Abstract: A thrust directing mechanism to vector thrust and control discharge throat area with a number of vanes mounted across the passage. The mechanism includes a control link pivotally coupled to each of the vanes. The control link is selectively movable to correspondingly pivot the vanes and has at least two degrees of freedom corresponding to a two coordinate position. A desired orientation of the vanes may be determined as a function of the two coordinate position. The discharge exit area is contracted by adjusting convergence of the vanes. During convergence, the vanes are pivoted to various pivot angles selected to optimize thrust efficiency when contracting the throat area.

Abstract: An aircraft for vertical take off and landing is comprised of a rotor assembly mounted on a rotating drive shaft extending from the top of a cabin. The rotor assembly is comprised of a truncated-cone top, a spaced apart circular bottom, and internal vanes running radially, between the top and bottom, forming an air impeller. In operation, air is drawn through the central air intake of the top and discharged through an annular nozzle around the circumference of the rotor assembly. As the top rotates, additional air is rammed through scoops mounted at an angle to radii of the top, on the surface of the top. The torque applied to the cabin, due to rotation by the engine of the rotor assembly, is countered by the reaction force generated by a plurality of tabs extending from the cabin sidewall into the airstream flowing downwardly from the nozzle.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (10) capable of ground travel and air travel is described. The vehicle provides for movement over the ground by wheel motors (20) mounted at each of four ground engaging wheels (14 and 16). The wheel motors are supplied with electric power by a battery pack (24) or an electric generator (32) powered by a combustion engine (22). The combustion engine is also geared to vertically oriented ducted fans (40) and a horizontally oriented ducted fan or propeller (76) for providing the vehicle with the capability of travel through the air. Pressure jets (62), supplied with compressed air from a compressor (66) driven by the combustion engine, augment the lift of the ducted fans and provide steering for the vehicle. The vehicle can also be provided with photo-electric cells (82) for supplying a portion of the electric power for the vehicle.

Abstract: A flight system capable of passively stable hover comprises an apparatus defining a vertical axis, and including multiple upright ducts spaced about the axis; fluid momentum generators in the ducts to effect flow of fluid downwardly in the ducts; and fluid flow deflector structure in the path of the downwardly flowing fluid, and angled to deflect the fluid flow away from the axis, in such manner as to provide stability in hover of the apparatus.

Abstract: A flight system capable of passively stable hover and horizontal translatory flight, comprises an apparatus defining a vertical axis, and including multiple ducts with substantially vertical axes in hover mode, spaced the axis; fluid momentum generators in the ducts to effect flow of fluid downwardly in the ducts in hover; and fluid flow deflector structure in the path of the flowing duct fluid, and angled to deflect the fluid flow away from the axis, in such manner as to provide stability in hover of the apparatus, as well as stability when the entire device is tilted through approximately 90.degree. to execute horizontal translatory flight.

Abstract: A rescue craft includes a self-propelled car or elevator type of flying machine for rescuing persons from high-rise buildings, during fires, or other emergencies. The craft is powered by fan-jet engines capable of lifting the unit in vertical take-offs. A cable attached to a ground structure is used to control the craft and facilitate descent to ground level. An internal guidance system provides 360.degree. maneuverability around the cable and facilitates docking against the sides of buildings, etc. The ground structure comprises a flat-bed tractor/trailer equipped to transport the craft to the scene of an emergency. The ground structure is fully self-contained with diesel power, a winch for the cable, lighting, refueling capability, and is fully ballasted and outrigged and capable of launching and receiving the rescue craft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hovercraft having a pair of air cushions, associated with each air cushion is a rotatable fan which partly produces lifting force and partly propels and maneuvers the craft. The fans are mounted perpendicular to the direction of travel, peripherally on the craft, wherewith the forces produced have long moment arms, and consequently produce a strong turning torque. The fans are mounted on the craft in such a manner that their orientation may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically with respect thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vehicle that is sustained in flight solely by thrust from a jet engine and directionally controlled by shifting the center of gravity of the vehicle relative to the thrust axis of the engine.

Abstract: There is described a fluid flow concentrating device suitable, for example, for concentrating the flow of tidal waters or of wind, which comprises a hollow body closed at one end and open at the other. The body has a fixed circumferential wall composed of a plurality of fixed spaced vanes and a nozzle located at the open end of the wall. Fluid moving from outside the device through the vanes to the inside of the body creates a vortex within the body and a fluid flow axially of the body through the nozzle. In certain preferred embodiments a turbine is located for rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the vortex about a vertical axis, centrally within the nozzle downstream of the fluid flow. The turbine can be used to drive a generator or a motor to, for example, propel a marine craft, or, the augmentor can be used on a aircraft to assist the lift of a wing, or, in another application, can be used with a jet turbine engine to improve both the intake to and the thrust from the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle for traveling in the air and/or on the ground is equipped with two, four, or eight propellers on vertical shafts, each driven by a rotary hydraulic motor of the radial-piston type. The motor may comprise two rotors which are connected in individual hydraulic circuits supplied with fluid from different hydraulic pumps. One embodiment of the vehicle comprises an automobile with the propellers mounted in oblique air ducts or in shrouds pivotable in the travel direction. Each rotor of the hydraulic motors is coupled to the shaft unidirectionally so that in case of failure, the shaft can be driven by the other rotor. Each hydraulic pump preferably produces four equal fluid flows and comprises two rotors on a common shaft, each rotor with two separate groups of cylinders, the eccentricity of at least one of the rotors being adjustable. Both the hydraulic motor and the pump have inlet and outlet connections on the radial periphery of the housing.