Abstract: A fly/drive vehicle has a road riding condition and a flying condition, and is easily convertible between the road riding condition and the flying condition. The vehicle includes a body with a passenger compartment and a drive compartment, at least one steered wheel and at least one driven wheel, and a propulsion propeller. The propulsion propeller has a central propeller base projecting outside a longitudinal end of the vehicle, and two propeller blades hinged to the central base. In the flying condition, the propeller blades are in an operative spread-out position, in which they extend substantially in line with each other substantially perpendicular to the propeller's rotation axis. In the road riding condition, the propeller blades are hinged about substantially vertical hinge axes to be directed more parallel to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A foldable rotor blade includes a hinge element defining two hinge axes arranged in parallel, and two blade segments each coupled to the hinge element for hinging with respect to a respective one of the hinge axes. The rotor blade has an extended condition in which the blade segments are substantially aligned with each other, and a folded condition in which each blade segment is hinged with respect to the hinge element so that the blade segments are substantially parallel to each other. The blade has a cord and the hinge axes are substantially parallel to the chord. The blade segments have upper surfaces which in the folded condition are facing each other, and which in the extended condition are flush with each other and the intermediate hinge element.

Abstract: A flying passenger rotor lifted vehicle that is capable of taking off and landing vertically, that is relatively light-weight, has responsive control, and increased safety against failure of propulsion/thrust systems. The flying vehicle can include a body having a tail section, a central thrust unit arranged along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, at a distance from the rotation axis of the main rotor, a mounting support on either side of the body, and a side thrust unit mounted to each mounting support. The central thrust unit includes a fan which provides air flow with a flow component perpendicular to a virtual vertical midplane of the vehicle. Each of the side thrust units includes a fan which provides air flow with a flow component parallel to the virtual vertical midplane. At least one of the thrust units has controllable air deflection to deflect the corresponding output air flow in a controllable manner.

Abstract: A fly/drive vehicle has a road riding condition and a flying condition, and is easily convertible between the road riding condition and the flying condition. The vehicle includes a body with a passenger compartment and a drive compartment, at least one steered wheel and at least one driven wheel, and a propulsion propeller. The propulsion propeller has a central propeller base projecting outside a longitudinal end of the vehicle, and two propeller blades hinged to the central base. In the flying condition, the propeller blades are in an operative spread-out position, in which they extend substantially in line with each other substantially perpendicular to the propeller's rotation axis. In the road riding condition, the propeller blades are hinged about substantially vertical hinge axes to be directed more parallel to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vehicle capable of being converted between a flying condition and an automotive riding condition. The vehicle has a telescopically extendable tail having a first tubular tail segment and a second tail segment disposed axially slideable within the first tubular tail segment. The tail is provided with at least two form-closing coupling members located at an axial distance from each other for providing a force-transferring coupling between the second tail segment and the first tubular tail segment in the extended state of the second tail segment, each of the form-closing coupling members capable of transferring torque and transverse forces, and each of the form-closing coupling members coming into engagement by axial displacement of the second tail segment in the outward direction.

Abstract: A vehicle capable of being converted between a flying condition and an automotive riding condition. The vehicle has a telescopically extendable tail having a first tubular tail segment and a second tail segment disposed axially slideable within the first tubular tail segment. The tail is provided with at least two form-closing coupling members located at an axial distance from each other for providing a force-transferring coupling between the second tail segment and the first tubular tail segment in the extended state of the second tail segment, each of the form-closing coupling members capable of transferring torque and transverse forces, and each of the form-closing coupling members coming into engagement by axial displacement of the second tail segment in the outward direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle (1) capable of being converted between a flying condition and an automotive riding condition. The vehicle has a telescopically extendable tail (10) comprising a first tubular tail segment (11) and a second tail segment (12) disposed axially slideable within the first tubular tail segment. The tail is provided with at least two form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) located at an axial distance (LI) from each other for providing a force-transferring coupling between the second tail segment (12) and the first tubular tail segment (11) in the extended state of the second tail segment (12), each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) capable of transferring torque and transverse forces, and each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) coming into engagement by axial displacement of the second tail segment (12) in the outward direction.

Abstract: In a direct electron detector, backscattering of electrons into the detector volume from below the sensor is prevented. In some embodiments, an empty space is maintained below the sensor. In other embodiments, a structure below the sensor includes geometry, such as multiple high aspects ratio channels, either extending to or from the sensor to trap electrons, or a structure of angled surfaces to deflect the electrons that pass through the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle (1) capable of being converted between a flying condition and an automotive riding condition. The vehicle has a telescopically extendable tail (10) comprising a first tubular tail segment (11) and a second tail segment (12) disposed axially slideable within the first tubular tail segment. The tail is provided with at least two form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) located at an axial distance (LI) from each other for providing a force-transferring coupling between the second tail segment (12) and the first tubular tail segment (11) in the extended state of the second tail segment (12), each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) capable of transferring torque and transverse forces, and each of said form-closing coupling members (21, 35; 31, 36) coming into engagement by axial displacement of the second tail segment (12) in the outward direction.

Abstract: In a direct electron detector, backscattering of electrons into the detector volume from below the sensor is prevented. In some embodiments, an empty space is maintained below the sensor. In other embodiments, a structure below the sensor includes geometry, such as multiple high aspects ratio channels, either extending to or from the sensor to trap electrons, or a structure of angled surfaces to deflect the electrons that pass through the sensor.

Abstract: In a direct electron detector, backscattering of electrons into the detector volume from below the sensor is prevented. In some embodiments, an empty space is maintained below the sensor. In other embodiments, a structure below the sensor includes geometry, such as multiple high aspects ratio channels, either extending to or from the sensor to trap electrons, or a structure of angled surfaces to deflect the electrons that pass through the sensor.

Abstract: In a direct electron detector, backscattering of electrons into the detector volume from below the sensor is prevented. In some embodiments, an empty space is maintained below the sensor. In other embodiments, a structure below the sensor includes geometry, such as multiple high aspects ratio channels, either extending to or from the sensor to trap electrons, or a structure of angled surfaces to deflect the electrons that pass through the sensor.