Abstract: An aircraft having a fuselage provided with an internal duct extending longitudinally therethrough to provide an internal wing for the craft, the internal duct having the forward end open for receiving an air stream therethrough and the aft end thereof open for discharge of the air stream therefrom, the internal contour of the duct being alterable in accordance with required operational conditions for the flight of the craft, and a plurality of control flaps and/or vanes provided at the aft end of the duct for proving operational controls for the craft in the manner of a more conventional external wing craft.

Abstract: Lift for an aircraft is provided by forming a longitudinal lifting duct therethrough, said lifting duct having a substantially planar roof and a longitudinally cambered floor. When the aircraft is driven forwardly, a stream of air enters and passes through the lifting duct and the contouring of the floor of the lifting duct give rise to a pressure gradient in the air stream which result in a higher pressure on the roof of the lifting duct than on the floor thereof so that the pressure difference provides lift for the aircraft.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an automatic apparatus and method for coupling a workpiece to a specified position along a continuous length of ribbon and then cutting a length of ribbon therefrom to a predetermined length, which improvement provides for grasping the cut length of ribbon and welding the ends together. A pair of clamping jaws grasps a piece of ribbon at a predetermined position just prior to cutting the ribbon from a continuous length of ribbon, then turns the ribbon to align the end over a sonic welding anvil, and welding the ends of the ribbon together and discharging the ribbon from the apparatus.