Abstract: A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The passage is defined by a wall, and the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid. A constricting element is disposed adjacent the wall. An actuating apparatus is coupled to the constricting element and is configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage.

Abstract: A propulsion system includes a first compressor in fluid communication with a fluid source. A first conduit is coupled to the first compressor, and a heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first compressor via the first conduit. A second conduit is positioned proximal to the heat exchanger. A combustor is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger via the second conduit and is configured to generate a high-temperature gas stream. A third conduit is coupled to the combustor, and a first thrust augmentation device is in fluid communication with the combustor via the third conduit. The heat exchanger is positioned within the gas stream generated by the combustor.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

Abstract: A propulsion system includes a first compressor in fluid communication with a fluid source. A first conduit is coupled to the first compressor, and a heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first compressor via the first conduit. A second conduit is positioned proximal to the heat exchanger. A combustor is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger via the second conduit and is configured to generate a high-temperature gas stream. A third conduit is coupled to the combustor, and a first thrust augmentation device is in fluid communication with the combustor via the third conduit. The heat exchanger is positioned within the gas stream generated by the combustor.

Abstract: A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The passage is defined by a wall, and the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid. A constricting element is disposed adjacent the wall. An actuating apparatus is coupled to the constricting element and is configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage.

Abstract: A propulsion system includes at least one compressor, multiple conduits, a multiple-way valve, and at least one thrust augmentation device. A series of flaps can be retracted, tilted and operated in conjunction with the at least one thrust augmentation device. A converging channel in fluid communication with the valve is configured to allow expansion to ambient of a compressed air stream in a preferred single direction. The at least one thrust augmentation device each contains a mixing section, a throat section and a diffusor. Each said augmentation device receives compressed air from the at least one compressor via at least one of the conduits and valve and uses pressurized air as motive gas to generate thrust by fluidically entraining ambient air, mixing it with the motive gas and ejecting the motive gas at high velocities via the diffusor.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one fore conduit and at least one tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the fore conduit, coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element is coupled to the tail portion. A surface of the primary airfoil element is located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors such that the fluid from the first and second fore ejectors flows over the such surface.

Abstract: A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The passage is defined by a wall, and the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid. A constricting element is disposed adjacent the wall. An actuating apparatus is coupled to the constricting element and is configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage.

Abstract: A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a conduit portion configured to introduce to the diffusing structure through a passage a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The passage is defined by a wall, and the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid. A constricting element is disposed adjacent the wall. An actuating apparatus is coupled to the constricting element and is configured to urge the constricting element toward the wall, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the passage.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tad conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a main body and a gas generator producing a gas stream. At least one fore conduit and tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the at least one fore conduit. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the at least one tail conduit. The fore ejectors respectively include an outlet structure out of which gas from the at least one fore conduit flows. The at least one tail ejector includes an outlet structure out of which gas from the at least one tail conduit flows. First and second primary airfoil elements have leading edges respectively located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors. At least one secondary airfoil element has a leading edge located directly downstream of the outlet structure of the at least one tail ejector.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage and a primary airfoil having a first upper surface. The first upper snake has a recess disposed therein. A conduit is in fluid communication with recess. An ejector is disposed within the recess. The ejector is configured to receive compressed air via the conduit. The ejector is further configured to produce a propulsive efflux stream. A secondary airfoil is coupled to the primary airfoil and has a second upper surface. The ejector is positioned such that the efflux stream flows over the second surface. The second surface is oriented so as to entrain the efflux stream to flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first upper surface.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage and a primary airfoil having a first upper surface. The first upper surface has a recess disposed therein. A conduit is in fluid communication with recess. An ejector is disposed within the recess. The ejector is configured to receive compressed air via the conduit. The ejector is further configured to produce a propulsive efflux stream. A secondary airfoil is coupled to the primary airfoil and has a second upper surface. The ejector is positioned such that the efflux stream flows over the second surface. The second surface is oriented so as to entrain the efflux stream to flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first upper surface.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

Abstract: A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a main body and at least one wing coupled to the main body. A source of compressed fluid is coupled to the main body. The vehicle further includes first and second thrusters, each said first and second thruster having an intake structure and each said first and second thruster in fluid communication with the source. The first thruster is coupled to the main body and the second thruster is coupled to the at least one wing. The first and second thrusters are positioned, when in a first configuration, such that at least a portion of a boundary layer produced due to motion of the vehicle is ingested by the intake structures of the first and second thrusters. The vehicle further includes a system for selectively providing the compressed fluid to the first and second thrusters.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a main body and a gas generator producing a gas stream. At least one fore conduit and tail conduit are fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are fluidly coupled to the at least one fore conduit. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the at least one tail conduit. The fore ejectors respectively include an outlet structure out of which gas from the at least one fore conduit flows. The at least one tail ejector includes an outlet structure out of which gas from the at least one tail conduit flows. First and second primary airfoil elements have leading edges respectively located directly downstream of the first and second fore ejectors. At least one secondary airfoil element has a leading edge located directly downstream of the outlet structure of the at least one tail ejector.

Abstract: A propulsion system includes a source of compressed fluid, at least one thruster in fluid communication with the source, at least one turbine in fluid communication with the source and coupled to a propeller, and an apparatus for selectively providing the compressed fluid to one or both of the at least one thruster and the at least one turbine.

Abstract: An ejector system for propelling a vehicle. The system includes a diffusing structure and a duct coupled to the diffusing structure. The duct includes a wall having openings formed therethrough and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. An airfoil is positioned within the flow of the primary fluid through the openings to the diffusing structure.