Abstract: A craft comprises a hull, a wing, a hydrofoil, and a control system. The wing is configured to generate upwards aero lift as air flows past the wing to facilitate wing-borne flight of the craft. The hydrofoil is configured to generate upwards hydrofoil lift during a first mode of operation as water flows past the hydrofoil to facilitate hydrofoil-borne movement of the craft through the water. While the craft is hydrofoil-borne, the control system is configured to determine the upwards aero lift generated by the wing. The control system is further configured to control the hydrofoil to generate downwards hydrofoil lift to counteract the upwards aero lift generated by the wing that maintains the hydrofoil at least partially submerged in the water while the determined upwards aero lift is below a threshold lift.

Abstract: The present method and system provides for recognizing user intent and updating a graphical user interface. In an example, the method and system comprise collecting usage data from users, grouping users based on usage data, assigning a user intent to each group of users, training an intent prediction model using machine learning, providing access to the intent prediction model, assigning an intent to a new user using the intent prediction model, and, modifying the graphical user interface to facilitate the assigned intent of the user.

Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a housing, a suction conduit with an opening, and a leading roller mounted in front of a brush roll. An inter-roller air passageway may be defined between the leading roller and the brush roll wherein the lower portion of the leading roller is exposed to a flow path to the suction conduit and an upper portion of the leading roller is outside of the flow path. Optionally, a combing unit includes a plurality of combing protrusions extending into the leading roller and having leading edges not aligned with a center of the leading roller. Optionally, a sealing strip is located along a rear side of the opening and along a portion of left and right sides of the opening. The underside may define side edge vacuum passageways extending from the sides of the housing partially between the leading roller and the sealing strip towards the opening.

Abstract: A fan blade comprising a blade body spanning from a blade root to a blade tip in a longitudinal direction and a fluid passageway formed within the blade body and extending from the blade root to the blade tip. The blade body spanning from a leading edge to a trailing edge in a lateral direction. The fluid passageway allowing fluid to flow out of the blade.

Abstract: An example wing-in-ground effect vehicle includes (i) a main wing having main wing control surfaces; (ii) a tail having tail control surfaces; (iii) a blown-wing propulsion system arranged along the main wing or the tail; (iv) a retractable hydrofoil configured to operate in: (a) an extended configuration in which the retractable hydrofoil extends below a hull of the vehicle for submersion below a water surface and (b) a retracted configuration in which the retractable hydrofoil is retracted at least partially into the hull of the vehicle; and (v) a control system configured to maneuver the vehicle by (i) causing a change in orientation of the retractable hydrofoil when the retractable hydrofoil is operating in the extended configuration, and (ii) causing a change in orientation of the main wing control surfaces and tail control surfaces when the retractable hydrofoil is operating in the retracted configuration.

Abstract: An airborne vehicle having a body section; a main wing extending from the body section configured to generate aerodynamic lift, the main wing having one or more main wing control surfaces; and a tail assembly extending from the body section aft of the main wing. The tail assembly having a first tail member and a second tail member substantially parallel to each other. The first tail member having one or more control surfaces and the second tail member having one or more flap surfaces selectively deployable between a retracted position and an extended position. The flap surfaces being configured to increase a surface area and/or camber of the second tail member in the extended position.

Abstract: An example wing-in-ground effect vehicle includes (i) a main wing having main wing control surfaces; (ii) a tail having tail control surfaces; (iii) a blown-wing propulsion system arranged along the main wing or the tail; (iv) a retractable hydrofoil configured to operate in: (a) an extended configuration in which the retractable hydrofoil extends below a hull of the vehicle for submersion below a water surface and (b) a retracted configuration in which the retractable hydrofoil is retracted at least partially into the hull of the vehicle; and (v) a control system configured to maneuver the vehicle by (i) causing a change in orientation of the retractable hydrofoil when the retractable hydrofoil is operating in the extended configuration, and (ii) causing a change in orientation of the main wing control surfaces and tail control surfaces when the retractable hydrofoil is operating in the retracted configuration.

Abstract: An example wing-in-ground effect vehicle includes (i) a main wing having main wing control surfaces; (ii) a tail having tail control surfaces; (iii) a blown-wing propulsion system arranged along the main wing or the tail; (iv) a retractable hydrofoil configured to operate in: (a) an extended configuration in which the retractable hydrofoil extends below a hull of the vehicle for submersion below a water surface and (b) a retracted configuration in which the retractable hydrofoil is retracted at least partially into the hull of the vehicle; and (v) a control system configured to maneuver the vehicle by (i) causing a change in orientation of the retractable hydrofoil when the retractable hydrofoil is operating in the extended configuration, and (ii) causing a change in orientation of the main wing control surfaces and tail control surfaces when the retractable hydrofoil is operating in the retracted configuration.

Abstract: A power distribution system is disclosed for conducting electrical power through a combination of hollow tube conductors and flexible cabling. Each hollow tube conductor includes an end formed into flat pads. The flexible cabling comprises litz wire, and includes ends crimped to integral lugs. An end of the flexible cabling is coupled to an end of the hollow tube conductor. The other end of the flexible cabling is coupled to an electric device. The other end of the hollow tube conductor is coupled to another flexible cable, which is in turn coupled to another electric device. By connecting the hollow tube conductors, flexible cabling, and electrical devices in this way, an electrically conductive pathway may be established between the electrical devices. The power distribution system conducts alternating current (AC) power, and addresses the skin effect phenomenon that occurs when conducting AC power.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion aircraft is described having a distributed electric propulsion system. The distributed electric propulsion system includes a turbo shaft engine that drives one or more generators through a gearbox. The generator provides AC power to a plurality of ducted fans (each being driven by an electric motor). The ducted fans may be integrated with the hybrid propulsion aircraft's wings. The wings can be pivotally attached to the fuselage, thereby allowing for vertical take-off and landing. The design of the hybrid propulsion aircraft mitigates undesirable transient behavior traditionally encountered during a transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight. Moreover, the hybrid propulsion aircraft offers a fast, constant-altitude transition, without requiring a climb or dive to transition. It also offers increased efficiency in both hover and forward flight versus other VTOL aircraft and a higher forward max speed than traditional rotorcraft.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite structure, comprises applying a first composite layer to a tooling surface of a tool positioning an additive manufactured component over at least a portion of the first composite layer, and applying a second composite layer over at least a portion of the composite layer and at least a portion of the additive manufactured component, wherein at least a portion of the additive manufactured component is embedded between the first and second composite layers.

Abstract: A power distribution system is disclosed for conducting electrical power through a combination of hollow tube conductors and flexible cabling. Each hollow tube conductor includes an end formed into flat pads. The flexible cabling comprises litz wire, and includes ends crimped to integral lugs. An end of the flexible cabling is coupled to an end of the hollow tube conductor. The other end of the flexible cabling is coupled to an electric device. The other end of the hollow tube conductor is coupled to another flexible cable, which is in turn coupled to another electric device. By connecting the hollow tube conductors, flexible cabling, and electrical devices in this way, an electrically conductive pathway may be established between the electrical devices. The power distribution system conducts alternating current (AC) power, and addresses the skin effect phenomenon that occurs when conducting AC power.

Abstract: A fan blade comprising a blade body spanning from a blade root to a blade tip in a longitudinal direction and a fluid passageway formed within the blade body and extending from the blade root to the blade tip. The blade body spanning from a leading edge to a trailing edge in a lateral direction. The fluid passageway allowing fluid to flow out of the blade.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite structure, comprises applying a first composite layer to a tooling surface of a tool positioning an additive manufactured component over at least a portion of the first composite layer, and applying a second composite layer over at least a portion of the composite layer and at least a portion of the additive manufactured component, wherein at least a portion of the additive manufactured component is embedded between the first and second composite layers.

Abstract: A tooling system for fabricating a composite structure comprising a printed thermoplastic material tooling component having a non-tooling surface and a tooling surface, wherein the tooling surface defines a predetermined shape for the composite structure. The tooling system may further comprise a printed thermoplastic material tooling base structure having a plurality of non-tooling surfaces to support the printed thermoplastic material tooling component during layup or cure. The printed thermoplastic material tooling base structure may employ a support structure, such as a honeycomb support structure or a filler material.