Abstract: A vertical lift aircraft comprises a cabin mounted to an enclosed rotary wing which provides vertical lift for the aircraft. The rotary wing includes an annular housing and a main rotor blade rotatable within a space circumscribed by the housing. The main rotor blade is rotatable about a rotation axis that is tilted forwardly from a vertical axis of the aircraft. A horizontal directional control for the aircraft includes a plurality of control slides disposed at spaced locations along the housing and being movable inwardly and outwardly in a radial direction between a neutral position in which the control slides are retracted from the downdraft area and an operational position in which the control slides are extended into the downdraft area. Selective deployment of one or more control slides in the operational position effects horizontal directional turning of the aircraft in the direction of the one or more deployed control slides.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle including a toroidal fuselage having a longitudinal axis, and a duct extending along the longitudinal axis between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the fuselage, first and second counter-rotating, variable pitch rotor assemblies coaxially mounted within the duct of the fuselage, and at least one canard wing secured to the toroidal fuselage and having a leading edge positioned out of the duct of the fuselage and axially forward of the leading edge of the fuselage, wherein at least a portion of the canard wing comprises a control surface having a variable angle of attack. The invention provides an aerial vehicle that can take-off and land vertically, hover for extended periods of time over a fixed spatial point, and operate in confined areas. The aerial vehicle also has the ability to transition between a hover and high speed forward flight.

Abstract: A power generation system comprises an internal housing. The housing has a top portion, a bottom portion and a peripheral sidewall. An external housing is provided. The housing is coupled to and receives the internal housing. The housing has an upper lip, a lower lip and a smooth outer edge. The upper lip is spaced from the internal housing to allow the flow of air into the external housing. A rotary pump is comprised of an upper washer and a lower washer. Fins are provided between the washers. The washers form upper and lower surfaces. Fins are coupled to both the upper and lower washers. Each fin is curved such that when rotated the rotary pump draws air into the external housing from the upper lip and pushes it past the lower lip and out of the external housing to life the system.

Abstract: A rotary aeronautical lifting cell having an annular airfoil, airfoil dividers, and a propulsion mechanism. The airfoil dividers separate the annular airfoil into airfoil sections arranged in circular relationship. Upon rotation of the present aeronautical cell, the airfoil sections provide components of lift and propulsion to transportation vehicles attached thereto.

Abstract: A force-generating device employing a flared body and a surrounding shroud to define a duct of axially diminishing flow area defining a nozzle for accelerating and directing the discharge of a fluid at a cambered vane, a pressure dam depends from the bottom surface of the vane to entrap a portion of the fluid flowing chordwise along the bottom surface of the vane. A deflector formed on the enlarged end of the flared body and extending into the duct fluid outlet deflects the fluid stream to increase its velocity and direct it toward the vane. In another embodiment, a second deflector formed on the rim of the shroud and projecting into the duct deflects the discharge stream to further increase the velocity of the fluid stream and increase the angle of attack of the fluid stream impinging on the vane. In an alternative embodiment, the first shroud is enclosed in a second shroud to form a second duct of axially diminishing flow area defining a nozzle.

Abstract: A translational propulsion system for a hybrid UAV includes a pusher prop mounted to the rear of the aircraft with its rotational axis oriented substantially horizontal. The pusher prop is mounted to a driveshaft assembly which transmits power from a coaxial transmission to drive the pusher prop. The driveshaft assembly includes a shaft which defines an axis of rotation. The shaft is mounted to the transmission through a crown spline assembly and is supported by a single bearing. The crown spline and the inherent slop in the bearing accommodates angular deflection and misalignment. The length of the shaft is selected such that the force on the crown spline is less than an allowable level.

Abstract: The invention discloses a new type ring-shaped wing helicopter, which is similar to a flying saucer in appearance with lift and attitude control torque brought by the blades of two ring-shaped wings rotating in opposite directions between the inlet cascade and the outlet cascade of the circular fringe of wing fuselage.

Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine (14), driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers (24), above a central jet engine, or engines (12), horizontally mounted on a turntable pod (11) which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake (5) downward through a funnel-shaped rotor-chamber (6) to a circular vent (10) at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off, hover and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin (21) is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity.

Abstract: A vertical-lift and horizontal flight aircraft, which can be operated in a horizontal flight mode, as soon as ground clearance is made. And, because of its unique design is very stable in flight, is very light, has a low drag resistance factor and is versatile in the configurations that can be made from a basic platform. The aircraft is primarily disk shaped with the aircraft body in the center surrounded by a lift assembly housing, an outer body lift surface and a propulsion thrust unit mounted aft of the central body compartment. The lift assembly housing is parallel with the aircraft body and contains an inner drive ring, with attached lift blades, facing inward toward the body compartment and an outer drive ring, with attached lift blades, facing outward toward the outer body lift surface. Electromagnetic motors power each drive ring. The inner and outer lift assemblies are composed of a drive ring; lift blades, a drive ring guide-way and electromagnetic motors.

Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid aircraft includes an inlet which extends through the body to communicate airflow to a powerplant subsystem and out through an exhaust within a rotor duct. In a hover mode, there is a significant low-pressure area created inside the rotor duct by the rotor system. The low-pressure area within the rotor duct assists in drawing air through the inlet and over the engine via the exhaust. A cooling fan is located adjacent the inlet to augment cooling-air flow. The cooling fan is smaller than conventional practice because it does not have to provide the entire pressure difference to force air-cooling flow over the engine. In a transition mode, the low-pressure area created inside the rotor duct decreases but ram air pressure through the inlet increases. In a forward flight mode, the pressure inside the rotor duct is approximately atmospheric but significant ram air is provided from the inlet due to forward flight speed.

Abstract: The Flying Vehicle of Inverse Sustentation (FVIS) is an air transport unit for passengers and cargo.

Abstract: A circular VTOL aircraft with a central vertically mounted turboprop engine 14, driving contra-rotating co-axial propellers 24, above a central jet engine (or engines) 12, horizontally mounted on a turntable pod 11 which is steerable through 360 degrees. The turboprop provides vertical thrust from contra-rotating propellers compressing air from an upper circular intake 5 downward through a circular shaped rotor-chamber 6 to a circular vent 10 at the base of the craft. The resulting column of compressed air supports the craft during take-off and landing operations and provides a cushion of air in normal flight. The horizontally mounted jet turbine provides main thrust for horizontal flight and vectored thrust for VTOL. The passenger cabin 21 is circular and is situated in the main body of the disc-shaped craft. Fuel tanks are situated around the circumference of the craft to maximise fuel capacity. The flight-deck 2 is situated at the top centre of the craft, above the engine unit 15, which is detachable.

Abstract: The present invention provides one pair or two pairs of horizontal propellers incorporated on the two opposite sides of an aircraft, which propellers by their rotating external blades create through their frontal shell opening a very strong frontal depression, stronger than their drag, providing an horizontal motion subsonic or supersonic, but their main advantage arise from the supersonic speed power requirement which is less than 20% of that of equivalent supersonic aircraft's, with consequent economy of construction, of maintenance and mainly in flight cost, and also a multiple in flight range and obviously respectively decrease of air pollution.

Abstract: This invention called airwheel, concerns of a flying disk shaped flying/space vehicle with the use of a new technic of thrust through the rolling of a wheel. If we exercise a force from a fixed point on the edge of a turning wheel (fixed related to the main body of the vehicle) and the direction of the force is opposite to the direction of the linear speed of the edge, then we will simulate the friction force between the turning wheel of a car and the road which forces the rolling of the car wheel and not just the revolving of it. The airwheel uses to roll (fly) a wheel named in the invention rolling wheel (b) and it embraces the main body (a) of the airwheel as well as an other wheel (Angular Momentum Maintenance Wheel (c)) which turns the other way around to maintain the angular momentum. The airwheel uses nozzles (k) to manoeuvre. Airwheel ingests atmospheric air to fly and avoids/standsup against air pockets using gas saved in a cylindric tank in it which diverts gas under great pressure to the nozzles.

Abstract: A model helicopter includes a body and an engine mounted in the body. A rotor is connected to the engine through a substantially vertical primary shaft. A radial fan cools the engine while a lateral opening is provided on a tail boom connected to the body. Air is sucked in from outside of the body by a radial fan in the body, with the air flowing through the lateral opening and being directed to the tail boom through a channel. This air imparts a torque on the body that counter-acts the torque transmitted by the drive for the rotor on the body. The radial fan includes two impellers, which are coaxially mounted on the primary shaft. The air displaced by the second impeller flows through the engine, while flowing through the body, and dissipating the heat from the engine. A separation wall is provided between the two impellers of the radial fan.

Abstract: A robotic or remotely controlled flying platform (10) with reduced drag stabilizing control apparatus constructed having an air duct (12) with an air intake (14) on the top and an exhaust (16) at the bottom, containing supported therein a clockwise rotating fan (22) and a counter-clockwise rotating fan (24). Directly below the perimeter of the air duct exhaust are mounted a plurality of trough shaped air deflection assemblies (32) each including a rotatably adjustable half trough (44) for selectively scooping a portion of the drive air, and a stationary adjacent half trough (36) for receiving the scooped drive air and redirecting it outward and upward from the air duct.

Abstract: The present invention herein is a disc shaped wing comprised two disc segments, an inner disc assembly and an outer disc assembly, that counter-rotate to enable vertical take off and landing. The inner disc assembly has a plurality of flap blades that open to provide lift during take off and landing and close to provide a substantially contiguous surface during horizontal flight. The outer disc assembly has a plurality of lower blades that contain retractable blades. During take off and landing the retractable blades extend to provide added lift and stability. The wing shape and counter-rotation also imparts greater stability and lift for horizontal flight.

Abstract: A vehicle capable of roadway travel and flight, both in an atmosphere and in a vacuum, includes a fluid passageway, a device for producing fluid flow in the passageway, and airfoil surfaces spaced mutually along the passageway and fixed to the structure of the vehicle, to which structure lift forces produced on the airfoils are transferred. The vehicle includes lift-producing wings extending from the body of the vehicle, the fluid passageway being located within the vehicle body or the external wings. Fluid flow within the passageway is produced by a fan, propeller, or exhaust from a jet engine.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing vehicle that employs a thrust assembly, a fuselage, and an intermediate rotation decoupling interface assembly for rotationally decoupling the thrust assembly from the fuselage. The thrust assembly forms a single combined thrust force about the fuselage in order to form a more stable vehicle during flight.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a body and a plurality of disks rotatably coupled to the body. The disks may be configured to (i) rotate in the same or different directions, (ii) rotate at similar and/or different speeds, and (iii) provide lift and/or stability to flight of the aircraft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a free lighter-than-air aerostat comprising a structure (1, 3, 4, 5) symmetrical relative to a main axis (2), at least one main sealed pressurized chamber (16), one or several particle emitting thrusters (8), adapted to drive the aerostat in rotation in one direction about the main axis (2), one or several moving flaps (9) adapted to be set either in an active state wherein they brake the aerostat rotation, or in an inoperative state wherein they offer no substantial resistance to the aerostat rotation, and on-board control means (19) adapted to control the thrusters (8) and the flaps (9) to drive the aerostat in permanent rotation about the main axis (2), and in translation perpendicular to the main axis (2).

Abstract: A high-speed vertical take-off and land (HSVTOL) aircraft includes a disk-shaped fuselage wit a rotatable fan having a nozzle ring driven by hot jet gasses and fan air from jet engines. Feed ducts and an annular plenum, have a composite duct-in-duct configuration to separate the hot gases from the relatively cool fan air. High efficiency air bearings serve to support the rotatable fan assembly on the fuselage in the vertical direction, and rollers around the perimeter provide horizontal support and stability. A bearing and seal interface hub and other components, are isolated from the hot gases. The combined exhaust is ejected downwardly at approximately 15° for maximum fan spin and provide direct reaction lift. The fan blades are angled at approximately 57° with moveable airfoil portions and stationary trailing flap portions to provide maximum lift and down wash. Various diverter valves and bypass doors are provided for hot gas/air control.

Abstract: The present embodiments and associated methods provide for a progressive 3-axis multi-variable propulsion vectoring aerial and spaceborne vehicle. One embodiment of the vehicle is comprised of top and side air intakes, a curved sphenoid air accumulator, a compressor section, a diffuser, a plurality of fuel burner cans, a turbine section, a gas plenum, top, side, and bottom exhaust ports, propellant burner cans, gas plenum iris, an onboard flight control computer, and top, side, and bottom exhaust port doors. Combustion gasses are produced which are directed by the gas plenum to the exhaust ports which provide thrust and lift to the vehicle. By selectively opening and closing the exhaust port doors, the vehicle may be made to rise, hover, and accelerate in any direction. Such an embodiment provides a vehicle that can directly ascend through the atmosphere into space.

Abstract: An aircraft having a frame (1) and at least a rotor (2a, 2b) for providing lift for the aircraft. The aircraft comprises elements for accommodation purposes. Furthermore, solar cells (5) are arranged on the aircraft for exploiting solar energy, and the rotor (2a, 2b) comprises elements for adjusting the rotor (2a, 2b) to exploit wind energy when the aircraft is substantially stationary.

Abstract: A rotating airfoil aircraft utilizing blown air from a centrifugal fan located at its center to produce lift by causing airflow to travel over the upper surface of the airfoil and outwardly and downwardly from the lower surface of the airfoil. The airflow over the upper surface produces lift by causing a reduced pressure in the blown air current and the downwardly directed air produces an upward lift. This lifting force is used in connection with other lift produced by various factors including the airfoil traveling laterally through ambient air and, particularly during takeoff and landing, by means of the downward exhaust of an engine such as a jet engine. The rapidly rotating airfoil aircraft provides an advantage of providing the leading edge an opportunity to cool during a major portion of each rotation, thereby reducing the effective degree of leading edge heating caused during lateral flight.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle that includes a fuselage with a partial toroidal forward portion, and an aft portion. A duct is formed through the fuselage and extends from the top to the bottom of the fuselage. Two counter-rotating rotor assemblies are mounted within the duct for providing downward thrust through the duct. The rotor assemblies are supported by a plurality of support struts. At least one engine is mounted within the fuselage and engages with the rotor assemblies. A pusher prop assembly is mounted to the aft portion of the fuselage. The pusher prop assembly is designed to provide forward thrust along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The pusher prop assembly includes a drive shaft that is engaged with the engine. A plurality of propellers are attached to and rotated by the drive shaft. A shroud is mounted to the aft portion of the fuselage around the propellers and is operative for channeling the air passing through the propellers in a substantially aft direction.

Abstract: The aircraft comprises a central cabin, which is located in the center of a circular wing. Several pivotal electric drive units are arranged in a gap between the central cabin and the circular ring. In hover flight, the drive units are pivoted to generate a lift. When the aircraft goes into cruise flight, the drive units are pivoted to generate a forward thrust. Attitude and movements of the aircraft can be controlled by individual or common adjustment of the thrust and pivot angle of the drive units. Due to its simple design, the aircraft is economic and safe in operation. Still it has a high payload for its size.