller assemblies connected to the carriage member, each roller assembly of the plurality of roller assemblies including a pivot bearing rotatably disposed within a bore of the plurality of bores and a pair of rollers coupled to the pivot bearing. Each wheel assembly is configured to pivot relative to the carriage member.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a vertical-lift augmentation system for an aircraft includes a fan bank mounted to the aircraft in proximity to a wing of the aircraft, where the fan bank may include at least one fan. The vertical-lift augmentation system also includes a panel movably attached to the aircraft in relation to the fan bank, where the panel is adjustable between at least a first position in which the panel encloses the fan bank in the aircraft and a second position in which the panel at least partially exposes the fan bank.

Abstract: A ducted fan of an aircraft includes a rotor-side fan and a stator-side duct that surrounds the rotor-side fan radially at the outside and that defines a flow channel for air flowing via the fan. The stator-side duct has an inner wall facing toward the fan, an outer wall averted from the fan, and at least one stiffening strut that runs within the flow channel. The stiffening strut, at one respective end, extends through the duct and protrudes radially relative to the outer wall of the duct. At the respective end of the stiffening strut, a fastening device is formed. The fastening device is configured to mount the ducted fan on a structural component of the aircraft. The fastening device has an insert composed of a fiber-reinforced plastic and laminated into the respective end of the stiffening strut.

Abstract: A tandem-tiltrotor apparatus, comprising a right-wing, a pin extending substantially in an inboard-outboard direction of the aircraft, a leadingedge-leaf connected to the hollow-pin providing the leadingedge-leaf 1-degree of rotational freedom around the pin. A tandem-tiltrotor power apparatus, comprising a right-wing, a front-wingleaf, hollow-pin extending substantially in an inboard-outboard direction of the aircraft, a leadingedge-leaf connected to a pin providing the leadingedge-leaf having 1-degree of rotational freedom around the hollow-pin, and a power cable threaded through the hollow-pin. A tandem-tiltrotor link apparatus, comprising a right-wing, a hollow-pin extending substantially in a inboard-outboard direction of the aircraft, a leadingedge-leaf having 1-degree of rotational freedom around the hollow-pin, a frontlink, fixed to the leadingedge-leaf lower surface and a frontlink-hinge fixed to the frontlink.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for seeding a cloud cell, comprising means for conveying an active substance and means for delivering said active substance. In order to comply with standard and safety requirements, said device comprises aerostatic means that cooperate with the means for conveying said active substance. The invention further concerns a system for seeding a cloud cell, comprising a seeding device according to the invention and a remote electronic entity capable of communicating with said device via communication means over a wired or wireless link.

Abstract: An aircraft and a control yoke for operating the aircraft. The control yoke includes a base, a handle for manual operation of the aircraft, and a graphical communication device centered at the base for receiving a command from an operator and autonomously operating the aircraft according to the received command.

Abstract: This patent presents an attitude determination and control system based on a Quaternion Kalman Filter (QKF) with an extendable number of sensors and actuators. Furthermore, it is compatible with the spherical motor as its attitude actuator. The system includes a processor with a QKF, at least one direct attitude actuator, and at least two environmental sensors. Firstly, system dynamics calculates a first propagation attitude determination result. Next, update the first propagation with the attitude sensor measurements. Then, control the satellite's attitude via the attitude actuator closer to the attitude command provided by the user. The proposed system dynamic model could adjust the number of actuators and sensors freely without reprogramming the algorithms for new missions with new configurations on the actuators and sensors. Moreover, if some components fail, the algorithm can automatically remove those related sequences to avoid the overall failure of the system.

Abstract: An aircraft airfoil having an internal thrust unit and an aircraft having the same are provided. The airfoil includes a skin structure having a lower surface extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil over which air flows during forward flight. A thrust system is connected to the skin structure and includes a thrust unit generating an airflow that is at least partially expelled through an outlet in the lower surface of the skin structure. At least one outlet cover is connected to the skin structure and movable between a forward flight position, in which the at least one outlet cover is configured to deflect the airflow in an at least partially rearward direction, and a vertical flight position, in which the at least one outlet cover is substantially clear of the airflow which is directed in an at least partially downward direction.

Abstract: An aircraft safety system includes impact energy reduction systems including: an aircraft parachute, at least one rotor configured for autorotation, and an energy absorbing system. An automatic control system uses data from speed and altitude sensors to selectively and sequentially deploy the impact energy reduction systems depending on the portion of the aircraft speed and altitude flight envelope in which the aircraft is operating when an emergency is detected.

Abstract: A ducted-rotor aircraft includes a fuselage, first and second ducts, and a spindle that is coupled to the fuselage. Each duct includes a rotor having a plurality of blades. The first and second ducts are coupled to opposed ends of the spindle. The spindle is rotatably coupled to the fuselage with first and second bearings. The first bearing is configured to react to radial loads and the second bearing is configured to react to both radial and axial loads. The spindle includes a shaft, first and second fittings secured to opposed ends of the shaft, and first and second attachment interfaces that are attachable to the first and second ducts. The attachment interfaces may be integral with the fittings. Alternatively, the fittings may be configured to be secured to the attachment interfaces with fasteners.

Abstract: An aerodynamic body includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes a first portion of a first axisymmetric body. The lower surface is mated with the upper surface. The lower surface includes a waverider shape. The waverider shape is derived from the shockwave generated by a second axisymmetric body.

Abstract: Flap actuation systems for aircraft are described herein. An example flap actuation system includes a fixed beam coupled to and extending downward from a fixed wing portion of an aircraft wing and a rocking lever plate pivotably coupled to the fixed beam. The rocking lever plate is coupled to a forward end of a flap bracket disposed on a bottom side of a flap of the wing. The flap actuation system also includes a crank arm, a crank rod coupled between the crank arm and the rocking lever plate, and a flap link coupled between the rocking lever plate and an aft end of the flap bracket, such that actuation of the crank arm pivots the rocking lever plate to move the flap between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the fixed wing portion.

Abstract: A fully compounding rotorcraft includes a fuselage having first and second wings extending therefrom and configured to provide lift compounding responsive to forward airspeed. A twin boom includes first and second tail boom members that extend aftward from the first and second wings. An empennage is coupled between the aft ends of the tail boom members. An anti-torque system includes a tail rotor that is rotatably coupled to the empennage. An engine is disposed within the fuselage and is configured to provide torque to a main rotor assembly via an output shaft and a main rotor gearbox. An auxiliary propulsive system is coupled to the fuselage and is configured to generate a propulsive thrust to offload at least a portion of a thrust requirement from the main rotor during forward flight, thereby providing propulsion compounding to increase the forward airspeed of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: Example aircraft spoiler actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example spoiler actuation system includes a rotary actuator, a first output shaft coupled to the rotary actuator, a second output shaft coupled to the rotary actuator, the first output shaft opposite the second output shaft, a first actuator rod coupled to the spoiler at a first location, and a second actuator rod coupled to the spoiler at a second location, the second location spaced apart from the first location. The rotary actuator is operatively coupled to the first actuator rod via the first output shaft and to the second actuator rod via the second output shaft to cause the spoiler to move between one of a stowed position and a raised position or the stowed position and a drooped position.

Abstract: The flying object according to one embodiment comprises: a main body; a main wing formed on a side surface of the main body; a duct-shaped first propulsion part which is provided outside the main wing and can be tilted; a second propulsion part arranged behind the main body; horizontal tail wings formed on both side surfaces of the second propulsion part; and a control part for controlling the movement of the first propulsion part, second propulsion part, and horizontal tail wings, wherein the control part controls the second propulsion part and the horizontal tail wings according to the tilt angle of the first propulsion part.

Abstract: An aircraft is configured with a propulsion system having a rotor with both cyclic and collective control, and an axis of rotation about which the propulsion system rotates with respect to the fuselage. A control system is configured to use torque generated through cyclic control of the rotor to reposition the propulsion system around the axis of rotation without the need for an independent actuator mechanism to rotate the propulsion system, thus reducing the weight and mechanical complexity of the aircraft. The control system may also utilize the torque provided by one or more rotors to position one or more wings with respect to the airflow over the aircraft, exerting torque on the aircraft to control the direction of the aircraft.

Abstract: A proprotor system for a ducted aircraft convertible between a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode includes a plurality of proprotor blades and a duct surrounding the proprotor blades. The duct includes an adaptive geometry device movable into various positions including a hover position and a cruise position. One or more actuators coupled to the adaptive geometry device are configured to move the adaptive geometry device between the hover position and the cruise position based on the flight mode of the ducted aircraft, thereby improving flight performance of the ducted aircraft.

Abstract: A rotorcraft, and, more particularly, to a rotorcraft with a fuselage having a center line, at least one main rotor that generates vortices during operation, and a stabilizer wing, whereby the stabilizer wing has a planform that reduces the unsteady aerodynamic loads caused by the wake of the at least one main rotor. In particular, the stabilizer wing may be provided with a left wing tip, a right wing tip, a quarter chord line with a non-zero curvature, such that an interaction between the vortices generated by the at least one main rotor and the quarter chord line is spread out over time, a leading edge that is arc-shaped, and a trailing edge that is arc-shaped.

Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and a propulsion assembly. The propulsion assembly includes at least one fan rotor placed behind the fuselage as an extension thereof along a longitudinal axis, and a nacelle which forms a fairing of the at least one fan rotor through which at least one air flow passes. The aircraft comprises a plurality of stator radial arms mounted upstream of the at least one fan rotor and extending between the fuselage and the nacelle. The radial arms comprise at least one variable-pitch movable portion configured to axially divert the air flow.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a ducted fan assembly includes a housing that further includes a rotor. The ducted fan assembly also includes a rim that extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the ducted fan assembly, where the rim defines an opening surrounding at least a portion of the housing. The ducted fan assembly also includes a skin that is attached to the rim and extends around the at least a portion of a perimeter of the ducted fan assembly to form a leading edge of the ducted fan assembly. The ducted fan assembly also includes a blade positioned on the rim underneath the skin.