Abstract: An aircraft that closely integrates thrust and aerodynamics to achieve VTOL flight, forward flight, and smooth transitions from VTOL to forward flight. The invention combines a Box wing, Ducted Rotors and movable Flaperons for VTOL and sustained forward flight of an aircraft. In forward flight, the concept uses a plurality of fixed Ducted Rotors to not only provide thrust, but also enhance dynamic lift and controllability by interacting closely with the two fixed primary lifting bodies of each ducted wing section. In VTOL flight and transitioning to forward flight, the Ducted Rotors direct air through movable Flaperons attached to the trailing end of the ducted wings, providing smooth power, controllability, and aircraft orientation throughout transition. Throughout all phases of flight, differential actuation of Ducted Rotors and Flaperons provide control.

Abstract: Aspects relate to systems and methods for orienting a thrust propulsor in response to a failure event of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. An exemplary system includes a plurality of lift propulsors mechanically connected to a VTOL aircraft, wherein each of the plurality of lift propulsors are configured to produce lift, a plurality of sensors, wherein at least a sensor is configured to detect a failure of at least a lift propulsor, and transmit a failure datum, a thrust propulsor mechanically attached to the VTOL aircraft with an orientable joint, wherein the thrust propulsor is configured to produce thrust and orient the thrust propulsor as a function of a thrust orientation datum, and a flight controller configured to receive the failure datum, generate a thrust orientation datum as a function of the failure datum, and transmit the thrust orientation datum to the orientable joint.

Abstract: An aircraft and an aircraft wing assembly for an aircraft. The wing assembly includes a wing body assembly including a wing body; and at least one protruding portion connected to the wing body. The protruding portion extends aftwardly from an aft side of the wing body assembly, a leading edge of the wing body assembly defining a leading edge line, a trailing edge of the wing body assembly defining a trailing edge line extending between the inboard end and the outboard end, the trailing edge including a trailing edge of the protruding portion, the trailing edge line being a smooth line, a chord distance being defined longitudinally from the leading edge line to the trailing edge line, the chord distance at a center of the protruding portion being greater than the chord distance inboard of protruding portion and outboard of the protruding portion.

Abstract: A multi-segment oblique flying wing aircraft which has three distinct segments including two outer wing segments and a central wing segment. The central segment may be thicker in the vertical direction and adapted to hold pilots and passengers. The outer wing segments may be substantially thinner and may taper as they progress outboard from the wing center. The multi-segment oblique flying wing aircraft be adapted for rotating into a high speed flight configuration, or may be adapted for take-off and cruise at a constant angle. In an extreme flight case, the central wing segment may rotate to a local sweep of ninety degrees.

Abstract: A combined hover and forward thrust control assembly for a dual-mode aircraft includes a support structure attached to an aircraft frame of an aircraft having at least a vertical thrust propulsor and at least a forward thrust propulsor a throttle lever rotatably mounted to the support structure, wherein rotating the throttle lever in a first direction increases power to at least a vertical thrust propulsor and rotating the throttle lever in a second direction decreases power to at least a vertical thrust propulsor and a linear thrust control mounted on the throttle lever, wherein movement of the linear thrust control in a first direction increases forward thrust of at least a forward thrust propulsor, and movement of the linear thrust control in a second direction decreases forward thrust of the forward thrust propulsor.

Abstract: A compound aircraft includes a convertible thruster that pivots between an anti-torque position, a forward thrust position, and intermediate positions. A pilot has two inceptors to control thruster rotor pitch in the anti-torque and forward thrust positions. A mixer mechanically blends the signals from the two inceptors during transition between the anti-torque and forward thrust positions. A transfer rod coaxial with the pivot axis of the convertible thruster conveys convertible thruster pitch commands from the pilot to a pitch control actuator. The pitch control actuator may be located partially within the rotor of an electric motor that rotates the convertible thruster rotor. The electric motor and pitch control actuator are unitary. Both the electric motor and pitch control actuator pivot with the convertible thruster. The pitch actuator output shaft is coaxial to and disposed within a hollow electric motor output shaft.

Abstract: A split-flap wing assembly having a wing with a flap frame, a flap having a lateral pivot axis, and one, two or more flap sweep members having a forward end attached at a hinge in a forward end of the flap frame of the wing, and a rearward end attached pivotally to a flap hinge of the flap along the lateral pivot axis. The flap sweep members are pivotable at the forward end from a neutral sweep position within the flap frame, to a deployment angle at which the rearward end of the flap sweep members are farther away from the wing's camber line, to form a slot between the flap frame and a forward edge of the flap that allows airflow from along the lower surface of the wing to flow through the slot and to the interior surface of the flap.

Abstract: An aircraft seat fastening assembly, due to the use of electroactive polymers, facilitates the compensation of tolerances and the fastening of aircraft seats in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. A fixing actuator contains the electroactive polymer and can be switched electrically between a fixed state, in which a movement of a fastening region is not possible, and a non-fixed state, in which a movement of the fastening region is possible in a vertical direction. The aircraft seats can thereby be displaced in a continuously variable manner along the aircraft seat fastening rail. The aircraft seats can also be locked in a fully automated manner, and possibly from a central location. It is also conceivable to individually control the aircraft seats and/or the group(s) of seats.

Abstract: A ducted fan for an aircraft includes a rotor-side fan and a stator-side duct that surrounds the rotor-side fan. The stator-side duct includes an inner wall facing the rotor-side fan and an outer wall averted from the fan. The ducted fan further includes a fastening device configured to support mounting of the ducted fan on a structural component of the aircraft. The fastening device includes a pin and a guide body. The guide body is configured to receive and guide the pin, the pin is insertable proceeding from the inner wall into a recess of the guide body, a first end of the pin protrudes relative to the outer wall, and the pin is configured to be mounted, via the first end, on a bearing of the structural component of the aircraft.

Abstract: A connector may couple to a non-cylindrical composite tubing having at least two lateral sides disposed in parallel and an open end. The connector may comprise first and second bonding plates adhered to an inner surface of the two lateral sides via an epoxy adhesive uniformly distributed. The first and second bonding plates may each have a distal lateral face defining a plurality of first threaded holes accessible at the open end of the composite tubing. The connector may also comprise an end plate having a plurality of first and second slotted holes disposed substantially in parallel and each aligned with an associating one of the first threaded holes. The connector may also comprise end plate fasteners loosely inserted through the first and second slotted holes and engaged with the first threaded holes. The end plate may also comprise one or more attachment points.

Abstract: A booster system for a launch vehicle includes a plurality of core boosters and a plurality of patchy boosters. The plurality of core boosters and the plurality of patchy boosters are arranged in an inner space of a rocket casing of the launch vehicle, and the plurality of patchy boosters is separatable from the launch vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for air dropping equipment and supplies from an aircraft is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a canister having a rotor system configured to slow the descent at a predetermined altitude to a desired landing speed via auto-rotation and/or with motor assist. The rotor system is configured to prevent the container from spinning about its longitudinal axis during the descent.

Abstract: A ground station for aerial vehicles including a protective casing, at least one charging mechanism, and an extendable landing pad. The extended landing pad is operable to transition between a closed configuration having dimensions suitable to be contained within said protective casing, and an open configuration having dimensions suitable to land the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An ornithopter aircraft has a main body. A first wing frame mount and a second wing frame mount are mounted to the main body. A first wing frame is rotably mounted to a first wing frame axle on the first wing frame mount. The first wing frame is configured to rotate relative to the main body and the rotation can be powered. The first wing frame feathers are rotably mounted to the first wing frame at first feather axles and the first wing frame feather rotation can be powered. The first wing frame feathers are configured to rotate relative to the first wing frame and the first wing frame feather rotation can be powered. A second wing frame is configured to be rotably mounted to a second wing frame axle on the second wing frame mount.

Abstract: A flight stick cockpit simulator ground station system is provided. The system includes a base. The system also includes a yoke control module connected to the base. Further, the system includes a yaw control module connected to the base. Additionally, the system includes a throttle control module connected to the base. The system also includes a manipulator module for an aerial TUC transmitter for remote controlled aircraft connected to the base and configured to receive inputs from the yoke control module, the yaw control module, and the throttle control module and structured to mechanically control the aerial R/C transmitter without the need for electrical or computerized mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for de-icing or anti-icing an aircraft portion having at least one piezoelectric element fastened on the inner face of the aircraft portion includes, during a design phase of the aircraft portion, placing the piezoelectric element on an area of the aircraft portion to determine frequencies of resonance and increased dynamic coupling, and during the de-icing or anti-icing of the aircraft portion, the same piezoelectric element is excited according to the natural frequencies of the area.

Abstract: A modular and scalable system to transfer space articles between space orbits. In one embodiment, the system employs a rendezvous vehicle which docks with a space article in an initial orbit, the connected stack then docking with a locomotive vehicle which maneuvers to a targeted orbit where the space article is detached. In one feature, the rendezvous vehicle and locomotive vehicle use a common propellant and the space article is a satellite.

Abstract: A method for stopping an engine of a rotorcraft in overspeed, the rotorcraft comprising at least one engine, the engine comprising a gas generator and a power assembly, the power assembly comprising at least one power turbine rotated by gases originating from the gas generator, the power assembly comprising at least one power shaft rotationally secured to the power turbine, the power assembly rotating about a longitudinal axis at a speed referred to as the “speed of rotation”. The method comprises steps consisting in measuring a current value of the speed of rotation, determining a time derivative of the current value of the speed of rotation, referred to as the “current derivative ( d ? ? N ? ? 2 ? ? i d ? t ) ” , and automatically stopping the engine when the current derivative ( d ? ? N ? ? 2 ? ? i d ? t ) changes sign.

Abstract: A flying apparatus includes a main structure and a rotative wing surface, the rotation of the wing surface allowing stabilizing the apparatus (100). A fuselage hangs from the wing surface around a hanging point, allowing the wing surface and the fuselage be moveable independently with respect to each other and the wing surface is configured as a disc to manoeuvre the apparatus and including one or more elements acting as security and secondary command and control surfaces, orienting the apparatus in desired directions. The main structure and wing surface can overwrap at least partially the the fuselage in order to improve the aerodynamic performance. The airframe or fuselage and the wing surface are rotatable around any of three rotational axes independently.

Abstract: A method of communication with a non-GEO constellation of satellites, includes providing an Earth-based terminal configured for communication with a satellite constellation, and establishing communication between the Earth-based terminal and a non-GEO constellation of satellites, the non-GEO constellation of satellites including a first plurality of satellites orbiting at a first inclination, wherein each of the satellites in the first plurality of satellites is in a discrete planar orbit to form a first snake of satellites, the first snake of satellites including adjacent satellites in adjacent orbits having adjacent RAAN (Right Ascension of the Ascending Node), wherein the Earth-based terminal is positioned and configured for continuous communication with at least one satellite from the non-GEO constellation of satellites.