Abstract: This document details a series of inventions relating to the design and optimization of hybrid-to-electric aircraft. In particular, a system and method is presented to improve the effectiveness of mixed aerodynamic control surfaces which are actuated by a novel electromechanical actuator which allows the system to be tolerant to actuator faults and jams. In addition, innovations relating to integration and quick swap of large energy storage units such as batteries are disclosed, and further, an algorithm which may be used to optimize numerous aspects of the regional hybrid-to-electric aircraft known as Total Cost Door to Door or TCD2D.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a rotorcraft includes an airframe; a main rotor transmission; one or more brackets mounting the main rotor transmission to the airframe, longitudinal axes of the one or more brackets being substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the rotorcraft; and one or more restraints mounting the main rotor transmission to the airframe, the one or more restraints being mounted at an angle non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rotorcraft and a lateral axis of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: An adjustable control link for transferring rotor shaft rotation to a rotating swashplate, the adjustable control link includes an elongate element rotatable with the rotor shaft, the elongate element having a first end. A structure has an opening and a second end. At least one cam component is disposed within the opening and is rotatable relative to the structure about a central axis of the opening. A pin is configured to couple the elongate element to the at least one cam component. The pin is eccentrically rotatable about the central axis to move the first end of the elongate element relative to the second end of the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removeably adding a cargo bay floor to the interior cargo bay of cargo aircraft bay are disclosed. The system includes a rail disposed in a cargo bay of a cargo aircraft with the rail extending longitudinally along both a length of a forward portion and an aft portion of the fuselage. The system includes a cargo floor segment configured to be removeably attached to the rail. When attached, the cargo floor segment can transform between a first arrangement with the cargo floor segment translatable along the rail, and a second arrangement with the cargo floor segment fixedly secured to a location along the rail. The cargo floor segment is configured to, when secured to the rail, define a section of a floor of the cargo bay of the cargo aircraft. Multiple floor segments can be used together to form a continuous floor for the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as a pilot and passenger seating. An aircraft employs a pilot seat, comprising a contoured structure having ergonomically formed and padded surfaces, with left and right arm supports that include an articulated control knob, movable in three rectangular axes and rotatable about a vertical axis to provide one or more aircraft steering functions for an aircraft, and a touch-sensitive control surface for controlling one or more power system components. A passenger seat, having a contoured structure, having ergonomically formed and padded surfaces, a headrest, a seat, a left support member, and a right support member are adapted to cradle a portion of a passenger's body to support the passenger during travel.

Abstract: An aircraft structure protected from collisions with foreign objects includes a first support proximate to an aircraft structure root; first sheets attached to the first support to form a first leading edge portion of the aircraft structure; a second support proximate to an outer end of the aircraft structure; second sheets attached to the second support to form a second leading edge portion; and a door including one or more ribs disposed between the first and second supports and configured to give shape to a third leading edge portion of the aircraft structure; and third sheets, attached to the ribs to form the third portion of the leading edge; wherein the first support, the first sheets, the second support, the second sheets, the one or more ribs, and the third sheets are disposed to mitigate damage from a foreign object collision by absorbing kinetic energy from a collision.

Abstract: An adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly is disclosed. The adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly includes a set of base rails coupled to a floor. The adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly further includes a plurality of pitch clevises coupled on a top surface of each of the set of base rails. The adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly includes a swivel outer plate aligned in parallel relative to the floor. The swivel outer plate of the adjustable swiveling passenger seat assembly further includes a plurality of slots located on corners of the swivel outer plate and a plurality of spacers disposed within the plurality of slots.

Abstract: A hybrid support rail for receiving fixtures in a cabin of a vehicle includes a support rail base, first attachment elements, second attachment elements formed so as to be complementary to the first attachment elements, and a support rail upper part. The support rail base has a lower side and an upper side. The upper side has a receiving housing extending along a main extension direction of the support rail base for sliding in first attachment elements and, on a side facing away from the lower side, a support surface having at least one recess. The receiving housing is formed so as to prevent the first attachment elements from sliding out towards the support surface. The support rail upper part has a contact surface for placement on the support surface. The contact surface has recesses through which the second attachment elements are guided for insertion in the first attachment elements.

Abstract: A control rod assembly is provided for moving a control surface of a flight vehicle. The control rod assembly includes a first connector for connecting to a first structure of vehicle, and a second connector for connecting to a second structure of the vehicle. A connecting rod may be operably coupled between the first and second connectors, and an actuator may be operably coupled to the connecting rod. The actuator may include a screw-and-nut assembly, and a motor that is configured to drive the screw-and-nut assembly. The actuator may be operable such that driving the screw-and-nut assembly via the motor causes the connecting rod to translate linearly along a longitudinal axis to thereby vary a distance between the first and second connectors. The actuators may be electromechanical actuators which may be controlled by a controller without pilot interaction. Two such actuators may be provided on opposite sides of the assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a processor, an airframe, a pitch attitude flight control surface coupled with the airframe, a nose wheel coupled with the airframe, main wheels coupled with the airframe, and a brake system coupled with the main wheels. The processor is programmed to determine that the aircraft has entered a braking segment of a landing phase of a flight of the aircraft while the aircraft is on a ground surface and to command the pitch attitude flight control surface with a nose up command during the braking segment in response to determining that the aircraft has entered the braking segment. The nose up command causes the pitch attitude flight control surface to generate a downforce that increases traction between the main wheels and the ground surface due to a weight shift from the nose wheel to the main wheels and directly due to the downforce on the main wheels.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a vertical take-off and landing aircraft, specifically an electric or hybrid electric aircraft having a plurality of ducted fans. The aircraft includes a plurality of axially oriented fans, laterally oriented fans, forward air intakes, side exit ports and rear exhaust ports. The aircraft achieves flight by capturing air in the intakes and diverting the air through the axially oriented fans or the laterally oriented fans through the channels selectively.

Abstract: A rotor-wing assembly includes a motor, a propeller, and a connection assembly connecting the propeller to the motor. The motor includes a rotating portion. The connection assembly includes a locking member and a reinforcing member arranged between the propeller and the motor. The locking member locks the propeller to the rotating portion. A first end of the reinforcing member is mounted at the rotating portion. A second end of the reinforcing member opposite to the first end is engaged with the locking member, to reinforce the locking member to lock the propeller to the rotating portion.

Abstract: A floor fixing assembly for releasable fixing of a leg of a frame to a vehicle floor comprises at least one retaining peg which can be fixed to the vehicle floor. The floor fixing assembly furthermore comprises a frame fixing element, which is configured to be connected to the leg of the frame and comprises at least one receiving space for receiving the retaining peg. A clamping device is configured to be introduced into the receiving space of the frame fixing element in order to connect the frame fixing element to the retaining peg by form fit.

Abstract: An adjustable fixed structure attachment system 200 for an aircraft wing, the attachment system 200 including a bracket 210 having: a wall 212 for connection to a wing box, a protrusion 214 protruding from the wall 212, and a slot 216 extending through the protrusion 214, wherein the slot 216 has a height and a width, and a bush 220 having a bore 222 extending therethrough for receipt of a pin, wherein the bush 222 is insertable into the slot 216 and dimensioned relative to the slot 216 so that the bush 220 is substantially immovable in a width-wise direction of the slot 216, and is moveable in a height-wise direction of the slot 216 to thereby vary a position of the bush 220 within the slot 216.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for an amphibious aircraft where floats on each side of the aircraft include aerodynamic structures. The structures are configured to compensate for aerodynamic imbalances (e.g., in yaw and pitch) created by the incorporation of the floats onto the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle, including: a fuselage; a battery accommodation cavity, disposed on the fuselage; a battery pack, including at least two battery blocks and mounted inside the battery accommodation cavity; a battery circuit board, electrically connected to the battery blocks in the battery pack; and a functional module, electrically connected to the battery circuit board, the battery blocks in the battery pack supplying power to the functional module via the battery circuit board at the same time. By using the solution of the present invention, endurance of the unmanned aerial vehicle is increased.

Abstract: A nacelle for an aircraft turbofan includes a rear section including a thrust reversal device having an upper door and a lower door, the upper and lower doors being mobile in rotation between a stowed position in which they are aerodynamically continuous with the rest of the nacelle and a deployed position in which the upper and lower doors are able to redirect forward the core and bypass flows produced by the jet engine, each door being moved from one position to the other by at least one dedicated actuator. The opening angle (X) of the upper door in the deployed position is smaller than the opening angle (Y) of the lower door.

Abstract: A system for use in an aircraft or other system in an ambient airflow includes a body defining a cavity having an opening exposed to ambient airflow, with a cavity interface defined by body structure surrounding the opening. The cavity interface includes a cavity floor opposite the cavity opening, a leading edge facing away from the ambient airflow, a trailing edge facing the airflow, and a rear wall extending between the trailing edge and the cavity floor. A panel of sound-absorbing material is attached to and covers substantially all of the surface area of the rear wall of the cavity, and minimizes emanation of a predetermined range of audible sound frequencies from the cavity. The system may include an elongated serrated element connected to body and extending along the leading edge and arranged flush with the leading edge.

Abstract: An exterior aircraft light includes a housing having a length (L), a width (W), and a height (H), the length (L) being greater than the width (W) and the height (H) and the housing having a front end region and a rear end region, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on a tail portion of a fuselage of an aircraft; at least one first light source, arranged in the rear end region of the housing, for providing aircraft rearward signal lighting; and a plurality of second light sources, which are arranged spaced along the length (L) of the housing for a distributed illumination of a stabilizer of the aircraft.

Abstract: An aerospace vehicle that permits horizontal launch and subsequent orbital deployment of a second stage. The vehicle can be returned to Earth for subsequent re-use. Both land-based and water-based launch is disclosed. A rocket propulsion engine is located at the center of gravity of the vehicle and rotates to provide vertical and horizontal thrust.