Abstract: An aerial vehicle of a box wing design adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using mounted thrust producing elements. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses one or more thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides. The aerial vehicle may have one or more front thrust producing elements and one or more rear thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides of a main vehicle body.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using pivoting thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with thrust units providing vertical thrust and then transitioning to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle with pivoting thrust units with propellers, wherein some or all of the propellers are able to be stowed and fully nested during forward flight.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle may have deployment mechanisms which deploy electric motor driven propellers from a forward facing to a vertical orientation. The wing mounted rotor assemblies may have split nacelles, wherein a forward portion of the nacelle deploys along with the electric motor and the propeller.

Abstract: A high efficiency hydrogen fuel system for an aircraft at high altitude which utilizes compressors to compress air to a sufficiently high pressure for the fuel cell. Liquid hydrogen is compressed and then utilized in heat exchangers to cool the compressed air, maintaining the air at a temperature low enough for the fuel cell. The hydrogen is also used to cool the fuel cell as it is also depressurized prior to its entry in the fuel cell cycle. A water condensation system allows for water removal from the airstream to reduce impacts to the atmosphere. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with VTOL aircraft, which may allow them to fly at higher elevations. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with other subsonic and supersonic aircraft, such as with asymmetric wing aircraft.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes. The aerial vehicle uses deployment mechanisms to deploy rotor assemblies up and away from their stowed configuration locations.

Abstract: The aircraft can include: an airframe, a tilt mechanism, a payload housing, and can optionally include an impact attenuator, a set of ground support members (e.g., struts), a set of power sources, and a set of control elements. The airframe can include: a set of rotors and a set of support members.

Abstract: A high efficiency hydrogen fuel system for an aircraft at high altitude which utilizes compressors to compress air to a sufficiently high pressure for the fuel cell. Liquid hydrogen is compressed and then utilized in heat exchangers to cool the compressed air, maintaining the air at a temperature low enough for the fuel cell. The hydrogen is also used to cool the fuel cell as it is also depressurized prior to its entry in the fuel cell cycle. A water condensation system allows for water removal from the airstream to reduce impacts to the atmosphere. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with VTOL aircraft, which may allow them to fly at higher elevations. The hydrogen fuel system may be used with other subsonic and supersonic aircraft, such as with asymmetric wing aircraft.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes. The aerial vehicle uses deployment mechanisms to deploy rotor assemblies up and away from their stowed configuration locations.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using pivoting thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to takeoff with thrust units providing vertical thrust and then transitioning to a horizontal flight path. An aerial vehicle with pivoting thrust units with propellers, wherein some or all of the propellers are able to be stowed and fully nested during forward flight.

Abstract: The rotary airfoil 100 defines a cross section and a span, wherein the cross section is a function of the point along the span (e.g., spanwise point) and defines an upper surface and a lower surface at each spanwise point. The rotary airfoil 100 also defines, at a cross section, a lift coefficient (CL) that is a function of the angle of attack at which the airfoil is rotated through the air. The system can optionally include: a rotor hub to mount the rotary airfoil, a tilt mechanism to pivot the rotary airfoil between a forward configuration and a hover configuration, and a pitching mechanism to change the angle of attack of the rotary airfoil 100.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using mounted thrust producing elements. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the forward rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses one or more thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides. The aerial vehicle may have one or more front thrust producing elements and one or more rear thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides of a main vehicle body.

Abstract: The rotary airfoil 100 defines a cross section and a span, wherein the cross section is a function of the point along the span (e.g., spanwise point) and defines an upper surface and a lower surface at each spanwise point. The rotary airfoil 100 also defines, at a cross section, a lift coefficient (CL) that is a function of the angle of attack at which the airfoil is rotated through the air. The system can optionally include: a rotor hub to mount the rotary airfoil, a tilt mechanism to pivot the rotary airfoil between a forward configuration and a hover configuration, and a pitching mechanism to change the angle of attack of the rotary airfoil 100.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle of a box wing design adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using mounted thrust producing elements. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses one or more thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides. The aerial vehicle may have one or more front thrust producing elements and one or more rear thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides of a main vehicle body.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle may have deployment mechanisms which deploy electric motor driven propellers from a forward facing to a vertical orientation. The wing mounted rotor assemblies may have split nacelles, wherein a forward portion of the nacelle deploys along with the electric motor and the propeller.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements and a set of tail mounted rotors for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft which uses fixed rotors for both VTOL and forward flight operations. The rotors form a synthetic wing and are positioned to achieve a high span efficiency. The rotors are positioned to even out the lift across the span of the synthetic wing. The synthetic wing may also have narrow front and rear airfoils which may provide structural support as well as providing lift during forward flight. The wing rotors are tilted forward and provide some forward propulsion during horizontal flight.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements and a set of tail mounted rotors for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes. The aerial vehicle uses deployment mechanisms to deploy rotor assemblies up and away from their stowed configuration locations.

Abstract: A method for the flying of a vertical take-off and landing aircraft which uses fixed rotors for both VTOL and forward flight operations. The rotors form a synthetic wing and are positioned to achieve a high span efficiency. The rotors are positioned to even out the lift across the span of the synthetic wing. The synthetic wing may also have narrow front and rear airfoils which may provide structural support as well as providing lift during forward flight, or may have a single center wing. The wing rotors are tilted forward and provide some forward propulsion during horizontal flight.

Abstract: A system and method for use with a VTOL aircraft with batteries in a state of deep discharge which prepares the aircraft for a safe vertical landing despite the deep discharge initial condition. The method may include preparing the batteries for an intense burst of power as may be needed during the vertical landing. The method may include idling the battery, thermally conditioning the battery, and may further include charging the batteries by regenerative use of the rotors. The preparation of the batteries may then allow for a burst of power used for landing the aircraft.