Abstract: An improved passenger boarding bridge comprises a proximal section such as a rotunda which is connectable to a doored exit of an airport concourse, a distal section such as a cab adapted to dock with a parked aircraft, and at least one tunnel section interposed therebetween. A plurality seals are associated with the various sections and their junctures to extend an environmental envelope of the airport concourse to the parked aircraft. For example, a first plurality of seals may be provided for sealing a juncture of the rotunda section and the tunnel section, and a second plurality of seals may be provided for sealing a juncture of the cab section and the tunnel section. Seals are also associated with each of the rotunda and cab sections.

Abstract: A rotor system that allows an aircraft to operate as a helicopter and as an airplane is disclosed. The invention incorporates an annular airfoil attached at the tips of the rotor blades. The rotor system stops and is secured from rotation for operation at high forward speeds. The annulus acts as the primary lifting surface in airplane mode at high speed. The rotor blades incorporate leading and trailing edge flaps for control in transitional and fixed wing flight modes.

Abstract: A rotor system that allows an aircraft to operate as a helicopter and as an airplane is disclosed. The invention incorporates an annular airfoil attached at the tips of the rotor blades. The rotor system stops and is secured from rotation for operation at high forward speeds. The annulus acts as the primary lifting surface in airplane mode at high speed. The rotor blades incorporate leading and trailing edge flaps for control in transitional and fixed wing flight modes.