Abstract: A replaceable thrust generating structure for an air vehicle, which includes one or more mounts, which are attachable to the air vehicle, and a thrust generating structure attached to each of the one or more mounts, and wherein the thrust generating structure includes an NMSET element.

Abstract: A thermal transpiration device and method of making the same. The device includes a pair of membranes having predetermined thicknesses in order to provide the device with strength and rigidity. The thickness of a portion of each membrane is reduced in the area where thermal transpiration occurs in order to optimize the effectiveness of the thermal transpiration device without scarifying structural integrity of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control movement of a vehicle using a plurality of thrust-producing devices formed in at least one control surface is disclosed. A supply of power to the plurality of thrust-producing devices that are configured to propel gas through the control surface to produce thrust is controlled such that a physical displacement of the control surface is generated. The physical displacement is in accordance with the supply of power to the plurality of thrust-producing devices and controls the movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A non-fouling, bypass filter is disclosed. The filter is formed of a tapered structure having particulate material filtering properties. The tapered structure has an open base and a closed top, with its exterior surface being exposed to a gas/fluid stream to be filtered. A gas/fluid stream generating device generates a gas/fluid stream that is drawn into the tapered structure's interior and that is filtered due to the particulate material filtering properties of the tapered structure. The external profile of the conically shaped structure is adapted to cause a plurality of gas/fluid streams from the ambient gas/fluid to flow against the exterior surface of the tapered structure to prevent the building up of particulate material on the exterior surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a partial vacuum in a cavity are disclosed. In one method, a suction unit is disposed on a surface and includes a plurality of embedded suction generation devices that suction gas therethrough. The suction generating devices are powered-on to form a cavity defined by at least the surface and the suction unit and gas is evacuated from the cavity to generate the partial vacuum.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of a plurality of micro thrusters arranged in a plurality of parallel horizontal rows and a plurality of parallel vertical columns, the control system requires a power source, a first plurality of power lines connected to the power source and coupled to at least one micro thruster of the plurality of micro thrusters in a horizontal row of the plurality of parallel horizontal rows, a second plurality of power lines connected to the power source and coupled to at least one micro thruster of the plurality of micro thrusters in a vertical column of the plurality of parallel vertical columns, and a control unit coupled to the power source to control activation of the first plurality of power lines and activation of the second plurality of power lines.

Abstract: Conveying systems and methods are provided that selectively controls gas-propelling devices to move objects over the conveyer table at different speeds and in different directions. The systems and methods include a conveyer table having of an array of gas-propelling devices that propel gas from a surface of the table. Each of the of gas-propelling devices can have layers arranged in a stack and a through-hole in the stack and the table. The surfaces of each of the layers are exposed in the interior of the through hole and a heating/cooling device selectively heats and/or cools the layers to generate thrust.

Abstract: A solid-state device that is capable of imparting a directional momentum via thermoelectric microelements. High surface area is used to enhance the efficiency of heat transfer. The device can be operated in adiabatic mode in order to minimize thermal emissions.

Abstract: A method and device for creating a temperature gradient among a plurality of temperature gradient devices. Each device is formed of a first layer of conductive material having a top surface and a bottom surface. The first layer is adjacent to a second layer of conductive material and has electrical resistive heating properties. A power supply is used to provide a current flow through at least the first layer when the power supply is activated. When activated, the resulting current flow causes the second layer to heat and thus create a temperature gradient between the bottom surface of the second layer and the top surface of the first layer. Activation of the power supply is controlled by a control unit so that activation of adjacent temperature gradient devices is avoided for a predetermined time after activation of the first temperature gradient device.