Abstract: Rear suspension system for a bicycle in which there are two links pivotally interconnecting the front triangle (being, the bicycle component having the seat and bottom bracket) and the rear triangle (being, the component to which the rear wheel is mounted), and the link pivots on the front triangle are located no higher than the location of the instant centre of the rear triangle at the sag point. Suspension stability may be enhanced by having one of the links oriented horizontally at the sag point and/or by having the link pivots on the front triangle in horizontal alignment.

Abstract: Provided is a motorcycle including a frame, a front ground-engaging wheel, rear ground-engaging wheel and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes handlebars, an upper steering stem, a lower steering stem and a lever assembly intermediate the upper steering stem and the lower steering stem and wherein the steering assembly is operably connected to the front ground-engaging wheel.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission control apparatus is basically provided with a controller that is configured to control a gear ratio of a transmission based on seat height information of a bicycle seat relative to a bicycle frame, or change a parameter for shifting the transmission based on the seat height information of the bicycle seat relative to the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly includes a fixing member for fixing a sprocket to a crank arm. The fixing member includes a radially-extending projection, to prevent the sprocket from moving relative to the crank axle in an axial direction, and an axially-extending base portion, which is secured to the crank arm. A contact part is provided on an inner periphery of the base portion and contacts the crank axle or is provided on the crank axle and contacts the base portion. The contact part permits force to be transmitted between the crank axle and the fixing member to limit flexing of the crank axle assembly.

Abstract: A method and device for operating an electric bicycle that has an electric motor and a transmission with at least two gears is provided. The method includes ascertaining a current pedal frequency that is generated by a user of the electric bicycle and checking whether the ascertained current pedal frequency lies within a specified pedal frequency interval. The method also includes ascertaining a current travel speed of the electric bicycle, ascertaining at least two transmission gears within the specified pedal frequency interval depending on the ascertained travel speed, and ascertaining a respective output of the electric motor for each of the ascertained at least two gears. The method also includes ascertaining the lowest ascertained output of the electric motor by comparing the two ascertained outputs of the electric motor, and ascertaining the transmission gear for which the lowest output was ascertained.

Abstract: A method of assembling a floating wind turbine platform includes assembling a keystone having a hollow central cavity from pre-formed concrete sections, and assembling a plurality of buoyant bottom beams from pre-formed concrete sections. Each bottom beam is attached to, and extends radially outward of the keystone to define a base assembly. Each buoyant bottom beam includes a ballast chamber therein. The keystone is post-tensioned to each bottom beam along a longitudinal axis thereof. A center column is assembled upwardly and perpendicularly on the base assembly from pre-formed sections of the center column, the outer columns are assembled on a distal end of each bottom beam from pre-formed sections of the outer columns, and the center column and the outer columns are longitudinally post-tensioned to the base assembly. A tower is assembled on the center column from pre-formed sections, and a wind turbine is assembled on the tower.

Abstract: A removable marine cover for protecting marine support structures such as bullnoses in addition to nautical lines from abrasive contact has a polymeric cover body including an outward surface attached to a material with a gripping portion is provided. The marine cover has a set of ratchet straps arranged around the periphery to securely attach the cover to the marine support structure. The inward surface may include a wear pad, and may further include a polyurethane coating to reduce the coefficient of friction experienced by the nautical lines while also protecting the support structure from degradation, which ultimately prevents damage to both the support structure and the nautical lines.

Abstract: A cover for a vehicle, such as a boat, including a ratchet and straps. The straps are connected to a plate for evenly distributing the load placed on the straps when the straps are tightened by the ratchet. The straps, when tightened, provide form to the cover such that water will run off the cover.

Abstract: An assembly and method for the use of a float in a pool. The assembly provides a stable platform to place food, drink, and decorations. Additionally, the assembly reduces the number of small animals drowning or dying in a pool by providing a stable platform in which to climb onto to get out of the water. The assembly includes a foam float, tether, and anchor. The anchor and tether confine the area the float can travel. The anchor is attached to the pool wall, eliminating a tripping hazard next to the pool.

Abstract: A method for locking the rope winch which is characterized by the fact that the locking bolt is inserted when the rope drum of the rope winch is stopped, first, through one of two holes in the first lug, then through one of the arched cuttings on the wheel of the rope drum of the rope winch, and finally through one of two holes in the second lug, Then the locking bolt is secured in position with a nut.

Abstract: A storage assembly for a vehicle has an outer compartment defined by an outer peripheral wall, an outer compartment lid operatively connected to the outer peripheral wall and moveable between an open position providing access to an interior of the outer compartment and a closed position blocking access to the interior of the outer compartment; and an inner compartment integrally formed within the outer compartment, the inner compartment being defined by an inner peripheral wall. The inner compartment comprises an inner compartment lid operatively connected to the inner peripheral wall and being moveable between an open position providing access to an interior of the inner compartment and a closed position blocking access to the interior of the inner compartment, and a sealing assembly for sealing the interior of the inner compartment when the inner compartment lid is in the closed position. A vehicle including the storage assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine vessel, which in one example comprises a substantially continuous deck. Also disclosed is an example with a plurality of parallel longitudinally aligned channels extending from the forward deck to the aft deck. The vessel having a vessel cabin resting on and longitudinally movable upon the deck. The vessel cabin in one example having a plurality of rolling wheels attached thereto; wherein the rolling wheels roll upon the deck and allow longitudinal movement of the vessel cabin between the aft region and the forward region. A drive unit (motor) may be provided. The drive unit optionally mounted to the cabin and in one example having a drive wheel mounted to the drive unit and configured to rotate the drive wheel. The drive wheel(s) contacting the deck such that rotation of the drive wheel repositions the cabin between the aft region and the forward region.

Abstract: A boat, having a transom, includes an aft-facing seat. The aft-facing seat may be positioned proximate to the transom and includes a seat bottom that is inclined at a downward angle in a direction extending from aft to fore. A plurality of handles may be provided for the aft-facing seat, with one at an outboard side and another at an inboard side. The aft-facing seat may be configured to be occupied by a person while the boat is moving through the water such that the person's legs extend aft, over the transom.

Abstract: A kite includes a frame including a leading edge support and a plurality of struts extending rearward from the leading edge support, a flexible main canopy attached to the frame and at least one flexible kite sizing section adjustably attached to the flexible main canopy. The at least one flexible kite sizing section is adjustable to change an area of the kite, including an area of at least a first wing tip section of the kite.

Abstract: A kite control bar having a line guide extending with a fixed pawl towards one end. A reel is pivotally mounted towards one end of the control bar and extending into the line receiving channel. The reel has a fixed shaft with a knob on the shaft to enabling manual rotation of the reel. The reel has a ratchet gear. The reel is pivotally movable from an engaged positioned in which the ratchet gear of the reel is engaged with the pawl on the control bar thereby preventing rotation of the reel and a disengaged position in which the ratchet gear of the reel is disengaged from the pawl on the control bar thereby allowing rotation of the reel. The reel is biased into the engaged position. The reel is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by pushing the knob away from a center of the control bar.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an open/non-closed hull collar assembly that is shaped to increase encapsulated volume of a hull. The hull collar assembly may include a hull collar structure and a foam module. The hull collar structure may include a gunwale, an outboard boundary, and an inboard boundary. The outboard boundary extends in an outward lateral direction from a lower hull portion and extends in a longitudinal direction from the lower hull portion such that at least a portion of the hull collar structure is at least partially included in a freeboard portion of a boat hull. The inboard boundary extends from the gunwale a portion of a distance to a deck such that the hull collar structure is at least partially open or non-closed to an inner hull volume. The foam module is comprised of a non-expansive, closed cell foam. The foam module is shaped for disposition within the hull collar structure.

Abstract: A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable components and a related method are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include substantially parallel first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable in a lateral direction between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide.

Abstract: A tourniquet device includes a tourniquet strap having an outward facing surface and an inward facing surface, the outward facing surface being covered with a plurality of hook fasteners, the inward facing surface having a section that is provided with a plurality of loop fasteners, a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a buckle, the second end having a cavity, and a securement strap configured for storage within the cavity, the securement strap including a terminal end that includes a pull tab, the securement strap is configured to be selectively placed in a stored position and a deployed position.

Abstract: For remotely operated vehicles (ROV) deployed subsea, communications between an ROV and a system remote from the ROV may use a remotely operated vehicle control communication system to achieve simultaneous and/or discrete data communications at two differing data transmission speeds using two differing data protocols over a common signal transmission pathway configured for use subsea at the first data transmission speed and the second data transmission speed, either separately or concurrently.

Abstract: A damper is disposed between an outer peripheral surface of a bushing and an inner peripheral surface of an inner hub. The damper includes a first portion facing a rib of the bushing, a second portion facing a rib of the inner hub, and a connection portion by which the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other. In a state in which a rotational force has not been applied between the bushing and the inner hub, the damper includes a cross-sectional shape that defines a deformation-absorbing space positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The deformation-absorbing space is deformed such that the first portion approaches the second portion in a state in which the rib of the bushing and the rib of the inner hub have moved relatively by application of a rotational force between the bushing and the inner hub.

Abstract: Shock absorbing hub assemblies and methods of making the same for marine propulsion devices having a propeller shaft and propeller. The assembly has an adapter component having an inner bore that engages the propeller shaft's splined outer surface and having a body with axially extending engagement surfaces on one end and an elastic hub component on an opposite end. The elastic hub component has planar outer engagement surfaces that abut corresponding inner engagement surfaces on the propeller hub's inner bore. Upon initial propeller shaft rotation, the elastic hub component deflects and allows the adapter component to rotationally travel relative to the propeller hub while not rotating the propeller hub. Upon further rotation, the adapter component's axially extending engagement surfaces engage with the propeller hub to rotate the propeller hub. The elastic hub component has a spring rate small enough to reduce clutch rattle yet large enough to isolate transmission shift clunk.

Abstract: The single-jointed underwater robot fish includes a casing, a main board cabin, a motion control cabin and a battery cabin. The outer contour of the casing is a bionic fish shape, one end is a front casing, and the other end is a bionic fishtail structure. The front end of the main board cabin is affixed to the inner side of the front casing, a lens group, an eccentric anti-shake mechanism and a main PCB (printed circuit board) are set in the main board cabin. The motion control cabin is connected to the rear end of the main board cabin. A triaxial linkage device and a transmission device are set in the motion control cabin. The battery cabin is located below the motion control cabin.

Abstract: A propeller and related method for adjusting the fluid-dynamic pitch of the propeller blades are described. The propeller has at least one rotatable blade pivoted to a propeller cylindrical casing, a hub adapted to be coupled to an engine and mounted within the propeller casing. The hub is rotatable with respect to the propeller cylindrical casing, or vice versa, for a non-zero angular interval (?) for the adjustment of the fluid-dynamic blade pitch. Moreover, the hub has a contact surface movable between direct or indirect disengagement and engagement positions with a respective abutment which defines a limit stop of the angular interval (?). The limit stop abutment has a region of a movable element arranged in a seat of the propeller cylindrical casing for modifying the limit stop abutment position of the at least one angular interval (?).

Abstract: A boat comprises a deck supported by one or more deck floats, and a paddle wheel cockpit comprising a seat proximal to a pedal-driven paddle wheel adapted to engage water and propel the boat; wherein the deck and the paddle wheel cockpit are joined by at least one cockpit hinge that allows the paddle wheel cockpit to fold over the deck, in some embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus for furling and unfurling a sail includes a housing with an upper end adapted for connection with an upper end of a sailboat mast and a lower end including a swivel, rotatable relative to the housing upper end and adapted for connection with an upper corner of a sail. Within the housing there is a motor with a clutch attached to it. When the housing upper and lower ends are connected to the top of a mast and sail, respectively, the motor rotates the swivel in a first direction to furl a sail, and when the clutch is released, the swivel is free to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction to unfurl the sail. The housing can further include a stop mechanism which prevents the housing upper end from rotating when the swivel is rotated.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods associated with a variable rate of turn trolling motor are provided. An example system includes a trolling motor assembly having a propulsion motor and a steering actuator, a navigation control device having a user input assembly and a processor. The processor may be configured to determine a rate of turn based on user activity detected by the user input assembly and generate a steering input signal. The steering input signal may be an electrical signal indicating a rate of turn. The processor may be further configured to direct the steering actuator, via the steering input signal, to rotate the propulsion motor at a desired rate of turn based on the rate of turn indicated in the steering input signal.

Abstract: A trim-tilt device includes a first electric motor electrically connected to a power source and tilts an outboard motor body in an up-and-down direction. A steering device includes a second electric motor electrically connected to the power source. The steering device turns the outboard motor body in a right-and-left direction. A fuel pump is electrically connected to the power source, and supplies fuel to an engine. A controller limits an inrush current into the first electric motor using a PWM control for a predetermined period of time from a starting time point of an input current into the first electric motor.

Abstract: A remote control outputs a remote control signal to operate an outboard motor. A joystick outputs a joystick signal to operate the outboard motor. A controller is configured or programmed to receive the remote control signal from the remote control and the joystick signal from the joystick, and to control shifting between forward movement and rearward movement by the outboard motor in response to operation of the remote control and the joystick. The controller executes first shift shock correction control when shifting between forward movement and rearward movement by the outboard motor in response to operation of the remote control. The controller executes second shift shock correction control different from the first shift shock correction control when shifting between forward movement and rearward movement by the outboard motor in response to operation of the joystick.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device has an internal combustion engine, an exhaust manifold that conveys exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, and a cooling water sprayer that is configured to spray a flow of cooling water radially outwardly toward an inner diameter of the exhaust manifold. The cooling water sprayer has a sprayer body that is configured to convey the flow of cooling water radially into the exhaust manifold and a nozzle configured to spray the flow of cooling water radially outwardly in a fan-shaped pattern toward the inner diameter of the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A cowling for an outboard motor has port and starboard intake ports that direct flow of intake air into the cowling and extend downwardly along the aftward side of the cowling and face laterally outwardly. A duct system receives and conveys intake air intake ports to an intake conduit for the outboard motor. The duct system includes port and starboard intake troughs that extend alongside the intake ports and redirect the intake air from a generally lateral flow into the intake ports to a generally vertically downward flow and then to a generally forward flow towards the intake conduit. Port and starboard baffles that extend alongside the intake ports and direct flow of water into port and starboard channels located alongside the baffles, respectively. The channels drain the water by gravity depending on tilt and trim orientation of the outboard motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pod propulsion unit of a ship. The pod propulsion unit comprises a pod housing arranged at least partly below a hull of the ship, an electric propeller motor within a motor gondola of the pod housing, an annular gap between a rotor and a stator of the electric propeller motor, and gas channels extending through the rotor, a closed cooling gas circuit, and a fan for circulating gas in the closed cooling gas circuit. The closed cooling gas circuit comprising a feeding duct extending between the return duct and the first motor end face of the electrical propeller motor, and a return duct extending between the feeding duct and the opposite second motor end face of the electrical propeller motor.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a plurality of electric actuators including an electric steering actuator and an electric tilt actuator, a power-source voltage detector that detects a power-source voltage in the outboard motor, an ECU, and a memory. If a power-source voltage detected by the power-source voltage detector becomes lower than a predetermined threshold value and if the plurality of electric actuators are simultaneously driven, the ECU determines that a voltage variation event has occurred. Event information including the number of occurrences of the voltage variation event is recorded in the memory.

Abstract: Described herein are features for a high altitude lighter-than-air (LTA) system and associated methods. The LTA may include one or more super-pressure balloons (SPB). One or more of the SPB's may include one or more interior volumes. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive an LTA gas therein to supplement the free lift of the LTA system. There may be an adjustable valve or vent to release the LTA gas. One or more of the interior volumes may be configured to receive ambient air to provide a variable downward force. The SPB may use a compressor to pump in ambient air. The compressor or another valve may release ambient air to decrease the downward force. A zero-pressure balloon (ZPB) may be attached with the one or more SPB's. The ZPB may supplement lift for the system.

Abstract: An example method for manufacturing a multicellular structure for acoustic damping is described that includes applying a porogen material to a solid support, inserting a multicellular frame into the solid support and through the porogen material so as to fill cells of the multicellular frame with the porogen material, fusing the porogen material, removing the multicellular frame from the solid support, and the multicellular frame contains a suspended fused porogen network attached to walls of the cells of the multicellular frame. The method also includes applying a solution to the suspended fused porogen network in the cells of the multicellular frame to percolate the suspended fused porogen network, curing the solution, and removing the suspended fused porogen network from the multicellular frame resulting in porous septum membranes of the cured solution in cells of the multicellular frame.

Abstract: A single-shaft aerial vehicle comprises a propeller, an aerial vehicle body and a wing driver unit constituting a portion of the aerial vehicle body. The aerial vehicle body has a streamlined shape. A ring-shaped wing extending out of the wing driver unit is provided at a central position of the wing driver unit. The ring-shaped wing is movable horizontally under the drive of the wing drive unit. When drag areas of the ring-shaped wing extending out of an outer circumference of the wing drive unit are the same in all directions, the single-shaft aerial vehicle maintains its current flying posture. When the ring-shaped wing moves toward a certain direction to increase the drag area extending out of the wing drive unit in the certain direction, and contracts into the wing drive unit in its opposite direction to reduce the drag area in the opposite direction, the single-shaft aerial vehicle changes its current flying posture.

Abstract: Airfoil blades are disclosed having a coating thereon that includes a polyurethane, a polysiloxane, and a linking agent that promotes a connection between the polyurethane and the polysiloxane.

Abstract: A method for controlling a propeller of an aircraft, comprises receiving, with a processor, one or more signals indicative of commanded collective pitch of the propeller; receiving, with the processor, one or more sensed signals indicative of propeller axial speed, propeller rotational speed, and air density; estimating, with the processor, a propeller torque and propeller thrust from one or more of the propeller axial speed, the propeller rotational speed, and the air density; determining, with the processor, information indicative of an error value between a desired torque and a measured torque in the propeller; determining, with the processor, information indicative of a corrected pitch command in response to the determining of the error value; combining, with the processor, the corrected pitch command with the propeller rotational speed into an adjustment solution; providing, with the processor, the propeller with the adjustment solution.

Abstract: A braking test for a high lift system. The system including a plurality of high lift surfaces movably arranged at a wing, a plurality of drive stations coupled with the high lift surfaces via a transmission shaft, a power drive unit coupled with the transmission shaft including an electric motor operably coupled with a brake, and a control unit operably coupled to the power drive unit. The control unit executing a method for testing the brake, including actuating an electric motor, acquiring a sensor output of a sensor coupled during the actuating of the motor and determining a motion of the motor, activating a selected brake under test, measuring an elapsed time until the brake has arrested the motion, and determining if the elapsed time is less than a threshold. Generating a brake failure signal for the selected brake if the elapsed time exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a pilot control module configured to receive commands from a pilot, a flight control module operable to transmit an instruction to change at least one operating condition of an aircraft, and a flight control computer in communication between the flight control module and the pilot control module. The flight control computer is configured to receive a pilot command to change a first flight characteristic, wherein changing the first flight characteristic would result in an expected change to a second flight characteristic. The flight control computer may instruct the flight control module to transmit an instruction to change a first operating condition of the aircraft and instruct the flight control module to transmit an instruction to change a second operating condition of the aircraft to at least partially offset the expected change to the second flight characteristic.

Abstract: A stealth craft's aerodynamics and flight stability are improved with the use of a multi-faceted dihedral planform. The stealth craft includes a multi-faceted dihedral planform extending in a direction from a front to a rear of a craft (or wing) and defined by a first set of facets followed by a second set of facets. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second sets of facets have an angle of incline that is ascending and descending, respectively, with respect to the direction of the planform. Selected ones of the first and second sets of facets are configured with insufflation slots for improving aerodynamics and stability, the insufflation slots extending spanwise in a direction transverse to the direction of the planform and provided to insufflate a fluid to form a cushion of air along the multi-faceted dihedral planform for improving aerodynamics and stability.

Abstract: A winglet 3 has an inner end 5 and an outer 7. The winglet 3 has a varying radius of curvature (R) which:(i) decreases along the winglet over a first distanced1; (ii) remains constant over a second distanced2; and (iii) increases along the winglet 3 over a third distance d3. The sum of the first and third distances (d1+d3) is greater than the second distance (d2). The radius of curvature may vary according to the equation R=k1/dn. The parameter n may be equal to 1, such that the curvature follows an Euler spiral.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drone. The present invention includes a plurality of propellers creating a lift to prevent inclination and overturn of the drone due to a lift difference generated from uneven ground, a power driving unit providing a rotation power to each of a plurality of the propellers, a ground sensing unit measuring a distance to a first region of the ground and a shape of the first region, and a controller controlling the power driving unit to differentiate rotation ratios of a plurality of the propellers based on the measured distance and shape if receiving an input signal for landing at the first region.

Abstract: A turbine engine for a helicopter, the helicopter including a main gearbox, a rotor, and a speed-reducing device housed entirely within the main gearbox of the helicopter while also being connected to the rotor, the turbine engine including a casing, a gas generator with a gas generator shaft, and a free turbine for being driven in rotation by a gas stream generated by the gas generator, the free turbine including a free turbine shaft. When the turbine engine is fastened to the gearbox of the helicopter, the free turbine shaft extends axially into the main gearbox of the helicopter to be connected directly to the speed-reducing device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a shaft, a rotor, and a cam surface. The shaft comprises a spiral spline along a length of the shaft. The rotor comprises a blade extending from the rotor and a tubular hole extending into the rotor. The tubular hole comprises a spiral groove configured to mate with the spiral spline on the shaft. Relative rotation between the spiral spline and the spiral groove causes the rotor to linearly move along the shaft. The cam surface comprising a recession. The blade nesting in the recession to constrains rotation of the rotor about the shaft and allows linear movement of the rotor along the shaft.

Abstract: A rotor includes a blade retention cuff configured to receive a rotor blade; a yoke coupled to the blade retention cuff; and a rigid propeller shaped hub configured to enclose at least a portion of the blade retention cuff and at least a portion of the yoke.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein a center portion of each longitudinal side portion comprises a build-up of material that is configured to accommodate a yoke hub clamp. Included is an apparatus comprising a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions. Also included is a method of coupling aircraft blades comprising providing a rotor yoke comprising two longitudinal side portions interconnected by two outboard portions, wherein no apertures pass through the two longitudinal side portions and the two outboard portions.

Abstract: A bearing sleeve assembly includes a rigid inner element having a cylindrical inner diameter bore and an outer surface that is non-cylindrical. Also included is a rigid outer element spaced radially outwardly from the rigid inner element, the rigid outer element comprising a cylindrical member with a uniform cross-section that forms a ring with an inner-diameter surface and an outer-diameter surface, the outer element's inner-diameter surface and the non-cylindrical outer surface of the inner element defining a non-uniform annulus therebetween. Further included is an elastomeric core disposed between the rigid inner element and the rigid outer element within the non-uniform annulus, the elastomeric core having a first thickness at a first location and a second thickness at a second location, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A gimbal lock mechanism for a rotor hub can include a cam member having a cuff lock lobe and a gimbal lock lobe. The cam member is configured so that rotation can cause the first cuff lobe to become adjacent to the root end of the rotor blade and at the same time causes the gimbal lock lobe to become adjacent to a gimbal so as to inhibit gimbaling of the gimbal. A first moveable pin can be located on the root end portion of the rotor blade and inserted into the cuff lock lobe to prevent pitch change of the rotor blade.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a tiltwing where the tiltwing is a single wing to which starboard-side and non-foldable outer propeller, a port-side and non-foldable outer propeller, a starboard-side and foldable inner propeller, and a port-side and foldable inner propeller are coupled to. Those rotors rotate at least some of the time when the tiltwing is in a vertical takeoff and landing position. The starboard-side and foldable inner propeller and the port-side and foldable inner propeller are stowed at least some of the time when the tiltwing is in a forward flight position. The tiltwing rotates about an axis of rotation, when rotating between the vertical takeoff and landing position and the forward flight position, that is higher than the aircraft's center of mass.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided and includes a fuselage, wings extending outwardly from opposite sides of the fuselage, nacelles supportively disposed on the wings and reversely oriented, axial flow engines disposed in each of the nacelles to generate mechanical energy for driving lift and thrust generating prop-rotor rotations.