Abstract: A vehicle including a rear seat arrangement for a rear seat row and having a spare wheel recess arranged in the rear region of the vehicle—relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis—a spare wheel for the vehicle being received the spare wheel recess. A rigid carrier portion, which is fixed to the body of a supporting structure of the rear seat arrangement, is located with a lower face facing the cover of the spare wheel recess above a reference plane or extends along a reference plane, wherein the reference plane runs at an angle a to the wheel plane on the front face of the spare wheel and the wheel plane intersects a cutting line which is located in a vertical plane running perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal axis and tangential to the running surface of the spare wheel.

Abstract: A snow thrower includes a frame, a prime mover supported by the frame, and a handle assembly coupled to the frame. The handle assembly includes a grip for an operator to grasp. The snow thrower further includes an auger housing supported by the frame, and an auger blade rotationally coupled to and disposed within the auger housing. A track drive system is coupled to the frame to facilitate movement along a ground surface. The track drive system includes a drive wheel rotatably driven by the prime mover, an idler wheel rotatably supported by the frame, and a flexible track interconnecting the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The idler wheel is translatable relative to the frame to adjust an orientation of the auger housing relative to the ground surface.

Abstract: A multi-terrain wall climbing vehicle including a generally rectangular housing having a top opening and a bottom opening. A power source is placed within the housing. A first motor and a second motor are located within the housing and are connected to the power source. At least four pairs of wheels are connected to the housing, at least two of the wheel pairs being connected to and powered by the first motor. Two tracks are placed onto the wheels so as to surround the housing to enable the vehicle to ride along a riding surface. A propeller is placed within the housing between the top opening and the bottom opening. The propeller is connected to the second motor. As the propeller rotates, it draws in air from at least one of the top opening and the bottom opening and exhausts the air through the top opening so as to generate an adhesion force enabling a secure connection between the tracks of the vehicle and the riding surface.

Abstract: A mobile robot 1 having a plurality of kinds of moving forms includes a body unit 11 having a front face and a back face, four limb units 12 having a plurality of limb-side drive shafts, and front end tools 13 provided on a front end side of the limb units 12. A base end side of the limb unit 12 is connected to the body unit 11. The four limb units 12 are the same units. The body unit 11 and the four limb units 12 are movable by switching a front face side and a back face side so that a moving operation of the front face side and a moving operation of the back face side are symmetrical across the center of a thickness direction of the body unit 11.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing objects above a floor surface comprises an endless loop driven for rotation about a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel axes, a plurality of pulleys at longitudinally spaced locations supported for rotational movement about axes oriented transversely, and a plurality of flexible links coupled to the endless loop and extending therefrom to a respective one of the pulleys about which each link wraps and extends downwardly to a support member for carrying the objects above the floor. Thus in rotation of the endless loop the flexible links are retracted or dispensed from a housing where the endless loop is located so as to raise or lower the support member.

Abstract: An anti-theft monitoring equipment and an anti-theft monitoring method thereof, and an anti-theft system for a two-wheeler or a tricycle are disclosed.

Abstract: The compact lamp consists of a light source, a focusing lens, a specially shaped secondary lens with a saddle-shaped output surface, a light transmitting element, a battery holding chamber with an electrical control circuit connected to a button for control of the lamp source via a magnetic contact. Some of these elements are placed inside the lamp housing, mounted on an end of a handlebar or another suitable lighting device, and some other elements, including the battery and the magnetic control circuit, are installed inside the handlebar tube or the housing of the lighting device. The compact optical layout enables a beam, which is sharply limited in the vertical plane and sufficiently wide in the horizontal plane and is suitable for daytime running lamps, night headlamps or position lights. When at least two light sources are used in one lamp, beams of different light dispersion patterns can be electrically toggled.

Abstract: A position lighting device is configured to be installed on a vehicle and configured to radiate a beam such that people outside the vehicle can recognize the vehicle. A lighting unit is configured to radiate a beam to a ceiling part or a side wall part of a tunnel-like structure which has at least a floor part, the ceiling part, and the side wall part. A position recognizing unit is configured to recognize that the vehicle is positioned in the tunnel-like structure. A radiation control unit is configured to control the lighting unit to radiate the beam if the position recognizing unit recognizes that the vehicle is positioned in the tunnel-like structure.

Abstract: A fastening locking system for containers on an attachment device having attachment points includes correspond receiving elements arranged on a container and detachably fasten the container to the carrier in a defined position by means of at least one lower guide element attached on the rear side of the container and by means of two upper receiving elements attached to the rear side of container, wherein the two receiving elements attached in the upper region to the rear side of the container are arranged along an arc path and each have a continuous guide groove, following the arc path, and include a projection for receiving a mushroom-shaped attachment means, which is arranged on the luggage carrier, wherein each receiving element is equipped with a spring-loaded tilting lever mounted for rotation about an axis and one end of each tilting lever extends in the direction of the top edge of the bag or container and the other beveled end oriented in one direction extends into the guide groove with the projection

Abstract: A vehicle has a frame defining a longitudinal centerplane, at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, an engine operatively connected to at least one of the wheels, a transmission, a brake assembly operatively connected to at least one of the wheels, and a straddle-type seat. Left and right rails disposed vertically lower than the seat extend forwardly and downwardly on a left and right side respectively of the longitudinal centerplane. A left footrest connected to the left rail is selectively disposed in one of at least a first and a second left footrest position. A right footrest connected to the right rail is selectively disposed in one of at least a first and a second right footrest position. A foot-operated actuator is connected to one of the left and right footrests. The actuator is operatively connected to one of: the brake assembly and the transmission.

Abstract: To avoid causing significant damage to a temperature sensor or an unintentional shift of the temperature sensor, a hand grip disclosed herein includes: a cylindrical inner housing 110; a heating element 120 provided adjacent to an outer peripheral side of the inner housing 110; a temperature sensor 140 provided adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the inner housing 110; and a sheathing 130 covering the inner housing 110, the heating element 120, and the temperature sensor 140. A recess 111 is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the inner housing 110, and the temperature sensor 140 is fitted into the recess 111.

Abstract: A handle weight mounting structure of a straddle-type vehicle which achieves a simple structure and thereby enables a reduction of variation in the vibration isolating performance and a cost reduction. A fastening bolt includes a shank portion in which an external thread portion to be screwed and joined to the inner face of a handle pipe is formed; and a head portion which is formed on an end part of the shank portion for pressing the outer weight in the axial direction of the handle pipe, the shank portion includes a lock portion which is designed to couple the outer weight and the inner weight to each other. The lock portion is provided on an end part of the external thread portion opposite from the head portion.

Abstract: System and method for detachable handlebars and fixing said handlebars onto a mount are presented. Specifically, the handlebars are independent the bicycle and mount; in some arrangements, the handlebar locking shaft may include a non-clamping connection that allows for the handlebars to attach to the bicycle quickly and easily and to prevent the handlebars from sliding, rotating, disengaging, or otherwise moving while a user is on the bicycle. The non-threaded assembly disclosed in accordance with the present invention may generally exploit several compression mechanisms to bias a series of keys into a locking position to secure the handlebars attachment to the bicycle or mount. Other embodiments are also included.

Abstract: There is provided a saddle-ridden type vehicle. The vehicle includes frame members, pivot shaft supports, a swing arm, first and second support members, a rear cushion unit and a link mechanism. A first link member has one end portion pivotably connected to a rear end portion of the rear cushion unit, the other end portion located at a front lower side relative to the rear end portion and extending to a position at a rear side relative to a rear end portion of each frame member, and a swing arm connection unit. A second link member has one end portion pivotably connected to the other end portion of the first link member and the other end portion pivotably connected to the second support member. A cushion unit connection portion of the swing arm is pivotably connected to a swing arm connection portion of the first link member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a mobile performance system, and methods of making and using such a mobile performance system, whereby the mobile performance system includes: a frame; a front wheel coupled to the frame proximate a frame front end; a pair of rear wheels coupled to the frame proximate a frame rear end; a drive mechanism coupled to the frame, the drive mechanism operable to drive travel of the mobile performance system along a travel path; a steering assembly coupled to the frame, the steering assembly operable to steer the mobile performance system along the travel path; and a platform coupled to the frame, the platform adapted to support a performer performing a performance while the mobile performance system travels along the travel path.

Abstract: A cable operated left-hand rear brake system for off-road motorbikes and closed-course motorbikes consists of a handlebar-mounted brake lever, a brake cable, a cable perch, and a cable adapter. The handlebar-mounted brake lever provides the user with an alternative method to apply the rear brakes in addition to the existing foot lever. The brake cable is connected to the handlebar-mounted brake lever at a first end and the cable adapter at a second end. The cable adapter is mounted to the existing braking system of the motorbike. Therefore, when the user intends to apply the rear brakes, the handlebar-mounted brake lever is compressed such that the cable adapter pivots to control the existing braking system. The cable perch is used to position and guide the brake cable from the handlebar-mounted brake lever to the cable adapter.

Abstract: A supplemental drive mechanism for a bicycle or other manually compelled pedal vehicle providing a reciprocating handlebar assembly, a cable drive, a transmission assembly, and a supplemental drive assembly, wherein a forced reciprocating movement of the handlebar by a push-pull motion of a rider by the upper body, by and through the transmission, results in a singular direction rotational movement of a supplemental chain sprocket incorporated into the rear wheel drive of the bicycle in addition to a rotational pedal movement the rider by the lower body as applied to the pedals of the bicycle in a forward direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a human-powered machine may include a front crankset spaced from a rear crankset, each rotatably coupled to a frame. Crank arms of the rear crankset are longer than crank arms of the front crankset. A left foot platform and a right foot platform each have a rear portion rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of the corresponding rear crank arm, and a front portion in sliding and rotating engagement with a distal end portion of the corresponding front crank arm. The front crankset and the rear crankset may be mechanically coupled to each other, such that the two cranksets turn together at the same rotational speed in terms of RPM. The two cranksets may also be operatively connected to the hub of a wheel.

Abstract: The motorcycle includes an engine, a radiator configured to cool cooling water for the engine, a radiator fan configured to suck and discharge air ahead of the radiator, a fan cover guiding downward the air discharged from the radiator fan, and a side cowl disposed on a side of the radiator, in which the side cowl has a cover side lower end at a lower end of a portion positioned below a portion overlapped with the fan cover in a side view, the cover side lower end being positioned adjacent to a lower end of the fan cover.

Abstract: A bicycle chain tensioner device is basically provided with a base member, a pulley and an electrical storage unit. The pulley is supported by the base member. The pulley includes a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to the pulley being rotated by a bicycle chain. The electrical storage unit is disposed on the base member and electrically coupled to the dynamo to store electrical energy generated by the dynamo.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-type vehicle which can switch between the parking brake state and the neutral state using a clutch actuator configured to operate the clutch and thus lower the manufacturing cost. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a saddle-type vehicle which can be driven by a driver sitting on a seat and steering a bar handle.

Abstract: A bicycle bar end attachment includes a main body, a shoe, a compression member, a rotation member, a transmission structure and a fixing structure. The main body is insertable into a bicycle handlebar, and includes a first threaded portion. The shoe is located between an inner surface of the handlebar and the main body. The compression member includes a second threaded portion engaged with the first threaded portion and a first pressing surface contacting one end of the shoe. The rotation member includes an exposed portion accessible from outside the handlebar and a second pressing surface contacting the other end of the shoe. The transmission structure transmits rotation of the rotation member to the compression member. The fixing structure holds the shoe between the compression member and the rotation member, and moves the shoe in a radial direction of the handlebar to fix the main body to the handlebar.

Abstract: An open water transport system for payloads and a method for transporting payloads. The system includes two sponsons substantially parallel to the other. The sponsons are spaced apart from each other and extending in a forward direction. A deck plate module is detachably mounted on top of each sponson. A superstructure may be detachably mounted to the deck plate modules. The superstructure may bear a weight of one or more payloads. The carriage assembly couples to the payload(s). The carriage assembly has an adjustment mechanism that permits an operator to redistribute the weight of a payload. The open water transport system is towed by another vehicle.

Abstract: A universal and rapid system suitable for covering boats or any other vehicle and object. The purpose is to realize a covering system which is practical, functional in the positioning phase and compact in storage, to overcome problems related to water stagnation and bad air circulation, and to get the advantage of waterproofing, of protection from atmospheric agents. The system comprises a cover (1), a coupling means (10) placed on it, a system for lifting (38) anchored to a support structure (39) wherein said cover (1) is connected to a sleeve (15). The system, in its several applications, diversifies itself for the various possible embodiments of the several elements constituting the system, for example for the type and shape of the cover, for the type of the sleeve, for the modalities of anchoring.

Abstract: A ground anchor with an upper helical member attached to or near the upper end of an elongated rod and at least lower helical member attached to the elongated rod below the upper helical member. The upper helical member includes a fixed, spiral-shaped, curved flange. Near or on the outer edge of the curved flange is a continuous or intermittent vertical wall. The lower helical member includes a curved flange similar to the curved flange used on upper helical member. The upper neck of the elongated rod engages a torque generating tool that rotates the anchor into the subsea floor until the helical members are embedded in the subsea floor. A swivel arm attaches to the neck that connects to a line that extends downward to a floating buoy or dock. A piling may be longitudinally aligned over the neck and threaded connectors securely attach the piling to the anchor.

Abstract: A water-propelled or water-powered unmanned aerial vehicle including a base configured to carry a payload, and at least one nozzle attached thereto. The at least one nozzle is configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid from a source located remotely from the vehicle. The vehicle includes a control system configured to alter or otherwise selectively dictate the flow of fluid through the at least one nozzle and/or the orientation of the at least one nozzle with respect to the base in response to a received control signal for providing controlled unmanned vehicle flight.

Abstract: A dive door and ladder assembly includes a door positioned on the side of a boat, preferably in a rearward or aft position. The dive door is attached to a horizontally oriented hinge on a bottom portion thereof, and opens by pivoting inwardly and downwardly (vertically). When the door is in an open position, the underside of the door is generally in a horizontal plane with the upper surface of the doorway, forming a platform for divers and snorkelers to stand on. The upper surface of the doorway further includes a small hatch that may be opened to reveal a compartment therebelow. A collapsible ladder may be positioned within the compartment, in a collapsed state, and may be pulled upwardly from the compartment and folded over the side of the boat, through the doorway and extended into the water.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle used to lay pipe sections within trenches located on sloped terrain, and a method for using it, including: an undercarriage carrying a vehicle chassis and capable of climbing sloped terrain; a rotating platform which can be maintained level relative to the sloped terrain; and a boom with an angled boom head, capable of using two independent winch cables to lift and position individual pipe sections having differing lengths and diameters. The vehicle may be used to sequentially lift two or more pipe sections, one at a time, and to swing and position the pipe sections in a trench, end-to-end.

Abstract: A system for converting a paddleboard into a gigging vessel includes a standard stand-up paddleboard outfitted with a conversion system. The conversion system includes a pair of opposing pontoons, a pair of opposing guards each adjacent to one pontoon, and retaining arms and retaining straps for securing pontoons and guards to the stand-up paddleboard. The system includes a pair of wheels that can be lowered for transportation across land, and raised for use in aquatic environments; lights; and a storage compartment for items and captured fish. In one embodiment the pontoons and guards can be folded up for transportation.

Abstract: A fin stabilizer for stabilizing watercraft includes a pivotable stabilizer fin and a receiving space for receiving the stabilizer fin. The stabilizer fin is shiftable from a retracted state in which the stabilizer fin is received in the receiving space to an extended state in which the stabilizer fin extends from the receiving space. Also at least one flexible cover element for at least partially covering an opening of the receiving space, through which opening the stabilizer fin enters and exits the receiving space during retracting and extending, respectively. The stabilizer fin does not contact the at least one cover element when shifting from the retracted state to the extended state.

Abstract: An improved kayak has a hull of thermoformed ABS plastic having a bow and a seat having a void between the bow and the seat, a top of the hull being a deck with a foam PVC block glued to a bottom face of the deck. A rotomolded polyethylene plastic insert is located in the void and joined to the hull by fasteners that pass through the insert and the deck of the hull and engage the foam PVC block within the hull, with caulking between the hull and the insert. A propulsion device is removably mounted in the rotomolded plastic insert that allows a user of the kayak to propel the kayak.

Abstract: There is a transom portion with a transom plate and two extensions. There is a motor portion with a motor plate and two extensions. The transom portion and motor portion are pivotably coupled. The transom portion has a hydraulic cylinder base support bracket. The motor portion has a hydraulic cylinder ram support bracket. There is a hydraulic cylinder having a base and a ram. There is an electric hydraulic pump, the electric hydraulic pump being operatively coupled to the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A jack plate has a pair of transom mounting brackets and a pair of slide plate holders. There is a slide plate holder lower cross member and a pivot pin. The pivot pin rotatably couples the transom mounting brackets and the slide plate holders. There is a slide plate and a single unit hydraulic lifting assembly. The hydraulic lifting assembly is coupled to the lower cross member at a location right of the centerline of the lower cross member.

Abstract: An outboard motor including an internal combustion engine for propelling a ship is equipped with an air-guiding system using a covering hood surrounding surfaces of the internal combustion engine and auxiliary units. The covering hood is provided with airflow inlet and outlet openings in its interior, and a fan driven by the internal combustion engine influences airflows in the covering hood. An air-guiding system includes channeling devices for partial air flows. First partial air flows are fed as intake air to an engine intake system, and second partial air flows act, with the aid of the fan, on surfaces of the internal combustion engine and the auxiliary units heated by operation of the internal combustion engine. The heated airflows are conveyed by the fan and a third channeling device as exhaust air via an outlet opening in the covering hood outside of the covering hood or into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A ship includes a main pipe that guides CNG whose pressure is increased by an LNG pump to the engine; a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of CNG to be supplied to the engine; a pressure adjustment valve that adjusts the pressure of the CNG to a set pressure according to engine load; a differential pressure sensor that measures a differential pressure before and after the pressure adjustment valve; and a buffer tank that absorbs a variable pressure of the CNG in the main pipe. The discharge pressure of the LNG pump is controlled such that the differential pressure is increased when the pressure is low, and the differential pressure is decreased when the pressure is high.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a fill port apparatus for filling high altitude balloons, such as those used in communications networks, with lighter than air lift gasses. For instance, the fill port apparatus includes a tubular body portion having a passageway extending between a first end and a second end of the tubular body portion. The fill port apparatus also includes an attachment structure arranged at the first end of the tubular body portion. This structure is configured to attach to a top plate of a balloon envelope. The fill port apparatus also includes a plurality of energy directing structures arranged on an interior surface of the tubular body portion. These energy directing structures extend into the passageway from the interior surface and are each configured to contact at least one other of the plurality of energy directing structures when the tubular body portion is welded to itself.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermal hydrogen generator and a process and system for generating hydrogen gas, more specifically to a process and system for generating hydrogen gas by thermally decomposing a metal hydride.

Abstract: A return air bridge for use in an aircraft assembly includes an inboard portion configured to couple to a sidewall assembly at a bottom edge of the sidewall assembly and an outboard portion configured to couple to a structural member. The return air bridge also includes at least one support coupling the inboard portion to the outboard portion such that a return air flow path is defined between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The outboard portion comprises a plate configured to direct an air flow along the return air flow path upwardly with respect to the bottom edge of the sidewall assembly.

Abstract: A pressure bulkhead (1) for an aircraft fuselage (3) having a sandwich structure (5) which defines a central axis (9) and which extends between a circumferential edge area (7), wherein the sandwich structure (5) includes an inner cover layer (13), an outer cover layer (17), and a core layer (19), which extends between the inner and outer cover layers (13, 17) and connects them.

Abstract: A flight deck door assembly for an aircraft includes a flight deck bulkhead defining an access opening from a passenger deck area to a flight deck area of the aircraft, a lavatory bulkhead spaced apart from the flight deck bulkhead and defining a lavatory monument, a first lock containment arranged in a first portion of the flight deck bulkhead opposite to a door jamb formed by a second portion of the flight deck bulkhead, a second lock containment arranged in the lavatory bulkhead, and a flight deck door having a door blade hingedly coupled to the door jamb. The flight deck door is configured to latch to the first lock containment in a first closing position and to latch to the second lock containment in a second closing position.

Abstract: An aviation laminate includes an intumescent backer sheet covered by a decorative sheet. The aviation laminate is generally fire-resistant, may be structural, and may be used to construct various components within an aircraft cabin that may be held to government/regulatory fire mitigation requirements.

Abstract: An open-channel stiffener for stiffening a panel has a bonding flange for bonding the stiffener to the panel through a bondline formed between the bonding flange and the panel to form a stiffened panel. The open-channel stiffener has a cross-sectional shape that aligns, or substantially aligns, a shear center of the stiffener with a centroid of the stiffener and aligns the shear center proximate an edge of the bondline, and removes the need for a radius filler noodle. A plurality of perforations may be formed through the bonding flange to permit an adhesive to wick into the perforations and create a mechanical interlock between the bonding flange and the panel.

Abstract: A wing pivot apparatus for rotating a wing between a flight orientation and a stowed orientation relative to a fuselage of a tiltrotor aircraft. The apparatus includes a guide ring that is fixably coupled to the fuselage. Forward and aft wing attach assemblies are coupled respectively to forward and aft spars of the wing and are moveably supported by the guide ring. Forward and aft wing support fittings are coupled respectively to the forward and aft spars of the wing and are selectively securable respectively to first and second fore-aft beams of the fuselage. A plurality of lock assemblies selectively secures the wing support fittings to the fore-aft beams of the fuselage when the wing is in the flight orientation. An actuator coupled to the fuselage is operable to reversibly rotate the wing between the flight orientation and the stowed orientation.

Abstract: A multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator includes a motor stator configured to generate rotational motion about a rotational axis. The multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator further includes a plurality of layers rotatably coupled to the motor stator. Each layer includes an output arm slice configured to rotate about the rotational axis in response to the rotational motion.

Abstract: An aircraft, a control surface arrangement, and a method of assembling an aircraft are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the aircraft includes, but is not limited to, an airframe, a control surface, and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotatably mounts the control surface to the airframe. The rotary actuator supports the control surface on the airframe and is configured to rotate the control surface with respect to the airframe when the rotary actuator is actuated. The rotary actuator is further configured to deliver torque to the control surface from a longitudinally intermediate portion of the rotary actuator.

Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft includes a fuselage having a plurality of surfaces. At least one engine is mounted in the fuselage. A rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft a plurality of rotor blades operatively connected to the rotor shaft. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of surface portions. An active air discharge opening extends through one of the plurality of surfaces of the fuselage and one of the plurality of surface portions of the rotor assembly, and an active air generation system is mounted in the fuselage. The active air generation system is configured and disposed to generate and direct a flow of air through the active air discharge opening to disrupt an airstream flowing over the one of the plurality of surfaces of the fuselage and the one of the plurality of surface portions of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft steering system using an aircraft ground taxi drive system whereby electrical power generated by a first motor-generator of a landing gear wheel drive system in a regenerative braking mode is supplied to a second motor-generator of a landing gear wheel drive system in a motorized driving mode.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a rotorcraft includes a fuselage having a rotor hub assembly protruding therefrom that is rotatable relative thereto. A generator having an armature is mechanically coupled to the rotor hub assembly such that the armature is rotatable in response to rotation of the rotor hub assembly. A braking unit is in selective electrical communication with the generator. The braking unit is adapted to apply an electrical resistance to rotation of the armature, thereby reducing a rotational speed of the rotor hub assembly.

Abstract: A blade of a rotor for a rotary wing aircraft. The blade presents a combination of relationships for variation in the sweep, the chord, and the twist of the airfoil profiles of the sections of the blade in order, firstly to improve the aerodynamic performance of the blade both in forward flight and in stationary flight, and secondly to reduce the noise given off during approach flight. The blade is double-tapered and presents three sweeps. The twist relationship is substantially constant over a first portion of the blade, and then decreases over the remainder of the blade in linear or in non-linear manner. Suitable variation in the gradient of the twist of the blade makes it possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the blade in forward flight and in hovering flight.

Abstract: In some embodiment, an aircraft includes an airframe, a propulsion system attached to the airframe and a flight control system operably associated with the propulsion system. A pod assembly is selectively attachable to the flying frame. The flying frame has a vertical takeoff and landing mode and a forward flight mode. The flying frame has a manned flight mode and an unmanned flight mode.