Abstract: A high-efficiency wind turbine structure for providing torque to a rotary machine such as a generator. The structure embraces a flat central member arranged to rotate on an axis, and a plurality of peripheral vanes arranged so as to exhaust wind to a plurality of constrictions that exist between curved end portions of adjacent vanes. Improved efficiency and simplified construction are considered to be the advantageous characteristics.

Abstract: A ball drive assembly for a vertical takeoff and land aircraft of the type having a plurality of supports extending outwardly from a central aircraft body. The ball drive assembly for one of the supports has a ball wheel housing containing a spherical, rigid ball, a drive shaft extending into the ball, a first driver for initiating rotating movement of the ball with respect to the ball wheel housing, and a second driver for initiating swiveling left and right movement of the ball so that it twists laterally of the ball wheel housing. Two motors are connected to the drivers, for operating them to rotate the ball with respect to the ball wheel housing, and effect both straight line movement and turning movement of the assembly.

Abstract: A ball drive assembly for a vertical takeoff and land aircraft of the type having a plurality of supports extending outwardly from a central aircraft body. The ball drive assembly for one of the supports has a ball wheel housing containing a spherical, rigid ball, a drive shaft extending into the ball, a first driver for initiating rotating movement of the ball with respect to the ball wheel housing, and a second driver for initiating swiveling left and right movement of the ball so that it twists laterally of the ball wheel housing. Two motors are connected to the drivers, for operating them to rotate the ball with respect to the ball wheel housing, and effect both straight line movement and turning movement of the assembly.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: an aircraft having rotatable blades; and the rotatable blades are movable between horizontal and vertical positions.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertical takeoff aircraft body having an inverted hemispherical upper portion, a generally cylindrical lower portion with a diameter of its upper end slightly greater than a diameter of its lower end but less than a diameter of the lower end of the upper portion, and a truncated inverted generally cone-shaped transition portion joining the upper portion and the lower portion; and a plurality of vertical columns attached to the aircraft body and spaced apart from the aircraft body, equidistantly disposed about the aircraft body. The present invention also provides novel landing gears for such an aircraft as well as a novel method of adjusting the pitches of rotating blades thereof.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a machine for milling doors and/or drawer fronts, including: apparatus to horizontally clamp a door or drawer front to a horizontal movable table; apparatus to remove vertically disposed scribe pins from the door and/or drawer front, backs of the vertically disposed scribe pins defining a position of a frame to be spaced from the door and/or drawer front by a reveal; points disposed at the lower end of the vertically disposed scribe pins, flush with the backs, the points inserted into the door or drawer front; and apparatus to move the movable table such as to move the door or drawer front past a cutter head, the cutter head cutting the door or drawer front at least from a line in which lie the backs to a finished edge of the door or drawer front. A method of using the milling machine is also provided.