Abstract: A ducted fan assembly includes a duct having an inlet, an inner surface, an expanding diffuser and an outlet. A fan disposed within the duct between the inlet and the expanding diffuser is configured to rotate about a fan axis to generate airflow. An active flow control system includes a plurality of injection zones circumferentially distributed about the inner surface. The expanding diffuser has a diffuser angle configured to create flow separation when the airflow is uninfluenced by the active flow control system such that the airflow has a thrust vector with a first direction that is substantially parallel to the fan axis. Injection of pressurized air from one of the injection zones asymmetrically reduces the flow separation between the airflow and the expanding diffuser downstream of that injection zone such that the thrust vector of the airflow has a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: The application discloses a coaxial helicopter, the cyclic pitch-changing mechanism simultaneously adjusts the pitches of the upper and the lower rotor systems, to make uniformity cyclic pitch-changing adjustment of the upper and lower rotors, and make independent collective pitch adjustment of the upper rotor system; the differential pitch-changing mechanism and the cyclic pitch-changing mechanism jointly act on the lower rotor system, to perform differential collective pitch adjustment of the upper and lower rotor systems. The synchronous rotating mechanism drives the swashplate members to synchronously rotate along with the drive shaft.

Abstract: Aircraft door (1) including an opening (4), a frame (3), a hinge structure (5) and a circular translation guide device designed to maintain the orientation of the opening (4) during the opening or closing thereof. The hinge structure (5) is connected to the opening (4) by a lifting arm (8) allowing a lifting movement of the opening (4) relative to the hinge structure (5). The circular translation guide device includes a single link (11) connected to the frame (3) by one of the ends thereof and by the other of the ends thereof to a lever (13) which is attached to the hinge structure (5).

Abstract: A door roller includes a carriage member comprising a plurality of bores, and a plurality of roller assemblies connected to the carriage member, each roller assembly of the plurality of roller assemblies including a pivot bearing rotatably disposed within a bore of the plurality of bores and a pair of rollers coupled to the pivot bearing. Each wheel assembly is configured to pivot relative to the carriage member.

Abstract: A tandem-tiltrotor apparatus, comprising a right-wing, a pin extending substantially in an inboard-outboard direction of the aircraft, a leadingedge-leaf connected to the hollow-pin providing the leadingedge-leaf 1-degree of rotational freedom around the pin. A tandem-tiltrotor power apparatus, comprising a right-wing, a front-wingleaf, hollow-pin extending substantially in an inboard-outboard direction of the aircraft, a leadingedge-leaf connected to a pin providing the leadingedge-leaf having 1-degree of rotational freedom around the hollow-pin, and a power cable threaded through the hollow-pin. A tandem-tiltrotor link apparatus, comprising a right-wing, a hollow-pin extending substantially in a inboard-outboard direction of the aircraft, a leadingedge-leaf having 1-degree of rotational freedom around the hollow-pin, a frontlink, fixed to the leadingedge-leaf lower surface and a frontlink-hinge fixed to the frontlink.

Abstract: A tower catch mechanism that facilitates loading of vertical grow towers in a vertical farming structure having associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a load conveyance mechanism that transfers grow towers to a loading position where grow towers are loaded onto a select grow line. Each grow line may include a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. The system may include a tower catch mechanism that registers grow towers in position at the loading position for insertion into a select grow line. In some implementations, the tower catch mechanism can be integrated into other structures of the vertical farming system, such as a gutter basin corresponding to a select grow line.

Abstract: A ducted fan of an aircraft includes a rotor-side fan and a stator-side duct that surrounds the rotor-side fan radially at the outside and that defines a flow channel for air flowing via the fan. The stator-side duct has an inner wall facing toward the fan, an outer wall averted from the fan, and at least one stiffening strut that runs within the flow channel. The stiffening strut, at one respective end, extends through the duct and protrudes radially relative to the outer wall of the duct. At the respective end of the stiffening strut, a fastening device is formed. The fastening device is configured to mount the ducted fan on a structural component of the aircraft. The fastening device has an insert composed of a fiber-reinforced plastic and laminated into the respective end of the stiffening strut.

Abstract: A system for heating animals. The heating system uses an elongated curved reflector around an elongated infrared light source to reflect heat off of the elongated curved reflector and onto piglets provided in the piglet creep of a farrowing crate. The system has a reduced thermal gradient to efficiently transfer heat to animals, such as piglets, without overheating other nearby animals, such as sows.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for seeding a cloud cell, comprising means for conveying an active substance and means for delivering said active substance. In order to comply with standard and safety requirements, said device comprises aerostatic means that cooperate with the means for conveying said active substance. The invention further concerns a system for seeding a cloud cell, comprising a seeding device according to the invention and a remote electronic entity capable of communicating with said device via communication means over a wired or wireless link.

Abstract: An aircraft and a control yoke for operating the aircraft. The control yoke includes a base, a handle for manual operation of the aircraft, and a graphical communication device centered at the base for receiving a command from an operator and autonomously operating the aircraft according to the received command.

Abstract: An aircraft airfoil having an internal thrust unit and an aircraft having the same are provided. The airfoil includes a skin structure having a lower surface extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil over which air flows during forward flight. A thrust system is connected to the skin structure and includes a thrust unit generating an airflow that is at least partially expelled through an outlet in the lower surface of the skin structure. At least one outlet cover is connected to the skin structure and movable between a forward flight position, in which the at least one outlet cover is configured to deflect the airflow in an at least partially rearward direction, and a vertical flight position, in which the at least one outlet cover is substantially clear of the airflow which is directed in an at least partially downward direction.

Abstract: An aircraft safety system includes impact energy reduction systems including: an aircraft parachute, at least one rotor configured for autorotation, and an energy absorbing system. An automatic control system uses data from speed and altitude sensors to selectively and sequentially deploy the impact energy reduction systems depending on the portion of the aircraft speed and altitude flight envelope in which the aircraft is operating when an emergency is detected.

Abstract: A ducted-rotor aircraft includes a fuselage, first and second ducts, and a spindle that is coupled to the fuselage. Each duct includes a rotor having a plurality of blades. The first and second ducts are coupled to opposed ends of the spindle. The spindle is rotatably coupled to the fuselage with first and second bearings. The first bearing is configured to react to radial loads and the second bearing is configured to react to both radial and axial loads. The spindle includes a shaft, first and second fittings secured to opposed ends of the shaft, and first and second attachment interfaces that are attachable to the first and second ducts. The attachment interfaces may be integral with the fittings. Alternatively, the fittings may be configured to be secured to the attachment interfaces with fasteners.

Abstract: An aerodynamic body includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes a first portion of a first axisymmetric body. The lower surface is mated with the upper surface. The lower surface includes a waverider shape. The waverider shape is derived from the shockwave generated by a second axisymmetric body.

Abstract: A connector configured for receiving a cartridge for forming a teatcup where the cartridge includes an elongated sleeve and a barrel pre-mounted in the elongated sleeve and having an inner space for receiving a teat and the connector includes a lower base member and a shell extending from the lower base member and surrounding a receiving space for receiving the cartridge, the lower base member and the shell foringm one piece of a plastic material, and the shell being configured to extend along an axial length of the elongated sleeve at least to the upper end of the sleeve when the cartridge is received in the connector.

Abstract: Flap actuation systems for aircraft are described herein. An example flap actuation system includes a fixed beam coupled to and extending downward from a fixed wing portion of an aircraft wing and a rocking lever plate pivotably coupled to the fixed beam. The rocking lever plate is coupled to a forward end of a flap bracket disposed on a bottom side of a flap of the wing. The flap actuation system also includes a crank arm, a crank rod coupled between the crank arm and the rocking lever plate, and a flap link coupled between the rocking lever plate and an aft end of the flap bracket, such that actuation of the crank arm pivots the rocking lever plate to move the flap between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the fixed wing portion.

Abstract: A milker unit short milk tube having a downstream milk claw connection end; a position and release device joined to and extending away from the downstream milk claw connection end; a controlled flexible portion disposed in an upstream direction from the position and release device; a reinforced portion disposed in upstream direction from the controlled flexible portion; and an interior milking claw inlet sealing surface.

Abstract: A fully compounding rotorcraft includes a fuselage having first and second wings extending therefrom and configured to provide lift compounding responsive to forward airspeed. A twin boom includes first and second tail boom members that extend aftward from the first and second wings. An empennage is coupled between the aft ends of the tail boom members. An anti-torque system includes a tail rotor that is rotatably coupled to the empennage. An engine is disposed within the fuselage and is configured to provide torque to a main rotor assembly via an output shaft and a main rotor gearbox. An auxiliary propulsive system is coupled to the fuselage and is configured to generate a propulsive thrust to offload at least a portion of a thrust requirement from the main rotor during forward flight, thereby providing propulsion compounding to increase the forward airspeed of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: Presented is a pet carrier for retaining small pets. The pet carrier essentially includes a carrier body and a carrier support arrangement for mounting the carrier body on the bicycle's handlebars or the car's seat. The carrier body includes a front door section, a head section, and a base section. The carrier body also includes a built-in handle at the head section enabling a user to carry the pet carrier from one location to another. The front door section is selectively openable and includes a self-locking latch mechanism that self-locks, when a user places the pet inside the pet carrier and closes the front door section. Further, the base section of the pet carrier includes a mounting/dismounting mechanism that allows the carrier body to click or attach onto the carrier support arrangement designed to removably mount the carrier body on to a bicycle's handlebar or a car's seat.

Abstract: A proprotor system for a ducted aircraft convertible between a vertical takeoff and landing flight mode and a forward flight mode includes a plurality of proprotor blades and a duct surrounding the proprotor blades. The duct includes an adaptive geometry device movable into various positions including a hover position and a cruise position. One or more actuators coupled to the adaptive geometry device are configured to move the adaptive geometry device between the hover position and the cruise position based on the flight mode of the ducted aircraft, thereby improving flight performance of the ducted aircraft.