Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a flight propulsion system and a support system coupled to the flight propulsion system, the support system comprising a protective outer cage configured to surround the flight propulsion system, wherein the outer cage comprises a plurality of cage frame modules that are manufactured as separate components and assembled together to form at least a portion of the outer cage configured to surround the flight propulsion system.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a method for providing continuously variable feel forces for an aircraft comprises sensing, by each of at least one sensor associated with at least one aircraft control, a force sensor value. The method further comprises determining a net force value by using the force sensor value for each of at least one sensor. Also, the method comprises comparing the net force value to a desired breakout force. In addition, the method comprises determining whether the net force value exceeds the desired breakout force. Additionally, the method comprises determining an adjusted force value by using the desired breakout force and the net force value, when the net force value exceeds the desired breakout force. Also, the method comprises determining an actuator torque command based on the adjusted force value. Further, the method comprises commanding an autopilot actuator with the actuator torque command to apply torque.

Abstract: A storage bin assembly includes a fixed bin portion, an articulating bin portion, and an articulation system. The fixed bin portion is configured to be mounted to an aircraft, and has a cavity configured for storage of luggage. The articulating bin portion is coupled to the fixed bin portion, and includes a shelf configured for supporting luggage. The articulation system movably couples the articulating bin portion to the fixed bin portion. The articulating bin portion is movable from a first position in which the articulating bin portion is proximate to the fixed bin portion to a second position at which the articulating bin portion is separated from the fixed bin portion and lower than the fixed bin portion.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a flying vehicle in which a working unit can be brought close to an appropriate distance from a work target. [Solution] The flying vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a flying part having a plurality of rotary blades for generating thrust, a leg part, an arm part connecting the flying part and the leg part, and a fixed wing part provided at substantially the center of the arm part. The flying body further includes a mounting part installed to be movable between the first position of the arm part and the second position located behind the first position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a parasail-assisted system for launching a fixed-wing aircraft into free flight and for retrieving a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight.

Abstract: A construction of commercial aircraft interior monument employs carbon fiber Spread Tow Fabric (STF) as face sheets (skins) surrounding a paper honeycomb or foam core to produce flat pressed panels of high strength and desirable thickness. Each individual panel is joined with other panels to construct a modular rectangular cubic able to be modularly coupled with additional structures to form the aircraft monument. The use individual STF panels offer a desirable weight and footprint of a fabricated structure as a whole. Also usable in conjunction with other composite reinforcements, the individual STF panels produce hybrid lay-ups for both pressed flat panel and tooled composite moldings offering a high strength to weight ratio of the overall monument.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage for transporting passengers in a lower deck, the fuselage having a longitudinal axis and interior compartment, having an intermediate floor fastened to the fuselage structure, extending through the interior compartment and dividing the interior compartment into an upper deck and a lower deck, having a support device for supporting the intermediate floor on the fuselage structure. The support device is fastened to the intermediate floor and by an opposite end in the lower deck to the fuselage structure. The support device has a concave form and has an energy absorption element such that in a crash of an underside of the fuselage undergoes a defined plastic deformation and absorbs a defined amount of kinetic energy. In a crash, the fuselage structure is, at the underside of the aircraft fuselage, deformed at most to such an extent that a minimum height between a seat surface of passenger seats in the lower deck and the intermediate floor is not undershot.

Abstract: A compound aircraft embodies an array of rotors for vertical flight positioned on support booms and wing elements for cruise flight coupled to a central fuselage housing avionics and a pusher propeller for forward propulsion. The aircraft accommodates a cargo-carrying container with mating of the surfaces between container and fuselage and latching mechanisms for attaching and detaching the container and vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of controlling the yaw of a fixed-wing UAV, with two propulsion propellers arranged parallel to each other and providing thrust for the UAV; A plurality of motors configured to drive the two propulsion propellers, wherein the thrust ratio provided by the two propulsion propellers is changed to generate asymmetric thrust which controls the active yaw of the UAV. The fixed-wing UAV provided by the disclosure improves the reliability of the thrust system and active yaw.

Abstract: An anchoring platform is disclosed for captive aircraft that addresses problems when handling captive aerostats, including excessive workload required to switch between flying and anchored states. The anchoring platform includes an anchoring device. Cords, together with a confluence point, are wound into the anchoring device, by the winch. The structure for anchoring the captive aircraft is the cradle which bears the aerostat, while the winch exerts tension to hold same static in the structure.

Abstract: A flight controller of a drone calculates a target attitude of the drone on a port based on the result of acquisition by an anemometer. The flight controller of the drone controls each of a plurality of rotors independently, and controls each of the rotors so as to make the drone on the port take a target attitude.

Abstract: Space saving integral combined monument structures for aircraft cabin interiors comprise a common interior wall section in a multi-compartment monument and are constructed to significantly conserve space in aircraft cabin interiors by locating the integral combined monument proximate to aircraft egress areas.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a closed wing, a fuselage at least partially disposed within a perimeter of the closed wing, and one or more spokes coupling the closed wing to the fuselage. A source of electric power is disposed within or attached to the closed wing, fuselage or one or more spokes. A plurality of electric motors are disposed within or attached to the one or more spokes in a distributed configuration. Each electric motor is connected to the source of electric power. A propeller is operably connected to each of the electric motors and proximate to a leading edge of the one or more spokes. One or more processors are communicably coupled to the plurality of electric motors. A longitudinal axis of the fuselage is substantially vertical in vertical takeoff and landing and stationary flight, and substantially in a direction of a forward flight in a forward flight mode.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for lifting drones to a desired height before launching. In one exemplary embodiment, a drone elevator system includes a looped cable that is engaged to a pair of pulleys. A first pulley of the pair of pulleys is coupled to a lighter-than-air craft and the second pulley is attached to a motor. The lighter-than-air craft moves upwards so as to raise the first pulley skywards and place the looped cable at an angle with respect to the ground. The motor is then operated to rotate the second pulley for moving the looped cable. The cable includes a set of tethers each of which is used to tether a drone. Each tether includes an extension arm that prevents the tethered drone from making contact with the cable when being lifted. Each tethered drone can be launched after being lifted to a desired height.

Abstract: In some implementations, in an emergency in the vehicle, an emergency evacuation path is illuminated using the light emitted from the emergency evacuation rope where at least a portion of the emergency evacuation path extends to a location outside the vehicle. Egress of occupants along the emergency evacuation path is enabled using an emergency evacuation rope.

Abstract: The present invention includes a distributed propulsion system for a craft that comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic or electric motors disposed within or attached to the frame in a distributed configuration; a propeller operably connected to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, a source of hydraulic or electric power disposed within or attached to the frame and coupled to each of the disposed within or attached to the frame, wherein the source of hydraulic or electric power provides sufficient energy density for the craft to attain and maintain operations of the craft, a controller coupled to each of the hydraulic or electric motors, and one or more processors communicably coupled to each controller that control an operation and speed of the plurality of hydraulic or electric motors.

Abstract: An aircraft having reverse thrust capabilities includes a fuselage, a plurality of flight components, a pilot control located within the fuselage, a sensor attached to the pilot control configured to detect an aircraft datum from the pilot control, and a flight controller, located within the fuselage, the flight controller configured to receive the aircraft datum from the sensor, and initiate a reverse torque command of a flight component of the plurality of flight components as a function of the aircraft datum.

Abstract: A diffuser may comprise an inlet and an outlet. The inlet may comprise an arcuate shape. The outlet may comprise an annular shape. The diffuser may transition from the arcuate shape at the inlet to the annular shape at the outlet. The diffuser may comprise a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall disposed opposite the radially inner wall. The radially inner wall and the radially outer wall may partially define a duct.

Abstract: Structural composite airfoils include a primary structural element and a secondary structural element defining the trailing edge of the structural composite airfoil. The primary structural element includes an upper skin panel, a lower skin panel, and a middle C-channel spar that is coupled to the upper skin panel and the lower skin panel. The upper skin panel extends from an upper leading edge end to an upper trailing edge end, and the lower skin panel extends from a lower leading edge end to a lower trailing edge end. The lower leading edge end of the lower skin panel is coupled to the upper leading edge end of the upper skin panel within the leading edge region of the primary structural element.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of controlling the yaw of a fixed-wing UAV, with two traction propellers arranged parallel to each other and providing thrust for the UAV; A plurality of motors configured to drive the two traction propellers, wherein the thrust ratio provided by the two traction propellers is changed to generate asymmetric thrust which controls the active yaw of the UAV. The fixed-wing UAV provided by the disclosure improves the reliability of the thrust system and active yaw.